Vermont S 122: An act relating to nutrient management plans

Bill Text

No. 65 Page 1 of 16
2025

VT LEG #384290 v.1
No. 65. An act relating to economic and workforce development.
(S.122)
It is hereby enacted by the General Assembly of the State of Vermont:
Sec. 1. EXPANDING SERVICES FOR SMALL BUSINESSES
(a) The Vermont Professionals of Color Network. Of monies appropriated
to the Department of Economic Development in fiscal year 2026, $200,000.00
shall be allocated to support The Vermont Professionals of Color Network’s
critical workforce and business development services it provides to BIPOC
business communities and to support its business technical assistance services,
which includes education on basic business practices, resource navigation, and
networking support to BIPOC small business owners.
(b) Business advising. Of monies appropriated to the Department of
Economic Development in fiscal year 2026, $150,000.00 shall be allocated for
a grant to the Vermont Small Business Development Center for the purpose of
supporting the continuation of its work in helping Vermonters start, acquire,
and grow businesses. The funds shall also be used to continue its business
advising and educational workshops to meet increasing demands of
entrepreneurs and small business owners post pandemic.
Sec. 2. INTERNATIONAL TRADE DIVISION
Of monies appropriated to the Department of Economic Development in
fiscal year 2026, $150,000.00 shall be allocated to the International Business
Office for the purpose of continuing to support the Office’s initiatives.

No. 65 Page 2 of 16
2025

VT LEG #384290 v.1
Sec. 3. TASK FORCE TO EXPLORE DEVELOPMENT OF
CONVENTION CENTER AND PERFORMANCE VENUE
(a) Creation. There is created the Convention Center and Performance
Venue Task Force to study the feasibility of constructing a convention center
and performance venue in Vermont.
(b) Membership. The Task Force shall be composed of the following
members:
(1) one current member of the House of Representatives, who shall be
appointed by the Speaker of the House;
(2) one current member of the Senate, who shall be appointed by the
Committee on Committees;
(3) the Commissioner of the Department of Economic Development or
designee;
(4) the President of the Vermont Chamber of Commerce or designee;
(5) the Chief Executive Officer of the Lake Champlain Chamber of
Commerce or designee;
(6) the President of the Vermont Regional Development Corporations or
designee; and
(7) the Chair of the Vermont Association of Planning and Development
Agencies or designee.
(c) Powers and duties. The Task Force, in reviewing the feasibility of
constructing a convention center and performance venue in Vermont, shall:

No. 65 Page 3 of 16
2025

VT LEG #384290 v.1
(1) determine the ability of the State to support the projects through
appropriations, bonding, tax instruments, and other financial assistance;
(2) identify infrastructure improvements needed for the projects,
including water, sewer, transportation, lodging, and food;
(3) consider management and operational options for ownership,
maintenance, staffing, and related items for the projects;
(4) research the attributes of convention centers and performance venues
that have been recently and successfully developed in other states; and
(5) evaluate the economic impact and anticipated return on investment
of having a convention center and performance venue.
(d) Assistance. The Task Force shall have the administrative, technical,
and legal assistance of the Agency of Commerce and Community
Development.
(e) Reports. On or before November 1, 2025, the Task Force shall submit
an interim report to the House Committee on Commerce and Economic
Development and the Senate Committee on Economic Development, Housing
and General Affairs with an update on its work pursuant to subsection (c) of
this section. On or before November 1, 2026, the Task Force shall submit a
final written report to the House Committee on Commerce and Economic
Development and the Senate Committee on Economic Development, Housing
and General Affairs with its findings and any recommendations for legislative
action.

No. 65 Page 4 of 16
2025

VT LEG #384290 v.1
(f) Meetings.
(1) The Commissioner of the Department of Economic Development or
designee shall call the first meeting of the Task Force to occur on or before
July 15, 2025.
(2) The Task Force shall select a chair from among its members at the
first meeting.
(3) A majority of the membership shall constitute a quorum.
(4) The Task Force shall cease to exist on December 1, 2026.
(5) The Task Force shall meet not more than six times.
(g) Reimbursement.
(1) For attendance at meetings during adjournment of the General
Assembly, a legislative member of the Task Force serving in the member’s
capacity as a legislator shall be entitled to per diem compensation and
reimbursement of expenses pursuant to 2 V.S.A. § 23 for not more than six
meetings. These payments shall be made from monies appropriated to the
General Assembly.
(2) Other members of the Task Force shall be entitled to reimbu