Vermont Bills

introduced · Vermont · House Jan 9, 2025

H 24: An act relating to requiring retail businesses to accept cash

This bill (H 24) requires Vermont retail businesses to accept cash as a payment method for goods or services. It prohibits businesses from refusing cash payments, directly affecting all retailers selling to consumers within the state. The law, effective July 1, 2025, adds a new provision to Vermont law making refusal of cash an unfair commercial practice. The measure aims to protect consumer access to cash transactions in commerce.

introduced · Vermont · House Jan 9, 2025

H 25: An act relating to imposing Impaired Driver Rehabilitation Program fees based on a person’s ability to pay

H 25 amends Vermont law to replace fixed fees for the Impaired Driver Rehabilitation Program with an income-based fee structure. It requires the Department of Health to set fees based on an individual’s gross income relative to the federal poverty level: people earning 175% or less of the federal poverty level pay no fees, while those earning up to 575% qualify for discounted fees. Participants must disclose income confidentially for fee assessment, and collected fees will fund the program’s operations. The changes take effect July 1, 2025, with implementing rules due by January 1, 2026.

Topics ✓ Criminal Justice

introduced · Vermont · House Jan 9, 2025

H 4: An act relating to standards for the care of egg-laying hens

This bill prohibits confining egg-laying hens in spaces that prevent them from fully spreading both wings without touching enclosure sides or other hens. It requires egg producers to provide floor space per hen that meets the 2017 United Egg Producers Animal Husbandry Guidelines for cage-free production. The law directly affects Vermont egg producers who house hens in confined systems, with exemptions for medical research, veterinary care, agricultural fairs, and humane slaughter. Violations may result in enforcement actions by the Secretary of Agriculture, including written warnings, corrective orders, or civil penalties.

introduced · Vermont · House Jan 9, 2025

H 18: An act relating to decriminalizing nonmoving DLS violations for third-time offenders

H.18 would reclassify third-time nonmoving license violations (such as parking tickets) as civil offenses instead of criminal ones for drivers with suspended licenses. Specifically, it changes penalties for individuals who operate a vehicle with a suspended license after their third nonmoving violation within a two-year period, shifting from potential jail time or large fines to civil penalties like fines and community service. This applies only to nonmoving violations (not moving traffic offenses like speeding), affecting repeat offenders who commit nonmoving violations after multiple license suspensions. The bill, if passed, would take effect July 1, 2025.

Topics ✓ Criminal Justice

introduced · Vermont · House Jan 9, 2025

H 12: An act relating to addressing barriers to blenderized tube feeding

This bill creates a study committee to examine the benefits and barriers of blenderized tube feeding - a method of providing blended foods and liquids through a feeding tube - particularly for children. The committee, including health officials, caregivers, medical experts, and dietitians, will study impacts on health outcomes, costs of fresh food/blenders, insurance coverage gaps, and provider awareness. It must report findings and recommendations to legislative committees by January 15, 2026, to inform potential future policy changes. The bill does not implement immediate policy changes but establishes a process to address access barriers for patients relying on this feeding method.

Topics ✓ Healthcare

introduced · Vermont · House Jan 9, 2025

H 8: An act relating to a tax credit for home modifications for safety and livability

This bill creates a Vermont personal income tax credit for homeowners who make safety and accessibility modifications to their primary residence (homestead). It covers qualified expenses like ramps, stair lifts, widened doorways, bathroom renovations, and other safety-focused home improvements, up to a lifetime maximum of $15,000. Unreimbursed costs for these modifications can reduce income tax liability, with unused credit amounts carried forward for up to three years. The credit applies to taxable years beginning January 1, 2025, and is designed to help residents safely age in place.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes

introduced · Vermont · House Jan 9, 2025

H 6: An act relating to marriage license fees

This bill (H.6) permanently maintains the 2023 increase to Vermont marriage license fees, which raised the total fee from $60 to $80. The change keeps $15 for town clerks and directs $50 to the Domestic and Sexual Violence Special Fund. It removes a temporary expiration date (sunset) that would have ended the fee increase after July 2025, making the higher fees permanent. The bill directly affects individuals applying for marriage licenses and the fund supporting domestic violence services.

introduced · Vermont · House Jan 9, 2025

H 7: An act relating to termination of parental rights in an adoption proceeding

This bill amends Vermont law to require courts in adoption proceedings to explicitly consider whether a parent has made reasonable and consistent child support payments when determining if terminating parental rights is in the child's best interests. It directly affects parents involved in adoption cases where parental rights may be terminated, specifically adding child support payments as a required factor alongside other considerations like communication and custody. The key provision updates Section 3-504 of Vermont's adoption statute to mandate courts evaluate a parent's financial support obligations as part of their "reasonable and consistent" efforts. This change clarifies that failure to pay child support (when legally obligated) must be weighed in termination decisions. The bill does not alter the standard for termination but specifies a new factor courts must address.

introduced · Vermont · House Jan 9, 2025

H 9: An act relating to the Vermont State and Judiciary Employees’ Cost-Savings Incentive Program

This bill reinstates a program allowing Vermont Executive and Judicial branch employees to earn financial rewards for suggestions that save state government money. Eligible nonmanagement state employees can submit cost-saving ideas, which must meet specific criteria (like being feasible, not already under review, and not harming service quality) before adoption. If implemented, employees receive 25% of the first-year savings (capped at $25,000) paid by the agency realizing the savings. The bill also establishes a review process for disputed denials or disputed savings calculations, with final decisions by the State Auditor or Court Administrator.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Labor & Employment

introduced · Vermont · House Jan 9, 2025

H 14: An act relating to prohibiting the use of animals in product testing

H.14 prohibits Vermont product testing facilities from using traditional animal testing methods when equivalent non-animal alternatives exist or when a waiver is granted. It directly affects companies testing chemicals, cosmetics, drugs, or consumer products in Vermont, requiring them to adopt alternative methods like in vitro testing or computational models where available. The bill includes exemptions for biomedical research, legally required testing, and specific agency-approved cases. Facilities must annually report animal testing data to the Attorney General, with the law taking effect July 1, 2026.

Topics ✓ Technology

introduced · Vermont · House Jan 9, 2025

H 16: An act relating to repealing the Affordable Heat Act

This bill (H 16) repeals Vermont’s Affordable Heat Act, which established the Clean Heat Standard program. It removes requirements for heating fuel providers to meet emissions standards and eliminates two state positions created to administer the program (one at the Public Utility Commission, one at the Department of Public Service). The bill also deletes references to the Clean Heat Standard from tax law, ending the requirement for fuel providers to report to state agencies about compliance. This directly affects heating fuel businesses and state agencies responsible for the Clean Heat Standard program. The repeal takes effect upon passage.

Topics ✗ Energy ✗ Environment

introduced · Vermont · House Jan 9, 2025

H 20: An act relating to establishing a voluntary firearms storage program for persons in crisis

H.20 establishes a voluntary program in Vermont allowing individuals experiencing a mental health or other crisis to temporarily store firearms with participating federally licensed firearms dealers. The program permits dealers to safely hold firearms until the person is no longer in crisis, while providing legal immunity for dealers and participants who follow program rules in good faith. Confidentiality protections prevent stigma, and dealers receive training to safely manage firearm returns. The goal is to reduce firearm accessibility during crises, aiming to help lower suicide rates in Vermont.

Topics ✓ Healthcare

Bill results