Vermont Bills

introduced · Vermont · House Jan 9, 2025

H 22: An act relating to access to information concerning benefit extension agreements for employees of public agencies

H 22 amends Vermont's Public Records Act to require public disclosure of severance pay and benefit extension agreements for employees of state and local public agencies. It removes an exemption that previously kept this information private, making such agreements available for public inspection and copying. Public agencies must annually publish detailed reports by July 1 each year, including employee names, payment amounts, benefit types, agreement duration, and termination reasons. This applies to all benefit extension agreements executed since 2018, with a historical report due by January 15, 2026. The bill takes effect July 1, 2025.

Topics ✓ Labor & Employment

passed · Vermont · Senate Jan 8, 2025

SR 5: Senate resolution relating to informing the House of the organization of the Senate

This is a procedural resolution (SR 5) adopted by the Vermont Senate on January 8, 2025. It directs the Senate Secretary to formally inform the House of Representatives that the Senate has assembled with a quorum and organized its leadership, including electing John H. Bloomer as Secretary and Philip E. Baruth as President pro tempore. The resolution serves only as an administrative notice to enable the Senate to proceed with legislative business. It does not create new laws, affect citizens, or involve policy changes.

passed · Vermont · House Jan 8, 2025

HR 4: House resolution relating to standing committees

HR 4 is a procedural bill that amends the Vermont House of Representatives' rules to redefine the structure and responsibilities of standing committees. It specifies new committee names (like "Agriculture, Food Resiliency, and Forestry"), membership sizes, and policy areas for 12 committees, including creating a dedicated "Environment" committee. The bill reassigns specific topics, such as climate change mitigation and water quality, to the Corrections and Institutions committee, while clarifying duties for others like Health Care and Transportation. This reorganization directly affects how legislative work is organized within the House.

passed · Vermont · House Jan 8, 2025

HR 3: House resolution relating to the organization of the House and informing the Governor thereof

This is a routine procedural resolution (HR 3) adopted by the Vermont House of Representatives on January 8, 2025. It formally notifies the Governor that the House has completed its organizational process (such as electing leadership and committees) and is ready to receive communications from the Governor. The resolution directly affects the Governor and the House's internal operations, but it does not change laws or impact any constituents. As a standard organizational step at the start of a legislative session, it has no substantive policy provisions.

passed · Vermont · House Jan 8, 2025

HR 2: House resolution relating to the organization of the House and informing the Senate thereof

This House resolution, adopted on January 8, 2025, requires the Clerk of the House to inform the Senate that the Vermont House of Representatives has completed its organizational procedures (such as electing leadership and committees) and is prepared to begin its legislative work. It is a routine procedural step to formally notify the Senate of the House's readiness to start the session. No substantive policy changes are made by this resolution, as it solely addresses internal House organization.

passed · Vermont · House Jan 8, 2025

HR 1: House resolution relating to House Rules

HR 1 is a procedural resolution that maintains the House rules in effect at the end of the 2023-2024 legislative session for the current session until new rules are adopted. It directly affects the internal operations of the Vermont House of Representatives by setting the procedural framework for legislative business. The resolution was adopted on January 8, 2025, with no substantive policy changes.

passed · Vermont · Senate Jan 8, 2025

SR 4: Senate resolution relating to appointment of a committee to inform the Governor of the organization of the Senate

This is a routine procedural resolution. It directs the Senate President to appoint a four-member committee to formally inform the Governor that the Senate has organized and is prepared to begin its legislative business at the start of the session. The resolution has no policy impact - it simply follows standard Senate protocol for notifying the Governor of the Senate's organizational status. It affects the Governor and the Senate leadership, not the public or specific legislation.

passed · Vermont · Senate Jan 8, 2025

SR 1: Senate resolution relating to the rules of the Senate

Senate Resolution 1 amends the Vermont Senate's rules for the 2025 Biennial Session. It updates seating assignments for senators by district (e.g., assigning specific seats to Addison and Chittenden districts), expands the definition of "public buildings" to include information technology management, and establishes an Ethics Panel to investigate ethical violations and discrimination complaints among senators. These changes affect only the Senate's internal operations and procedures.

passed · Vermont · Senate Jan 8, 2025

SR 3: Senate resolution relating to electronic participation in Senate Session

This Senate resolution (SR 3) allows Vermont senators to participate in Senate sessions remotely under specific temporary emergency conditions related to health or caregiving needs. It permits electronic participation if a senator has tested positive for COVID-19, has symptoms awaiting test results, is a primary caregiver for a household member requiring isolation due to COVID, or faces a temporary health emergency. Senators may use this option for up to two consecutive days under the "caregiver" or "health emergency" provisions, with longer periods requiring Rules Committee approval. The rule is temporary and expires on March 11, 2025. It directly affects senators' ability to attend sessions remotely during emergencies, not the general public.

passed · Vermont · Senate Jan 8, 2025

SR 2: Senate resolution relating to concurrently conducted electronic committee meetings

This resolution extends Vermont Senate Rule 32A, which permits electronic committee meetings, until March 11, 2025. It overrides the rule’s usual restriction to emergency situations, allowing all Senate committees to hold meetings electronically during this period. The resolution was adopted by the Senate on January 8, 2025, and applies directly to Senate committee operations.

passed both · Vermont · Senate Jan 8, 2025

JRS 4: Joint resolution relating to Town Meeting adjournment

This joint resolution sets a specific date for Vermont town meetings to reconvene after the state legislature adjourns. It requires town meetings to reconvene no later than Tuesday, March 11, 2025, if the legislature adjourns on Friday, February 28, or Saturday, March 1, 2025. The resolution directly affects all Vermont town meetings by establishing a fixed deadline for their next session following the specified legislative adjournment dates. As a procedural measure, it does not change substantive laws or policies.

passed both · Vermont · Senate Jan 8, 2025

JRS 3: Joint resolution to provide for a Joint Assembly to hear the inaugural message of the Governor

This procedural resolution schedules a joint meeting of Vermont's Senate and House of Representatives on January 9, 2025, at 2:00 PM to hear the Governor's inaugural message. It does not change any laws or policies but establishes a formal legislative procedure for the annual gubernatorial address. The resolution was unanimously adopted by both chambers on January 8, 2025.

Bill results