Today, January 6, the Vermont Legislature gavels back in to complete their work for the 2025/2026 biennium. Last year, over 30 bills (of 700+/- introduced) had direct impacts on contracting, economy and business that ABC NH/VT tracked. Of those bills ABC staff and members were able to make effective changes to bills that passed and successfully opposed bills that would be negative to our community. This year we are back, those bills are technically still in play, and advocates anticipate another 600-700 bill introductions in the coming weeks.

Your legislative team headed up by staff, the ABC NH/VT board, Vermont legislative committee, contract lobbyists and members like you who can help make a difference with our elected officials. In the coming weeks staff will closely examine bills that are being introduced looking for good policy to support and analyze the devils in the details to identify bills that may be problematic.

Once staff clearly identifies the impact of policy the Legislative Committee discusses whether it would negatively or positively impact the construction industry and make recommendations to the ABC NH/VT board of directors. The board then decides how staff and the legislative team would react to legislation. There are multiple ways ABC NH/VT will react from direct lobbying efforts, coalition building, professional testimony, member testimony and messaging.

The goal of industry input is to educate the legislators on these impacts because often times, they have a “great idea”, but don’t know enough about how it might impact industry. This dialog with leaders helps us amend, support, or oppose bills which then helps elected officials in their decision making.

Its all about the great relationships that your association and members share with legislators and elected officials that makes our collective voices heard. That’s the power of association.

If you have any questions or interest in participating in the Vermont Legislative Committee please contact matt@abcnhvt.org.