Vermont Bills

signed · Vermont · House Jun 3, 2025

H 401: An act relating to exemptions for food manufacturing establishments

H 401 raises the weekly sales exemption limit for home-based food businesses (cottage food operations) from $125 to a higher amount adjusted for inflation. This change directly affects small-scale home bakers and producers of non-refrigerated foods like baked goods, jams, and dried snacks who currently must pay licensing fees once weekly sales exceed $125. The bill amends licensing fee rules to exempt these operations from fees when annual sales remain below the new threshold. It aims to support small producers by reducing regulatory barriers as economic conditions have changed since the original exemption was set. The bill passed both chambers and was signed into law in June 2025.

Will Greer (D) Edye Graning (D) Dave Bosch (R) Jonathan Cooper (D) Mike Mrowicki (D)

passed both · Vermont · House May 30, 2025

H 479: An act relating to housing

H.479 establishes the Vermont Rental Housing Improvement Program, providing grants and forgivable loans to landlords for rehabilitating or creating rental housing units. Funding is capped at $70,000 per accessible unit (meeting Vermont Access Rules) or $50,000 per standard unit, with landlords required to lease to specific eligible households (e.g., those exiting homelessness, refugees, or individuals with disabilities) for 5 or 10 years and keep rents at or below HUD's fair market rent. At least 30% of annual program funds must be reserved for five-year programs, and repaid funds return to the program. The Department must annually report on program usage, including units funded, tenant eligibility, and outcomes, to relevant legislative committees.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Housing ✓ Immigration

signed · Vermont · Senate May 29, 2025

S 117: An act relating to wage and hour, unemployment compensation, and workers' compensation

This bill (S.117) updates Vermont's wage, unemployment, and workers' compensation laws. It establishes a $12.55 minimum wage starting January 1, 2022, with annual increases tied to either 5% or the Consumer Price Index (capped at 5%), and allows lower wages for learners, apprentices, and workers with disabilities under specific conditions. Employers who willfully withhold wages face penalties of up to double the unpaid amount, with half paid to the employee and half covering administrative costs. The bill also modernizes unemployment processes by enabling electronic communication for notices and requiring employers to submit separation information within 10 days of requests to determine claimant eligibility.

Topics ✓ Labor & Employment

passed · Vermont · House May 28, 2025

H 319: An act relating to miscellaneous environmental subjects

H.319 establishes an Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) program for household hazardous products in Vermont, requiring manufacturers to register with stewardship organizations by November 2025. These organizations must submit collection plans by July 2026 to manage free statewide recycling of covered products like gas cylinders and certain hazardous waste items (excluding architectural paint). The bill mandates that manufacturers cannot sell covered products without participating in an approved stewardship program, which must include annual reporting and audits. It directly affects manufacturers of specific hazardous consumer products sold in Vermont, shifting responsibility for end-of-life management from municipalities to producers. The legislation does not create new environmental standards but reorganizes waste management accountability through mandatory industry registration and program oversight.

Topics ✓ Environment

signed · Vermont · House May 28, 2025

H 167: An act relating to establishing the Vermonters Feeding Vermonters Grant at the Agency of Agriculture, Food and Markets

This bill establishes a permanent state grant program at Vermont's Agency of Agriculture to fund the existing "Vermonters Feeding Vermonters" program operated by Vermont Foodbank. The grant will provide annual funding for Foodbank to directly purchase local produce from Vermont farms and distribute it through food banks, while also offering smaller grants to Foodbank's partners for similar purchases (including culturally preferred foods). Annual reports to legislative committees will track food purchases, farms supported, and distribution sites. The program aims to address food insecurity while supporting Vermont's agricultural economy, contingent on future state funding.

signed · Vermont · House May 28, 2025

H 364: An act relating to approval of the annexation of property by the Village of Swanton

This bill formally approves the Village of Swanton's annexation of a specific property at 124 First Street, located adjacent to the Village's existing offices within the Town of Swanton. The General Assembly's approval is required under Vermont law (24 App. V.S.A. chapter 279) following the Village Board of Trustees' prior approval of the annexation. This action directly affects the Village of Swanton by expanding its boundaries and the property owner at 124 First Street, who will now be part of the Village jurisdiction. The bill is procedural, confirming an existing boundary change without creating new policy.

