Legislation & Advocacy

Advocacy: The Chamber Working
for You on the Legislative Front

When people ask, What does the Chamber do?”, one of the most important answers is also one of the least visible: advocacy. It is vital that the voice of the business community is heard  when decisions are being made at the local, state, and federal levels. That’s why the Chamber is constantly engaged in legislative and regulatory issues that affect your ability to do business here in the Mad River Valley.

A Strong Voice for Local Business
In many ways, the Mad River Valley  “punches above its weight” on the statewide legislative stage. That’s because the Chamber works to organize and amplify the voice of our business community, ensuring that our collective perspective carries weight in Montpelier and beyond.

A recent example is our advocacy on behalf of the hospitality industry, where we worked to gain consistency and fairness in the way **health and safety inspections** are carried out. By bringing businesses together and voicing concerns directly to regulators and legislators, the Chamber helped shine a spotlight on how inconsistent practices were creating unnecessary burdens—and pushed for clearer, more predictable standards.

This kind of work often happens behind the scenes, but it has a very real impact on our members.

How We Advocate
Advocacy is an essential—but often overlooked—benefit of Chamber membership. Each year, during the legislative session, we:

  • Work in partnership** with the Vermont Chamber of Commerce and the Lake Champlain Chamber legislative teams.
  • Track legislation** that could affect our members.
  • Offer testimony in committees** on behalf of local businesses.
  • Engage with state agencies and departments** to influence regulation.
  • Send regular updates** so members understand potential impacts to their operations.
  • In short, we make sure your voice is part of the process—whether in Montpelier, Washington, or here in the Valley.

A New Initiative: The MRV Chamber Legislative Committee
To expand our advocacy work, we are developing a new Legislative Committee.

This committee, made up of local business leaders, will:

  • Help set the Chamber’s legislative and advocacy priorities.
  • Provide outreach to the MRV’s House and Senate representatives.
  • Strengthen relationships with local Selectboards.
  • Bring diverse perspectives to guide how we advocate on your behalf.

👉 **We’re looking for members who want to get involved.** If you’re interested in joining the Legislative Committee, email us at [[email protected]]

Stay Connected with Your Legislators

We encourage you to connect directly with our Valley’s representatives in Montpelier:

The Bottom Line
Advocacy may not always make headlines, but it is one of the Chamber’s most powerful roles. From pushing for fair inspections for our hospitality businesses to testifying on legislation in Montpelier, the Chamber ensures that your voice is heard. By monitoring legislation, building relationships, and organizing the business community, the Mad River Valley Chamber makes sure our Valley continues to be a place where businesses—and the community—can thrive.