Source: http://www.leg.state.vt.us/docs/legdoc.cfm?URL=/docs/2008/bills/house/H-891.HTM
Timestamp: 2018-07-20 20:21:54
Document Index: 711718206

Matched Legal Cases: ['§ 902', '§ 1986', '§ 2887', '§ 2796', '§ 9502', '§ 9502', '§ 435', '§ 9502', '§ 311', '§ 5', '§ 8061', '§ 4089', '§ 307', '§ 501', '§ 307', '§ 160', '§ 2541', '§ 473', '§ 2856', '§ 5363', '§ 16', '§ 5613', '§ 706', '§ 2959', '§ 842', '§ 843', '§ 10', '§ 104', '§ 1301', '§ 2967', '§ 2967', '§ 1049', '§ 1564', '§ 1944', '§ 1944', '§ 2845', '§ 2856', '§ 306', '§ 2887', '§ 531', '§ 1522', '§ 2856', '§ 308', '§ 308', '§ 308', '§ 1203', '§ 1203', '§ 38', '§ 5613', '§ 1941', '§ 2624', '§ 2624', '§ 1565', '§ 11', '§ 724', '§ 723', '§ 725', '§ 903', '§ 111', '§ 111', '§ 305', '§ 2503', '§ 703', '§ 1203', '§ 1211', '§ 1910', '§ 1953', '§ 1984', '§ 2073', '§ 423', '§ 2074', '§ 2074', '§ 2501', '§ 1955', '§ 961', '§ 962', '§ 4089', '§ 4089', '§ 1', '§ 406']

AN ACT RELATING TO MAKING APPROPRIATION FOR THE SUPPORT OF GOVERNMENT
Sec. 1.000. SHORT TITLE
(a) This bill may be referred to as the BIG BILL - Fiscal Year 2009 Appropriations Act.
Sec. 1.001. PURPOSE
(a) The purpose of this act is to provide appropriations for the operations of state government during fiscal year 2009. It is the express intent of the legislature that activities of the various agencies, departments, divisions, boards, and commissions be limited to those which can be supported by funds appropriated in this act or other acts passed prior to June 30, 2008. Agency and department heads are directed to implement staffing and service levels at the beginning of fiscal year 2009 so as to meet this condition unless otherwise directed by specific language in this act or other acts of the general assembly.
Sec. 1.002. APPROPRIATIONS
(a) It is the intent of the general assembly that this act serve as the primary source and reference for appropriations for fiscal year 2009.
(c) Unless codified or otherwise specified, all narrative portions of this act apply only to the fiscal year ending June 30, 2009.
Sec. 1.003. DEFINITIONS
(2) "Grants" means subsidies, aid, or payments to local governments, to community and quasipublic agencies for providing local services, and to persons who are not wards of the state for services or supplies, and cash or other direct assistance, including pension contributions.
(3) "Operating expenses" means property management, repair and maintenance, rental expenses, insurance, postage, travel, energy and utilities, office and other supplies, equipment, including motor vehicles, highway materials and construction, expenditures for the purchase of land, and construction of new buildings and permanent improvements; and similar items.
(4) "Personal services" means wages and salaries, fringe benefits, per diems, and contracted third party services; and similar items.
Sec. 2.001. Secretary of administration - secretary's office
Personal services 848,494
Operating expenses 59,918
Total 1,058,412
General fund 829,122
Global Commitment fund 76,613
Interdepartmental transfer 152,677
Sec. 2.002. Information and innovation - communications and information technology
Personal services 4,842,221
Operating expenses 1,022,252
Total 6,264,473
General fund 115,160
Internal service funds 6,149,313
Sec. 2.003. Information and innovation - Vermont information technology leaders (VITL)
Grants 970,000
General fund 299,676
Special funds 330,824
Global Commitment fund 339,500
Sec. 2.004. Finance and management - budget and management
Personal services 969,417
Operating expenses 156,553
Total 1,125,970
General fund 945,847
Interdepartmental transfer 180,123
Sec. 2.005. Finance and management - financial operations
Personal services 3,354,394
Operating expenses 1,328,541
Total 4,682,935
Special funds 67,637
Internal service funds 4,615,298
Sec. 2.006. Human resources - operations
Personal services 2,338,000
Operating expenses 628,820
Total 2,966,820
General fund 2,211,227
Interdepartmental transfer 457,832
Sec. 2.007. Human resources - technical services
Personal services 811,108
Operating expenses 494,382
Total 1,305,490
Internal service funds 1,305,490
Sec. 2.008. Human resources - employee benefits & wellness
Personal services 1,450,506
Operating expenses 433,486
Total 1,883,992
Internal service funds 1,883,992
Sec. 2.009. Libraries
Personal services 2,027,969
Operating expenses 1,581,218
Grants 62,500
Total 3,671,687
General fund 2,601,964
Special funds 152,482
Federal funds 823,729
Interdepartmental transfer 93,512
Sec. 2.010. Tax - administration/collection
Personal services 12,212,179
Operating expenses 2,943,714
Total 15,155,893
General fund 13,992,457
Special funds 908,436
Interdepartmental transfer 197,000
Sec. 2.011. Buildings and general services - administration
Personal services 2,193,312
Operating expenses 353,689
Total 2,547,001
Interdepartmental transfer 2,547,001
Sec. 2.012. Buildings and general services - engineering
Personal services 1,932,163
Operating expenses 514,440
Total 2,446,603
General fund 2,446,603
Sec. 2.013. Buildings and general services - information centers
Personal services 3,570,072
Operating expenses 1,306,663
Grants 45,450
Total 4,922,185
General fund 4,872,185
Sec. 2.014. Buildings and general services - purchasing
Personal services 730,292
Operating expenses 318,605
Total 1,048,897
General fund 1,048,897
Sec. 2.015. Buildings and general services - postal services
Personal services 670,777
Operating expenses 195,563
Total 866,340
Internal service funds 826,340
Sec. 2.016. Buildings and general services - copy center
Personal services 642,126
Operating expenses 232,350
Total 874,476
Internal service funds 874,476
Sec. 2.017. Buildings and general services - fleet management services
Personal services 562,573
Operating expenses 154,346
Total 716,919
Internal service funds 716,919
Sec. 2.018. Buildings and general services - federal surplus property
Personal services 68,567
Operating expenses 77,525
Total 146,092
Enterprise funds 146,092
Sec. 2.019. Buildings and general services - state surplus property
Personal services 63,768
Operating expenses 63,840
Total 127,608
Internal service funds 127,608
Sec. 2.020. Buildings and general services - property management
Personal services 1,139,014
Operating expenses 2,945,329
Total 4,084,343
Internal service funds 4,084,343
Sec. 2.021. Buildings and general services - workers' compensation insurance
Personal services 1,242,185
Operating expenses 378,853
Sec. 2.022. Buildings and general services - general liability insurance
Personal services 299,547
Operating expenses 132,820
Total 432,367
Internal service funds 432,367
Sec. 2.023. Buildings and general services - all other insurance
Personal services 98,919
Operating expenses 28,388
Total 127,307
Internal service funds 127,307
Sec. 2.024. Buildings and general services - fee for space
Personal services 11,993,881
Operating expenses 12,126,545
Total 24,120,426
Internal service funds 24,120,426
Sec. 2.025. Geographic information system
Sec. 2.026. Executive office - governor's office
Personal services 1,323,037
Operating expenses 397,513
Total 1,720,550
General fund 1,527,050
Interdepartmental transfer 193,500
Sec. 2.027. Executive office - national and community service
Personal services 202,006
Operating expenses 122,923
Grants 1,835,463
Total 2,160,392
Federal funds 2,103,864
Sec. 2.028. Legislative council
Personal services 2,007,162
Operating expenses 163,692
Total 2,170,854
General fund 2,170,854
Sec. 2.029. Legislature
Personal services 4,362,889
Operating expenses 3,419,474
Total 7,782,363
General fund 7,782,363
Sec. 2.030. Legislative information technology
Personal services 387,751
Operating expenses 512,470
Total 900,221
General fund 900,221
Sec. 2.031. Joint fiscal committee
Personal services 1,210,211
Operating expenses 87,821
Total 1,298,032
General fund 1,298,032
Sec. 2.032. Sergeant at arms
Personal services 541,207
Operating expenses 71,346
Total 612,553
General fund 612,553
Sec. 2.033. Lieutenant governor
Personal services 143,693
Operating expenses 17,920
Total 161,613
General fund 161,613
Sec. 2.034. Auditor of accounts
Personal services 2,805,929
Operating expenses 142,283
Total 2,948,212
General fund 526,254
Internal service funds 2,367,527
Sec. 2.035. State treasurer
Personal services 2,398,796
Operating expenses 357,332
Total 2,786,128
General fund 1,170,693
Special funds 1,522,872
Interdepartmental transfer 92,563
Sec. 2.036. State treasurer - unclaimed property
Personal services 766,310
Operating expenses 252,226
Total 1,018,536
Private purpose trust funds 1,018,536
Sec. 2.037. Vermont state retirement system
Personal services 26,178,487
Operating expenses 787,519
Total 26,966,006
Pension trust funds 26,966,006
Sec. 2.038. Municipal employees' retirement system
Personal services 1,827,822
Operating expenses 410,209
Total 2,238,031
Pension trust funds 2,238,031
Sec. 2.039. State labor relations board
Personal services 175,087
Operating expenses 40,263
Total 215,350
General fund 209,480
Special funds 2,935
Interdepartmental transfer 2,935
Sec. 2.040. VOSHA review board
Personal services 40,414
Operating expenses 9,680
Total 50,094
General fund 25,047
Federal funds 25,047
Sec. 2.041. Homeowner rebate
Grants 12,921,868
General fund 12,921,868
Sec. 2.042. Renter Rebate
Grants 7,955,852
General fund 2,386,756
Education fund 5,569,096
Total 7,955,852
Sec. 2.043. Tax department - reappraisal and listing payments
Grants 3,240,112
Education fund 3,240,112
Sec. 2.044. Use tax reimbursement fund - municipal current use
Grants 9,850,000
General fund 9,850,000
Sec. 2.045. Lottery commission
Personal services 1,523,184
Operating expenses 1,093,578
Total 2,616,762
Enterprise funds 2,616,762
Sec. 2.046. Payments in lieu of taxes
Grants 4,500,000
Special funds 4,500,000
Sec. 2.047. Payments in lieu of taxes - Montpelier
Sec. 2.048. Payments in lieu of taxes - correctional facilities
Sec. 2.049. Total general government 177,935,013
General fund 71,226,450
Education fund 8,809,208
Special funds 8,317,588
Global Commitment fund 416,113
Federal funds 2,952,640
Enterprise funds 2,762,854
Internal service funds 49,252,444
Pension trust funds 29,204,037
Interdepartmental transfer 3,917,143
Total 177,935,013
Sec. 2.101. Attorney general
Personal services 7,170,495
Operating expenses 1,066,918
Total 8,237,413
General fund 4,519,248
Special funds 1,295,235
Federal funds 643,000
Interdepartmental transfer 1,489,930
Sec. 2.102. Vermont court diversion
Grants 1,724,534
Special funds 520,000
Total 1,724,534
Sec. 2.103. Defender general - public defense
Personal services 7,007,618
Operating expenses 965,209
Total 7,972,827
General fund 7,469,734
Special funds 503,093
Sec. 2.104. Defender general - assigned counsel
Personal services 3,251,287
Total 3,329,196
General fund 3,203,932
Special funds 125,264
Sec. 2.105. Judiciary
Personal services 28,497,859
Operating expenses 8,648,526
Total 37,216,385
General fund 32,113,828
Special funds 2,712,400
Federal funds 414,808
Interdepartmental transfer 1,935,349
Sec. 2.106. State's attorneys
Personal services 9,529,943
Operating expenses 1,271,127
Total 10,801,070
General fund 8,593,446
Special funds 94,476
Federal funds 31,000
Sec. 2.107. Special investigative units
Grants 620,000
General fund 530,000
Sec. 2.108. Sheriffs
Personal services 3,186,568
Operating expenses 277,101
Total 3,463,669
General fund 3,463,669
Sec. 2.109. Public safety - administration
Personal services 1,823,435
Operating expenses 158,768
Total 1,982,203
General fund 1,945,576
Federal funds 36,627
Sec. 2.110. Public safety - state police
Personal services 38,966,689
Operating expenses 8,200,082
Grants 582,087
Total 47,748,858
General fund 12,281,795
Transportation fund 29,231,384
Special funds 2,073,265
Federal funds 2,777,985
Interdepartmental transfer 1,384,429
Sec. 2.111. Public safety - criminal justice services
Personal services 5,708,438
Operating expenses 3,129,222
Grants 3,046,453
Total 11,884,113
General fund 759,697
Special funds 1,393,043
Federal funds 4,677,888
Sec. 2.112. Public safety - emergency management
Personal services 1,697,752
Operating expenses 1,244,111
Total 3,761,263
Special funds 167,471
Federal funds 3,529,823
Sec. 2.113. Public safety - fire safety
Personal services 4,381,112
Operating expenses 1,588,040
Grants 55,000
Total 6,024,152
General fund 713,269
Special funds 4,696,464
Federal funds 410,772
Sec. 2.114. Public safety - homeland security
Personal services 4,426,136
Operating expenses 4,998,879
Total 10,475,015
General fund 431,070
Federal funds 10,043,945
Sec. 2.115. Public safety - emergency management - radiological emergency response plan
Personal services 766,867
Operating expenses 233,666
Grants 736,703
Total 1,737,236
Special funds 1,737,236
Sec. 2.116. Military - administration
Personal services 564,006
Operating expenses 212,324
Total 976,330
General fund 976,330
Sec. 2.117. Military - air service contract
Personal services 4,544,156
Operating expenses 1,590,889
Total 6,135,045
General fund 572,037
Federal funds 5,563,008
Sec. 2.118. Military - army service contract
Personal services 3,939,774
Operating expenses 9,174,120
Total 13,113,894
General fund 107,151
Federal funds 13,006,743
Sec. 2.119. Military - building maintenance
Personal services 983,304
Total 1,425,229
General fund 1,425,229
Sec. 2.120. Military - veterans' affairs
Personal services 424,833
Operating expenses 157,886
Total 760,534
General fund 627,029
Special funds 66,000
Federal funds 67,505
Sec. 2.121. Center for crime victims services
Personal services 1,404,168
Operating expenses 318,275
Grants 10,586,763
Total 12,309,206
General fund 49,809
Special funds 8,394,319
Federal funds 3,865,078
Sec. 2.122. Criminal justice training council
Personal services 1,160,173
Operating expenses 1,049,893
Total 2,210,066
General fund 1,419,664
Special funds 532,539
Interdepartmental transfer 257,863
Sec. 2.123. Agriculture, food and markets - administration
Personal services 888,375
Operating expenses 383,721
Grants 374,701
Total 1,646,797
General fund 1,095,491
Special funds 382,465
Federal funds 126,841
Interdepartmental transfer 42,000
Sec. 2.124. Agriculture, food and markets - food safety and consumer protection
Personal services 1,963,313
Operating expenses 357,200
Total 2,320,513
General fund 1,176,490
Special funds 647,232
Federal funds 489,791
Sec. 2.125. Agriculture, food and markets - agricultural development
Personal services 642,276
Operating expenses 507,350
Grants 302,500
Total 1,452,126
General fund 827,765
Special funds 380,361
Federal funds 244,000
Sec. 2.126. Agriculture, food and markets - laboratories, agricultural resource management and environmental stewardship
Personal services 3,840,687
Operating expenses 621,088
Grants 5,000,000
Total 9,461,775
General fund 2,624,636
Special funds 5,770,556
Federal funds 518,329
Interdepartmental transfer 548,254
Sec. 2.127. Agriculture, food and markets - state stipend
Sec. 2.128. Agriculture, food and markets - mosquito control
