Vermont Bills

signed · Vermont · House May 2, 2025

H 243: An act relating to the regulation of business organizations

H 243, "An act relating to the regulation of business organizations," standardizes the process for business entities to obtain a "certificate of good standing" from the Secretary of State. The bill defines what these certificates confirm, such as a business's legal existence, payment of required fees, and up-to-date filings. It allows any person to request and receive these certificates for various types of organizations, including limited liability companies, corporations, and mutual benefit enterprises. This clarifies the administrative requirements for businesses operating within the state.

passed · Vermont · Senate Apr 30, 2025

S 131: An act relating to approval of an amendment to the charter of the City of Burlington relating to the possession of firearms

This bill approves an amendment to the City of Burlington's charter, which directly affects individuals within the city who possess firearms and patronize establishments serving alcohol. The amendment establishes a ban on knowingly possessing firearms in premises licensed to serve alcoholic beverages in Burlington. However, it includes specific exceptions for certain types of licensed premises, law enforcement, military personnel, and the premises' license holder. Violations of this ban can result in either criminal penalties, such as fines or imprisonment, or civil penalties.

signed · Vermont · Senate Apr 24, 2025

S 3: An act relating to the transfer of property to a trust

This Vermont bill (S.3) modifies trust law to preserve creditor immunity for marital property transferred into trusts. It ensures that when married couples transfer property held as tenants by the entirety into a joint revocable or irrevocable trust (meeting specific conditions), the property remains protected from each spouse's individual creditors - just as if it remained held jointly outside the trust. Key conditions include the property staying in trust or being deeded back to the spouses as tenants by the entirety, and the trust structure requiring mutual consent for amendments. The law applies to all existing and future trusts and legal proceedings involving such property.

vetoed · Vermont · House Apr 9, 2025

H 489: An act relating to fiscal year 2025 budget adjustments

H.489 adjusts the Vermont state budget for fiscal year 2025 by modifying funding allocations across multiple agencies. It increases total funding for the Judiciary by $2.56 million (primarily through General Fund) and shifts $786,000 from Operating Expenses to Personal Services for the Agency of Digital Services. The bill also raises Human Services funding by $841,000, including a $4.3 million increase in the Global Commitment fund, while reducing Public Safety Criminal Justice Services funding by $681,000. These changes directly affect state agencies managing digital infrastructure, courts, public safety, and human services programs. The bill was vetoed by the Governor on April 4, 2025, and did not become law.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✗ Criminal Justice ✓ Technology

passed · Vermont · Senate Apr 8, 2025

S 46: An act relating to the taxation of vehicles used for forestry operations

This bill exempts certain forestry vehicles from Vermont's vehicle use tax. It provides full tax exemption for specific equipment used in timber cutting, removal, and processing (like skidders, feller bunchers, and log loaders), and a 50% tax exemption for heavier vehicles used in transportation (such as semi-trailers and trucks over 10,000 pounds). Businesses purchasing these vehicles must certify their use at purchase, and the Department of Motor Vehicles must provide application guidance. The exemptions begin July 1, 2025, and expire July 1, 2028.

Topics ✗ Budget & Taxes

in committee · Vermont · Senate Apr 1, 2025

S 65: An act relating to energy efficiency utility jurisdiction

S 65 amends Vermont law to require the Public Utility Commission to appoint independent entities (instead of utility-specific programs) to develop and monitor energy efficiency programs for electricity, gas, and thermal energy customers. These entities must prioritize greenhouse gas emissions reductions and equitable access for all Vermont residents and businesses, while meeting air quality standards. The bill establishes an Energy Efficiency Fund funded by a new customer charge (shown separately on bills) and supplemental revenues like ISO-NE capacity savings and carbon credits. It sets specific budget requirements for 2027-2030 and mandates that programs support building energy codes and reduce fossil fuel use. The bill directly affects Vermont utilities, ratepayers, and businesses participating in efficiency programs.

