This bill proposes establishing a new Vermont Climate Infrastructure Fund to support climate-related projects and investments across the state. Administered by the State Treasurer's Office with an advisory board, the fund would coordinate financing efforts with existing agencies like the Vermont Economic Development Authority and Vermont Bond Bank to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and improve climate resilience. The fund would invest in clean energy solutions, forest and agricultural land improvements, watershed health, and projects that benefit underserved communities while also seeking federal funding opportunities and stimulating private investment.
This bill would exempt all U.S. military retirement income and military survivor benefit income from Vermont state income tax. It directly affects active and retired military personnel, as well as the surviving spouses and dependents of deceased service members who receive these benefits. The legislation amends existing tax code sections to remove military retirement and survivor benefits from taxable income, while also clarifying that taxpayers can only choose one income exclusion option if they qualify for multiple types of exemptions. The bill states its purpose is to honor and thank military retirees and their families for their service, and it applies retroactively to taxable years beginning on or after January 1, 2023.
This bill creates a new Chloride Contamination Reduction Program within Vermont's Agency of Natural Resources to address water quality concerns caused by road salt and salt alternatives. The program requires the Secretary of Natural Resources to develop training and certification for commercial and municipal salt applicators, establishing best management practices that promote efficient salt use and prevent runoff into state waters. Key provisions include creating a public database to track salt purchases and applications, setting reduction targets for chloride levels in water, and providing liability protections for certified applicators who follow established practices. The bill also mandates record-keeping requirements for salt applications and gives the Secretary authority to revoke certifications for violations of the program's rules.
This bill establishes a new project-based tax increment financing program in Vermont that allows municipalities to apply for state funding to pay for infrastructure improvements. The program is administered by the Vermont Economic Progress Council and is designed to help communities develop projects that include affordable housing, brownfield remediation, new business creation with quality jobs, or transportation improvements. To qualify, a municipality must demonstrate that the infrastructure improvements would not have occurred without the financing and that the project aligns with local development plans. The bill also defines specific terms like "tax increment" and sets rules about how much of the generated revenue must be allocated to the Education Fund. This legislation directly affects cities, towns, and incorporated villages that seek state support for public infrastructure projects.
This bill would remove existing bans and penalties on the purchase, use, and possession of tobacco products in Vermont, including electronic cigarettes and other nicotine-delivery devices not approved by the FDA for medical purposes. It updates legal definitions to clarify what counts as a tobacco product and tobacco substitute, while maintaining age restrictions that prohibit anyone under 21 from buying, possessing, or attempting to purchase these items. The legislation also establishes civil penalties for retailers who sell to minors and requires annual compliance testing by the Division of Liquor Control to ensure at least 90% accuracy in age verification for buyers between 17 and 20 years old.
This bill extends certain employment protections to temporary and seasonal state employees in Vermont, including whistleblower rights, paid leave benefits, and health insurance after six months of service. It also modifies definitions in state labor laws to clarify which temporary workers qualify for collective bargaining rights, specifically including those working more than 1,280 hours annually over two years. The legislation applies to employees across various state agencies and the judiciary, taking effect on July 1, 2023.
This bill extends existing civil penalties to GPS navigation providers if their systems fail to warn drivers about prohibited vehicle restrictions on the Smugglers' Notch segment of Vermont Route 108. It directly affects companies that sell, subscribe to, or offer free GPS navigation services, including software and route planning tools. Under the new provisions, providers could face a $2,000 fine if their systems do not explicitly notify users of the route's closure restrictions for large vehicles during winter. The bill also requires the Vermont Agency of Transportation to provide notice of these restrictions to GPS providers and install appropriate signage. These changes take effect on July 1, 2023.
This bill requires candidates for local, county, legislative, and statewide offices in Vermont to provide specific contact and demographic information to election officials. The key provisions mandate that town and county clerks collect details such as name, gender, age, race or ethnicity, street address, and email address from candidates, then file this information with the Secretary of State within three days after petition filing deadlines. Candidates who do not provide this information may still appear on the ballot as long as they meet all other requirements, and clerks must also report petition status and any rejected petitions to the Secretary of State. The changes take effect on July 1, 2023.
This bill modifies Vermont's Petroleum Cleanup Fund to allow the Secretary of Natural Resources to use state funds for cleaning up oil and petroleum spills when the responsible party is unknown, unreachable, unwilling to act, or not acting quickly enough. It also increases the maximum amounts available from the fund for both spill cleanup costs and grants for replacing or upgrading residential heating fuel storage tanks. The legislation clarifies that these funds can be used for immediate spill control, removal, and remediation actions, while maintaining existing rules that require responsible parties to pay the first portion of cleanup costs before the fund covers remaining expenses.
This bill allows children to express their preferences in child custody cases by amending Vermont state law to include the child's wishes as a factor courts must consider when determining parental rights and responsibilities. The legislation establishes specific procedures for children to address the court directly, permitting those aged 14 and older to speak if they request it, while allowing younger children to do so if the court determines it serves their best interests. To protect children during these proceedings, the bill requires that children generally not address the court in the presence of the parents unless the judge finds it beneficial, and mandates alternative methods for gathering input if a child is not allowed to testify. Additionally, the law requires the appointment of a guardian ad litem to represent the child's interests whenever the court seeks the child's input on custody matters.
This bill requires all Vermont public high school students to complete a semester-long personal finance course in either 11th or 12th grade as a graduation requirement. The State Board of Education must develop and maintain performance standards covering topics like budgeting, credit management, investing, taxes, and retirement planning. The bill also directs the Board to oversee course implementation by establishing teacher certification requirements, approving curriculum providers, and offering professional development for educators. The law takes effect on July 1, 2023, applying to students graduating in the 2024-2025 school year or later.
This bill requires employers in Vermont to pay tipped workers the standard minimum wage starting January 1, 2024, instead of allowing a reduced "tipped minimum wage." It applies to employees in hotels, motels, tourist places, and restaurants who regularly receive more than $120 per month in tips. The legislation also sets a transitional phase where tipped workers must receive at least half the minimum wage beginning July 1, 2023, before reaching full minimum wage coverage in 2024. The standard minimum wage itself continues to increase annually by either 5% or the Consumer Price Index, whichever is smaller, ensuring tipped workers benefit from these raises once the transition is complete.