Sec. 2.129. Banking, insurance, securities, and health care administration - administration
Personal services 1,797,764
Total 1,840,959
Special funds 1,840,959
Sec. 2.130. Banking, insurance, securities, and health care administration - banking
Personal services 1,099,669
Operating expenses 271,733
Total 1,371,402
Special funds 1,371,402
Sec. 2.131. Banking, insurance, securities, and health care administration - insurance
Personal services 2,809,503
Operating expenses 532,483
Total 3,341,986
Special funds 3,341,986
Sec. 2.132. Banking, insurance, securities, and health care administration - captive
Personal services 3,086,100
Operating expenses 506,991
Total 3,593,091
Special funds 3,593,091
Sec. 2.133. Banking, insurance, securities, and health care administration - securities
Personal services 506,876
Operating expenses 157,690
Total 664,566
Special funds 664,566
Sec. 2.134. Banking, insurance, securities, and health care administration - health care administration
Personal services 4,302,953
Operating expenses 391,959
Total 4,694,912
General fund 308,251
Special funds 2,487,837
Global Commitment fund 1,898,824
Sec. 2.135. Secretary of state
Personal services 5,122,855
Operating expenses 2,059,394
Total 8,182,249
General fund 1,765,725
Special funds 4,341,524
Sec. 2.136. Public service - regulation and energy
Personal services 4,981,246
Operating expenses 690,524
Grants 5,770,007
Total 11,441,777
Special funds 10,248,977
Sec. 2.137. Public service - purchase and sale of power
Personal services 18,484
Special funds 20,000
Sec. 2.138. Public service board
Personal services 2,557,376
Total 2,857,376
Special funds 2,857,376
Sec. 2.139. Enhanced 9-1-1 Board
Personal services 1,736,061
Operating expenses 1,925,191
Grants 823,443
Total 4,484,695
Special funds 4,484,695
Sec. 2.140. Vermont racing commission
General fund 400
Sec. 2.141. Human rights commission
Personal services 391,204
Operating expenses 91,961
Total 483,165
General fund 312,426
Sec. 2.142. Liquor control - administration
Personal services 1,476,488
Operating expenses 422,089
Total 1,898,577
Enterprise funds 1,694,577
Interdepartmental transfer 204,000
Sec. 2.143. Liquor control - enforcement and licensing
Personal services 1,818,624
Operating expenses 393,848
Total 2,212,472
Enterprise funds 1,922,827
Sec. 2.144. Liquor control - warehousing and distribution
Personal services 747,105
Operating expenses 370,808
Total 1,117,913
Enterprise funds 1,117,913
Sec. 2.145. Total protection to persons and property
257,249,989
General fund 90,693,231
Transportation fund 33,725,324
Special funds 66,913,832
Federal funds 49,775,682
Enterprise funds 4,735,317
Interdepartmental transfer 8,888,134
Total 257,249,989
Sec. 2.201. Agency of human services - secretary's office
Personal services 6,977,471
Operating expenses 3,004,134
Grants 3,576,153
Total 13,557,758
General fund 4,265,112
Tobacco funds 397,021
Federal funds 5,183,280
Interdepartmental transfer 3,704,828
Sec. 2.202. Secretary's office - Global Commitment
Grants 912,279,035
General fund 133,758,878
Special fund 16,261,307
Tobacco fund 39,487,801
State health care resources fund 148,336,776
Catamount fund 8,186,672
Federal funds 565,884,947
Interdepartmental transfer 362,654
Total 912,279,035
Sec. 2.203. Rate setting
Personal services 776,648
Operating expenses 76,959
Total 853,607
Global Commitment funds 853,607
Sec. 2.204. Developmental disabilities council
Personal services 207,538
Operating expenses 45,452
Grants 245,000
Total 497,990
Federal funds 497,990
Sec. 2.205. Human services board
Personal services 284,719
Operating expenses 65,106
Total 349,825
General fund 50,030
Federal funds 12,254
Interdepartmental transfer 287,541
Sec. 2.206. Office of Vermont health access - administration
Personal services 32,033,668
Operating expenses 2,424,407
Grants 1,196,000
Total 35,654,075
General fund 75,246
Global Commitment fund 34,128,247
Catamount fund 750,582
Sec. 2.207. Office of Vermont health access - Medicaid program - Global Commitment
Grants 463,663,466
Global Commitment fund 463,663,466
Sec. 2.208. Office of Vermont health access - Medicaid program - long-term care waiver
Grants 195,885,710
General fund 79,627,541
Federal funds 116,258,169
Total 195,885,710
Sec. 2.209. Office of Vermont health access - Medicaid program - state only
Grants 56,836,870
General funds 35,376,640
Global Commitment fund 1,383,714
Catamount fund 20,076,516
Total 56,836,870
Sec. 2.210. Office of Vermont health access - Medicaid non-waiver matched
Grants 44,448,317
General funds 16,068,046
Federal funds 28,380,271
Total 44,448,317
Sec. 2.211. Health - administration and support
Personal services 6,238,145
Operating expenses 2,582,888
Total 8,871,033
General fund 480,283
Special funds 24,743
Global Commitment fund 2,250,720
Federal funds 6,043,287
Interdepartmental transfer 72,000
Sec. 2.212. Health - Blueprint for Health
Personal services 2,588,970
Operating expenses 63,273
Grants 1,721,502
Total 4,373,745
Global Commitment fund 2,499,162
Catamount fund 1,846,713
Federal funds 27,870
Sec. 2.213. Health - health protection
Personal services 3,744,590
Operating expenses 756,614
Grants 1,789,500
Total 6,290,704
General fund 476,915
Special funds 1,321,929
Global Commitment fund 154,930
Federal funds 3,931,805
Interdepartmental transfer 405,125
Sec. 2.214. Health - health surveillance
Personal services 9,850,677
Operating expenses 2,514,540
Total 14,889,716
General fund 2,366,707
Special funds 1,315,130
Global Commitment fund 2,195,643
Federal funds 8,937,692
Sec. 2.215. Health - health improvement
Personal services 8,166,759
Operating expenses 1,037,591
Grants 12,032,405
Total 21,236,755
General fund 1,553,652
Special funds 735,627
Global Commitment fund 8,075,844
Federal funds 8,084,407
Sec. 2.216. Health - community public health
Personal services 11,656,786
Operating expenses 2,546,371
Grants 19,527,841
Total 33,730,998
General fund 764,574
Special funds 232,856
Global Commitment fund 13,670,032
Catamount fund 3,250,000
Federal funds 15,698,074
Interdepartmental transfer 115,462
Sec. 2.217. Health - alcohol and drug abuse programs
Personal services 3,372,335
Operating expenses 811,106
Grants 27,293,891
Total 31,477,332
General fund 3,293,874
Special funds 236,210
Global Commitment fund 16,726,203
Federal funds 8,688,211
Sec. 2.218. Health - medical practice board
Personal services 625,532
Total 1,033,317
Special funds 910,064
Global Commitment fund 123,253
Sec. 2.219. Mental health - mental health
Personal services 4,963,769
Operating expenses 614,618
Grants 132,073,344
Total 137,651,731
General fund 703,540
Global Commitment fund 132,849,352
Federal funds 4,078,839
Interdepartmental transfer 20,000
Sec. 2.220. Mental health - Vermont state hospital
Personal services 19,922,915
Operating expenses 1,821,721
Total 21,747,636
General fund 14,227,636
Global Commitment fund 7,000,000
Sec. 2.221. Department for children and families - administration & support services
Personal services 33,227,280
Operating expenses 6,655,247
Grants 1,300,215
Total 41,182,742
General fund 12,272,107
Global Commitment fund 14,698,891
Catamount fund 560,036
Federal funds 13,651,708
Sec. 2.222. Department for children and families - family services
Personal services 21,476,718
Operating expenses 3,330,327
Grants 64,307,283
Total 89,114,328
General fund 17,278,746
Special funds 1,938,367
Tobacco funds 275,000
Global Commitment fund 43,690,692
Federal funds 25,669,650
Interdepartmental transfer 261,873
Sec. 2.223. Department for children and families - child development
Personal services 3,338,891
Operating expenses 843,660
Grants 50,211,925
Total 54,394,476
General fund 22,376,089
Global Commitment fund 4,289,469
Federal funds 26,724,411
Interdepartmental transfer 139,507
Sec. 2.224. Department for children and families - office of child support
Personal services 8,768,046
Operating expenses 3,890,320
Total 12,658,366
General fund 2,690,872
Federal funds 9,124,176
Sec. 2.225. Department for children and families - aid to aged, blind and disabled
Personal services 1,801,009
Grants 9,989,580
Total 11,790,589
General fund 8,040,589
Sec. 2.226. Department for children and families - general assistance
Grants 4,401,516
General fund 2,950,196
Global Commitment fund 340,000
Total 4,401,516
Sec. 2.227. Department for children and families - food stamp cash out
Grants 10,710,133
Federal funds 10,710,133
Sec. 2.228. Department for children and families - reach up
Grants 40,298,530
General fund 13,815,723
Special funds 18,200,000
Federal funds 8,282,807
Total 40,298,530
Sec. 2.229. Department for children and families - home heating fuel assistance/LIHEAP
Grants 11,502,664
Total 11,612,664
Special funds 11,612,664
Sec. 2.230. Department for children and families - office of economic opportunity
Personal services 235,441
Operating expenses 81,555
Grants 4,952,562
Total 5,269,558
General fund 1,372,103
Federal funds 3,797,615
Interdepartmental transfer 42,500
Sec. 2.231. Department for children and families - OEO - weatherization assistance
Personal services 164,613
Operating expenses 133,014
Grants 8,235,000
Total 8,532,627
Special funds 7,386,609
Federal funds 1,146,018
Sec. 2.232. Department for children and families - Woodside rehabilitation center
Personal services 2,899,574
Operating expenses 649,151
Total 3,548,725
General fund 3,493,833
Sec. 2.233. Department for children and families - disability determination services
Personal services 3,330,894
Operating expenses 573,898
Total 3,904,792
Global Commitment funds 246,517
Federal funds 3,658,275
Sec. 2.234. Department for children and families - childrens trust fund
General fund 95,651
Special funds 75,000
Sec. 2.235. Disabilities, aging, and independent living - administration & support
Personal services 24,187,650
Operating expenses 3,732,463
Total 27,920,113
General fund 6,709,033
Special Funds 941,685
Global Commitment fund 6,254,872
Federal funds 11,524,001
Interdepartmental transfer 2,490,522
Sec. 2.236. Disabilities, aging and independent living - advocacy and independent living
Grants 21,540,438
General fund 10,304,251
Total 21,540,438
Sec. 2.237. Disabilities, aging and independent living - blind and visually impaired
Sec. 2.238. Disabilities, aging and independent living - vocational rehabilitation
Sec. 2.239. Disabilities, aging and independent living - developmental services
Grants 139,081,290
General fund 185,693
Global Commitment fund 138,339,394
Federal funds 370,740
Total 139,081,290
Sec. 2.240. Disabilities, aging, and independent living - TBI home and community based waiver
Grants 4,127,448
Global Commitment fund 4,127,448
Sec. 2.241. Corrections - administration
Personal services 2,022,147
Operating expenses 315,394
Total 2,337,541
General fund 2,337,541
Sec. 2.242. Corrections - parole board
Personal services 317,373
Operating expenses 62,076
Total 379,449
General fund 379,449
Sec. 2.243. Corrections - correctional education
Personal services 4,432,390
Operating expenses 442,079
Total 4,874,469
General fund 3,976,001
Interdepartmental transfer 898,468
Sec. 2.244. Corrections - correctional services
Personal services 77,382,681
Operating expenses 32,325,859
Grants 1,745,800
Total 111,454,340
General fund 106,972,826
Special funds 633,963
Global Commitment fund 3,094,144
Federal funds 584,861
Sec. 2.245. Corrections - correctional services - out-of-state beds
Operating expenses 12,158,493
General fund 12,158,493
Sec. 2.246. Corrections - correctional facilities- recreation
Operating expenses 523,986
Total 1,126,998
Sec. 2.247. Corrections - Vermont offender work program
Personal services 1,372,913
Total 3,282,548
Internal service funds 3,282,548
Sec. 2.248. Vermont veterans' home - care and support services
Personal services 14,202,744
Operating expenses 3,294,580
Total 17,497,324
Special funds 10,675,489
Global Commitment fund 881,289
Federal funds 5,940,546
Sec. 2.249. Commission on women
Personal services 218,912
Operating expenses 61,626
Total 280,538
General fund 275,538
Sec. 2.250. Retired senior volunteer program
Sec. 2.251. Total human services 2,656,659,570
General fund 522,109,263
Special funds 75,473,129
Tobacco fund 45,410,381
Global Commitment fund 908,679,785
Catamount fund 35,420,519
Federal funds 907,360,720
Interdepartmental transfer 10,576,449
Total 2,656,659,570
Sec. 2.301. Labor - administration
Personal services 2,460,451
Operating expenses 740,738
Total 3,201,189
General fund 207,148
Special funds 313,558
Federal funds 2,304,580
Interdepartmental transfer 297,089
Sec. 2.302. Labor - programs
Personal services 19,385,810
Operating expenses 4,800,562
Total 25,851,372
General fund 2,147,525
Special funds 2,972,550
Federal funds 18,309,290
Interdepartmental transfer 2,106,749
Sec. 2.303. Labor - domestic and sexual violence survivors' transitional employment program
Grants 15,000
Special fund 15,000
Sec. 2.304. Total labor 29,067,561
General fund 2,354,673
Special funds 3,301,108
Federal funds 20,613,870
Total 29,067,561
Sec. 2.305. Education - finance and administration
Personal services 5,161,711
Operating expenses 1,713,880
Grants 10,757,117
Total 17,632,708
General fund 3,506,583
Special funds 11,383,118
Global Commitment fund 845,143
Federal funds 1,890,747
Sec. 2.306. Education - education services
Personal services 12,608,878
Operating expenses 1,889,869
Grants 111,549,873
Total 126,048,620
General fund 7,766,318
Special funds 1,985,599
Federal funds 116,144,125
Interdepartmental transfer 25,095
Sec. 2.307. Education - special education: formula grants
Grants 142,687,975
Education fund 142,457,975
Total 142,687,975
Sec. 2.308. Education - state-placed students
Grants 15,767,500
Education fund 15,767,500
Sec. 2.309. Education - adult education and literacy
Grants 5,315,885
General fund 2,690,224
Education fund 1,750,000
Total 5,315,885
Sec. 2.310. Education - adjusted education payment
Grants 1,107,064,375
Education fund 1,107,064,375
Sec. 2.311. Education - transportation
Grants 15,002,711
Education fund 15,002,711
Sec. 2.312. Education - small school grants
Grants 6,562,385
Education fund 6,562,385
Sec. 2.313. Education - capital debt service aid
Grants 218,540
Education fund 218,540
Sec. 2.314. Education - tobacco litigation
Personal services 142,152
Operating expenses 18,114
Grants 835,402
Sec. 2.315. Education - essential early education grant
Grants 5,517,841
Education fund 5,517,841
Sec. 2.316. Education - technical education
Grants 12,411,841
Education fund 12,411,841
Sec. 2.317. Education - cost containment - Act 117 of 2000
Personal services 1,118,415
Operating expenses 121,307
Total 1,330,722
Special funds 1,330,722
Sec. 2.318. Appropriation and transfer to education fund
General fund 291,127,800
Total 291,127,800
Sec. 2.319. State teachers' retirement system
Personal services 24,127,088
Operating expenses 891,713
Grants 35,849,097
Total 60,867,898
General fund 35,849,097
Pension trust funds 25,018,801
Sec. 2.320. Total general education 1,808,552,469
General fund 340,940,022
Education fund 1,306,753,168
