This bill requires Vermont legislators and statewide elected executive officers (like the governor or secretary of state) to disclose details about travel paid for by non-state sources. They must report the purpose, itinerary, all expenses (including transportation, lodging, and meals), and who paid for each cost - whether it was the state, their personal funds, or entities like lobbyists or political groups. Disclosures must be filed within 30 days of travel costs being incurred, including a signed verification of accuracy. The law aims to increase transparency around travel funded outside government budgets, effective July 1, 2026.
S.138 expands Vermont's property-assessed clean energy program to include commercial and industrial buildings, which were previously excluded. The bill allows municipalities to create "clean energy districts" through voter approval, enabling property owners of commercial/industrial buildings to voluntarily enter written agreements with their town or city. These agreements would subject qualifying properties to a special property tax (replacing traditional financing) to fund renewable energy or energy efficiency projects, with requirements for energy savings analysis and financial underwriting. The law takes effect July 1, 2025, and directly affects commercial property owners seeking to finance clean energy upgrades.
This bill directs the Vermont General Assembly to adjourn on Friday, March 20, 2026, and reconvene no later than Tuesday, March 24, 2026. It directly affects state legislators by setting specific dates for the end and resumption of the legislative session. The resolution establishes a weekend break for lawmakers to meet again within four days of the adjournment. This procedural measure ensures a structured schedule for legislative business during that period.
H 556 would amend Vermont's minimum wage law to exclude municipal legislators (such as mayors and town council members) from the legal definition of "employee." This means local elected officials would no longer be covered by state minimum wage and overtime requirements. The bill adds a specific exception to the definition of "employee" in Vermont law, effective July 1, 2026. It directly affects municipal legislative body members in cities and towns across Vermont. The change applies only to local elected officials, not state legislators or other government workers.
This bill clarifies the timeframe for counting prior DUI convictions to determine enhanced penalties. It specifies that a second or subsequent DUI offense penalty applies when a person has been convicted of a prior violation within the 20 years *before the date of the current violation*, not the conviction date for the current offense. This directly affects drivers convicted of repeat operating under the influence (OUI) offenses in Vermont. The change ensures penalties for second offenses (fines up to $1,500, mandatory community service or 80 hours in jail) are applied consistently based on the violation timeline.
HCR 168 is a ceremonial resolution congratulating Girl Scout Troop 60336 of Milton for earning the Bronze Award. It recognizes their project constructing a rain barrel system and six accessible raised garden beds at the Milton Community Garden, which improves water access for gardeners with disabilities. The resolution formally expresses the Vermont General Assembly's praise for the troop members and their co-leaders, but it does not create any new laws or policy changes. As a procedural resolution, it serves only to acknowledge the troop's community work.
This Vermont bill (S.211) changes vehicle inspection requirements from annual to biennial (every two years) for most registered vehicles. It directly affects Vermont vehicle owners by altering inspection frequency, with exceptions for school buses (inspected as prescribed) and motor buses (inspected twice yearly). Key provisions include increasing the inspection fee from $8 to $16 (with half the revenue funding bridge maintenance) and setting an effective date of July 1, 2026. The bill modifies existing law to require safety and emissions inspections every two years instead of annually for standard vehicles.
This bill congratulates Vermont athletes who competed at the 2025 National Senior Games and designates March 18, 2026, as Vermont Senior Games Day at the State House. It recognizes the achievements of 50 Vermont athletes who won multiple medals and ribbons in the competition held in Des Moines, Iowa. The resolution directs the Secretary of State to send a copy of the document to the Vermont Senior Games Association and the Governor's Council on Physical Fitness and Sport. This is a ceremonial measure that acknowledges the importance of physical fitness for people of all ages.
This House Concurrent Resolution (HCR 187) is a symbolic gesture congratulating Village Garage Distillery in Bennington for winning a silver medal at the 2025 San Francisco World Spirits Competition for its debut product, Bonfire - a smoked maple bourbon. The resolution formally recognizes the distillery's achievement in the international competition, which evaluates spirits through blind tastings. It has no legal effect or policy changes; it merely offers words of praise and directs the Secretary of State to send a copy to the distillery. The resolution directly affects the distillery by publicly honoring its product's recognition.
This concurrent resolution symbolically recognizes March 2026 as Social Work Month in Vermont. It honors social workers across the state for their roles in supporting vulnerable populations, advocating for justice, and addressing needs in healthcare, schools, and community services. The resolution directs the Secretary of State to send a copy to the Vermont chapter of the National Association of Social Workers. It does not create new laws or funding but formally acknowledges the profession's contributions as outlined in the National Association of Social Workers' 2026 theme.
This bill, the "Vermont Energy Equity Law" (H 753), directly affects residential utility customers in Vermont by preventing forced disconnections under specific circumstances. It requires the Public Utility Commission to adopt rules banning disconnections during extreme heat and mandating that utilities halt disconnections if a physician certifies a health risk from service loss. Utilities must also create plans to reduce involuntary disconnections to the lowest feasible level in their service areas. The law aims to protect vulnerable households while aligning utility operations with state energy policy goals.
This bill formally recognizes March 2026 as International Long COVID Awareness Month in Vermont. It directs the Secretary of State to send a copy of the resolution to the Vermont Commissioner of Health to highlight the ongoing health impacts of long-term COVID-19 effects. The resolution acknowledges that over 20 million Americans live with long COVID symptoms, which can include persistent fatigue, brain fog, and cardiovascular issues. This is a commemorative measure intended to raise public awareness rather than change laws or policies.