Topics ✓ Energy ✓ Environment

in committee · Vermont · House Feb 27, 2025

H 57: An act relating to survivor benefits for law enforcement officers

H.57, "Jessica's Law," would extend Vermont's existing $80,000 survivor benefit for emergency personnel to law enforcement officers. It requires the state to pay this benefit to surviving spouses, children, or parents when a certified law enforcement officer dies "in the line of duty" or from an occupation-related illness. The bill amends existing law to include law enforcement officers under the same eligibility criteria and benefit structure currently applied to firefighters and emergency personnel. The benefit would be administered by a state review board and take effect on July 1, 2025.

Topics ✓ Labor & Employment

passed both · Vermont · Senate Jun 17, 2024

S 96: An act relating to privatization contracts

This bill amends Vermont state law to establish stricter rules for privatization contracts, which are agreements to hire private contractors for services previously or potentially provided by state employees. The law defines privatization contracts as those valued at $25,000 or more per year that replace or substantially replace state employee duties. Key requirements include a 35-day notice period before bidding where unions can discuss alternatives, written statements detailing service quality and wage rates, and mandatory certification by the Attorney General and Agency of Administration. Contracts must include provisions for comparable wages, health insurance, nondiscrimination policies, quarterly payroll reporting, and just cause employment protections for contractor workers.

Topics ✓ Labor & Employment

passed both · Vermont · Senate Jun 17, 2024

S 167: An act relating to miscellaneous amendments to education law

This bill proposes amendments to Vermont's education law, primarily affecting how school construction projects are bid and which postsecondary institutions are recognized for federal financial aid purposes. The first major change raises the threshold for high-cost school construction contracts from $500,000 to $2,000,000, requiring school boards to publicly advertise for contractors and establish prequalification criteria before bidding on projects exceeding this amount. The bill also updates the list of accredited postsecondary institutions in Vermont that are exempt from certain state charter requirements, while clarifying that this recognition does not affect their existing charters. Additionally, the legislation adjusts the effective date for a previous Holocaust education data collection requirement to July 1, 2025.

Topics ✓ Education

passed · Vermont · Senate Jun 17, 2024

S 289: An act relating to age-appropriate design code

This Vermont bill establishes an age-appropriate design code that requires online companies to protect the privacy and safety of children under 18. It applies to any business that offers online services, products, or features likely to be accessed by minors, including social media platforms, gaming sites, and apps with targeted advertising. The law mandates that companies avoid using manipulative design features that exploit children's developing brains, such as endless scrolling or autoplay functions, and requires them to set age-appropriate defaults for privacy settings. Companies must also limit the collection of personal data from minors and prohibit the use of precise geolocation tracking for users under 16. The bill defines specific age ranges for different developmental stages and requires businesses to consider these needs when designing their digital products and services.

Topics ✓ Technology

signed · Vermont · House Jun 17, 2024

H 55: An act relating to miscellaneous unemployment insurance, workers' compensation, and employment practices amendments and to establishing the Vermont Baby Bond Trust

This bill amends Vermont's unemployment insurance system to improve how employers are charged for benefits, protect workers affected by major disasters, and strengthen protections against benefit fraud. It requires employers to be exempt from experience-rating charges when employees receive unemployment benefits due to federally declared disasters, and it updates rules for handling overpayments by allowing more flexible repayment plans and clearer waiver processes. The legislation also clarifies penalties for individuals who intentionally misrepresent information to claim benefits and mandates that the state provide written notice of rights to appeal overpayment decisions.

Topics ✓ Labor & Employment

passed both · Vermont · Senate Jun 17, 2024

S 94: An act relating to the City of Barre tax increment financing district

This bill proposes to amend Vermont law to establish the Vermont Economic Progress Council, a state body that would oversee tax increment financing districts and economic development incentives. The Council would consist of 11 voting members appointed by the Governor, legislative leaders, and regional development agencies, with additional nonvoting regional representatives. Key provisions include creating a cost-benefit analysis model to evaluate economic development projects, requiring detailed public reporting on incentive programs, and establishing conflict of interest policies for council members. The legislation also mandates that the State economist conduct financial analyses for large incentive applications exceeding $1 million.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes

Bill results