Special funds 14,699,439
Global Commitment fund 1,075,143
Federal funds 118,910,533
Interdepartmental transfer 32,212
Total 1,808,552,469
Sec. 2.321. University of Vermont
Grants 43,328,640
General fund 39,322,484
Total 43,328,640
Sec. 2.322. University of Vermont- Morgan Horse Farm
Sec. 2.323. Vermont public television
Grants 620,880
General fund 620,880
Sec. 2.324. Vermont state colleges
Grants 24,850,419
General fund 24,850,419
Sec. 2.325. Vermont state colleges - allied health
Grants 1,096,168
General fund 690,761
Total 1,096,168
Sec. 2.326 Vermont interactive television
Grants 879,617
General fund 879,617
Sec. 2.327. Vermont student assistance corporation
Grants 19,632,602
General fund 19,632,602
Sec. 2.328. New England higher education compact
Sec. 2.329. Total higher education and other 90,497,826
General fund 86,086,263
Total 90,497,826
Sec. 2.401. Agency of natural resources - administration
Personal services 4,966,284
Operating expenses 1,729,422
Total 6,695,706
General fund 5,027,166
Special funds 1,118,202
Federal funds 363,372
Interdepartmental transfer 186,966
Sec. 2.402. Connecticut river watershed advisory commission
Sec. 2.403. Citizens' advisory committee on Lake Champlain's future
Sec. 2.404. Natural resources - state land local property tax assessment
Operating expenses 2,008,000
General fund 1,746,500
Total 2,008,000
Sec. 2.405. Green up
Operating expenses 5,550
Total 16,100
General fund 5,550
Sec. 2.406. Fish and wildlife - support and field services
Personal services 12,058,245
Operating expenses 4,685,355
Total 17,543,600
General fund 2,060,348
Fish and wildlife fund 15,246,252
Interdepartmental transfer 237,000
Sec. 2.407. Fish and wildlife - watershed improvement
Fish and wildlife fund 100,000
Sec. 2.408. Forests, parks and recreation - administration
Personal services 1,065,106
Operating expenses 637,346
Grants 1,861,600
Total 3,564,052
General fund 1,253,052
Sec. 2.409. Forests, parks and recreation - forestry
Personal services 4,657,620
Operating expenses 593,488
Grants 393,000
Total 5,644,108
General fund 4,017,108
Federal funds 1,240,000
Sec. 2.410. Forests, parks and recreation - state parks
Personal services 5,412,517
Operating expenses 2,259,558
Grants 7,000
Total 7,679,075
General fund 1,319,181
Special funds 6,359,894
Sec. 2.411. Forests, parks and recreation - lands administration
Personal services 437,682
Operating expenses 1,221,534
Total 1,659,216
General fund 429,216
Federal funds 1,050,000
Sec. 2.412. Forests, parks and recreation - youth conservation corps
Personal services 304,459
Total 764,052
Special funds 370,052
Sec. 2.413. Forests, parks and recreation - forest highway maintenance
Sec. 2.414. Environmental conservation - management and support services
Personal services 3,049,394
Operating expenses 843,239
Grants 81,524
Total 3,974,157
General fund 1,008,234
Special funds 922,426
Federal funds 1,132,701
Sec. 2.415. Environmental conservation - air and waste management
Personal services 7,760,975
Operating expenses 6,181,405
Grants 1,411,000
Total 15,353,380
General fund 949,699
Special funds 11,121,126
Federal funds 3,108,570
Sec. 2.416. Environmental conservation - office of water programs
Personal services 14,086,391
Operating expenses 2,248,955
Grants 2,154,666
Total 18,490,012
General fund 7,105,906
Special funds 4,437,205
Federal funds 6,481,901
Sec. 2.417. Environmental conservation – tax loss Connecticut river flood control
Sec. 2.418. Natural resources board
Personal services 2,465,153
Operating expenses 345,108
Total 2,810,261
General fund 965,755
Special funds 1,844,506
Sec. 2.419. Total natural resources 86,733,197
General fund 26,329,193
Fish and wildlife fund 15,346,252
Special funds 28,134,961
Federal funds 14,375,544
Interdepartmental transfer 2,547,247
Total 86,733,197
Sec. 2.501. Agency of commerce and community development - administration
Personal services 2,026,671
Operating expenses 664,041
Grants 1,096,200
Total 3,786,912
General fund 2,886,912
Sec. 2.502. Housing and community affairs
Personal services 2,302,051
Operating expenses 381,619
Grants 4,418,864
Total 7,102,534
General fund 1,393,684
Special funds 4,021,100
Federal funds 1,687,750
Sec. 2.503. Historic sites - operations
Personal services 610,229
Operating expenses 298,325
Total 911,554
General fund 541,902
Sec. 2.504. Historic sites - special improvements
Personal services 304,537
Operating expenses 153,242
Total 457,779
Federal funds 283,068
Interdepartmental transfer 124,711
Sec. 2.505. Community development block grants
Sec. 2.506. Downtown transportation and capital improvement fund
Personal services 70,035
Grants 729,965
Sec. 2.507. Economic development
Personal services 1,924,000
Operating expenses 843,925
Grants 1,546,979
Total 4,314,904
General fund 3,539,554
Special funds 475,350
Federal funds 300,000
Sec. 2.508. Vermont training program
Personal services 125,474
Operating expenses 33,754
Grants 1,483,621
Total 1,642,849
General fund 1,607,849
Sec. 2.509. Tourism and marketing
Personal services 1,670,581
Operating expenses 2,069,778
Total 4,107,359
General fund 4,101,359
Sec. 2.510. Vermont life
Personal services 667,074
Operating expenses 100,900
Total 767,974
Enterprise funds 767,974
Sec. 2.511. Vermont council on the arts
Grants 569,258
General fund 569,258
Sec. 2.512. Vermont symphony orchestra
Grants 125,402
General fund 125,402
Sec. 2.513. Vermont historical society
Grants 859,050
General fund 859,050
Sec. 2.514. Vermont housing and conservation board
Grants 27,350,369
Special funds 15,368,258
Federal funds 11,982,111
Total 27,350,369
Sec. 2.515. Vermont humanities council
Grants 190,599
General fund 190,599
Sec. 2.516. Total commerce and community development
60,433,073
General fund 15,815,569
Special funds 21,125,360
Federal funds 22,499,459
Interdepartmental transfer 224,711
Total 60,433,073
Sec. 2.601. Transportation - finance and administration
Personal services 9,314,503
Operating expenses 2,560,917
Total 11,875,420
Transportation fund 11,375,420
Federal funds 500,000
Sec. 2.602. Transportation - aviation
Personal services 1,928,595
Operating expenses 7,425,031
Total 9,513,626
Transportation fund 2,295,626
Federal funds 7,218,000
Sec. 2.603. Transportation - buildings
Personal services 72,000
Total 1,646,000
Transportation fund 1,646,000
Sec. 2.604. Transportation – program development
Personal services 35,192,941
Operating expenses 117,605,490
Grants 23,370,050
Total 176,168,481
Transportation fund 28,851,365
Local match 1,476,992
Federal funds 136,328,874
Interdepartmental transfer 3,911,250
General obligation bond fund 5,600,000
Sec. 2.605. Transportation - rest areas
Operating expenses 2,200,000
Transportation fund 252,300
Federal funds 2,047,700
Sec. 2.606. Transportation - maintenance state system
Personal services 32,012,562
Operating expenses 31,695,492
Grants 316,020
Total 64,024,074
Transportation fund 60,652,558
Federal funds 3,271,516
Sec. 2.607. Transportation - policy and planning
Personal services 4,383,915
Operating expenses 1,234,291
Grants 5,404,744
Total 11,022,950
Transportation fund 1,983,875
Federal funds 8,639,075
Interdepartmental transfer 400,000
Sec. 2.608. Transportation - rail
Personal services 7,574,901
Operating expenses 9,044,000
Total 16,618,901
Transportation fund 8,362,901
Federal funds 8,256,000
Sec. 2.609. Transportation - bridge maintenance
Operating expenses 12,948,348
Transportation fund 3,508,456
Federal funds 9,439,892
Total 12,948,348
Sec. 2.610. Transportation - public transit
Personal services 646,295
Operating expenses 58,784
Grants 19,064,142
Total 19,769,221
Transportation fund 6,727,897
Federal funds 13,041,324
Sec. 2.611. Transportation - central garage
Personal services 3,305,508
Operating expenses 11,865,266
Total 15,170,774
Internal service funds 15,170,774
Sec. 2.612. Department of motor vehicles
Personal services 17,549,186
Operating expenses 8,037,725
Total 25,925,911
Transportation fund 23,854,657
Federal funds 2,071,254
Sec. 2.613. Transportation - town highway structures
Grants 3,573,381
Transportation fund 3,573,381
Sec. 2.614. Transportation - town highway Vermont local roads
Sec. 2.615. Transportation - town highway class 2 roadway
Grants 6,900,750
Transportation fund 6,900,750
Sec. 2.616. Transportation - town highway bridges
Operating expenses 19,325,019
Total 23,357,219
Transportation fund 3,230,176
Local match 1,437,027
Federal funds 18,690,016
Sec. 2.617. Transportation - town highway aid program
Grants 25,542,744
Transportation fund 25,542,744
Sec. 2.618. Transportation - town highway class 1 supplemental grants
Sec. 2.619. Transportation - municipal mitigation grant program
Sec. 2.620. Transportation - public assistance grant program
Sec. 2.621. Transportation board
Personal services 78,185
Operating expenses 11,806
Total 89,991
Transportation fund 89,991
Sec. 2.622. Total transportation 426,564,539
Transportation fund 189,459,845
Local match 2,914,019
Federal funds 209,008,651
Interdepartmental transfer 4,411,250
Total 426,564,539
Sec. 2.701. Debt service
Debt service 71,459,051
General fund 67,048,726
Transportation fund 1,914,650
Special funds 2,495,675
Total 71,459,051
Sec. 2.702. Total debt service 71,459,051
Sec. 2.801. FISCAL YEAR 2009 NEXT GENERATION APPROPRIATIONS
(a) In fiscal year 2009, the following amounts are appropriated from special funds:
(1) from the next generation initiative fund, created in 16 V.S.A. 2887: 8,852,658
Sec. 2.802. FY 2009 ONE-TIME APPROPRIATIONS
(a) In fiscal year 2009, the following amounts are appropriated from the general fund:
(1) to the legislature, for planning and preparation for the 2009 council of state governments northeast regional meeting in Vermont: 100,000
(2) to the department of tourism and marketing, for the Vermont Quadricentennial: 50,000
(3) to the department of economic development, for regional development corporations: 75,000
(4) to the department of education, for science assessments:
Sec. 2.803. APPROPRIATIONS CONTINGENT ON SETTLEMENT
(a) Secretary of state per Sec. 5.802(a)(1) 540,000
(b) Secretary of human services per Sec. 5.802(a)(2)
(c) Vermont housing finance agency (VHFA) and the Vermont economic development authority (VEDA) per Sec. 5.802(a)(3) 600,000
Sec. 4.001. APPROPRIATIONS; PROPERTY TRANSFER TAX
(a) This act contains the following amounts appropriated from special funds that receive revenue from the property transfer tax. Expenditures from these appropriations shall not exceed available revenues. Notwithstanding Sec. 266(a)(4) of No. 65 of the Acts of 2007:
(4) In fiscal year 2010, the appropriations in this subsection shall increase by at least 4.5 percent.
Sec. 4.002. FUND TRANSFERS
(a) The following amounts are transferred from the funds indicated:
(1) from the general fund to the:
(A) communications and information technology internal service fund established by 22 V.S.A. § 902a: $400,000.
(B) Catamount fund established by 33 V.S.A. § 1986: $4,595,445.
(C) next generation initiative fund established by 16 V.S.A. § 2887:
$8,852,658. Of this appropriation, $1,000,000 shall be considered one-time funding.
(2) from the transportation fund to the:
(A) downtown transportation and related capital improvement fund established by 24 V.S.A. § 2796 to be used by the Vermont downtown development board for the purposes of the fund: $800,000.
(3) The reversions and applications to the general fund from the following funds are as follows:
(A) single audit internal service fund: $60,000;
(B) financial management internal service fund: $140,969;
(C) securities regulatory and supervision special fund: $112,000.
(D) domestic and sexual violence survivors’ transitional employment program: $15,000
Sec. 4.003. TOBACCO LITIGATION SETTLEMENT FUND BALANCE
(a) Notwithstanding 18 V.S.A. § 9502(b), the actual balance at the end of fiscal year 2008 in the tobacco litigation settlement fund shall remain for appropriation in fiscal year 2009.
Sec. 4.004. TRANSFER OF TOBACCO TRUST FUNDS
(a) Notwithstanding 18 V.S.A. § 9502(a)(3) and (4), at the close of fiscal year 2009, the secretary of administration may transfer funds from the tobacco trust fund to the tobacco litigation settlement fund established in 32 V.S.A.
§ 435a, in the amount needed to bring the ending balance of the tobacco litigation settlement fund to $0.00 for fiscal year 2009, but the amount transferred may not exceed the amount withheld from the payment to Vermont by participating manufacturers due in April 2009 under the Master Tobacco Settlement Agreement. Upon release and deposit of the withheld funds into the tobacco litigation settlement fund, an equal amount shall be returned to the tobacco trust fund.
(b) Notwithstanding 18 V.S.A. § 9502(a)(3) and (4), the actual amount of investment earnings of the tobacco trust fund at the end of fiscal year 2008 (estimated to be $1,547,368) and at the end of fiscal year 2009 (estimated to be $1,646,619) shall be transferred from the tobacco trust fund to the tobacco litigation settlement fund for appropriation in fiscal year 2009.
Sec. 5.001. RELATIONSHIP TO EXISTING LAWS
Sec. 5.002. OFFSETTING APPROPRIATIONS
Sec. 5.003. FEDERAL FUNDS
(a) In fiscal year 2009, the governor, with the approval of the legislature, or the joint fiscal committee if the legislature is not in session, may accept federal funds available to the state of Vermont, including block grants in lieu of or in addition to funds herein designated as federal. The governor, with the approval of the legislature or the joint fiscal committee if the legislature is not in session, may allocate all or any portion of such federal funds for any purpose consistent with the purposes for which the basic appropriations in this act have been made.
(b) If, during fiscal year 2009, federal funds available to the state of Vermont and designated as federal in this and other acts of the 2008 session of the Vermont general assembly are converted into block grants or are abolished under their current title in federal law and reestablished under a new title in federal law, the governor may continue to accept such federal funds for any purpose consistent with the purposes for which the federal funds were appropriated. The governor may spend such funds for such purposes for no more than 45 days prior to legislative or joint fiscal committee approval. Notice shall be given to the joint fiscal committee without delay if the governor intends to use the authority granted by this section, and the joint fiscal committee shall meet in an expedited manner to review the governor's request for approval.
Sec. 5.004. DEPARTMENTAL RECEIPTS
Sec. 5.005. NEW POSITIONS
(a) Notwithstanding any other provision of law, the total number of authorized state positions, both classified and exempt, excluding temporary positions as defined in 3 V.S.A. § 311(11), shall not be increased during fiscal year 2009 except for new positions authorized by the 2008 session. Limited service positions approved pursuant to 32 V.S.A. § 5 shall not be subject to this restriction.
