H. 757 signed into law

I am pleased to share that the bill I introduced, (H.757, An Act Relating to Manufactured Homes and Limited-Equity Cooperatives) in the House General & Housing Committee was signed into law by the Governor on June 17, 2026.

Like many pieces of legislation, it evolved considerably as it moved through the House and Senate. While the final version of the bill is not everything I had hoped to achieve, it represents meaningful progress and establishes a strong foundation for future improvements. If re-elected, I look forward to building on this work and continuing the effort to advance these important reforms.

Westbury Cooperative, Colchester. Photo credit Caleb Kenna Photography. "Mobile Home Mobilization - How trailer park residents are banding together against the speculative real estate market." In these Times, September 3 2025.

Summary of the Bill:

H.757 updates and modernizes Vermont laws related to manufactured homes and limited-equity cooperatives (LECs). The bill streamlines the transfer of ownership of manufactured homes, including deed transfers, and reinforces that manufactured homes must be treated the same as other residential housing under local

zoning laws.

The bill also sought to address the property tax assessment of resident-owned manufactured home limited-equity cooperatives, which provide affordable housing for low and moderate-income Vermonters. It originally required the Department of Taxes to inventory these cooperatives and evaluate whether they are being assessed fairly, equitably, and consistently across the state.

The rationale for this provision was that current assessment practices appear to vary among municipalities and may not fully align with existing statutory requirements. A statewide study would have examined current practices, assessed compliance with state law, and provided recommendations to ensure consistency and fairness. Although this provision was removed from H.757, it was expected to be included in the Miscellaneous Tax Bill as part of a broader review of property tax reassessments. Unfortunately, the study was not included as agreed. I will follow up to better understand why this important study was removed.

To preserve long-term affordability, the bill prohibits subleasing cooperative units except when a homeowner demonstrates hardship and receives Board approval. Even then, any rent charged may not exceed the homeowner's carrying costs. This ensures that homes remain affordable and prevents individuals from profiting from housing intended to serve low and moderate income families under an affordable housing covenant.

The bill also exempts manufactured homes purchased from a dealership and financed as real property from sales tax, making those transactions subject instead to the property transfer tax. This change can reduce upfront purchase costs by approximately $2,000 to $6,000, helping make homeownership more affordable. In addition, buyers who do not qualify for conventional mortgage financing but qualify for personal property loans would see a significant increase in the sales tax exemption, from 40 percent to 90 percent.

Another important modernization is replacing the term “mobile home” with “manufactured home” and recognizing these homes as “permanently sited.” Manufactured homes are factory-built residences that, once installed, are not readily movable. This change reflects the reality of how these homes are used and helps eliminate the misconception that they can be easily relocated. This increases the likelihood that lenders will offer financing and refinancing options with rates and terms comparable to those available for other residential homes.

Updating the terminology throughout Vermont statutes also helps remove outdated stereotypes associated with terms such as “mobile home” and “trailer.” These perceptions have historically contributed to stigma and, in some cases, opposition to manufactured housing developments. Recognizing manufactured homes as permanent residential structures supports homeowner dignity and encourages broader community acceptance.

The bill states that manufactured homes will be permitted to be sited under the same conditions that stick-built homes are permitted to be sited.

Finally, the Secretary of State’s Office, in coordination with other relevant agencies as needed, shall, upon request from a limited equity cooperative organized under 11 V.S.A. § 1598, update the cooperative’s registration to accurately reflect its corporate organizational structure and ensure eligibility for applicable grants and funding opportunities.

Thank you to all the legislators, constituents, and advocates who supported this bill and recognized its importance as a meaningful step forward in expanding affordable homeownership opportunities and supporting responsible housing development throughout Vermont.