Vermont Bills

passed both · Vermont · House Feb 14, 2025

HCR 19: House concurrent resolution congratulating Vermonter Noah Dines on establishing a new one-year world vertical skiing record of 3,590,097 feet

HCR 19 is a ceremonial resolution congratulating Vermonter Noah Dines on setting a new world record for vertical skiing, achieving 3,590,097 feet in one year (equivalent to 120 Mount Everest ascents). It has no policy provisions or direct impact on constituents, as it solely expresses legislative recognition of Dines' athletic achievement. The resolution was formally adopted by the Vermont General Assembly on February 7, 2025, and directs the Secretary of State to send a copy to Dines. This is purely symbolic, with no legislative action or funding attached.

Dara Torre (D) David Durfee (D) Jim Masland (D) Jed Lipsky (I) Bram Kleppner (D)

passed both · Vermont · House Feb 14, 2025

HCR 28: House concurrent resolution congratulating the 2024 Bellows Free Academy-Fairfax High School Bullets Division III championship baseball team

HCR 28 is a ceremonial resolution congratulating the 2024 Bellows Free Academy-Fairfax High School Bullets baseball team on winning the Division III championship. It formally recognizes their victory, specifically highlighting their 7-0 championship game win over White River Valley Wildcats. The resolution directs Vermont's Secretary of State to send a copy to the school, with no associated policy changes or funding. This is a standard recognition measure with no legislative or regulatory impact.

passed both · Vermont · House Feb 14, 2025

HCR 32: House concurrent resolution honoring former Killington Town Clerk and Treasurer Lucrecia Wonsor for her insightful municipal government leadership

This concurrent resolution (HCR 32) formally honors Lucrecia Wonsor for her service as Killington's Town Clerk and Treasurer. It recognizes her career achievements, including certifications, leadership roles in municipal associations, and receiving Vermont's "Town Clerk of the Year" award and a Lifetime Achievement Award from the Vermont League of Cities and Towns. The resolution directs the Secretary of State to send a copy to Wonsor and Killington's current Town Clerk. It has no policy impact or financial effect - it is a ceremonial tribute to her municipal government service.

passed both · Vermont · House Feb 14, 2025

HCR 33: House concurrent resolution honoring criminal defense and personal injury attorney and Thetford Academy indoor track coach Charles Buttrey of Thetford

HCR 33 is a ceremonial concurrent resolution honoring Charles Buttrey, a criminal defense attorney and Thetford Academy indoor track coach. It recognizes his 38-year legal career (including work with indigent clients in New Hampshire's public defender program), his personal injury law practice, his role as a track coach (noting his 2025 Division II championship win), and his advocacy for criminal justice reform. The resolution has no legal effect - it simply expresses the Vermont General Assembly's appreciation and directs the Secretary of State to send a copy to Mr. Buttrey. As a non-substantive honor, it does not create policy or affect any laws.

passed both · Vermont · House Feb 14, 2025

HCR 29: House concurrent resolution congratulating Montgomery runner Elinor Purrier St. Pierre on her outstanding athletic achievement at the 2024 Paris Olympics

This House Concurrent Resolution (HCR 29) is a ceremonial gesture congratulating Montgomery runner Elinor Purrier St. Pierre on her eighth-place finish in the women's 1500m at the 2024 Paris Olympics. It recognizes her athletic achievements, including American records and prior Olympic participation, as detailed in the resolution's "whereas" clauses. The resolution directs Vermont's Secretary of State to send a copy of the resolution to Ms. Purrier St. Pierre. As a symbolic tribute with no policy changes or direct effects, it does not alter laws or affect any constituents beyond expressing legislative recognition.

passed both · Vermont · Senate Feb 14, 2025

SCR 2: Senate concurrent resolution honoring the Vermont Old Cemetery Association

This ceremonial resolution honors the Vermont Old Cemetery Association (VOCA) for its 65+ years of preserving Vermont's historic cemeteries. VOCA provides restoration grants, veteran burial support, and educational resources (like its newsletter and book *Burial Grounds of Vermont*) to local cemetery groups and municipalities. The resolution formally recognizes VOCA's work without creating new laws, funding, or policy changes. It serves as a symbolic gesture of appreciation for the organization's contributions to cemetery preservation and public education.