Sec. 5.006. Secretary of administration – secretary’s office (Sec. 2.001, #1100010000)
(a) Of this appropriation, $150,000 is made available for grants to be awarded on a competitive basis among the 11 existing regional marketing programs (RMP). In addition to these funds, any prior fiscal year RMP grant funds not awarded shall carry forward into the current fiscal year.
(c) Following the awards of grants, RMPs shall submit appropriately documented expenses, consistent with the approved grants, to the state for reimbursement.
(d) The secretary of administration is directed to reduce in-state travel budgets throughout the executive branch of state government, thereby reducing operating expense appropriations by $25,000 in general funds.
(e) The secretary of administration is directed to develop and implement a program to provide incentives to increase use of Vermont interactive television throughout the executive branch of state government in order to reduce operating expenses associated with in-state travel.
Sec. 5.007. Information and innovation – communications and information technology (Sec. 2.002, #1105500000)
(a) Of this appropriation, $400,000 is for a grant to the Vermont telecommunications authority established in 30 V.S.A. § 8061.
Sec. 5.008. Information and innovation – Vermont information technology leaders (VITL) (Sec. 2.003, #1105003000)
(a) The department of information and innovation (DII) will use the funds appropriated in this section for the Vermont information technology leaders (VITL) to coordinate with the Vermont Blueprint for Health chronic care initiative and other health care-related statewide information technology programs and projects. These programs and projects will provide public health approaches to improve the health outcomes and the quality of life for all Vermonters, including those who are Medicaid-eligible, and encourage the formation and maintenance of public-private partnerships in statewide health information exchange.
(b) Legislative findings related to the health IT-fund as created in 2 V.S.A. chapter 27 and funded in 8 V.S.A. § 4089k:
(1) Improving the capability to access and exchange electronic health information is a key component of Vermont’s health care reform initiatives as originally expressed in the Health Care Affordability for Vermonters Act of 2006 and updated in No. 70 of the Acts of 2007.
(2) The Health Information Plan produced by the Vermont information technology leaders (VITL) and accepted by the general assembly documents the value of creating a statewide health information exchange network and the importance of providing financial and technical support to primary care practitioners to enable them to select, install, and use electronic medical records effectively.
(3) The creation, installation, and use of electronic information tools through the chronic care information system is a key element of the Blueprint for Health initiative to improve the prevention and care of chronic conditions.
(4) The financing model of the existing health care system results in most of the financial benefits of the use of health information technology not being realized by the primary care practitioners who have to invest in and use the electronic medical record. Those financial benefits accrue primarily to those who pay for health care services.
(5) No. 70 of the Acts of 2007 authorized an interim health information technology fund and pilot electronic medical record program, which is being successfully implemented by VITL and is demonstrating the effectiveness of this approach to assisting primary care practitioners.
(6) The return on investment from electronic medical record implementation as reported by medical practices using this technology shows:
(A) substantial administrative savings based on staff duties for chart pulls, new chart creation, searches, and transcriptions;
(B) savings on ordering and communicating tests, managing results, referral dictations, and transcription; and
(C) a large practice that sees 100 patients per day can save approximately $24,000 per year in charting supplies alone.
(7) The December 2007 report of the commonwealth fund commission on a high performance health system entitled “Bending the Curve” found that electronic medical records, when implemented along with process redesign efforts, can help providers improve quality and reduce medical errors, while health information exchange can improve care coordination and reduce unnecessary tests.
(8) The commonwealth fund commission report also estimated a cumulative savings of $88 billion nationally over a 10-year period due to the implementation of regional health information exchanges and electronic medical records.
(9) The gap between available funding and projected expenses for health information technology identified by VITL in the studies and plans it has submitted to the general assembly pursuant to Nos. 70 and 71 of the Acts of 2007 totals between $35 and $40 million over five years.
Sec. 5.009. Finance and management – financial operations (Sec. 2.005, #1115001000)
(a) Pursuant to 32 V.S.A. § 307(e), financial management fund charges not to exceed $6,061,757, plus the costs of fiscal year 2009 salary increases bargained as part of the state/VSEA agreement, are hereby approved. Of this amount, $1,305,490, plus the costs of fiscal year 2009 salary increases bargained as part of the state/VSEA agreement, will be used to support the HCM system that is operated by the department of human resources technical services division.
Sec. 5.010. Sec. 20 of No. 65 of the Acts of 2007 is amended to read: (Sec. 2.013)
Sec. 20. Buildings and general services – information centers
(a) Of the above appropriation, up to $50,000 in special funds is appropriated to the friends of the state house to facilitate private fundraising for improvements to the state house in accordance with the conceptual plan dated January 13, 2006. No naming opportunities shall be offered in connection with fund raising efforts. These funds may not be used to supplant any existing personal service or operating expenses in state government. This amount shall be appropriated to the commissioner of buildings and general services. The commissioner shall select an organization to receive and utilize the funds to engage in private fundraising for improvements to the state house in accordance with the conceptual plan dated January 14, 2006. The organization selected to receive the funds shall be an organization exempt from taxation under 26 U.S.C. § 501(c)(3) or an organization seeking such an exemption, in which case the funds shall not be disbursed to the organization until the exemption is received.
Sec. 5.011. Buildings and general services – workers’ compensation insurance (Sec. 2.021, #1160450000)
(a) Pursuant to 32 V.S.A. § 307(e), workers’ compensation fund charges not to exceed $9,086,790 are hereby approved.
Sec. 5.012. Buildings and general services – fee-for-space (Sec. 2.024, #1160550000)
(a) Pursuant to 29 V.S.A. § 160a(b)(3), facilities operations fund charges not to exceed $24,120,426, plus the costs of fiscal year 2009 salary increases bargained as part of the state/VSEA agreement, are hereby approved.
Sec. 5.013. State treasurer (Sec. 2.035, #1260010000)
(a) Of this general fund appropriation, $30,000 shall be deposited into the armed services scholarship fund established in 16 V.S.A. § 2541.
Sec. 5.014. Vermont state retirement system (Sec. 2.037, #1265020000)
(a) Notwithstanding 3 V.S.A. § 473(d), in fiscal year 2009, investment fees shall be paid from the corpus of the fund.
Sec. 5.015. Lottery commission (Sec. 2.045, #2310010000)
(a) The lottery commission shall transfer $150,000 to the department of health, office of alcohol and drug abuse programs, to support the gambling addiction program.
(b) The lottery commission shall provide assistance and work with the Vermont council on problem gambling on systems and program development.
Sec. 5.016. Payments in lieu of taxes (Sec. 2.046, #1140020000)
(a) This appropriation is for state payments in lieu of property taxes under subchapter 4 of chapter 123 of Title 32, and the payments shall be calculated in addition to and without regard to the appropriations for PILOT for Montpelier and correctional facilities elsewhere in this act.
Sec. 5.101. Attorney general (Sec. 2.101, #2100001000)
(a) Notwithstanding any other provisions of law, the office of the attorney general, Medicaid fraud control unit, is authorized to retain one-half of any civil monetary penalty proceeds from global Medicaid fraud settlements. All penalty funds retained shall be used to finance Medicaid fraud and residential abuse unit activities.
(b) Two (2) full time exempt Assistant Attorney General positions (#047010, #047007) shall be transferred from the department of human resources to the office of the attorney general.
Sec. 5.102. Sheriffs (Sec. 2.108, #2130200000)
(a) Of this appropriation, $15,000 shall be transferred to the state's attorneys' office as reimbursement for the cost of the executive director's salary.
Sec. 5.103. Public safety – administration (Sec. 2.109, #2140060000)
(a) The commissioner of public safety shall report to the joint fiscal committee at the committee’s September 2008 meeting on the status of the fiscal year 2009 public safety budgets, including management of anticipated budget shortfalls. The report shall:
(1) describe management practices intended to reduce budget shortfall;
(2) project the amount of any anticipated budget shortfalls;
(3) describe the nature of and degree to which public safety efforts have been curtailed in response to the budget shortfall.
Sec. 5.104. Public safety - state police (Sec. 2.110, #2140010000)
(a) Of this appropriation, $35,000 in special funds shall be available for snowmobile law enforcement activities, and $35,000 in general funds shall be available to the southern Vermont wilderness search and rescue team, which comprises state police, the department of fish and wildlife, county sheriffs, and local law enforcement personnel in Bennington, Windham, and Windsor counties for snowmobile enforcement.
(b) Of the $255,000 allocated for local heroin interdiction grants funded in this section, $190,000 shall be used by the Vermont drug task force to fund three (3) town task force officers. These town task force officers will be dedicated to heroin and heroin-related drug (e.g., methadone, oxycontin, crack cocaine, and methamphetamine) enforcement efforts. The remaining $65,000 shall remain as a "pool" of money available to local and county law enforcement to fund overtime costs associated with heroin investigations of which $50,000 is appropriated to the city of Rutland. Any unexpended funds from prior fiscal years shall be carried forward.
Sec. 5.105. Public safety - fire safety (Sec. 2.113, #2140040000)
(a) Of this general fund appropriation, $55,000 shall be granted to the Vermont rural fire protection task force for the purpose of designing dry hydrants.
Sec. 5.106. Public safety - emergency management - radiological emergency response plan (Sec. 2.115, #2140080000)
(a) Of this special fund appropriation, up to $30,000 shall be available to contract with any radio station serving the emergency planning zone for the emergency alert system.
Sec. 5.107. Military – administration (Sec. 2.116, #2150010000)
(a) Of this appropriation, $200,000 shall be disbursed to the Vermont student assistance corporation for the national guard educational assistance program established in 16 V.S.A. § 2856.
Sec. 5.108. Military - veterans' affairs (Sec. 2.120, #2150050000)
(a) Of this appropriation, $15,000 shall be used for continuation of the Vermont medal program, $15,000 shall be used for the expenses of the governor's veterans' advisory council, $15,000 shall be used for the Veterans' Day parade, and $5,000 shall be granted to the Vermont state council of the Vietnam Veterans of America to fund the service officer program.
Sec. 5.109. Sec. 78a of No. 65 of the Acts of 2007 is amended to read:
Sec. 78a. MEMORIAL GARDEN; LOAN
(b) The authorization to loan in subsection (a) of this section is not limited to fiscal year 2008.
Sec. 5.110. Center for crime victim services (Sec. 2.121, #2160010000)
(a) Of the appropriation in this section, $50,000 shall be for a grant to certified batterer intervention programs.
(b) 13 V.S.A. § 5363(d)(1)(A) is amended to read:
(A) was first ordered by the court to receive restitution on or after July 1, 2004.
(c) It is the intent of the general assembly that in fiscal year 2011, general funds in the amount of $1,075,000 shall be included in the base budget to replace special funds that will be no longer available for the center for crime victim services. Additionally, it is the intent of the legislature that in fiscal year 2011 the $182,215 grant to the department of children and families for the domestic violence unit, the $150,000 grant to the Vermont network against domestic violence, and the $100,000 grant to the department of corrections victim’s services be supported with general funds.
Sec. 5.101. Agriculture, food and markets – administration (Sec. 2.123)
(a) The secretary of agriculture, food and markets, in collaboration with the commissioner of labor and the commissioner of the department of banking, insurance, securities, and health care administration, shall establish a continuing program for farm safety to implement the provisions of § 16(b) of No. 38 of the Acts of 2007.
(b) Resources needed to fully implement the program should be included in the fiscal year 2010 budget.
Sec. 5.111. Department of banking, insurance, securities, and health care administration – health care administration (Sec. 2.134, #2210040000)
(a) The Department of banking, insurance, securities, and health care administration (BISHCA) will use the Global Commitment funds appropriated in this section for health care administration for the purpose of funding certain health care-related BISHCA programs, projects, and activities to: reduce the rate of uninsured and/or underinsured persons in Vermont; increase the access of quality health care to uninsured persons, underinsured persons, and Medicaid beneficiaries; and/or encourage the formation and maintenance of public-private partnerships in health care.
Sec. 5.112. Secretary of state (Sec. 2135, # 2230010000)
(a) The corporation division of the secretary of state's office represents $492,991 of this special fund appropriation, and these funds shall be from the securities regulation and supervision fund in accordance with 9 V.S.A. § 5613.
(b) The secretary of state is authorized to spend, in addition to its appropriation in this act, up to $450,000 for the purpose of conducting the 2008 primary and general elections, and it is the intent of the administration to request, and the general assembly to provide an additional appropriation in this amount in the fiscal year 2009 budget adjustment act.
Sec. 5.113. Enhanced 9-1-1 Board (Sec. 2.139, #2260001000)
(a) Of this appropriation, $823,443 shall be transferred to the department of public safety for 911 call-takers at public safety answering points operated by the department of public safety.
Sec. 5.201. Agency of human services – secretary’s office (Sec. 2.201, #3400001000)
(a) Notwithstanding 32 V.S.A. § 706, the secretary may transfer funds allocated for the “high risk pool” and costs related to juvenile justice to the departments in the agency of human services designated to provide these services.
(b) Of these tobacco settlement funds, $54,000 shall be used to provide a grant to the project against violent encounters for a statewide program for substance abuse prevention and mentoring for youth.
(c) Of this tobacco fund appropriation, $143,000 shall be used for a grant to Lamoille County people in partnership for wrap‑around services for at‑risk youth.
(d) Of this tobacco fund appropriation, $85,000 with any corresponding federal matching funds shall be for comprehensive treatment services and $15,000 shall be for housing provisions for at risk use.
(e) Of the funds appropriated to the secretary, $30,000.00 shall be available for the pathways to housing program.
Sec. 5.202. Secretary’s office – Global Commitment (Sec. 2.202, #3400004000)
(a) The agency of human services shall use the funds appropriated in this section for payment of the actuarially certified premium required under the intergovernmental agreement between the agency of human services and the managed care organization in the office of Vermont health access as provided for in the Global Commitment for Health Waiver (“Global Commitment”) approved by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services under Section 1115 of the Social Security Act.
(b) In addition to the state funds appropriated in this section, a total estimated sum of $35,749,351 is anticipated to be certified as state matching funds under the Global Commitment as follows:
(1) $17,140,073 certified state match available from local education agencies. This amount combined with $25,024,927 of federal funds appropriated in this section equals a total estimated expenditure of $42,165,000 for eligible special education school-based Medicaid services under the Global Commitment. An amount equal to the amount of the federal matching funds for eligible special education school-based Medicaid services under Global Commitment shall be transferred from the Global Commitment fund to the Medicaid reimbursement special fund created in 16 V.S.A. § 2959a.
(3) $4,632,833 certified state match available from local education and social service agencies for eligible services provided to eligible persons through children’s collaborative services programs.
(4) $2,843,472 certified state match available from local designated mental health agencies for eligible mental health services provided under the Global Commitment.
(c) The secretary of human services and the office of Vermont health access shall explore the possibility of receiving federal matching funds to maximize its ability to contribute to the health IT-fund established in section 4089k of Title 8.
Sec. 5.203. Health Care Charitable Initiative Partnership
(a) The agency of human services shall create a charitable initiative to assist Vermonters who are uninsured and/or underinsured as provided for in subsection (b)of this section. The initiative shall be developed in collaboration with the hospital association, the office of health access, and other provider groups. The agency shall provide a status report and description of the initiative to the house and senate committees on appropriations on or before December 15, 2008.
(b) The initiative shall include the following elements:
(1) Hospitals, other institutions and individuals may make voluntary contributions to a state special fund.
