This bill updates Vermont's Renewable Energy Standard to increase the amount of renewable energy required from electricity providers. It directly affects retail electricity providers, ratepayers, and the state's energy infrastructure by establishing new renewable energy goals and definitions. Key provisions include requiring providers to enter into affordable, long-term renewable energy contracts to stabilize prices, supporting distributed renewable energy projects across the state grid, and ensuring equitable benefits for low-income and marginalized communities. The legislation also incorporates environmental justice principles and aligns with existing climate change reduction targets to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from the electricity sector.
This bill requires the Department of Taxes to share specific fuel and tax data with the Agency of Natural Resources and the Department of Public Service to help create Vermont's Greenhouse Gas Emission Inventory and Forecast. The legislation mandates that tax records related to sales, use, and fuel taxes be disclosed to these agencies, with information broken down by fuel type and delivered within 90 days of request. Additionally, the bill directs the Department of Taxes to update certain tax forms by July 1, 2023, to include more detailed information about fuel products sold or consumed. These changes apply to state tax officials and agencies responsible for tracking emissions data, without altering existing confidentiality protections for taxpayer information.
This bill directs the state of Vermont to implement recommendations from the Advisory Council on Literacy aimed at improving reading, writing, and communication skills for students. It specifically targets third-grade students who are not meeting English Language Arts proficiency standards and seeks to reduce achievement gaps affecting historically marginalized groups. The legislation requires the adoption of evidence-based methods for reading instruction, assessment, and remediation to support literacy development. The measure is currently under review by the Committee on Education and does not yet include specific funding or implementation timelines.
This bill requires public schools and approved independent schools in Vermont to create seizure action plans for any student with a seizure disorder or who takes seizure medication. The law mandates that schools designate at least one trained staff member to administer seizure rescue medications or operate vagus nerve stimulator magnets, while all employees with direct student contact and students themselves receive seizure recognition and first aid training. Parents must provide written authorization, medical instructions, and unopened medication packages before school staff can administer treatment, and the State Board of Education will establish guidelines for these individualized health plans. The bill also includes liability protections for school employees acting in good faith according to the seizure action plan and takes effect on July 1, 2023.
This bill establishes a policy for the State of Vermont to allow the Abenaki people access to state-owned or leased lands for agricultural, hunting, fishing, trapping, and cultural, religious, and spiritual activities. It requires state agencies to consult with the Commission on Native American Affairs and Abenaki tribal leadership to identify suitable properties and determine appropriate access methods while protecting sacred sites. The legislation also clarifies that it does not override existing property rights or require taking vested interests, and it mandates that the Secretary of Administration create rules to implement these provisions.
This bill updates Vermont's procedures for reviewing and challenging decisions to place individuals on the Child Protection Registry. It extends the timeframes for administrative reviews and appeals, allows reviews to proceed even if the person does not respond or appear, and permits virtual hearings during state emergencies. Additionally, the bill requires that children placed on the registry between ages 10 and 18 follow the same review procedures as adults. These changes apply to the Commissioner for Children and Families' Registry Review Unit and affect individuals who have been substantiated for child abuse or neglect.
This bill prohibits hunting black bears and coyotes with dogs in Vermont unless the hunter obtains a special permit from the state Fish and Wildlife Commissioner. It directly affects hunters who currently use dogs to pursue these animals, requiring them to apply for permits and pay fees ranging from $50 for residents to $210 for nonresidents. The law limits the number of nonresident permits to 10 percent of resident permits and restricts dog training to specific seasons and times of day. Additionally, the bill establishes rules for landowner permission and sets up a point-based violation system for hunters who break the new regulations.
This bill proposes to exempt income earned from renting out rooms through home sharing platforms from Vermont state income tax and from the calculation of household income for the homestead property tax credit. It directly affects individuals who host guests in their homes via services like Airbnb or similar platforms, allowing them to keep more of their rental earnings without additional tax burden. The legislation would treat home sharing income differently than traditional rental income by removing it from taxable income and adjusting how it factors into property tax credit eligibility. This change aims to provide financial relief to hosts while maintaining the existing tax structure for other types of rental income.
This bill requires the Vermont General Assembly to approve the use of specific law enforcement technologies before state or local police agencies can employ them. The technologies covered include facial recognition software, tattoo recognition systems, genetic DNA testing, stationary license plate readers, cell site simulators, and international mobile subscriber identity catchers. Additionally, the bill restricts law enforcement from purchasing, trading, or obtaining information from private or public entities that was gathered using these approved technologies. The legislation aims to establish a legislative oversight process for these surveillance tools rather than allowing agencies to use them without explicit state authorization.
This bill prohibits the transfer of Vermont inmates to correctional facilities outside the state, directly affecting the Department of Corrections and incarcerated individuals. It amends existing statutes to remove the Commissioner of Corrections' authority to order inmate transfers to out-of-state facilities and repeals provisions related to using competitive bidding for such placements. The legislation also clarifies the intent to create new work camps within Vermont to reduce reliance on out-of-state housing, while specifying that new work camps should only house nonviolent offenders who have already served part of their sentence in a state facility. These changes take effect on January 1, 2025, aiming to keep inmates within Vermont for oversight, cost, and family visitation reasons.
This bill requires new single-family homes and small apartment buildings with three or fewer units in Vermont to be designed for accessibility, adaptability, or visitability for people with disabilities. Starting July 1, 2024, ground-floor units or those accessible by elevator must be fully accessible or adaptable, while upper floors must be visitable. Housing authorities must also give priority to tenants with disabilities when renting accessible units. The law includes exemptions for historic buildings where compliance would destroy their significance and requires that accessibility features not be reduced during future renovations.
This bill establishes new requirements for the Vermont Executive Branch when entering into privatization contracts, which are defined as agreements for services valued at $25,000 or more per year that replace work previously done by state employees. The legislation mandates a 35-day notice period for collective bargaining representatives to discuss alternatives before bidding begins, requires projected cost savings of at least 10-20 percent, and sets minimum wage and health insurance standards for contractors that match state employee benefits. Additionally, the bill creates a review panel to certify contract compliance, requires quarterly payroll reporting, and allows the Attorney General to investigate whether contracts achieve projected savings after 12 months, with provisions for contract voiding if requirements are not met.
