This bill defines "application fees" for residential rental applications, clarifying that landlords cannot charge prospective tenants for fees related to background checks, credit reports, income verification, criminal history, eviction records, or employment inquiries. It directly affects landlords and property managers in Vermont by specifying what constitutes a prohibited fee under existing laws that ban charging application fees. The definition includes management fees and any charges for reviewing a tenant's financial or legal history as part of the rental application process. The law takes effect on July 1, 2024, providing a clear framework for what fees are prohibited when screening rental applicants.
This bill amends Vermont's housing laws to expand the legal definition of a mobile home park to include communities where residents own their individual lots rather than renting them. The change applies to any land containing more than two mobile homes that is either under single ownership or managed by a common interest community. The legislation explicitly excludes storage facilities, agricultural employer housing, and seasonal vacation sites from this new definition. If passed, the updated definition would take effect on July 1, 2024, and would affect how these communities are regulated under state housing statutes.
This bill prohibits manufacturers from testing cosmetic products and ingredients on animals, affecting companies that produce or import cosmetics for the Vermont market. It allows testing only when required by federal or state agencies for specific human health concerns, when no non-animal alternatives exist, or when the ingredient is in wide use and cannot be replaced. The law also permits manufacturers to keep records of past animal tests but bans using new test results to prove safety or effectiveness unless strict conditions are met. Violations could result in fines up to $5,000 or imprisonment for up to two years for repeat offenses, with penalties taking effect on January 1, 2025.
This bill increases the property tax credit for Vermont homeowners by raising the housesite value exclusion from $400,000 to $500,000 for most income levels. It directly affects homeowners who file for the homestead property tax credit, allowing them to exclude a larger portion of their property's value when calculating their tax liability. The change applies to tax claims filed on or after January 1, 2025, and is effective for the 2024 tax year. The bill adjusts the income thresholds and calculation formulas in the state's tax code to reflect this higher exclusion amount.
This bill allocates $13,398 from the state's General Fund to the Department of Forests, Parks and Recreation in fiscal year 2024 to enclose the Vermont State Hospital cemetery. The legislation addresses concerns that newly developed bike trails adjacent to the cemetery are causing ongoing damage to the burial site. By funding the construction of an enclosure, the bill aims to protect the cemetery and honor historical commitments made by the General Assembly in 1896 and 2013 to preserve the site. The act takes effect immediately upon passage and directly impacts the management and maintenance of the cemetery by the state department.
This bill modifies Vermont's laws regarding operating a motor vehicle without the owner's consent by clarifying the mental state required for conviction. It directly affects individuals who take or use someone else's vehicle without permission, requiring prosecutors to prove the person either knowingly lacked consent or consciously ignored that they did not have it. The legislation maintains existing penalties of up to two years in prison or a $1,000 fine for those convicted under the amended provisions. This change is intended to refine how intent is established in such cases rather than alter the overall punishment structure.
This bill authorizes Vermont law enforcement agencies to temporarily use automated traffic law enforcement systems until July 1, 2027, to issue speeding tickets to vehicle owners in specific locations. The systems would operate in work zones where traditional enforcement is impractical or unsafe, and at up to two additional high-crash or high-speeding locations, provided traffic engineering analysis confirms safety standards are met. Key provisions require certified officers to operate the equipment, placement of advance warning signs before data collection, and public notice of system locations and operating hours on agency websites. The bill defines technical terms like automated license plate recognition and establishes rules for data collection and use, while explicitly stating these systems are not intended to replace human officers or fix poor road design.
This bill would allow individuals who buy property at a tax sale to enter the property during the one-year redemption period to prevent damage, illegal activity, or deterioration. It directly affects tax sale purchasers and municipalities by giving them legal authority to secure properties that are at risk. The law requires the purchaser to provide at least 10 days written notice to any mortgagee or lien holder before entering the property. If passed, these provisions would take effect on July 1, 2024, and would be added to Vermont's existing tax sale statutes.
This bill creates a voluntary licensing system in Vermont that allows individuals to apply for a license to purchase firearms from the Department of Public Safety. The program requires applicants to submit detailed personal information, undergo background checks including fingerprinting, and complete an approved firearms safety training course. License holders would bypass the standard 72-hour waiting period required for firearm purchases from licensed dealers. The license costs $35, is valid for two years, and can be revoked if the holder later becomes prohibited from possessing a firearm. The bill does not require anyone to obtain a license, making participation entirely optional for Vermont residents.
This bill requires mobile home park owners in Vermont to disclose flood risk information to prospective tenants. The law mandates that lease agreements include a clear notice if any lot within the park is located in a flood hazard area, based on official federal flood insurance maps. This disclosure must be provided in a separate written document attached to the lease proposal. The legislation defines mobile home parks as properties accommodating more than two mobile homes and sets an effective date of July 1, 2024.
This bill allows students to bring and apply sunscreen at school with parental permission, while also updating child car seat safety laws and launching a public education campaign. Under the new rules, schools must permit students to possess and use nonaerosolized sunscreen on school property if parents provide written authorization, and schools may choose to let staff help students apply it. The car seat provisions clarify requirements for children under 18, specifying when rear-facing seats, forward-facing seats with harnesses, and booster seats are needed based on age and weight. Additionally, the bill directs the Department of Health to run a public outreach campaign using existing resources and multiple channels to educate Vermonters about proper child restraint use.
This bill directs the Division for Historic Preservation to conduct archaeological reviews of the Vermont State Hospital cemetery and other state institutions to locate and document burial sites. It requires officials to identify how many people are buried at the 1892 hospital cemetery and investigate whether additional burial grounds existed on the hospital property as it appeared in 1915. The legislation also mandates a survey of all state facilities, including correctional and human service centers, to determine if residents were buried on-site and to recommend further research if needed.
