Vermont Bills

introduced · Vermont · House Mar 29, 2023

H 496: An act relating to recovery-friendly workplaces

This bill creates a new Recovery Friendly Workplace Program within Vermont's Agency of Commerce and Community Development to help expand job opportunities for people in or seeking recovery from substance use disorders. The program would provide resources and support to businesses that want to hire and retain employees in recovery, though specific details on how the program would operate are not included in this short-form text. The legislation directly affects employers, job seekers in recovery, and state agencies responsible for workforce development. It was introduced by Representative Nicoll and referred to the Committee on Commerce and Economic Development for further review.

Topics ✓ Labor & Employment

introduced · Vermont · House Mar 29, 2023

H 500: An act relating to prohibiting the involuntary sterilization of individuals with an intellectual disability

This bill prohibits the involuntary sterilization of individuals with intellectual disabilities in Vermont. It directly affects people with intellectual disabilities and healthcare providers who might otherwise perform such procedures. The law would make it illegal to sterilize these individuals without their full consent, ensuring their reproductive rights are protected. This change removes the legal authority for forced sterilization procedures targeting this specific population. The measure aims to align Vermont's laws with human rights standards regarding bodily autonomy and reproductive freedom.

Topics ✓ Healthcare

introduced · Vermont · House Mar 29, 2023

H 502: An act relating to requiring legislative approval prior to closing or reducing the size or scope of any Vermont State College Library

This bill requires legislative approval before Vermont State Colleges can close or reduce the size or scope of their physical libraries. It also prevents these colleges from cutting library staff positions or hours below the levels that existed on January 1, 2023 without getting permission from the legislature. The measure directly affects the Vermont State Colleges system and their library operations by adding a new approval step for library-related changes. If a college wants to make these reductions, it must seek approval from the state legislature before proceeding.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Education

introduced · Vermont · House Mar 29, 2023

H 497: An act relating to appraising properties with accessibility or environmental features

This bill requires real estate appraisers to include accessibility and environmental features when valuing properties, preventing these features from being excluded from the final valuation. If an appraiser cannot find comparable properties in the immediate area, they must either expand their search to include similar properties with these features or use a cost-based valuation method instead. The legislation directly affects property appraisers, real estate professionals, and homeowners whose property values may be influenced by features like wheelchair accessibility or energy efficiency. By mandating that these characteristics be considered in appraisals, the bill aims to ensure fairer property valuations that reflect the true market value of such properties.

Topics ✓ Housing

introduced · Vermont · House Mar 29, 2023

H 498: An act relating to requiring legislative approval prior to closing or reducing the size or scope of any Vermont State College Library

This bill requires legislative approval before Vermont State Colleges can close or reduce the size or scope of their physical libraries. It also prevents these colleges from cutting library staff positions or hours below the levels established on January 1, 2023 without state approval. The measure directly affects the Vermont State Colleges system and its library operations by adding a legislative oversight step for library resource decisions.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Education

introduced · Vermont · House Mar 29, 2023

H 501: An act relating to disclosure of energy code compliance

This bill requires building sellers in Vermont to disclose energy code compliance information when selling a property. It directly affects home and commercial building owners who are selling their properties. The key provision mandates that sellers provide any available documentation showing the building meets residential or commercial energy standards, along with any energy assessment reports from the past five years. This disclosure must be made at the time of sale to ensure buyers have access to relevant energy efficiency information about the property. The legislation aims to increase transparency in real estate transactions regarding building energy performance.

Topics ✓ Energy ✓ Housing

introduced · Vermont · House Mar 28, 2023

H 491: An act relating to requiring mileage reimbursements

This bill requires employers in Vermont to reimburse employees who use personal vehicles for work-related travel, excluding regular commutes to and from work. The reimbursement rate must match the annual mileage rate set by the U.S. General Services Administration. The law applies to all employees in the state who drive personal vehicles for work purposes and aims to ensure consistent compensation for mileage expenses.

introduced · Vermont · House Mar 23, 2023

H 487: An act relating to Executive Branch officials’ ethical misconduct

This bill establishes a new process for the Vermont State Ethics Commission to investigate ethical misconduct by Executive Branch officials, including issues like discrimination, sexual harassment, and conflicts of interest. The legislation would grant the commission authority to receive complaints, conduct investigations, appoint special counsel, hold hearings, and recommend remedial actions such as mediation, additional training, or referrals to counseling services. The bill requires that these processes consider the severity of misconduct, timelines, and the privacy and rights of all parties involved.

Topics ✓ Labor & Employment

introduced · Vermont · Senate Mar 23, 2023

S 140: An act relating to an energy storage study committee

This bill creates a temporary Legislative Energy Storage Study Committee to evaluate the costs and benefits of energy storage for electricity customers, utility providers, and the energy storage industry in Vermont. The committee will include representatives from the legislature, energy storage industry, municipal and cooperative utilities, businesses, investor-owned utilities, renewable energy developers, and an academic expert. Its main tasks are to assess current policies and markets, examine different storage technologies, recommend policy changes, and determine whether Vermont should set energy storage goals for the next five years. The committee must submit a written report with findings and recommendations by December 15, 2023, and will cease to exist on December 31, 2023. The bill appropriates $10,000 to cover per diem compensation and expenses for committee members attending up to six meetings.

Topics ✓ Energy

in committee · Vermont · House Mar 22, 2023

H 484: An act relating to enhancing workforce and economic development opportunities

This bill creates a forgivable loan program for students who commit to teaching in Vermont public schools, with a focus on recruiting educators from historically underrepresented communities. It also establishes a new grant program to support nontraditional teacher training pathways like apprenticeships and peer review, providing mentoring and professional development resources to help prospective teachers complete licensure requirements. Additionally, the bill suspends one-time licensure fees for peer review processes through fiscal year 2029 and appropriates funding to support these new workforce development initiatives. The programs are administered by the Vermont Student Assistance Corporation and the Agency of Education, with loan forgiveness contingent on completing a minimum of one year of teaching service for each year of funding received.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Education ✓ Labor & Employment

introduced · Vermont · House Mar 21, 2023

H 478: An act relating to an independent school becoming a public school

This bill establishes a process for independent schools in Vermont to convert into public schools. It requires the local school district to conduct a detailed study covering property transfers, student transportation, staff licensing, and compliance with public school standards. The school board must present the study results to the community, and a vote by the school district electorate is required to approve the conversion.

Topics ✓ Education

introduced · Vermont · House Mar 21, 2023

H 485: An act relating to the use of leghold traps

This bill would ban the use of leghold traps for hunting or trapping wildlife in Vermont. It directly affects hunters, trappers, and wildlife management practices by prohibiting a specific type of trap that holds animals by their legs. The law would prevent the use of these traps entirely, regardless of the animal being targeted or the circumstances of use. This change aims to reduce animal suffering and alter current trapping methods without specifying alternative equipment or enforcement details.

Topics ✓ Environment

Bill results