signed · Vermont · House May 28, 2025

H 481: An act relating to stormwater management

H.481 requires property owners with impervious surfaces of three or more acres to obtain stormwater permits if their discharge wasn't previously permitted or didn't follow the 2002 Stormwater Management Manual. It sets deadlines for compliance: October 1, 2028 for Lake Champlain/Lake Memphremagog watersheds and October 1, 2038 for other areas. The bill establishes a general permit process, allows municipalities to assume full responsibility for stormwater systems (with owner-approved fees), and permits stormwater impact fees and phosphorus credit trading within watersheds. These changes aim to improve water quality by standardizing stormwater management practices across Vermont.

Topics ✓ Environment

signed · Vermont · Senate May 23, 2025

S 56: An act relating to creating an Office of New Americans

This bill amends Vermont's legislative structure to establish an Office of New Americans Study Committee, not a new agency. It requires the Governor to appoint six committee members, including one New American with lived experience nominated by a specific community organization (e.g., Association of Africans Living in Vermont or Migrant Justice). The committee's purpose is to study issues affecting New Americans in Vermont, with membership directly reflecting input from key immigrant-serving organizations. The bill passed both chambers and was signed into law by the Governor on May 21, 2025.

Topics ✓ Immigration

signed · Vermont · House May 22, 2025

H 398: An act relating to the Vermont Economic Development Authority

H 398 creates the Vermont Disaster Recovery Loan Fund within the Vermont Economic Development Authority. The fund provides loans and financial assistance to businesses, including agricultural and forest product enterprises, after disasters. It requires the Authority to consult with specific state secretaries when considering aid for non-declared disasters, though no consultation is needed for disasters declared by the Governor or President. This bill directly affects Vermont businesses recovering from disaster-related losses.

signed · Vermont · House May 22, 2025

H 461: An act relating to expanding employee access to unpaid leave

H 461 expands Vermont's unpaid leave protections by updating definitions to include more family relationships and caregiving situations. It specifically broadens eligibility for family leave to cover individuals standing "in loco parentis" (day-to-day caregivers without legal ties), domestic partners meeting specific cohabitation requirements, and nontraditional family structures. The bill also clarifies safe leave for victims of domestic violence, sexual assault, or stalking, including specific protections for estate administration during bereavement. These changes directly affect Vermont workers who care for extended family members, LGBTQ+ partners, or victims of violence, ensuring they qualify for leave under the same standards as traditional family situations. The law, signed by the Governor on May 22, 2025, aligns state policy with inclusive standards for low-income workers and nontraditional households.

Topics ✓ Labor & Employment

signed · Vermont · House May 22, 2025

H 494: An act relating to capital construction and State bonding

This bill, H.494, allocates $29.6 million in state bonding funds for capital construction projects across Vermont's government buildings and community initiatives over two fiscal years (2026-2027). It directly affects state agencies like the Department of Buildings and General Services, which will use funds for building repairs (e.g., Rutland building roof repairs, Burlington parking garage upgrades), and community grant programs. Key provisions include $1.8 million for historic preservation grants (like Bennington Battle Monument maintenance) and $3.9 million for community projects such as cultural facilities, recreational spaces, and agricultural fairs. The bill was signed into law by the Governor on May 22, 2025, and specifies exact project allocations with no new policy requirements.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes

signed · Vermont · House May 22, 2025

H 493: An act relating to making appropriations for the support of the government

This bill, H 493 (the "BIG BILL - Fiscal Year 2026 Appropriations Act"), provides funding for all Vermont state government operations and capital projects for fiscal year 2026 (July 1, 2025-June 30, 2026). It directly affects all state agencies, departments, and commissions by requiring them to operate within the specified budget limits, including restrictions on new positions and mandatory staffing adjustments. Key provisions include categorizing funds for "operating expenses" (like salaries and utilities) versus "capital appropriations" (for major projects like buildings), and directing that federal funds accepted by the Governor must align with the purposes of this bill. The bill serves as the primary funding reference for state operations during FY2026, with no new policy changes beyond budget allocation.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes

Bill results