(2) The monies in the special fund shall be used to provide grants to support initiatives meeting one of the following criteria provided for in number 57 of the amended Special Terms and Conditions for Global Commitment to Health Section 1115 Medicaid Waiver (“Global Commitment”);
(A) Reducing the rate of uninsured and/or underinsured in Vermont;
(B) Increasing the access of quality health care to uninsured;
(C) Providing public health approaches to improve the health outcomes and the quality of life for Medicaid-eligible individuals in Vermont; and
(D) Encouraging the formation and maintenance of public-private partnerships in health care.
(3) The agency shall create a process to provide grants meeting the criteria in subdivision (2) of this subsection and shall involve contributors to the special fund in the grant process.
(4) To the extent allowed under Global Commitment, monies in the state special funds shall be matched by federal funds.
Sec. 5.204. Sec. 147(d) of No. 66 of the Acts of 2003, as amended by Sec. 129 of No. 122 of the Acts of the 2003 Adj. Sess. (2004), Sec. 279 of No. 71 of the Acts of 2005, and Sec. 11 of No. 191 of the 2005 Adj. Sess. (2006), is further amended to read:
(A) Income greater than 50 percent and less than or equal to 75 percent of FPL: $7.00 $9.00 per month.
(B) Income greater than 75 percent and less than or equal to 100 percent of FPL: $25.00 $32.00 per month.
(C) Income greater than 100 percent and less than or equal to 150 percent of FPL: $33.00 $41.50 per month.
(D) Income greater than 150 percent and less than or equal to 185 percent of FPL: $49.00 $62.00 per month.
Sec. 5.205. Sec. 147(f) of No. 66 of the Acts of 2003, as amended by Sec. 280 of No. 71 of the Acts of 2005, and Sec. 12 of No. 191 of the 2005 Adj. Sess. (2006) is amended to read:
(A) for individuals living in households whose incomes are greater than 225 percent of FPL and less than or equal to 300 percent of FPL, and who have no other insurance coverage $40.00 $60.00 per household per month.
(B) for individuals living in households whose incomes are greater than 225 percent of FPL and less than or equal to 300 percent of FPL, and who have other insurance coverage: $20.00 $30.00 per household per month.
(C) for individuals living in households whose incomes are greater than 185 percent of FPL and less than or equal to 225 percent of FPL: $15.00 $22.50 per household per month.
Sec. 5.206. MEDICAID FISCAL YEAR 2009 CONTINGENT FUNDING
(a) It is estimated that at least $8,090,000 of state funds or $19,736,500 total Medicaid funds will be carried forward from fiscal year 2008 to fund the Medicaid program, including the Global Commitment waiver program, the choices for care waiver program, and other Medicaid programs.
(b) As of March 25, 2008, Medicaid expenditures for fiscal year 2008 are below budgeted level by $25 million. In addition to subsection (a) of this section, and to the extent that fiscal year 2008 Medicaid expenditures in the Global Commitment waiver, the choices for care waiver program and other Medicaid programs fall below the amount funded in fiscal year 2008, up to $8,600,000 of total Medicaid funds in addition to the funds in (a) shall be carried forward and used to fund increases for program reimbursement rates to providers as follows:
(1) $5,500,000 for Vermont hospitals
(2) $800,000 for home health care providers
(3) $1,300,00 for Dartmouth Medical Center
(4) $1,000,000 for Boston Children’s Hospital
(c) Funding to the providers listed in subsection (b) of this section shall be pro-rated if less than $8,600,000 is available.
(d) If greater than $8,600,000 is available, than those funds shall be transferred to a reserve fund for the Global Commitment waiver.
Sec. 5.207. Sec. 1 of No. 56 of the Acts of 2005 as amended by Sec. 112a of No. 65 of the Acts of 2007 is further amended to read:
Sec. 1. LONG-TERM CARE MEDICAID 1115 WAIVER; CHOICES FOR CARE
(b)(1) Outside the legislative session, the health access oversight committee shall have oversight for the development, implementation, and ongoing operation of any long-term care Medicaid waivers applied for and received by the agency of human services.
(2)(A) The secretary of human services shall report to the committee upon its request and annually to the general assembly by January 15.
(B) The department shall submit quarterly monthly reports to the general assembly or the health access oversight committee and to the department’s advisory board about the utilization of services and expenses under Choices for Care. The reports shall also include a comparison of actual expenditures to estimated expenditures and projected expenditures for the remainder of the fiscal year, and any eligibility changes the department may be considering given the spending trends in Choices for Care.
Sec. 5.2071. Office of Vermont health access – Medicaid program – long-term care waiver (Sec. 2.208)
(a) Of this appropriation, $100,000 shall be used to support demonstration projects in supportive housing for seniors. It is the intent of the general assembly to express its support for matching funding sources for research on cost-efficient and quality services in senior housing and to commit up to $100,000 per year for a three-year period. A report shall be given to the joint fiscal office by July 1, 2010, on matching funds and anticipated research outcomes on Medicaid expenditures.
Sec. 5.208. THE ADOPTION OF DEPARTMENT FOR CHILDREN AND FAMILIES AND OFFICE OF VERMONT HEALTH ACCESS
(a) The commissioner of the department for children and families and the director of the office of Vermont health access are authorized to adopt rules under the expeditious rulemaking procedures provided in this section in order that changes reflected in this act to programs administered by the department for children and families and the office of Vermont health access may be implemented by July 1, 2008 or as soon as possible thereafter within the
time-frames listed in this section.
(b) Notwithstanding the provisions to the contrary of 3 V.S.A. chapter 25, the commissioner of the department for children and families and the director of the office of Vermont health access are authorized to file prior to and adopt, effective as soon as adopted, such rules as are required. Such rules shall be adopted by:
(1) publishing notice of proposed changes two Thursdays after enactment in three daily newspapers with the highest average circulation in the state, listing all rules to be adopted by this process and providing for a ten-day public comment period, including any weekends or holidays that fall within the period;
(2) filing the final proposed rule with the secretary of state and the legislative committee on administrative rules two Thursdays following the close of the public comment period;
(3) reviewing and approving or objecting to the final proposed rule by the legislative committee on administrative rules, under the provisions of 3 V.S.A. § 842, no later than two Thursdays following the filing of the final proposed rule;
(4) filing the final rule with the secretary of state five business days following approval by the legislative committee on administrative rules; and
(5) mailing notice to beneficiaries affected by the rule changes ten business days following the filing of the final rule.
(c) The final rule shall be effective upon filing with the secretary of state, and the changes authorized therein shall be implemented no sooner than 11 calendar days following the mailing of adverse action notice and shall have the full force and effect of rules adopted pursuant to 3 V.S.A. chapter 25. Any such rules filed by the commissioner or the director with the secretary of state shall be deemed to be in full compliance with 3 V.S.A. § 843 and shall be accepted by the secretary of state, if filed with a certification by the commissioner or the director that the rule is required to meet the purposes of this section.
Sec. 5.209. Health - Blueprint for Health (Sec. 2.212, #3420015000)
(a) From this appropriation, the department of health shall provide incentive grants and stipends to physician practices participating in the pilot projects developed under the Vermont Blueprint for Health established in section 702 of Title 18.
Sec. 5.210. Health - health surveillance (Sec. 2.214, #3420030000)
(a) The amount of $335,000 of the general fund/Global Commitment fund appropriation shall be appropriated to the following Vermont AIDS service organizations and peer-support organizations for client-based support services. It is the intent of the general assembly that if Global Commitment fund monies in this subsection are unavailable, the total funding for Vermont AIDS service organizations and peer-support organizations for client-based support services shall be maintained through the general fund or other state-funding sources. The department of health AIDS program shall meet at least quarterly with the HIV/AIDS service advisory committee (HASAC) with current information and data relating to service initiatives. The funds shall be allocated as follows:
(1) AIDS Project of Southern Vermont,$71,931;
(2) ACORN,$25,019;
(3) IMANI,$37,529;
(4) VT CARES,$135,521;
(5) Twin States Network ,$30,000;
(6) People with AIDS Coalition, $35,000.
(b) Of the federal funds, Ryan White Title II funds for AIDS services and the AIDS Medication Assistance Program shall be distributed in accordance with federal guidelines. These guidelines shall not apply to programming funded by state general funds.
(c) The amount of $140,000 of this general fund appropriation shall be used for assistance to individuals in the HIV/AIDS medication assistance program (AMAP), including the costs of prescribed medications, related laboratory testing, and nutritional supplements. These funds may not be used for any administrative purposes by the department of health or by any other state agency or department. Any remaining AMAP general funds at the end of the fiscal year shall be distributed to Vermont AIDS service organizations in the same proportions as those outlined under subsection (a) of this section.
(d) The amount of $100,000 of this general fund appropriation shall be appropriated to Vermont AIDS service organizations and other Vermont HIV/AIDS prevention providers for community-based HIV prevention programming which is currently not supported by federal funds due to federal restrictions. These funds shall be used for HIV/AIDS prevention purposes, including, but not limited it, improving the availability of confidential and anonymous HIV testing; prevention work with at-risk groups such as women, intravenous drug users, and people of color; anti-stigma campaigns; and promotion of needle exchange programs. No more than 15 percent of the funds may be used for the administration of such services by the recipients of these funds. The method by which these prevention funds shall be distributed shall be determined by mutual agreement of the department of health, AIDS service organizations, HASAC, and the community planning group (CPG). The department of health AIDS program shall be guided and advised by HASAC and CPG on an ongoing basis in prioritizing prevention service needs in the disbursement of these funds
(f) The secretary of human services shall work in conjunction with the AMAP advisory committee, which shall be composed of no less than 50 percent of members who are living with HIV/AIDS. The committee shall make recommendations regarding the program’s formulary of approved medication, related laboratory testing, nutritional supplements, and eligibility for the program.
Sec. 5.211. Health - health improvement (Sec. 2.215, #3420040000)
(b) The tobacco fund appropriation in this section and $1,059, 409 in Global Commitment funds in this section shall be utilized according to the provisions of 18 V.S.A. chapter 225 as follows:
(3) tobacco cessation programs - $1,400,211; these funds may also be used to provide tobacco cessation counseling services to persons incarcerated in Vermont correctional facilities, and $80,000 shall be used to make nicotine replacement therapies available to all persons enrolled in tobacco cessation counseling; $110,000 shall be allocated to programs that serve pregnant women and $15,000 shall be granted to the Washington County Mental Health Agency, Inc. for a special cessation program;
(c) Of this appropriation, $500,000 shall be granted to the area health education center (AHEC) to support the work and infrastructure of the statewide AHEC network to ensure an adequate and appropriate health care workforce, to bring quality improvement programs to health care professionals, and to create partnerships across community‑based health care services to improve health care access and integration. Any funds not expended shall be carried forward to be available for use in subsequent fiscal years. The AHEC will provide the department of health with a final progress report and financial report detailing the unexpended funds to be carried forward at the close of the fiscal year.
(d) Of this Global Commitment fund appropriation, $1,420,000 shall be deposited into the Vermont educational loan repayment fund and used for the purposes of loan repayment for health care providers and health care educators pursuant to 18 V.S.A. § 10a to be allocated pursuant to Sec. 37 of H.887 of 2008 (Health Care Reform).
(e) Of this appropriation, $100,000 is allocated for the Vermont student assistance corporation for loan forgiveness programs for health care providers through the dental hygienist incentive loan program, the nurse incentive loan program, and the dental student incentive loan program.
(f) Of this appropriation, $1,090,000, which includes $500,000 of federal substance abuse grant funds, is for the coordinated healthy activity, motivation, and prevention programs to be used for community wellness grants awarded pursuant to 18 V.S.A. § 104b.
(g) Of these Global Commitment funds, $640,000 shall be used to support the Vermont coalition of clinics for the uninsured health care and dental services provided by clinics for uninsured individuals and families and for federally qualified health center (FQHC) look‑alike uncompensated care pool funds.
Sec. 5.2111. Health – Community public health (Sec. 2.216)
(a) Of this appropriation, the amount of $50,000 shall be expended by the department for lead abatement education. The department is also authorized to solicit and accept grants and donations to be used to supplement the expenditure directed by this subsection.
Sec. 5.212. Health - alcohol and drug abuse programs (Sec. 2.217, #3420060000)
(b) (1) In accordance with federal law, the division of alcohol and drug abuse programs may use the following interim criteria to determine whether to enroll a state-supported Medicaid and uninsured population substance abuse program in the division’s network of designated providers, as described in the state plan:
(B) Any program that is currently being funded in the existing network shall continue to be a designated program until further standards are developed, provided the standards identified in this subdivision (b)(1) are satisfied.
(c) Of the interdepartmental transfer in this section, $150,000 shall be used to support the gambling addiction program.
(d) Of this appropriation, $35,000 shall be used to support the drug court program in Chittenden County, $25,000 shall be used to support the drug court program in Rutland County, and $25,000 shall be used for court coordination in Bennington County.
(e) The department of health shall be advised by an executive council of Vermont’s recovery center network on an ongoing basis to prioritize service and funding needs for recovery centers, to assist with the review of recovery center funding proposals, and to provide recommendations for disbursement of funds to the recovery centers and their support needs. This executive council will consist of a board member of each recovery center. The executive council will hire a network coordinator with the appropriation in subsection (f) of this section. The network coordinator will work for the executive council and provide technical assistance and training to recovery centers. The executive council, working with the department of health, will have oversight of the recovery centers.
(f) Of this appropriation, $45,000 shall be granted to the Vermont recovery center network.
Sec. 5.2121. Vermont state hospital – mental health
(a) The community recovery residential program developed under this section shall be consistent with the goals identified in the existing future plan.
Sec. 5.213. Department for children and families – administration and support services (Sec. 2.221, #3440010000)
(a) Of this appropriation, $14,000 in general funds shall be provided as a grant to the Vermont girl scouts for a program enabling girl scouts and their siblings to visit their mothers in prison.
(b) The department for children and families will include in its fiscal year 2010 budget presentation a schedule for this appropriation that shows the expenses and revenue for the commissioner’s office, including the business office and information technology sections, field service unit, and economic services division separately.
(c) The approach that the commissioner employs to implement the department’s position-reduction target shall not result in reducing the department’s capacity to meet the TANF work participation rates or that would inhibit the department’s capacity to respond to findings of the federal audit report relating to protecting abused and neglected children.
Sec. 5.214. Department for children and families – family services (Sec. 2.222, # 3440020000)
(a) Of the appropriation in this section, $1,800,000 shall be used to expand the department’s internal staff capacity to address the concerns of the federal audit of Vermont’s child protection system. Upon the approval of the joint fiscal committee, the department may request the ability to use a portion of these funds to enter into personal service contracts for the purpose of providing services within the context of the child protection system.
Sec. 5.215. Department for children and families - general assistance (Sec. 2.226, #3440060000)
(a) Of this appropriation, $527,000 in federal TANF funds and $50,000 in general funds are allocated to the department for children and families to provide families with rental or mortgage arrearage assistance under section 2114 of
Title 33.
(b) Of this appropriation, the department for children and families may expend funds for temporary housing or assistance or both to individuals and families that have reached the 28-day maximum allowed under department regulations and have a continued need for this type of emergency assistance. Assistance shall be limited to an additional 56 cumulative days beyond the current 28-day maximum.
(c) Assistance under this section is not an entitlement and shall cease upon expenditure of these funds.
Sec. 5.216. Sec. 137 of No. 65 of the Acts of 2007 is amended to read: (Sec. 226, #3440060000)
(a) Commencing with state fiscal year 2007 and for a period of up to three years, the agency of human services may establish a pilot assistance program within the general assistance program to create flexibility to provide these general assistance benefits. The purpose of the pilot program is to mitigate poverty and serve applicants more effectively than they are currently served with the same amount of general assistance funds. The pilot program shall operate consistent within existing statutes and rules except that it may grant exceptions to this program’s eligibility rules and may create programs and services as alternatives to these rules during the period of the pilot program.
