This bill makes several changes to Vermont's education laws, primarily focusing on adult education programs, dual enrollment eligibility, and community school funding. It updates the Adult Diploma Program and GED Program to clarify eligibility requirements for adults seeking high school equivalency credentials, while repealing the older High School Completion Program. The legislation also expands dual enrollment program eligibility to include students who have completed grade 10 but lack a high school diploma, provided they meet specific preparation criteria. Additionally, the bill establishes funding mechanisms for community schools, requiring recipients to conduct needs assessments and hire coordinators to implement programs that address student support and family engagement. These changes aim to streamline adult education pathways and improve resource allocation for community-based educational initiatives.
This bill designates April 5, 2024, as Civilian Conservation Corps Day in Vermont to honor the historical significance of the CCC program. The resolution recognizes the CCC's role during the Great Depression in providing employment, education, and public works projects that benefited the nation and Vermont specifically. It directs the Secretary of State to send a copy of the resolution to the National Civilian Conservation Day Coordinator. The measure is ceremonial in nature and does not create new laws or change existing policies.
This legislative resolution commemorates Vermont's April 8, 2024 total solar eclipse, a rare astronomical event visible across much of the state. It officially recognizes the historic nature of the eclipse, noting that the last total solar eclipse visible in Vermont occurred nearly a century ago in 1932. The resolution directs the Secretary of State to send a copy of the document to the Vermont Space Grant Consortium and the Fairbanks Museum and Planetarium, which are partners in educating the public about the event. This ceremonial measure serves to acknowledge the significance of the eclipse for Vermont residents and visitors rather than to change any laws or policies.
This bill updates Vermont's career and technical education (CTE) system to ensure all students from grades six through 12 have meaningful access to career preparation programs. It requires schools to provide career exposure visits for middle schoolers, offer exploratory CTE courses for high school freshmen and sophomores, and create comprehensive career development policies for all secondary students. The legislation also establishes new oversight standards for CTE centers, mandates regular evaluations of program quality and facility conditions, and ensures isolated rural districts can access CTE programs in neighboring states with transportation and tuition support. Additionally, the bill directs the state to include CTE centers in future construction aid funding and requires the education secretary to develop a model career development policy within a year.
This bill directs approximately $900 million in state funding over nine years to address Vermont's housing shortage by supporting a range of programs for low-income, middle-income, and vulnerable residents including those experiencing homelessness, with disabilities, or facing eviction. The legislation establishes new programs to provide grants and forgivable loans to landlords for rehabilitating rental units, with requirements that properties remain affordable and cannot be used for short-term rentals during the funding period. It also creates a priority allocation system that balances affordable housing goals with the conservation of agricultural and natural lands, while expanding support for emergency shelter, permanent supportive housing, and manufactured home communities. The bill requires landlords receiving funding to contribute matching funds and mandates public transparency through quarterly reporting of grant recipients and affordability terms.
This bill directs the Vermont legislature to adjourn on Friday, April 5, 2024, and reconvene no later than Tuesday, April 9, 2024. It applies to both the Senate and House of Representatives, establishing a specific weekend break in legislative sessions. The resolution sets a clear schedule for when lawmakers will pause their work and when they must return to resume official duties. This procedural measure ensures a standardized adjournment period during the specified dates.
This bill designates April 3, 2024, as Prevention Day in Vermont to recognize efforts to prevent substance misuse. It directly affects community organizations, youth, and prevention groups working to address alcohol, marijuana, tobacco, and other substance use issues. The resolution directs the Secretary of State to send a copy of the document to Prevention Works!VT, the organization that hosts the annual event. This is a ceremonial measure that acknowledges the importance of substance misuse prevention rather than creating new laws or policies.
This bill creates a new 5% assessment fee for video streaming service providers in Vermont that earn more than $250,000 annually from streaming services. The fee is calculated based on the provider's gross receipts from customers located in the state and must be reported to the state tax commissioner by April 15 each year. The legislation defines covered services as video programming displayed for a fee on a subscription basis, while excluding cable television and certain revenue types like refunds, telecommunications services, and bundled charges. Collected funds are intended to support public benefits and services, particularly those in the communications sector, though the specific allocation details are not outlined in this text.
This bill aims to address court backlogs and improve access to justice in Vermont by increasing funding for legal services and adjusting corporate tax calculations. It establishes a surcharge on criminal fines and traffic penalties, directing portions of the revenue to victim compensation and domestic violence support funds. The legislation also modifies how corporate income is calculated for state tax purposes, specifically adjusting what counts as taxable income by adding back certain deductions and interest income. These changes are designed to provide more resources to legal aid organizations and victim services while ensuring corporations pay taxes based on a broader definition of their financial capacity.
This bill amends the Town of Essex charter to change the official fiscal year from July 1 to June 30. The change affects the town's financial planning and budgeting cycles by adjusting the start and end dates of its fiscal year. The amendment was approved by the legislature and signed into law by the Governor in March 2024. This adjustment aligns the town's fiscal calendar with other Vermont municipalities that operate on a July 1 to June 30 fiscal year.
This bill is a ceremonial resolution that honors Steve Mason, a former member of the Lowell School Board and North Country Supervisory Union Board in Vermont. It recognizes his 19-year chairmanship of the Lowell School Board and eight years on the supervisory union board for his leadership and commitment to education. The resolution directs the Secretary of State to send a copy of the document to Mason as a formal acknowledgment of his service. This type of bill does not change laws or policies but serves to publicly acknowledge an individual's contributions to their community.
This bill approves the adoption of a new town charter for Waterbury, Vermont, which was previously voted on by local residents. The charter establishes a new municipal manager with authority to hire, appoint, discipline, and remove town employees, while also authorizing the Selectboard to levy a one percent local option tax on sales, meals, alcoholic beverages, and hotel rooms. Additionally, the act reorganizes the state's municipal code by redesignating chapters for several other towns to accommodate Waterbury's new charter. The legislation takes effect immediately upon passage and was signed into law by the Governor in March 2024.
