This bill establishes new policies and procedures for Vermont's public libraries and school libraries to ensure compliance with free speech principles, civil rights laws, and the state's diverse population. It requires library boards to adopt material selection and reconsideration policies that reflect diversity in race, ethnicity, gender identity, sexual orientation, religion, and political beliefs while protecting intellectual freedom. The legislation also clarifies confidentiality rules for library records, expands protections against criminal threats at public libraries, and updates the role of the Department of Libraries to include developing model policies and professional development programs for librarians.
This bill updates Vermont's financial disclosure requirements for candidates running for state and legislative office, requiring them to submit detailed information about their income, assets, and business interests to the State Ethics Commission. The law mandates disclosure of income sources, ownership stakes in companies, leases with state entities, and specific investment holdings valued at $25,000 or more, while allowing candidates to redact sensitive personal information like Social Security numbers from their tax returns. Candidates must also disclose if their spouse or domestic partner works as a lobbyist and provide full names of their spouses or domestic partners. Once filed, these disclosure forms and redacted tax returns are made publicly available on the Secretary of State's website until the next primary election cycle.
This bill establishes a temporary Vermont Sister State Program Working Group to develop a state program that would create partnerships between Vermont and other countries or provinces. The Working Group includes representatives from state agencies such as Commerce, Education, and Agriculture, along with leaders from the Vermont Arts Council and Council on World Affairs. The group will study existing sister state programs, gather stakeholder input, and make recommendations on how to fund, administer, and structure the program, with goals including fostering cultural exchange, supporting immigrant communities, and maintaining connections with military and aid organizations. The Working Group must submit an initial report by February 2025 and a final report with recommendations by November 2025, and it will dissolve on March 31, 2026.
This bill changes how communications union districts in Vermont handle mergers and internal governance. It allows these districts to approve mergers through their governing boards instead of requiring a vote from all residents in the affected areas. The legislation also gives districts more flexibility to set their own annual meeting dates, fiscal years, and report approval schedules through their bylaws. Additionally, it permits treasurers to delegate some duties while keeping oversight responsibility and defines certain business information as confidential to protect competitive information about broadband operations.
This legislative document is a Senate concurrent resolution that formally honors the nearly 40 years of service by former Vermont Senate Dean Richard T. Mazza. The resolution recognizes his long tenure in the Vermont legislature, including his work on transportation committees and his role in chairing the Transportation Committee. It acknowledges his contributions to Vermont infrastructure, preservation efforts, and his promotion of civility within the Senate. The resolution directs the Secretary of State to send a copy of the document to former Senator Mazza as an official acknowledgment of his service.
This Senate concurrent resolution honors Sue Allen for her distinguished career spanning journalism, government, politics, and the nonprofit sector. The document recognizes her unique professional path, which includes working as a journalist, serving as press secretary for two Vermont governors, and holding leadership roles in media and public service. The resolution formally acknowledges her contributions to Vermont public life and directs the Secretary of State to send copies of the document to Sue Allen and the Bennington Banner.
This Senate concurrent resolution honors Senator Robert A. Starr of the Orleans District for his decades of distinguished public service in Vermont. The document recognizes his long career in local government, including roles on the town zoning board, school board, and civil authority, as well as his extensive legislative service spanning over 45 years. It highlights his leadership on agricultural issues, particularly dairy farming, and his work supporting Vermont's farmland preservation efforts. The resolution directs the Secretary of State to send a copy of the document to Senator Starr as an official acknowledgment of his contributions.
This bill is a Senate concurrent resolution that honors Senator Richard McCormack for his dedicated service in the Vermont Senate. It recognizes his 35 years of representing the Windsor Senate District, his work as an environmentalist and educator, and his leadership roles including Senate Committee on Natural Resources and Energy Chair. The resolution formally acknowledges his contributions to public service and directs the Secretary of State to send a copy of the document to Senator McCormack. This type of legislative action serves as a formal recognition rather than creating new laws or policies.
This bill designates May 5-11, 2024, as National Correctional Officers and Employees Week in Vermont to honor the work of correctional staff. It directly affects correctional officers, employees, and related state agencies by formally recognizing their roles in maintaining security, supervising daily operations, and supporting rehabilitation within the state's correctional system. The resolution requires the Secretary of State to send copies to the Commissioner of Corrections, facility superintendents, and the Vermont State Employees' Association. This is a ceremonial recognition that does not create new laws, funding, or operational changes.
This bill designates the bear's head tooth mushroom (Hericium Americanum) as Vermont's official State Mushroom. It adds a new section to the Vermont Statutes Annotated to formally recognize this specific mushroom species as a state symbol. The legislation was passed by both legislative chambers and signed into law by the Governor to acknowledge the mushroom's popularity among foragers and its presence in Vermont's natural environment.
This bill creates a new criminal offense for intentionally removing or tampering with a condom during a sexual act when the other person consented to the act with the understanding that a condom would be used. The law applies to any person who performs this action in a way that makes the condom ineffective for its intended purpose. People harmed by this violation can sue for money damages, including punitive damages, plus legal fees and court costs. The law takes effect on July 1, 2024.
This bill directs the Vermont Sentencing Commission to review and update legal definitions related to sexual exploitation, lewdness, prostitution, and sexual assault within specific state statutes. The Commission will examine how terms like "sexual conduct" and "sexual act" are currently defined across multiple chapters of the Vermont Statutes Annotated. The agency must submit its recommendations to the state's Senate and House Judiciary Committees by December 1, 2024, for further legislative consideration. This measure aims to ensure consistency and clarity in how these offenses are defined and applied in Vermont law.