(e) The department shall report to the house committees on appropriations and human services and the senate committees on appropriations and health and welfare no later than January 1, 2008 with a summary of the evaluation of the pilots and any recommended changes to the general assistance program.
Sec. 5.217. TANF EXEMPTION (Sec. 2.227)
(a) The commissioner of the department for children and families may exempt all individuals domiciled in the state of Vermont from the implementation of Sec. 115(a) of Public Law 104-193 through June 30, 2009.
Sec. 5.218. Department for children and families – home heating fuel assistance/LIHEAP (Sec. 2.229, #3440090000)
Sec. 5.219. HOME HEATING FUEL ASSISTANCE/LIHEAP
(a) All federal funds granted to the state for home heating fuel assistance under the low income home energy assistance program (LIHEAP) or other similar federal program in fiscal year 2009 and all unexpended LIHEAP funds granted to the state in fiscal year 2008 are hereby transferred to the home heating fuel assistance trust fund for the provision of home heating fuel assistance, including program administration, under 33 V.S.A. chapter 26.
(b) For the purpose of a crisis set-aside, seasonal home heating fuel assistance through December 31, 2008, and program administration, the commissioner of finance and management shall transfer $2,550,000 from the home weatherization assistance trust fund to the home heating fuel assistance trust fund to the extent that federal LIHEAP or similar federal funds are not available. An equivalent amount shall be returned to the home weatherization trust fund from the home heating fuel assistance trust fund to the extent that federal LIHEAP or similar federal funds are received. Should a transfer of funds from the home weatherization assistance trust fund be necessary for the 2008-2009 crisis
set-aside and seasonal home heating fuel assistance through December 31, 2008, and LIHEAP funds awarded as of December 31, 2008 for fiscal year 2009 do not exceed $2,550,000, subsequent payments under the home heating fuel assistance program shall not be made prior to January 30, 2009. Notwithstanding any other provision of law, payments authorized by the office of home heating fuel assistance shall not exceed funds available, except that for fuel assistance payments made through December 31, 2008, the commissioner of finance and management may anticipate receipts into the home weatherization assistance trust fund.
Sec. 5.220. Department for children and families - office of economic opportunity (Sec. 2.230, #3440100000)
(a) Of the general fund appropriation in this section, $792,000 shall be granted to community agencies for homeless assistance by preserving existing services, increasing services, or increasing resources available statewide. These funds may be granted alone or in conjunction with federal McKinney emergency shelter funds. Grant decisions shall be made with assistance from the coalition of homeless Vermonters.
Sec. 5.221. Department for children and families - OEO - weatherization assistance (Sec. 2.231, #3440110000)
(a) Of the special fund appropriation in this section, $400,000 is for the replacement and repair of home heating equipment.
(b) On or before January 30 of each year, the office of economic opportunity shall make a report to the house and senate committees on appropriations utilizing existing resources within state government available in the office of economic opportunity’s weatherization data management system that compiles performance data available on households weatherized in the past year to include: (1) the number of households weatherized; (2) average program expenditure per household for energy efficiency; (3) average percent energy savings; (4) energy and non-energy benefits combined; 95) benefits saved for every dollar spent; 6) average savings per unit for heating fuels; 7) gallons of oil saved related to equivalent number of homes heated; 8) projected number of households to be weatherized in the current program year; and 9) projected program expenditures for the current program year ending March 31.
Sec. 5.222. [ DELETED SECTION].
Sec. 5.223. Disabilities, aging, and independent living – advocacy and independent living (Sec. 2.236, #3460020000)
(a) Certification of adult day providers shall require a demonstration that the new program is filling an unmet need for adult day services in a given geographic region, and does not have an adverse impact on existing adult day services.
(b) Reimbursement for adult day services shall be at least $13.00 per hour.
Sec. 5.224. Corrections – correctional services (Sec. 2.244, # 3480004000)
(a) The commissioner is authorized to allocate general funds within the budget with the goal of increasing funding for programs that qualify for managed care organization (MCO) investments as part of the Global Commitment waiver.
(b) Transitional housing funds may be used for housing readiness, search, and retention services to include funding for housing assistance as necessary which may be granted to housing authorities and other community agencies in response to requests for proposals or memorandums of understanding which are in accord with department of corrections’ policy and directives.
(c) Of this general fund appropriation, $109,000 shall be used as a grant to Dismas House of Vermont, Inc.
Sec. 5.225. Vermont veterans’ home – care and support services (Sec. 2.248, #3300010000)
(a) If Global Commitment fund monies are unavailable, the total funding for the Vermont veterans’ home shall be maintained through the general fund or other state funding sources.
(b) The Vermont veterans’ home will use the Global Commitment Funds appropriated in this section for care and support services for the purpose of funding certain health care-related programs, activities, and projects to increase the access to quality health care for uninsured persons, underinsured persons, and Medicaid beneficiaries.
Sec. 5.301. Labor – administration (Sec. 2.301, #4100600000)
(a) Any foster care payments excluded from the definition of gross income under the Internal Revenue Code Title 26, Section 131 shall not be considered wages under 21 V.S.A. § 1301(12).
Sec. 5.302. Education – finance and administration (Sec. 2.305, #5100010000)
(a) The Global Commitment funds appropriated in this section for school health services, including school nurses, shall be used for the purpose of funding certain health care-related projects. These projects will reduce the rate of uninsured or underinsured persons or both in Vermont, and increase the access of quality health care to uninsured persons, underinsured persons, and Medicaid beneficiaries.
Sec. 5.3021. COLLABORATION AMONG SCHOOL BOARDS, SCHOOL ADMINISTRATORS, SELECTBOARDS, AND CITY COUNCILS; INCENTIVE FUND
(1) School boards, school administrators, selectboards, and city councils in Vermont and around the country have begun to collaborate in creative and exciting ways.
(2) Collaboration often includes projects in which two or more supervisory unions or two or more school districts share or merge services, equipment, or facilities by, for example, entering into an arrangement for whole-grade sharing, centralized purchasing, sharing of facilities, coordinated provision of special education services, or other similar initiatives.
(3) Many of these collaborative projects have resulted in lowered education spending or a reduction in spending growth.
(4) Further efficiencies and resulting cost-savings could be realized if school boards and school administrators entered into collaborative agreements with selectboards and city councils.
(5) It is important to support and encourage collaboration among school boards, school administrators, selectboards, and city councils that will result in property tax savings without compromising the excellence of our public schools.
(b) The commissioner of education, the Vermont league of cities and towns, the Vermont superintendents association, the Vermont school boards association, the Vermont principals’ association, and the Vermont national education association jointly shall develop a detailed plan to create an incentive fund to distribute grants, low-interest loans, no-interest loans, or any combination of the three to encourage collaborative initiatives among school districts, supervisory unions, and local governmental entities that will result in property tax savings. They shall present the plan to the house and senate committees on education, the house committee on ways and means, and the senate committee on finance on or before January 15, 2009.
Sec. 5.303. Education – special education: formula grants (Sec. 2.307, #5100040000)
(a) Of the appropriation authorized in this section, and notwithstanding any other provision of law, an amount not to exceed $3,300,654 shall be used by the department of education in fiscal year 2009 as funding for 16 V.S.A.
§ 2967(b)(2)‑(6). In addition to funding for 16 V.S.A. § 2967(b)(2)‑(6), up to $169,061 may be used by the department of education for its participation in the higher education partnership plan.
Sec. 5.304. Education – state-placed students (Sec. 2.308, #5100050000)
(a) The independence place program of the Lund Family Center shall be considered a 24‑hour residential program for the purposes of reimbursement of education costs.
Sec. 5.305. Education – adult education and literacy (Sec. 2.309, #5100060000)
(a) Of this appropriation, the amount from the education fund shall be distributed to school districts for reimbursement of high school completion services pursuant to 16 V.S.A. § 1049a(c).
Sec. 5.306. Education – technical education (Sec. 2.316, #5100200000)
(a) The appropriation in this section shall be authorized notwithstanding 16 V.S.A. § 1564.
Sec. 5.307. Education – cost containment – No. 117 of the Acts of the 19999 Acj. Sess. (2000) (Sec. 2.317, #5100310000)
Sec. 5.308. Appropriation and transfer to education fund (Sec. 2.318, #1110020000)
(a) This appropriation from the general fund shall be transferred to the education fund.
Sec. 5.309. State teachers' retirement system (Sec. 2.319, #1265010000)
(a) Notwithstanding 16 V.S.A. § 1944(g)(2), the amount of the annual contribution to the Vermont state teachers' retirement system shall be $35,849,097 in fiscal year 2009.
(b) In accordance with 16 V.S.A. § 1944(c)(2), of the grant appropriation in this section, $27,800,711 is appropriated as the "normal contribution," and $4,748,386 is appropriated as the "accrued liability contribution".
(c) The House of Representative is proposing that a combination of $33,549,097 in general funds, an estimated $1,200,000 of Medicare Part D reimbursement funds, and $2,300,000 of one-time general funds be utilized to achieve funding at the actuarially recommended level revised by the most recent experience study.
Sec. 5.310. University of Vermont (Sec. 2.321, #1110006000)
(a) The commissioner of finance and management shall issue warrants to pay one‑twelfth of this appropriation to the University of Vermont on or about the 15 day of each calendar month of the year.
(b) Of this appropriation, $406,018 shall be transferred to EPSCoR (Experimental Program To Stimulate Competitive Research) for the purpose of complying with state matching fund requirements necessary for the receipt of available federal or private funds, or both.
(d) The University of Vermont will use the Global Commitment funds appropriated in this section to support Vermont physician training. The University of Vermont prepares students, both Vermonters and out-of-state, and awards approximately 100 medical degrees annually. Graduates of this program, currently representing a significant number of physicians practicing in Vermont, will deliver high quality health care services to Medicaid beneficiaries, the uninsured or underinsured persons or both in Vermont and across the nation.
Sec. 5.311. Vermont State Colleges (Sec. 2.324, #1110009000)
(a) The commissioner of finance and management shall issue warrants to pay one‑twelfth of this appropriation to the Vermont state colleges on or about the fifteenth day of each calendar month of the year.
(b) Of this appropriation, $457,818 shall be transferred to the Vermont manufacturing extension center for the purpose of complying with state matching fund requirements necessary for the receipt of available federal or private funds or both.
(c) Of this appropriation, $100,000.00 shall be reserved for use as the state’s fiscal year 2009 contribution toward the growth of the endowment fund for the Vermont state colleges. The state’s funds are to serve as a challenge match to enhance the state colleges’ ability to secure endowment contributions from alumni and other interested parties. The intent is that the fiscal year 2009 appropriation will be the first of five annual appropriations through fiscal year 2014 totaling $500,000.00. The conditions of this challenge match are that the state colleges are required to raise three dollars for each dollar appropriated by the state. A method for accounting for the state colleges’ share has been agreed to between the state colleges and the commissioner of finance and management. Transfers to the state colleges’ endowment fund shall be under the condition that only the interest accruing to the fund will be available for purposes as designated by the board of trustees of the state colleges. By June 30, 2014, any remaining state appropriations designated for the state colleges’ endowment fund that have not been matched by the state colleges shall revert to the general fund. The funds appropriated for this purpose shall be retained by the state.
Sec. 5.312. Vermont state colleges – allied health (Sec. 2.325, #1110010000)
(b) The Vermont state colleges will use the Global Commitment funds appropriated in this section to support the dental hygiene, respiratory therapy, and nursing programs which graduate approximately 250 health care providers annually. These graduates will deliver direct, high quality health care services to Medicaid beneficiaries, the uninsured and/or under-insured persons.
Sec. 5.313. Vermont student assistance corporation (Sec. 2.327, #1110012000)
(a) Of this appropriation, $25,000 is appropriated from the general fund to the Vermont student assistance corporation to be deposited into the trust fund established in 16 V.S.A. § 2845.
(c) $350,000 of state funds, available to the Vermont student assistance corporation pursuant to Sec. 5.107(a) and 5.801(b)(3)(B) of this act, shall be used for the purposes of 16 V.S.A. § 2856. Any unexpended funds from these allocations shall carry forward for this purpose.
Sec. 5.401. Fish and wildlife – support and field services (Sec. 2.406, #6120000000)
(a) Notwithstanding any other provision of law, the position of outreach director and the position of media communications specialist within the department of fish and wildlife shall not be eliminated in fiscal year 2009.
Sec. 5.501. Community development block grants (Sec. 2.505, #7110030000)
Sec. 5.601. Transportation – town highway aid program (Sec. 2.617, #81000003000)
(a) This appropriation is authorized notwithstanding 19 V.S.A. § 306(a).
Sec. 5.602. GENERAL OBLIGATION BONDS
(a) The state treasurer is authorized to issue general obligation bonds in the amount of $5,600,000 for the purpose of funding capital construction projects in the state’s approved fiscal year 2009 transportation program.
Sec. 5.603. BOND PROCEEDS
(a) The sum of $5,600,000, less issuance costs, is appropriated to the agency of transportation program development appropriation 8100001100 from the bond revenue generated in Sec. 5.602 of this act, and the secretary shall allocate the funds to approved capital projects in the fiscal year 2009 transportation program.
Sec. 5.604. AVAILABILITY OF BOND PROCEEDS
(a) The sums appropriated and the spending authority authorized by Secs. 5.602 and 5.603 of this act shall be continuing and shall not revert at the end of the fiscal year.
Sec. 5.605 Transportation – Program Development (Sec. 2.604)
(a) Of this appropriation, $2,700,000 in federal funds is contingent upon the state’s enactment of a primary seat belt law or the state’s satisfaction of other federal requirements regarding average seat belt usage, and further upon congressional appropriations. Such funds are appropriated to the extent they are made available to the state.
Sec. 5.801. FISCAL YEAR 2009 NEXT GENERATION FUND ALLOCATIONS (Sec. 2.801)
(a) The $8,852,658 appropriated in subsection (b) of Sec. 2.801 of this act from the next generation initiative fund, created in 16 V.S.A. § 2887, shall be as follows:
(1) Workforce development $3,400,000 as follows:
(A) WETF. The sum of $1,550,000 is appropriated to the Vermont workforce education and training fund, which is administered by the department of labor, for workforce development. Up to seven percent (7%) of the funds may be used for administration of the program.
(B) Vermont employment training fund. The sum of $750,000 is appropriated to the agency of commerce and community development. This appropriation is for the Vermont employment training fund for the issuance of grants pursuant to 10 V.S.A. § 531.
(C) Career and Alternative Workforce Education. The amount of $450,000 is appropriated to the department of labor. This appropriation shall be to support out-of-school youth, youth at risk, and youth at risk of remaining unemployed with outcomes that lead to employment or continued education as follows:
(i) Forty-five percent (45%) shall be for grants to regional technical centers, comprehensive high schools, and other programs for career exploration programs for students entering grades 7 through 12.
(ii) Fifty-five percent (55%) shall be for grants to regional technical centers, comprehensive high schools, the community high school of Vermont, and non-profit organizations, designated by the workforce development council, for alternative and intensive vocational/academic programs for secondary students in order to earn necessary credits toward graduation.
(D) Adult Technical Education Programs. The amount of $450,000 is appropriated to the department of labor, working with the workforce development council. This appropriation is for the purpose of awarding grants to regional technical centers and comprehensive high schools to provide adult technical education, as that term is defined in 16 V.S.A. § 1522, to unemployed and underemployed Vermont adults.
