Government Affairs Committee
This will be our last Newsletter report for our CVC 2019/2020 year. To update our members, our committee provides the following information on State Legislation actions pertaining to the Coronavirus Relief Fund (CRF). The CRF which was established by the federal Cares Act this spring provides the State of Vermont $1.25 billion of funds. Of the total fund amount, $280 million has already been spent or allocated by the Scott administration and/or the Legislature. The remaining portion of the fund is up to the Legislators to provide approved Bill(s) that would be submitted to our Governor for signature identifying how these funds will be disbursed.
As you might expect, the Legislators are receiving a large amount of proposals from various entities on how these funds should be distributed. It has been very hard for our committee to track as it changes daily. Legislators are under the gun to complete the preparation of the Bills prior to their scheduled recess. The pressure is on!
As of this writing, the information below are highlights/summary of events related to the CRF that have occurred. PLEASE NOTE that this information is only current as of 6/20/20 and is expected to evolve in the upcoming week due by Legislation actions in both chambers! For the most up to date information please visit the following website: https://legislature.vermont.gov/
Local Government
Vermont Economic Recovery Package
On 5/20/20, Governor Scott unveiled a $400 million economic relief package that aims to ease the strain of the Covid-19 crisis on Vermont businesses, agriculture, and housing. The two-phase proposal, would start off with $310 million to provide “immediate relief” to businesses struggling to stay afloat during the pandemic. Phase 1 immediate relief portion that was proposed consisted of $250 mill in Financial Assistance, $50 mill in Housing Assistance, $5 mill towards Technical Assistance and $5 mill toward Marketing. Phase 2, called “Recovery Investments to Thrive”, identified funds that were to be distributed to Financial Assistance, Housing Assistance, Community Recovery, Broadband Investment, Retraining & Reskilling Unemployed Vermonters, & Permitting Modernization.
A detailed outline of this plan can be found at the following link:
https://accd.vermont.gov/sites/accdnew/files/documents/Vermont%20Economic%20Recovery%20Package%20-%202020-05-20.pdf
Local Government Emergency Funding COVID-19 Aid
Bill (S.349) provides $16 mill from the CRF related to expense reimbursement to local Government. It passed the Senate on 6/4/20 and is now in the House Appropriations Committee for action.
Agricultural Producers & Processors COVID-19 Aid
On 6/12/20 the Senate passed Bill S.351 that proposes to establish assistance programs for agricultural producers and processors suffering business interruptions, losses, or expenses due to the COVID-19 public health emergency. It Is now in the House Appropriations Committee for action.
Final details on the Bill as introduced to the House can be found at the following web address:
https://legislature.vermont.gov/Documents/2020/Docs/BILLS/S-0351/S-0351%20As%20passed%20by%20the%20Senate%20Official.pdf
Health Care & Human Services COVID-19 Aid
On 6/17/20, The House passed Bill H.965 which provides $300 mil of the CRF for health care- and human services-related expenses incurred as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.
This Bill is now in the Senate Appropriations Committee for action.
House approves additional Covid-19 Aid for Businesses
On Friday 6/19/20 the House Legislators approved an additional $121 million in aid for businesses, and some workers, strained by the Covid-19 crisis. Provisions were tacked onto Bill H.966 which contains more than $100 million in additional CRF dollars. The Bill now moves to the Senate for action.
Commerce and trade; economic development; housing COVID-19 Aid
This Bill (S.350) was signed by the Governor on 6/19/20 and provides $20 mill appropriated to the Agency of Commerce and Community Development to provide grants to eligible businesses and $23 mill appropriated to the Vermont Housing and Conservation Board.
Final details on the Bill can be found at the following web address:
https://legislature.vermont.gov/Documents/2020/Docs/BILLS/S-0350/S-0350%20As%20Passed%20by%20Both%20House%20and%20Senate%20Official.pdf
US Government Affairs Updates
(as reported by ASHRAE.org, 6/18/20, partial topics listing)
• House Energy and Commerce Committee Holds Hearing on COVID-19’s Impact on the Energy Sector
• Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee Holds Hearing on COVID-19’s Impact on the Energy Industry
• Sen. Hassan Sends Letter to DOD on Renewable Energy Consumption Goals
• Three House Committee Chairs Send Letter to EPA on COVID-19 Enforcement Policy
For detailed information on the above topics, visit the ASHRAE Government Affairs Update website page at:
https://www.magnetmail.net/Actions/email_web_version.cfm?publish=newsletter&user_id=ASHRAE&message_id=18787715
Wishing all our Members, families, and friends a pleasant and enjoyable summer!!
Dick Wilcox
GAC Committee Chair