Vermont Bills

passed both · Vermont · House Mar 15, 2024

HCR 178: House concurrent resolution congratulating Lena Delores Baker on her 100th birthday

This bill is a House concurrent resolution that formally congratulates Lena Delores Baker on reaching her 100th birthday. It recognizes her life story, which includes surviving infancy, working as a nurse's aide and storm desk operator, and maintaining a 71-year marriage. The resolution directs the Secretary of State to send a copy of the document to Baker as an official acknowledgment of her milestone. This type of legislative action is ceremonial and does not change laws or policies.

passed both · Vermont · House Mar 15, 2024

HCR 176: House concurrent resolution congratulating Kristi Lefebvre Huizenga of Colchester on her 2024 induction into the Vermont Sports Hall of Fame

This bill is a ceremonial resolution that formally congratulates Kristi Lefebvre Huizenga of Colchester on her 2024 induction into the Vermont Sports Hall of Fame. It recognizes her achievements as a former soccer player and current coach, highlighting her accomplishments at the high school, collegiate, and professional levels. The resolution directs the Secretary of State to send a copy of the document to Ms. Huizenga as an official acknowledgment of her induction.

passed both · Vermont · House Mar 15, 2024

HCR 177: House concurrent resolution recognizing March as Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month in Vermont

This bill formally recognizes March as Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month in Vermont. It directly affects Vermont residents by highlighting the importance of colorectal cancer screening and education. The resolution directs the Secretary of State to send copies to the American Cancer Society of Vermont and the University of Vermont's Larner College of Medicine. It does not create new laws or funding but serves as an official state acknowledgment of the health issue.

Topics ✓ Healthcare

passed both · Vermont · House Mar 15, 2024

HCR 173: House concurrent resolution in memory of former Castleton State College Dean of Education Honoree Fleming

This bill is a memorial resolution honoring Honoree Fleming, a former Dean of Education at Castleton State College who was tragically killed in 2023. The resolution expresses the General Assembly's sympathy to her family and directs the Secretary of State to send copies of the document to her family, the Castleton Town Clerk, and the university president. It does not create new laws or policies but serves as a formal acknowledgment of her life and contributions to education and science. The measure was adopted by both the House and Senate without requiring a vote on the main text.

Jarrod Sammis (N) · 46 co-sponsors

passed both · Vermont · House Mar 15, 2024

HCR 167: House concurrent resolution commemorating the centennial of U.S. Navy Torpedoman 2nd Class Henry Breault’s becoming the first submariner to receive the Medal of Honor

This House concurrent resolution commemorates the 100th anniversary of U.S. Navy Torpedoman 2nd Class Henry Breault becoming the first submariner to receive the Medal of Honor. The document honors Breault's heroic act of returning to a sinking submarine to rescue a trapped crewmate, an event that occurred on October 28, 1923, when his vessel collided with a commercial ship in the Panama Canal. The resolution formally recognizes this historical milestone and directs the Secretary of State to send copies of the document to the Submarine Force Library and Museum and to historian Ryan Walker. This legislative action serves as a ceremonial acknowledgment of Breault's service and sacrifice rather than establishing new laws or policies.

Topics ✓ Veterans

Mike Morgan (R) · 39 co-sponsors

in committee · Vermont · House Mar 15, 2024

H 769: An act relating to establishing a baby bond trust program

This bill establishes the Vermont Baby Bond Trust, a state-administered fund designed to provide financial support to children born on or after July 1, 2024, who qualify for Medicaid or similar health coverage at birth. The program would allow eligible children to receive bonds that can be used for education, purchasing a home, starting a business, or contributing to retirement accounts once they reach adulthood. The trust would be managed by the State Treasurer, who would invest the funds to generate earnings while keeping the assets separate from general state funds and exempt from state taxes. Money in the trust would only be disbursed for approved purposes and would not count as income or assets when determining eligibility for other assistance programs.

Dan Noyes (D) · 71 co-sponsors

signed · Vermont · House Mar 15, 2024

H 516: An act relating to approval of amendments to the charter of the City of Essex Junction

This bill formalizes amendments to the City of Essex Junction's charter that were previously approved by local voters in April 2023. The changes include stricter conflict of interest rules for city council members, who are now prohibited from holding city employment during their term and must wait one year before taking other compensated municipal roles. The bill also establishes a new one-year Moderator position to preside over annual meetings and clarifies the timing for scheduling annual council meetings and elections. Once signed into law, these provisions will update the official city charter to reflect the voters' decisions.

signed · Vermont · House Mar 15, 2024

H 839: An act related to fiscal year 2024 budget adjustments

This bill adjusts the state budget for fiscal year 2024 by increasing funding for various state agencies and programs. It directly affects departments including public safety, health services, cannabis regulation, and military air contracts by modifying their allocated spending amounts. The key mechanism involves updating specific budget sections to reflect new funding levels drawn from general funds, federal sources, special funds, and other revenue streams. These changes increase the total state budget from approximately $83 million to $85 million for public safety, and similarly adjust allocations for health access, Medicaid programs, and other services. The bill was signed into law by the Governor in March 2024.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Healthcare

passed both · Vermont · Senate Mar 15, 2024

SCR 11: Senate concurrent resolution congratulating Bag Balm on the company’s 125th anniversary

This Senate concurrent resolution formally congratulates Bag Balm on its 125th anniversary. The bill recognizes the company's history, from its 1899 invention as a cow udder moisturizer to its current status as a consumer product sold in various forms. It directs the Secretary of State to send a copy of the resolution to Bag Balm's president, Libby Parent. The document serves as a commemorative acknowledgment rather than a law with regulatory or financial implications.

in committee · Vermont · House Mar 14, 2024

H 673: An act relating to Vermont’s outdoor recreation economy

This bill directs the Vermont Outdoor Recreation Economic Collaborative to conduct a statewide study on the economic impact of outdoor recreation, including analysis of county-level effects, investment returns, and growth opportunities. It creates a new full-time program support specialist position at the Vermont Trails and Greenways Council to manage operations, assess community needs, and provide technical assistance to trail organizations. Additionally, the bill appropriates funds to develop universal best management practices for recreational trails, ensuring public access trails are built and maintained to consistent high standards across the state.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Environment

in committee · Vermont · House Mar 14, 2024

H 140: An act relating to requirements for State-funded grants

This bill requires the Secretary of Administration to create standard, accessible grant application and reporting forms for all state-funded grants to municipalities, nonprofits, businesses, and individuals. It also mandates the development of a statewide database listing all state grant programs available to municipalities, funded with $35,000 in fiscal year 2024. The legislation establishes a uniform approval process for higher indirect cost rates for nonprofit corporations and requires regular progress reports to state committees. These changes aim to simplify grant processes and improve transparency for entities seeking state funding.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes

signed · Vermont · House Mar 14, 2024

H 849: An act relating to technical corrections for the 2024 legislative session

This bill makes technical corrections to various state laws, including updates to administrative procedures, public records rules, and environmental regulations. It directly affects state agencies, public employees, and organizations by clarifying how hearings are conducted, how personal information in public comments is protected, and how certain construction projects are permitted. Key provisions amend statutes related to employee benefit contributions, abandoned vessel removal, product tax incentives, and corporate naming requirements. The bill does not create new programs or policies but instead refines existing legal language to improve clarity and consistency across multiple areas of state law.

Bill results