(E) UVM Technology Transfer Program. The amount of $250,000 is appropriated to the University of Vermont. This appropriation is for patent development and commercialization of technology created at the university for the purpose of creating employment opportunities for Vermont residents.
(2) Loan repayment $500,000 as follows;
(A) The sum of $500,000 is appropriated to the agency of human services global commitment for the department of health to use for health care loan repayment. The department shall use these funds for a grant to the area health education centers (AHEC) for repayment of commercial or governmental loans for postsecondary health care-related education or training owed by persons living and working in Vermont in the health care field.
(3) Scholarships and grants $4,050,000 as follows;
(A) Non-degree VSAC Grants. The amount of $750,000 is appropriated to the Vermont student assistance corporation. This appropriation shall be for the purpose of providing non-degree grants to Vermonters to improve job skills and increase overall employability enabling them to enroll in a post-secondary education or training program, including adult-technical education that is not part of a degree or accredited certificate program. A portion of this appropriation shall be used for grants for indirect educational expenses to students enrolled in training programs. The grants shall not exceed $3,000 per student. None of this appropriation shall be used for administrative overhead.
(B) The sum of $3,000,000 is appropriated for awarding need-based scholarships to Vermont residents. The first $150,000 shall be distributed to the Vermont student assistance corporation to fund the national guard educational assistance program established in 16 V.S.A. § 2856. $950,000 shall be distributed to the University of Vermont, $950,000 to the Vermont state colleges, and $950,000 to the Vermont student assistance corporation. The Vermont student assistance corporation shall reserve these funds for students attending institutions other than the university of Vermont or the Vermont state colleges. None of the $3,000,000 appropriation shall be used for administrative overhead.
(C) Dual Enrollment Programs. The sum of $300,000 is appropriated to the Vermont state colleges for dual enrollment programs. The state colleges shall develop a voucher program that will allow Vermont students to attend programs at a postsecondary institution other than the state college system when programs at the other institution are better academically or geographically suited to student need.
(4) Child Development. $852,658 is appropriated to department of children and families, child development program, to increase eligibility for child care. The eligibility threshold will be increased from its current base year by one year beginning January 1, 2009. The department shall adopt rules to ensure that the eligibility threshold will annually be updated so that the differential between base year and current year in each subsequent fiscal year is no greater than it is on January 1, 2009.
(5) Accountability. On or before March 15, 2009, the entities receiving appropriations under this section shall report to the house committees on commerce, education, and appropriations and the senate committees on economic development, housing and general affairs, education, and appropriations regarding the distribution of funds, the number and categories of students served, the categorical number and amount of scholarships and grants distributed, the geographic distribution of the funds, and the number and types of jobs created.
Sec. 5.802. FISCAL YEARS 2008 AND 2009 RESERVES FOR FISCAL YEAR 2009 CONTINGENT APPROPRIATIONS (Sec. 2.803)
(a) The first $5,740,000 of settlements due to the general fund after April 1, 2008 in fiscal year 2008 shall be reserved and in fiscal year 2009 is hereby appropriated or transferred as follows:
(1) First, $450,000 shall be appropriated to the secretary of state to fund expenses of the 2008 election and $90,000 shall be appropriated to the secretary of state to fund expenses incurred due to S.108 of the 2008 session;
(2) Second, $4,600,000 is appropriated to the agency of human services for Global Commitment;
(3) Third, $600,000 is appropriated to Vermont housing finance agency (VHFA) and the Vermont economic development authority (VEDA) to cover interest rate subsidies and the cost of administering energy efficiency loans to homeowners and businesses in order to encourage homeowners and businesses to make improvements to their properties that will result in energy savings. The Vermont housing finance agency and Vermont economic development authority are authorized to make no- and low-interest loans, either directly or indirectly through other organizations, to finance such improvements and to establish guidelines for qualifying for such loans.
(b) The amount of settlements due to the general fund in fiscal year 2009, not to exceed the amount needed to reach $5,740,000 after the reserve in subsection (a) of this section and after the appropriation from the fiscal year 2008 general fund balance in Sec. 5.803(a)(3) of this act, shall be reserved, and in fiscal year 2009 is hereby appropriated or transferred as indicated in subsection (a) above.
Sec. 5.803. FISCAL YEAR 2008 GENERAL FUND BALANCE
(a) At the close of fiscal year 2008, the fiscal year 2008 unreserved and undesignated general fund balance on a budgetary basis, as determined by the commissioner of finance and management on July 31, 2008, to the extent funds are available; shall be reserved as follows:
(1) First, shall be reserved in the general fund budget stabilization reserve, established in 32 V.S.A. § 308, to the extent necessary to attain its statutory maximum;
(2) Second, $15,595,000 shall be reserved in the general fund surplus reserve established in 32 V.S.A. § 308c(a);
(3) Third, any amount needed to reach $5,740,000 after the reserve of settlements due to the general fund in fiscal year 2008 pursuant to Sec. 5.802(a) of this act shall in fiscal year 2009 be appropriated or transferred consistent with Sec. 5.802(a); and
(4) Any funds held in the general fund surplus reserve under 32 V.S.A. § 308(a) at the close of fiscal year 2008 shall be made available for expenditure in fiscal year 2009 to the extent necessary to offset any official forecast reduction from the general fund revenue forecast of January 2008.
Sec. 5.901. Sec. 114 of No. 71 of the Acts of 2005, as amended by Sec. 273 of No. 65 of the Acts of 2007, is further amended to read:
(a) From the human services caseload reserve, $1,300,000 shall be transferred to the general fund to offset caseload and transition expenditures for services at the Vermont state hospital. The secretary of administration and the secretary of human services shall ensure that these funds are repaid to the caseload reserve on or before July 1, 2009.
Sec. 5.902. Sec. 26 of No. 30 of the Acts of 2007 is amended to read: (Sec. 2.228)
(b) The amendments to 33 V.S.A. chapter 11 contained in Secs. 2-13 (Reach Up), 14 (solely state‑funded programs), and 16 (Reach Up transitions) of this act shall take effect immediately when the rule changes necessary to implement the sections become final, but no later than April 1, 2008. Until the time that the rule modifications are final, the Reach Up program shall operate under current law. Any provisions in these sections relating to Reach Ahead shall take effect on October 1, 2008 April 1, 2009.
(d) Reach First established in Sec. 1 of this act shall be implemented no later than April 1, 2008. Reach Ahead established in Sec. 18 shall be implemented for families who leave Reach Up on or after April 1, 2009 as provided for in 33 V.S.A. § 1203(1) no later than October 1, 2008. Subject to appropriation, Reach Ahead shall be implemented for all other families as provided for in 33 V.S.A. § 1203 no later than April 1, 2009 July 1, 2009.
Sec. 5.903. Sec. 2(c) of No. 71 of the Acts of 2007 is amended as follows:
(c) After submission of the application, the agency shall determine if the applicant meets full eligibility requirements. Beginning January 1, 2008, October 1, 2009 if the individual is found eligible for the Vermont health access plan, the agency shall, subject to approval from the center for Medicare and Medicaid services, provide payment for any services received by the individual beginning with the date the application was received by the agency.
Sec. 5.904. REPEAL
(a) Sec. 3 of No. 86 of the Acts of 1969 (lieutenant governor’s expenses to be paid from legislative appropriation) is repealed.
(b) 20 V.S.A. § 38(a)(3) (radiological emergency response plan) is repealed.
Sec. 6.001. 9 V.S.A. § 5613(b) is amended to read:
Sec. 6.002. 10 V.S.A. § 1941(a) is amended to read:
(a) A fund to be known as the petroleum cleanup fund is created in the state treasury, to be expended by the secretary of the agency of natural resources. The fund shall consist of licensing fees and petroleum tank fees assessed under the provisions of this chapter, loan repayments, and disbursements that have been recovered, except for underground storage tank permit fees and licensing fees for tank inspectors. The fund shall have two accounts: the motor fuel account and the heating fuel account. The motor fuel account shall consist of all moneys deposited into the fund, with the exception of the licensing fees for heating oil and kerosene described in section 1942 of this title. The heating fuel account shall consist of all the moneys deposited into the fund from the licensing fees for heating oil and kerosene sold or used in the state. All balances in the fund at the end of any fiscal year shall be carried forward and remain a part of the fund. The secretary may transfer money, in each fiscal year, between the accounts, provided that the transfer is approved by the advisory committee established under subsection (e) of this section and does not exceed $250,000.00 $750,000.00. Interest earned by the fund shall be deposited into the fund. Disbursements from the fund shall be made by the state treasurer on warrants drawn by the commissioner of finance and management. The secretary shall seek to recover from responsible parties costs incurred under subdivision (b)(8) of this section.
Sec. 6.003. 10 V.S.A. § 2624 is amended to read:
§ 2624. MARKED TIMBER SALES
(a) The department of forests, parks and recreation may shall provide marked timber to Vermont citizens for personal use at a reasonable price to be determined by the secretary of the agency of natural resources.
(b) The commissioner of forests, parks and recreation shall establish a firewood for homes program. As part of this program, the commissioner shall:
(1) designate areas of state-owned lands, situated at various locations throughout the state, that will be available to members of the general public for harvesting firewood for purposes of heating their own homes;
(2) provide adequate notice to the members of the general public regarding the existence of the program, where to find the wood lots in question, and the requirements that must be met by participants in the program;
(3) provide notice on the various sites where the firewood is to be harvested, together with information explaining program requirements and harvesting guidelines and an explanation of which trees are marked for harvest;
(4) mark trees for harvesting under the program and ensure compliance with the requirements of the program;
(5) allow program participants to use appropriate machinery and equipment to harvest the wood and remove it from the woodlot. The commissioner may develop reasonable guidelines with regard to the use of machinery and equipment;
(6) warn program participants that harvesting wood may be a dangerous activity and require program participants to release the state from liability for accidents that may occur during a harvesting operation taking place on state lands;
(7) require participants to pay a reasonable fee per cord to offset the state’s costs in administering and marketing the program in general and the state’s costs in marking trees on the parcel in question as being suitable for harvest under the program;
(8) monitor and report annually to the house and senate committees on appropriations during the legislative appropriations process on the state’s experience in conducting the program, the degree of participation in the program, any particular challenges posed by the program, and any recommendations regarding how the program might be improved.
Sec. 6.004. 16 V.S.A. § 1565(b)(1)(C) is amended to read:
(C) Adult service coordinators’ salary assistance shall be not exceed 50 percent of actual salaries and benefits. Payment under this subsection does not preclude a district from using other state and federal grants to supplement the actual salaries and benefits of adult service coordinators.
Sec. 6.005. 19 V.S.A. § 11a.is amended to read:
Sec. 11a. Transportation funds appropriated for support of government
The maximum amount of transportation funds that may be appropriated for the support of government, other than for the agency of transportation, the transportation board, transportation pay act funds, construction of transportation capital facilities used by the agency of transportation, and transportation debt service shall not exceed $35,007,219. $33,852,807.
Sec. 6.006. 22 V.S.A. § 724 is amended to read:
Sec. 724. Historic sites special fund
(a) There is hereby established a fund to be known as the historic sites operations special fund. This fund will be managed pursuant to subchapter 5 of chapter 7 of Title 32 and used by the division for historic preservation to carry out the provisions of 22 V.S.A. §§ 723(a)(9) and 723(b)(1). Revenues to the fund shall be from the following sources:
(3) Gifts, grants, and other donations and moneys from any other source received for historic sites, specimens, or the Vermont archeology heritage center;
Sec. 6.007. 22 V.S.A. § 725 is amended to read:
Sec. 725. Acceptance of funds or gifts for historic sites and Vermont archeology heritage center with the approval of the secretary of administration, the state historic preservation officer may accept grants, gifts, donations, loans, or other things of value on behalf of the division for historic preservation for use by the division for historic preservation in establishing and maintaining displays and exhibits at any historic site and at the Vermont archeology heritage center, or restoring any historic site maintained and developed under section 723 of this chapter.
Sec. 6.008. 22 V.S.A. § 903(c)(1) is amended to read:
(c)(1) The commissioner shall contract enter into a grant agreement with the Vermont information technology leaders (VITL), a broad-based health information technology advisory group that includes providers, payers, employers, patients, health care purchasers, information technology vendors, and other business leaders, to develop the health information technology plan, including applicable standards, protocols, and pilot programs. In carrying out their responsibilities under this section, members of VITL shall be subject to conflict of interest policies established by the commissioner to ensure that deliberations and decisions are fair and equitable.
Sec. 6.009. 32 V.S.A. § 111 is added to read:
§ 111. Financial literacy trust fund
(a) There is hereby established and created a fund entitled the financial literacy trust fund to be administered by the state treasurer. The purpose of the fund is to promote the adoption of fiscally sound money management practices by Vermonters through education and outreach efforts that raise awareness of the need for and benefits of practicing such skills; and to create opportunities to build and encourage the development of new financial literacy activities and educational products for Vermont citizens.
(b) The fund may receive state appropriations, gifts, grants, federal funds, and any other funds, both public and private, consistent with this section. The funds may be expended for financial literacy projects as the treasurer may direct, in accordance with the trust fund provisions of section 462 of this title 32.
(c) The treasurer may invest monies in the fund in accordance with the provisions of section 434 of this title 32. All balances in the fund at the end of the fiscal year shall be carried forward and shall not revert to the general fund. Interest earned shall remain in the fund. The treasurer's annual financial report to the governor and the general assembly shall contain an accounting of receipts, disbursements and earnings of the fund.
Sec. 6.010. 2 V.S.A. § 305a(a) is amended to read:
(a) On or about January 15 and again by July 31 of each year, and at such other times as the emergency board or the governor deems proper, the joint fiscal office and the secretary of administration shall provide to the emergency board their respective estimates of state revenues in the general, transportation, education, Catamount, state health care resources, and Global Commitment funds, and revenues from the gross receipts tax under 33 V.S.A. § 2503. The January revenue estimate shall be for the current and next two succeeding fiscal years, and the July revenue estimate shall be for the current and immediately succeeding fiscal years. Federal fund estimates shall be provided at the same times for the current fiscal year.
Sec. 6.011. 32 V.S.A. § 703 is amended to read:
Sec. 703. Unexpended appropriations
The unexpended and unencumbered balances of any sums appropriated by the general assembly shall annually at the end of the fiscal year, unless otherwise specially specifically provided, be covered into the state treasury on July 1 revert to the appropriate fund balance. Refunds of expenditures and reimbursements shall be credited to the appropriate fund and to appropriation accounts in the current fiscal year.
Sec. 6.012. 33 V.S.A. § 1203 is amended to read:
(1) has left Reach Up or the postsecondary education program within the prior six months for unsubsidized employment that meets the work requirements for the Reach Up program for the family's size and composition and meets the financial eligibility guidelines for the Vermont Health Access Program;
Sec. 6.013. 33 V.S.A. § 1211 is amended to read:
A family's income and hours of employment and other countable work activities shall be verified every six months to determine continuing eligibility for the program. To the extent possible for families receiving food stamps, income verification may be done at the same time as the food stamps recertification or verification of employment hours.
Sec. 6.014. 33 V.S.A. § 1910 is amended to read:
(c) An attorney representing a person who, as a result of injuries, illness or disease suffered as the result of the negligence or wrong of another has received, is receiving or has applied for medical assistance under this subchapter or for residential care provided by the agency at a hospital for the mentally ill or habilitative care center for the developmentally disabled shall, provided the attorney has notice of the receipt or application, notify the agency prior to distribution of the settlement or judgment. A recipient who has applied for or has received medical assistance under this subchapter and the recipient’s attorney, if any, shall cooperate with the agency by:
Sec. 6.015. 33 V.S.A. § 1953(a)(1) is amended to read:
(1) Beginning July 1, 2005 January 1, 2008, each hospital's annual assessment, except for hospitals assessed under subdivision (2) of this subsection, shall be 6.0 5.5 percent of its net patient revenues (less chronic, skilled, and swing bed revenues) for the hospital's fiscal year as determined annually by the director from the hospital's financial reports and other data filed with the department of banking, insurance, securities, and health care administration. The annual assessment shall be based on data from a hospital's third most recent full fiscal year.