introduced · Vermont · House Feb 13, 2025

H 214: An act relating to establishing the Safe Harbor Award Program for expenses related to reproductive and gender-affirming health care services

H.214 establishes Vermont's Safe Harbor Award Program to cover travel, lodging, and meal costs (but not the care itself) for Vermont residents and out-of-state patients receiving reproductive or gender-affirming health care services in Vermont. Funds will be awarded directly to Vermont health care providers or qualifying nonprofit organizations that support these services, with priority given to those serving patients with the greatest financial need or from states with limited access to such care. The program prohibits collecting patient-identifiable data and requires the State Treasurer to manage a dedicated fund using state appropriations, grants, or other public/private sources. The program takes effect upon passage and is currently pending referral to the Health Care Committee.

Topics ✓ Healthcare

introduced · Vermont · Senate Feb 13, 2025

S 67: An act relating to increasing the State minimum wage based on the livable wage

S 67 would increase Vermont's minimum wage to $18.60 per hour starting January 1, 2026, and adjust it annually based on the lower of a 5% increase or the previous year's consumer price index (CPI). It defines "livable wage" as the hourly rate needed for a full-time worker in shared housing with employer health insurance to cover basic needs, as calculated by Vermont's Joint Fiscal Office. This bill directly affects all Vermont employers who currently pay the state's minimum wage, requiring them to raise wages to meet this new standard. The change takes effect on July 1, 2025, with the first adjusted rate applying in 2026.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Healthcare ✓ Housing ✓ Labor & Employment

introduced · Vermont · House Feb 13, 2025

H 220: An act relating to establishing a task force to update Vermont’s CHINS laws

H 220 creates the CHINS Statutory Revision Task Force to review Vermont's laws governing children in need of supervision (CHINS). The task force, composed of child welfare experts, judges, attorneys, and advocates, will study specific issues including updating the definition of "reasonable efforts" (33 V.S.A. § 5102(25)), revising § 5102, and considering broader changes to CHINS statutes. It must submit a report with recommendations to legislative committees by November 15, 2025, and will dissolve on February 1, 2026. This bill establishes a review process but does not change current law; it directly affects Vermont's child welfare system and youth under CHINS supervision.

introduced · Vermont · House Feb 13, 2025

H 217: An act relating to prohibiting geoengineering

This bill bans all forms of geoengineering in Vermont, including solar radiation modification (like stratospheric aerosol injection), cloud seeding, and other atmospheric experiments that release pollutants. It directly affects anyone conducting such activities - individuals, companies, or government entities - within Vermont's airspace or territory. Key provisions require Vermont State Police or sheriffs to issue immediate cease-and-desist orders for violations and mandate reports of suspected violations to law enforcement. The bill defines prohibited activities broadly to cover interventions using aerosols, chemicals, electromagnetic radiation, or "chaff" (including PFAS-containing materials) that could harm health, environment, or agriculture.

Topics ✓ Environment

introduced · Vermont · House Feb 13, 2025

H 216: An act relating to authorizing the Clean Heat Standard rules

This bill authorizes Vermont's Clean Heat Standard rules, which would require energy providers to gradually increase the use of cleaner heating sources. It directly affects Vermont residents and businesses using fossil fuel heating by imposing a price cap on clean heat credits, ensuring fossil heating costs rise by no more than $0.10 per gallon for the first five years. The key mechanism limits program costs to prevent significant increases in heating bills during the initial implementation phase. The bill aims to support cleaner energy adoption while protecting consumers from steep price jumps. It is currently under review by the Energy and Digital Infrastructure Committee.

Topics ✓ Energy ✓ Environment

introduced · Vermont · House Feb 13, 2025

H 215: An act relating to the compensation of members of the General Assembly and the Governor

This bill sets Vermont legislators' pay at the state's median wage, calculated annually by the Department of Labor. It also allows legislators to join state employee health insurance and retirement programs. Additionally, it caps the Governor's salary at 21 times the lowest salary paid to an elected state officer each year. The bill directly affects all members of Vermont's General Assembly and the Governor. It changes how their compensation and benefits are structured, moving away from fixed rates toward state-wide wage benchmarks.

Bill results