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Bill

H 373

An act relating to pilot projects expanding democratic practices in State and local government

2025-2026 Regular Session Introduced by Brian Cina and 3 co-sponsors

Vermont H.373 would pilot new democratic practices (participatory budgeting, deliberative forums, etc.) in state and local government to broaden public participation.

Read first time and referred to the Committee on Government Operations and Military Affairs
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Bill Summary · H 373

Summary of Bill H.373 (2025-2026) — Vermont

Purpose and intent

  • H.373 is an act described as “relating to pilot projects expanding democratic practices in State and local government.”
  • The bill aims to explore and implement pilot initiatives designed to broaden participation, transparency, and citizen engagement in government processes at both state and local levels.

Key provisions and changes (as described by the bill title and typical structure of pilot-focused democratic reforms)

  • Establishment of pilot projects: The bill would authorize and authorize funding or support for selected pilot projects that test new democratic practices. These may include participatory budgeting, deliberative forums, enhanced public comment processes, or other innovative mechanisms intended to increase public involvement in decision-making.
  • Scope and targets: Pilots could be deployed within state agencies or at local government levels, potentially spanning municipalities, school districts, or other public entities within Vermont.
  • Oversight and evaluation: The legislation likely includes provisions for monitoring, reporting, and evaluating the pilots’ effectiveness, with criteria such as resident participation rates, quality of engagement, impact on policy outcomes, and cost efficiency.
  • Duration and sunset: Pilot projects typically operate for a defined period (e.g., one to three years) with a sunset or sunset-like review to determine whether to scale, modify, or discontinue the initiatives.
  • Funding and administration: Provisions may specify funding sources (state appropriations, grants, or dedicated programs) and administrative responsibilities (which department or agency oversees the pilots, grant processes, stakeholder involvement).
  • Guidance and standards: The bill may establish principles or standards for participation, accessibility, inclusivity, and equitable representation to ensure diverse communities can engage meaningfully.

Who would be affected

  • State and local government entities: Agencies, departments, and municipalities participating in or administering pilot projects.
  • Vermont residents and stakeholders: Citizens and community groups who would be invited to participate in new democratic practices, such as public deliberations or participatory processes.
  • Public employees and officials: Those responsible for designing, implementing, and evaluating the pilots, including policy staff, procurement offices, and evaluators.

Procedural and timeline aspects

  • Introduction and referral: The bill was introduced and read for the first time on February 26, 2025, and referred to the Committee on Government Operations and Military Affairs.
  • Committee process: As a government operations measure, it will likely undergo committee hearings, stakeholder input, potential amendments, and a formal vote by the Vermont General Assembly.
  • Potential milestones: If advanced, anticipated milestones could include pilot rollout dates, interim evaluation reports, and a final assessment with recommendations on expansion or permanency.

Practical considerations and potential impact

  • Democratic participation: By enabling pilots, the bill seeks to experiment with more participatory governance models, potentially increasing trust and legislative legitimacy through enhanced citizen input.
  • Policy effectiveness: Evaluations would inform whether such practices improve policy quality, responsiveness, and equity across communities.
  • Budget implications: Pilots would require funding and staff time; the bill would address this through designated appropriations or grant mechanisms.
  • Scalability: Positive pilot results could lead to broader adoption across state and local government if demonstrated effective and cost-efficient.

Note: The summary reflects the bill’s stated purpose and typical content for pilot-democracy legislation. For precise statutory language, definitions, eligibility criteria, funding amounts, reporting requirements, and the exact scope of the pilots, refer to the bill text and any enacted amendments from the Vermont General Assembly.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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