Vermont Bills

introduced · Vermont · Senate Jan 30, 2025

S 34: An act relating to lowering the rate of increase for mobile home lot rents

This bill (S 34) limits mobile home park owners in Vermont to increasing lot rents by no more than one percentage point above the U.S. Consumer Price Index for Housing, instead of a higher previous threshold. It directly affects mobile home residents and park owners by restricting rent hikes and requiring mediation if increases exceed this limit. The key mechanism establishes a mandatory mediation process: if residents dispute an increase, they can petition for mediation within 15 days, and the park owner must provide documentation justifying the hike. The mediator helps resolve disputes before the rent increase takes effect, with the process ending 10 days prior to the increase date. The bill takes effect on July 1, 2025.

Topics ✓ Housing

introduced · Vermont · House Jan 30, 2025

H 128: An act relating to unlawful drug activity in a dwelling by a person who is not a legal tenant

H 128 requires the State's Attorney to request a specific release condition when someone not legally renting a dwelling is charged with unlawful drug activity there. The bill mandates that courts may prohibit such individuals from coming within a fixed distance of the dwelling as part of their release terms. This directly affects people facing drug charges in properties they do not lease or own. The provision applies to arraignment on next business day after citation or arrest for drug activity in non-tenant dwellings. The law takes effect July 1, 2025.

introduced · Vermont · Senate Jan 30, 2025

S 35: An act relating to automated traffic law enforcement systems

This bill makes permanent the Agency of Transportation's authority to use automated traffic enforcement systems (like speed cameras) in road work zones. It repeals temporary provisions from a 2024 law that limited this authority, ensuring the systems can continue operating without needing annual legislative renewal. The policy change directly affects drivers in Vermont work zones where these systems are deployed and the Agency of Transportation, which manages their implementation.

Topics ✓ Transportation

introduced · Vermont · Senate Jan 30, 2025

S 33: An act relating to establishing a pilot for community nurse programs serving aging Vermonters

S.33 allocates $450,000 for a two-year pilot program to enhance community nursing services for aging Vermonters. Existing community nurse programs can apply for funding to create health worker positions, expand home visits without limits, fill service gaps, and improve data tracking. Participating programs must report on service outcomes, gaps, and improvements by December 2027, with the pilot starting July 2025. This directly affects aging Vermonters receiving services and community nurse programs seeking to expand their reach.

Topics ✓ Healthcare

passed both · Vermont · Senate Jan 30, 2025

JRS 9: Joint resolution relating to weekend adjournment on January 31, 2025

This joint resolution (JRS 9) adjusts the Vermont legislative schedule for January 31, 2025. It directs the Senate and House to adjourn on Friday, January 31, 2025, and reconvene no later than Tuesday, February 4, 2025. The bill directly affects the Vermont General Assembly by preventing a weekend recess between those dates. As a procedural scheduling measure, it does not create new laws or impact constituents.

passed both · Vermont · House Jan 30, 2025

HCR 9: House concurrent resolution honoring the Vermonters who created the Tony Award-winning musical Hadestown and the Vermont theatrical youth ensembles now staging exhilarating teen performances

This House Concurrent Resolution (HCR 9) formally honors Vermonters involved in creating the Tony Award-winning musical *Hadestown* and Vermont youth theater groups performing teen versions of the show. It specifically recognizes creators like Anaïs Mitchell (Middlebury College alum), Michael Chorney, and Ben T. Matchstick, along with Vermont youth ensembles including Peoples Academy, Very Merry Theatre, and U-32/Montpelier High School productions supported by *Hadestown* creators. The resolution has no legal effect - it is purely ceremonial, celebrating their artistic achievements and community impact without enacting new policy. It directs the Secretary of State to send copies to the honorees.

passed · Vermont · Senate Jan 30, 2025

SR 7: Senate resolution relating to adoption of a temporary Rule 44A

SR 7 is a procedural Senate resolution adopting a temporary Rule 44A for the 2025 legislative session. It requires bills missing the March 14 and 21, 2025, crossover deadlines to go to the Committee on Rules, except for the transportation capital bill, capital construction bill, general appropriations bill, fee bill, and tax/revenue bills. This rule expires when the 2026 adjourned session begins and applies only to bills referred to the Committee on Rules under this temporary provision.

introduced · Vermont · House Jan 30, 2025

H 124: An act relating to the Commissioner of Financial Regulation and an annual supervision and regulation report

H 124 requires Vermont's Commissioner of Financial Regulation to produce an annual report to the General Assembly by January 15 each year, starting in 2026. The report must detail regulatory activities (like examinations and enforcement actions), financial conditions affecting consumers, regulatory fee analysis, emerging industry trends, and recommendations. It directly affects the Commissioner's office and the General Assembly, aiming to increase transparency about how the Department oversees banking, insurance, and securities. The bill creates a new reporting requirement under 8 V.S.A. § 25 with specific content mandates but does not change existing regulations or fees.

introduced · Vermont · Senate Jan 29, 2025

S 31: An act relating to a temporary suspension of the ambulance agency provider tax

This bill suspends the ambulance agency provider tax for fiscal years 2026-2028, directly relieving ambulance agencies from paying this fee. To offset the lost revenue, the bill requires transferring an equivalent amount from the PILOT Special Fund to the General Fund each year. The suspension applies to all ambulance agencies, while the fund transfer ensures the General Fund maintains its projected revenue level. The bill takes effect July 1, 2025, and affects state budget allocations without altering ambulance service regulations.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes

introduced · Vermont · House Jan 29, 2025

H 119: An act relating to the beverage container redemption system

H 119 expands Vermont's beverage container redemption system to include cider, hard kombucha, noncarbonated water, and noncarbonated soft drinks, while increasing the refundable deposit from 5 cents to 10 cents for most containers. Consumers pay this deposit when purchasing qualifying beverages and receive it back when returning empty containers to retailers or redemption centers. Manufacturers and distributors will reimburse retailers 3.5-4 cents per container for redemption processing. The bill takes effect January 1, 2026, and applies to all affected beverage types sold in the state.

Topics ✓ Environment

introduced · Vermont · House Jan 29, 2025

H 122: An act relating to the sustainable realignment of Vermont’s school districts

H.122 requires Vermont to merge all existing school districts as of July 1, 2025 into no more than 25 new unified school districts by July 1, 2030. It sets minimum size requirements for schools (450 students and 18 students per class for elementary, 600 students and 25 students per class for high school) and allows districts to designate limited independent schools for students with commutes exceeding 45 minutes (elementary) or 75 minutes (high school). The bill creates a Commission of retired superintendents to review the Secretary of Education’s merger plan and finalize the realignment by November 2029. This directly affects all Vermont public school students and districts, particularly those in smaller or geographically isolated communities.

Topics ✓ Education

introduced · Vermont · House Jan 29, 2025

H 121: An act relating to affordable broadband service

This bill requires Vermont internet service providers to offer affordable broadband service to low-income households starting October 2025. It defines "affordable" as 25 Mbps for $15/month (including fees) or 200 Mbps for $20/month, targeting households qualifying for federal Lifeline or Vermont's Home Heating Fuel Assistance Program. Providers must report on service availability, customer eligibility verification, and pricing annually, while the Public Utility Commission will adjust prices for inflation and review speed standards every five years. Small providers serving under 20,000 customers may be exempt if compliance would cause financial hardship.

Topics ✓ Technology

Bill results