This bill strengthens tenant protections in Vermont by banning rental application fees (including background check costs), requiring all leases over 12 months to be in writing with specific details (like rent terms and maintenance responsibilities), and limiting no-cause evictions. It mandates longer notice periods for evictions (60-90 days based on tenancy length), creates a rental registry and Office of Tenant’s Rights Advocate, and adds citizenship/immigration status to housing discrimination protections. Tenants gain the right to counsel in eviction cases and to receive notice if a landlord sells their building, with options to negotiate purchase. The bill directly affects residential renters and landlords across Vermont.
H 377 creates a refundable income tax credit for Vermont small businesses that advertise in qualifying local media outlets. Small businesses (defined as those with under $10 million in gross income and fewer than 100 full-time employees) can claim a 50% credit on advertising expenses, capped at $250 per year. To qualify, media outlets must meet specific criteria, including producing original local news content and meeting audience or publication requirements. The credit applies to advertising in local broadcast organizations or news organizations that serve Vermont communities, effective January 1, 2026.
H.352 establishes Vermont's Renewable Energy for Communities Program, requiring retail electricity providers to solicit distributed renewable projects (like community solar) that meet specific community-focused criteria. The program prioritizes projects benefiting marginalized communities, affordable housing tenants, schools, and municipal buildings, while requiring utilities to evaluate proposals based on community engagement and local benefits - not just cost. Utilities must issue these solicitations starting by 2027, with the Public Utility Commission developing detailed rules for implementation by January 1, 2027. This directly affects Vermont’s electricity providers and the communities they serve, aiming to expand equitable access to renewable energy benefits.
This bill amends Vermont's State Energy Policy to explicitly prioritize economic equity and beneficial electrification. It requires the Public Utility Commission to evaluate energy resources using these principles, alongside reducing greenhouse gas emissions and cost-effectiveness. The policy now mandates that energy planning must align with Vermont's greenhouse gas reduction targets under 10 V.S.A. § 578 and the Climate Action Plan. These changes directly affect how Vermont's energy strategy is developed and implemented by state agencies. The bill takes effect July 1, 2025.
H.359 regulates when Vermont state agencies can replace permanent employees with private contractors. It requires agencies to provide 35 days' written notice to unions before seeking bids for privatization contracts, including details on wages (at least equal to comparable state positions) and services. Contracts must include wage standards, health insurance parity, performance metrics, and just-cause employment protections for contractor workers. The bill also mandates Attorney General certification that contracts align with merit system principles and requires annual audits to verify 10% cost savings and performance compliance before renewal. This directly affects state agencies, union-represented workers, and private contractors hired for state services.
This bill (H 391) requires businesses to publicly disclose the revenue they earn from transactions involving personally identifiable information (PII). It directly affects companies that collect and monetize customer data, such as those using personal information for targeted advertising or data sales. The key provision mandates businesses to report the specific amount of revenue generated from PII transactions to the public. This would increase transparency about how personal data is commercially exploited. The bill is currently pending in the Committee on Commerce and Economic Development.
H 378 establishes a new program allowing Vermont municipalities to use tax increment financing (TIF) to fund housing infrastructure projects. It enables cities and towns to leverage future increases in property tax revenue - specifically from education and municipal property taxes - to finance infrastructure like utilities, brownfield cleanup, and transportation improvements that stimulate new housing development. Municipalities must create a housing infrastructure project plan, hold public hearings, and get approval from the Vermont Economic Progress Council before using TIF funds. The bill directly affects local governments seeking to finance housing-related infrastructure without increasing tax rates, with funds restricted to approved projects and related costs.
This bill requires Vermont's Environmental Division of the Superior Court to hear housing permit appeals within 30 days of filing and issue decisions within 120 days after the hearing. It directly affects housing developers and municipalities seeking faster resolution on permit disputes under Chapter 117 of state law. The bill adds one new judge and one new law clerk to the Environmental Division, with $300,000 in funding for fiscal year 2026 to support these positions. The changes take effect July 1, 2025, aiming to expedite housing-related legal processes.
H.360 establishes privacy protections for Vermont residents using mobile identification, such as digital driver's licenses or nonmobile credentials. It requires mobile ID systems to let users share only necessary information (e.g., age verification without revealing full birthdate) and obtain explicit consent before disclosing any data. The bill prohibits businesses from forcing mobile ID use for services unless legally required (like age checks for alcohol sales) and mandates that verification systems cannot store, link, or share data about ID checks. These rules apply to the Department of Motor Vehicles and all entities using mobile ID verification.
H 368 prohibits the possession of firearms in government buildings across Vermont, directly affecting individuals entering such buildings (like courthouses or town halls) who carry firearms without authorization. It imposes penalties of up to one year in jail or a $1,000 fine for violations, with exceptions for law enforcement officers on duty and government employees authorized to carry firearms for official duties. Municipalities can opt out of the prohibition by resolution, allowing specific buildings or all municipal buildings to permit firearms. The law takes effect on July 1, 2026, and requires clear signage at all public entrances of covered buildings.
This bill would allow Vermont towns, cities, and villages to voluntarily adopt ranked-choice voting for local elections of single-seat offices (like mayor or council member). If adopted, voters would rank candidates in order of preference on ballots. If no candidate receives a majority of first-choice votes, the system would determine a winner through pairwise comparisons between candidates, selecting the candidate who would beat all others in head-to-head matchups. Local governments must first implement the Australian ballot system to use this method, and election results would publicly display both first-choice tallies and comparison outcomes.
H 392 prohibits the possession of firearms and dangerous weapons in Vermont state buildings and on state-owned or leased land, effective July 1, 2026. It applies to the general public entering state property, with exceptions for law enforcement officers, National Guard members, certain leased areas, authorized training activities, and lawful hunting. Violations carry fines up to $2,000 or up to one year in jail for basic possession, and up to $10,000 or five years for intent to commit a crime. The law explicitly excludes pocket knives under 2.5 inches and defines "state buildings" as facilities owned or leased by the Department of Buildings and General Services.
