This bill changes how traffic violations for passing stopped school buses are handled in Vermont. It allows school bus drivers to issue civil violation complaints directly to vehicle owners who illegally pass a stopped school bus, rather than requiring a law enforcement officer to issue the ticket. The bill also removes the point assessment penalty for this specific violation from drivers' records. These changes take effect on July 1, 2023, and apply to all motor vehicles operating on public highways when they pass a school bus that has stopped to pick up or drop off children.
This bill requires the Vermont Pension Investment Commission to review and divest state pension funds from investments in the fossil fuel industry. It directly affects the Vermont State Employees' Retirement System, the State Teachers' Retirement System, and the Municipal Employees' Retirement System. The Commission must complete an initial review by August 2023, submit a divestment plan by November 2023, and finish divesting fossil fuel holdings by December 2030, with annual progress reports required until 2031. The legislation defines fossil fuel companies based on reserves, coal plant ownership, core business activities, and revenue sources, while prohibiting new fossil fuel investments after July 2031. The bill also appropriates $100,000 in FY 2024 to support the planning and reporting process.
This bill creates a new permanent position of Dementia Coordinator within Vermont's Agency of Human Services to help coordinate state efforts and community partnerships in supporting people with dementia and their families. The Coordinator would update the state's Alzheimer's action plan, manage grant funding for expanded services, streamline government programs to reduce duplication, oversee dementia-specific training, and collect and share data to improve care quality. The role requires a master's or bachelor's degree in human services, public health, or public administration with professional experience, and the Commission on Alzheimer's Disease and Related Disorders would recommend qualified candidates. An initial $150,000 appropriation funds the position in fiscal year 2024, with the Coordinator required to submit an annual report on dementia care status and legislative recommendations by December 1. The act takes effect on July 1, 2023.
This bill proposes to ban the retail sale of flavored cigarettes, flavored e-cigarettes, and flavored e-liquids in Vermont, directly affecting tobacco retailers and consumers. It expands existing laws on tobacco product seizure and destruction to include e-cigarettes, e-liquids, and related paraphernalia, while directing the Attorney General to report on the legal scope of advertising and labeling restrictions for vaping products. The legislation defines "tobacco substitutes" to include electronic vaping devices and clarifies that only FDA-approved cessation products would be exempt from the ban.
This bill would expand health insurance eligibility in Vermont to include all income-eligible adults over 18 who are currently excluded from Medicaid and health exchange subsidies due to their immigration status. It requires the state to provide hospital, medical, dental, and prescription drug coverage for these individuals that matches the benefits available under the existing Medicaid program. The law also mandates that the state protect applicants' confidentiality and prohibits sharing their information with the federal government. Coverage would begin on July 1, 2024, and applies to Vermont residents who meet income requirements but are ineligible for current public health programs because of immigration status.
This bill proposes to increase revenue for Vermont's Environmental Contingency Fund by raising taxes on solid waste and hazardous waste. It directly affects businesses that generate, transport, or dispose of these materials, including waste management facilities and commercial haulers. The key changes would increase the solid waste franchise tax from $6 to $10 per ton and raise hazardous waste tax rates from 11 to 22 cents per gallon for liquid waste and from 1.4 to 2.8 cents per pound for solid waste. All additional revenue collected from these tax increases would be deposited into the Environmental Contingency Fund, which is used to address environmental contamination and hazardous material cleanup needs throughout the state.
This bill creates a new property tax surcharge on nonprimary dwellings in Vermont, which are defined as weatherized homes suitable for year-round living that are neither long-term rentals nor occupied by their owners as primary residences. The surcharge amounts to $0.25 for every $100 of property value and applies to properties that meet specific criteria, such as having permanent heating, insulation, and year-round plumbing, while excluding standard rental units and owner-occupied homes. All revenue collected from this surcharge will be directed to the Vermont Housing and Conservation Board to fund the construction of affordable housing throughout the state. The legislation also establishes a new Vermont Housing and Conservation Trust Fund to manage these funds and clarifies that the surcharge revenue will not be included in the state's Education Fund.
This bill would protect people and organizations involved in safer drug consumption programs from criminal prosecution and civil penalties. It defines these programs as supervised spaces where individuals can use preobtained drugs with access to sterile supplies, overdose monitoring, first aid, and referrals to treatment services. The legislation also removes a future expiration date for the exemption that allows possession of small amounts of buprenorphine without criminal penalty. To receive legal protections, program operators must publicly report annual data on participants, supplies distributed, and overdose incidents.
This bill proposes several changes to Vermont's cannabis programs, including repealing the Cannabis Control Board Advisory Committee and removing the sunset provision for the Board itself. It allows packaged cannabis products to contain up to 100 milligrams of THC, creates a new license for cannabis propagation, and increases the number of plants patients and caregivers can grow. The legislation also removes the psychotherapy requirement for PTSD patients seeking medical cannabis, eliminates fingerprinting for caregivers while adding checks against child and vulnerable adult abuse registries, and permits caregivers to serve two patients. Additionally, it allows cannabis establishments to do business with each other, clarifies that tobacco paraphernalia sales don't require liquor licenses, and establishes new positions within the Cannabis Control Board for quality control.
This bill directs the Vermont State Highway Safety Office to prepare a written report by January 15, 2024, recommending how the state should adjust its approach to educating about, enforcing, and prosecuting distracted driving violations for noncommercial drivers. The report must consult with various state agencies and organizations, examine current enforcement methods like fines and license suspensions, and specifically consider strategies for drivers under 18 years old. The legislation does not change any existing laws but requires officials to analyze what is working and what needs improvement in addressing distracted driving.
This bill proposes to remove the 60 percent tetrahydrocannabinol potency limit on liquid concentrate cannabis products that are prepackaged for use with battery-powered devices, allowing licensed retailers to sell them directly to consumers. It also permits the production and wholesale sale of solid and liquid concentrates exceeding 60 percent THC between licensed entities, though these remain prohibited for direct public sale unless they meet the prepackaged battery device criteria. The legislation directly affects licensed cannabis retailers, integrated licensees, and the Vermont cannabis regulatory framework by modifying existing restrictions on concentrated cannabis products.
This bill introduces several updates to Vermont laws covering vehicle safety, emissions, and transportation planning. It strengthens rules against modified exhaust systems that increase noise or fumes, establishes stricter child restraint requirements for passengers under 18, and mandates public outreach campaigns to educate drivers about idling and car seat safety. The legislation also requires highways to provide pedestrian and bicycle access by December 1, 2023, while updating related permits and landscaping standards. These changes directly affect vehicle owners, parents, drivers, and transportation planners across the state.