Sec. 6.016. 33 V.S.A. § 1984(c)(1) is amended to read:
(c)(1) For the lowest cost plan, an individual's contribution shall be:
(A) Income less than or equal to 200 percent of FPL: $60.00 $65.00 per month.
(B) Income greater than 200 percent and less than or equal to 225 percent of FPL: $90.00 $100.00 per month.
(C) Income greater than 225 percent and less than or equal to 250 percent of FPL: $110.00 $125.00 per month.
(D) Income greater than 250 percent and less than or equal to 275 percent of FPL: $125.00 $145.00 per month.
(E) Income greater than 275 percent and less than or equal to 300 percent of FPL: $135.00 $160.00 per month.
(F) Income greater than 300 percent of FPL: the actual cost of Catamount Health.
Sec. 6.017. 33 V.S.A. § 2073(d)(2) is amended to read:
(2) An individual shall contribute the following base cost-sharing amounts which shall be indexed to the increases established under 42 C.F.R. § 423.104(d)(5)(iv) and then rounded to the nearest dollar amount:
(A) In the case of recipients whose household income is no greater than 150 percent of the federal poverty level, such premium shall be $17.00 $13.00 per month or $156.00 per year in the case of recipients whose household income is no greater than 150 percent of the federal poverty level.
(B) In the case of recipients whose household income is greater than 150 percent of the federal poverty level and no greater than 175 percent of the federal poverty level, the premium shall be $23.00 $17.00 per month or $204.00 per year in the case of recipients whose household income is greater than 150 percent of the federal poverty level and no greater than 175 percent of the federal poverty level.
(C) In the case of recipients whose household income is greater than 175 percent of the federal poverty level and no greater than 225 percent of the federal poverty level, the premium shall be $50.00 $35.00 per month or $420.00 per year in the case of recipients whose household income is greater than 175 percent of the federal poverty level and no greater than 225 percent of the federal poverty level.
Sec. 6.018. 33 V.S.A. § 2074 is amended to read:
§ 2074. Vermont-Rx program
(c) Benefits under Vermont-Rx shall be subject to payment of a premium amount by the recipient in accordance with the provisions of this section.
(1) In the case of recipients whose household income is no greater than 150 percent of the federal poverty level, such the premium shall be $13.00 $17.00 per month.
(2) In the case of recipients whose household income is greater than 150 percent of the federal poverty level and no greater than 175 percent of the federal poverty level, the premium shall be $17.00 $23.00 per month.
(3) In the case of recipients whose household income is greater than 175 percent of the federal poverty level and no greater than 225 percent of the federal poverty level, the premium shall be $35.00 $50.00 per month.
(d) Any manufacturer of pharmaceuticals purchased by individuals receiving assistance from Vermont-Rx established under this section shall pay to OVHA, as a condition of participation in the program, a rebate in an amount at least as favorable as the rebate paid to OVHA in connection with the Medicaid program.
(e) Under Vermont-Rx, a pharmaceutical may be dispensed to an eligible recipient provided such dispensing is pursuant to and in accordance with any contractual arrangement that OVHA may enter into or approve for the group discount purchase of pharmaceuticals. When a person or business located in Vermont and employing citizens of this state has submitted a bid for the group discount purchase of pharmaceuticals and has not been selected, the director of OVHA shall record the reason for nonselection. The director's report shall be a public record available to any interested person. All bids or quotations shall be kept on file in the director's office and open to public inspection.
Sec. 6.019. 33 V.S.A. § 2501a(b) is amended to read:
(7) Coordinating with Vermont housing finance agency and Vermont economic development authority in establishing income, efficiency and administrative guidelines for the energy efficiency loan program.
Sec. 6.020. 33 V.S.A. § 1955(a) is amended to read:
(a) Each Beginning January 1, 2008, each ICF/MR’s annual assessment shall be six 5.5 percent of the ICF/MR’s total annual direct and indirect expenses for the most recently settled ICF/MR audit.
Sec. 6.021. 2 V.S.A. chapter 27 is added to read:
CHAPTER 27. HEALTH IT-FUND ADVISORY COMMITTEE
§ 961. HEALTH IT-FUND ADVISORY COMMITTEE
There is created a health IT-fund advisory committee. Members of the committee shall include two members appointed jointly by the speaker of the house and the president pro tempore of the senate and two members appointed by the governor. Committee members shall not be potential recipients of the health IT-fund grants, subcontracts, or contracts. The committee shall meet as necessary to monitor the progress of the health IT-fund established in subsection 962(a) of this title, review the quarterly expenditure reports submitted by the Vermont information technology leaders (VITL) and others pursuant to subsection 962(h) of this title, advise the secretary of administration and the general assembly regarding proposals from VITL and others for disbursements from the health IT-fund, and consider recommendations to the commission on health care reform relating to continuation of the health care information technology reinvestment fee established in section 4089k of Title 8, including the realization of any unanticipated receipts. Legislative members shall be entitled to compensation and expenses as provided in section 406 of this title. All other members shall be entitled to compensation and expenses as provided in section 1010 of Title 32.
§ 962. VERMONT HEALTH IT-FUND
(a) The Vermont health IT-fund is established in the department of the treasury as a special fund to be a source of funding for medical health care information technology programs and initiatives such as those outlined in the Vermont health information technology plan administered by the Vermont Information Technology Leaders (VITL). One hundred percent of the fund shall be disbursed for the advancement of health information technology adoption and utilization in Vermont as appropriated by the general assembly, less any disbursements relating to the administration of the fund. The fund shall be used for the development of programs and initiatives sponsored by VITL and state entities designed to promote and improve health care information technology, including:
(1) a program to provide electronic health information systems and practice management systems for primary care practitioners in Vermont;
(2) financial support for VITL to build and operate the health information exchange network;
(3) implementation of the Blueprint for Health information technology initiatives and the advanced medical home project; and
(4) consulting services for installation, integration, and clinical process re-engineering relating to the utilization of healthcare information technology such as electronic medical records.
(b) The health IT-fund shall be administered by the secretary of administration or his or her designee.
(c) Into the fund shall be deposited:
(1) revenue from the reinvestment fee imposed on health insurers pursuant to section 4089k of Title 8;
(2) contributions from the office of Vermont health access, as appropriated by the general assembly; and
(d) The fund shall be administered pursuant to subchapter 5 of chapter 7 of Title 32, except that interest earned on the fund and any remaining balance shall be retained in the fund. All monies received by or generated to the fund shall be disbursed solely as allowed by appropriation of the general assembly.
(e) VITL and any other entity requesting disbursements from the health IT-fund shall develop an annual detailed plan for proposed expenditures from the health IT-fund for the upcoming fiscal year. The expenditure plan shall be included within the context of the entity’s overall budget, including all revenue and expenditures.
(f) The plan developed under subsection (e) of this section shall be submitted to the secretary of administration or his or her designee, who shall then submit his or her recommendations on the plan to the general assembly.
(g) The secretary of administration or his or her designee shall submit an annual report on the receipts, expenditures, and balances in the health IT-fund to the joint fiscal committee at its September meeting and to the commission on health care reform by October 1. The report shall include information on the results of an annual independent study of the effectiveness of programs and initiatives funded through the health IT-fund, with reference to a baseline, benchmarks, and other measures for monitoring progress and including data on return on investments made.
(h) VITL and any other beneficiary receiving funding shall submit quarterly expenditure reports to the secretary of administration, the IT-fund committee, and the health care reform commission, including a year-end report by August 1.
(i) Any primary care practitioner receiving an electronic health information system, practice management system, or both pursuant to subdivision (a)(1) of this section shall maximize usage of such system in accordance with the guidelines developed by VITL. A practitioner who is determined by VITL to be using the system to less than its full capacity shall be provided with an opportunity for additional instruction as needed to enable full usage of the system. If a practitioner is unwilling or unable to utilize the system to its full capacity, such practitioner shall refund to VITL the fair market value of the system.
Sec. 6.022. 8 V.S.A. § 4089k is added to read:
§ 4089k. HEALTH CARE INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY
(a) Quarterly, beginning October 1, 2008, each health insurer shall pay a fee into the health IT-fund established in section 962 of Title 2. The fee shall be 0.5 0.12 of one percent of all medical claims paid by the health insurer in the previous fiscal quarter.
(1) “Health insurance” means any group or individual health care benefit policy, contract, or plan offered, issued, or renewed to a Vermont resident, including any health care benefit plan offered, issued, or renewed by any health insurance company, any nonprofit hospital and medical service corporation, or any managed care organization as defined in section 9402 of Title 18. It does not include any state health care assistance program financed in whole or in part through a federal program, unless authorized by federal law and approved by the general assembly, nor does it apply to coverage for specified disease or other limited benefit policies that only provide fixed indemnity coverage.
(2) “Health insurer” means any person who offers, issues, or renews a health insurance policy, contract, or plan, and includes third party administrators who administer self-insured plans. The term does not apply to coverage for specified disease or other limited benefit policies that only provide fixed indemnity coverage.
(c) No later than June 30, 2011, the secretary of administration, or his or her designee, in consultation with the health IT-fund advisory committee, shall assess the adequacy of funding and make recommendations to the commission on health care reform concerning the appropriateness of the duration of the health care information technology reinvestment fee.
(d) This section shall sunset July 1, 2018.
Sec. 6.023. 10 V.S.A. § 1 is amended to read:
(a) There is established a commission on the future of economic development to cooperatively plan the free enterprise economy of Vermont. The commission is established by the legislature for the purpose of fostering cooperative planning in recognition that the economy of the state will be stronger with a consensus on common goals and directives and with an approach that builds on the unique strengths and challenges of doing business in Vermont.
(b) The commission shall consist of 12 voting members. The governor shall appoint five members, including a chair of the commission; the speaker of the house shall appoint one member, who shall be a member of the house of representatives; and the committee on committees shall appoint one member, who shall be a member of the senate. The speaker of the house and the president pro tempore of the senate shall jointly appoint two members who are not legislators. The Vermont labor council shall appoint one member representing labor; the Vermont association of nonprofit organizations shall appoint one member representing nonprofit organizations, and the governor shall appoint a self-employed person. In addition, the secretary of commerce and community development and the executive director of the economic incentive review board shall serve as ex officio nonvoting members.
(b)(c) The first commission shall serve a term from the date of appointment through June 30, 2012, and beginning July 1, 2012, appointed commission members shall serve for four-year terms. Beginning July 1, 2012, three of the five at large members to be appointed by the governor, and one of the two
non-legislative members to be appointed jointly by the speaker of the house and president pro tempore of the Senate, shall serve an initial term of two years. Except for these initial appointments, all appointed members shall serve four year terms, and a member may be reappointed for consecutive terms. Board members shall be entitled to payments for per diem and expenses as provided under section 1010 of Title 32; and legislative members shall be entitled to payments for per diem and expenses as provided in 2 V.S.A. § 406.
(c)(d) On September 15, 2007 December 1, 2008, and thereafter, every five years beginning December 1, 2011 December 1, 2012, the commission shall report to the senate committee on economic development, housing and general affairs, the senate committee on finance, the house committee on commerce, the house committee on ways and means and the governor a proposed five-year economic development plan for the state of Vermont. The commission may contract with a consultant for purposes of developing the plan, and shall apply to the emergency board for any expenses the commission may incur in its official duties.
(d)(e) The commission shall report to the joint fiscal committee at such times as the committee shall request on the progress of the commission's economic planning.
(e)(f) Each commission's five-year plan shall:
(1) Establish a vision and identify the long-term goals for Vermont economic development and job retention in light of the local and global economic climate and for increasing the well-being of Vermonters and their communities.
(2) Include a meaningful benchmark process that sets economic development goals with an approach that builds on the unique strengths and challenges of doing business in Vermont and measures the state's position relative to those goals.
(3) The plan shall identify Identify prioritized criteria by which to evaluate legislative proposals for economic development programs in the coming five years which will best serve the goals of the five-year plan.
(f)(g) In fulfilling its economic development planning responsibilities, the commission shall:
(1) Conduct a planning process planning processes that is are open and inclusive, with broad-based public engagement ensuring participation that is demographically and geographically representative of the state and includes input from a wide range of perspectives, expertise and interests, including the general assembly, state agencies and the administration, regional and local planning and development organizations, municipalities, the private sector, and business organizations, including owners, knowledgeable in the areas of economic interest such as agriculture, social and human services, energy, education, child care, environmental issues, science and technology, arts and culture, transportation, telecommunications, housing, workforce development, and tourism and recreation.
(3) Include an examination and re-evaluation of the issues critical to encouraging all sizes of business to develop in Vermont, including workforce development, development of higher education institutions, infrastructure development, quality of life issues and tax policy.
(4) Discuss and develop possible working definitions a working definition of the creative economy in the state, identifying and aggregating the creative, artistic, inventive and cultural enterprises, and other new future development sectors of the economy, including media design, sustainable technologies, added value manufacturing, natural resource industries, and environmental technologies, and “green” technologies that comprise part of the state's creative technology and review possible measures and indicators of economic benefit, costs, and contributions to the state from the creative economy sector.
(5) Include the development of a meaningful benchmark process that sets economic development goals appropriate for Vermont and measures the state's position relative to those goals.
(6) Consider and make recommendations to the legislature on any other aspect of economic development that the commission deems appropriate to further the policy statement and goals established in the plan.
(g)(h) The plan commission on the future of economic development shall also consider:
(1) The cost-effectiveness of targeted business incentive grants and nonmonetary business aid such as permit and regulatory assistance or other assistance and increased development of infrastructure to further the plan’s purpose and goals.
(2) Whether targeting incentives to regions of the state with high unemployment, low wages, or other indications of need for economic development and job creation would better advance the long-term plan’s purposes and goals.
(5) The types of postsecondary institution expansion of development which would attract research and technology firms.
(6) The advantages and disadvantages of privatizing all or a portion of economic development functions of the state to further the plan’s purposes and goals.
Sec. 7.001. EFFECTIVE DATES
(a) This section and Secs. 4.003, 4.004(b), 5.006(a), 5.010, 5.109, 5.208, 5.216, 5.802(a), 5.803, 6.006, 6.007, and 6015 of this act shall take effect on passage.
(b) Sec. 5.101(b) shall take effect June 8, 2008.
2.001 – 2.099 & 5.001 – 5.099 General Government #s & Language
2.101 – 2.199 & 5.101 – 5.199 Protection to Persons & Property #s & Language
2.201 – 2.299 & 5.201 – 5.299 Human Services #s & Language
2.301 – 2.399 & 5.301 – 5.399 Labor, K-12 Education-Higher Ed #s &
2.401 – 2.499 & 5.401 – 5.499 Natural Resources #s & Language
2.501 – 2.599 & 5.501 – 5.599 Commerce & Community Development #s & Language
2.601 – 2.699 & 5.601 – 5.699 Transportation #s & Language
2.701 – 2.799 & 5.701 - 5.799 Debt Service #s & Language
2.801 – 2.899 & 5.801 – 5.899 Misc – Onetime & Contingent #s & Language
2.901 - 2.999 & 5.901– 5.999 Misc – New stuff