Vermont Bills

passed both · Vermont · House Mar 1, 2024

HCR 166: House concurrent resolution congratulating the Essex High School Hornets girls’ volleyball team on winning its third consecutive State championship

This House concurrent resolution formally congratulates the Essex High School Hornets girls' volleyball team on winning their third consecutive state championship. The document acknowledges the team's achievement of winning 51 straight games and lists the players and coaches who earned this honor. It directs the Secretary of State to send a copy of the resolution to Essex High School as a gesture of recognition.

in committee · Vermont · House Mar 1, 2024

H 725: An act relating to the Human Rights Commission

This bill authorizes the Vermont Human Rights Commission to hire three new full-time staff positions in fiscal year 2025. The funding of $300,000 from the General Fund will cover salaries and benefits for an Education and Outreach Coordinator, an Intake Specialist, and a Staff Attorney Investigator. These roles are designed to expand the commission's capacity for public education, case intake, and legal investigation of discrimination complaints. The changes take effect on July 1, 2024, and directly affect the commission's operational staffing and budget.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Labor & Employment

Kevin Christie (D) · 21 co-sponsors

passed both · Vermont · House Feb 29, 2024

HCR 162: House concurrent resolution honoring Sergeant at Arms Janet Miller for her stellar public service for the General Assembly

This bill is a ceremonial resolution that honors Sergeant at Arms Janet Miller for her service to the Vermont General Assembly. It recognizes her long career, which includes managing security, coordinating events, and overseeing the Legislative Council before she was elected to her current role five times. The resolution also acknowledges her specific contributions during the COVID-19 pandemic, including helping the legislature transition back to in-person meetings. The bill directs the Secretary of State to send a copy of this honor to Janet Miller, who has announced her retirement effective March 1, 2024.

in committee · Vermont · House Feb 29, 2024

H 128: An act relating to removing regulatory barriers for working lands businesses

This bill aims to reduce regulatory hurdles for businesses operating on working lands in Vermont by modifying requirements under Act 250. It directly affects wood products manufacturers, small forest processors, and farms that run accessory businesses like agritourism or on-site product processing. The legislation would lower soil mitigation fees for wood manufacturers, exempt small sawmills and forest processors from needing permits, and clarify definitions to allow more on-farm activities without permits. Additionally, it would require larger electric generation facilities over 500 kilowatts to obtain an Act 250 permit. These changes seek to modernize regulations to support forest and agricultural industries while maintaining oversight on larger-scale developments.

Topics ✗ Environment

introduced · Vermont · House Feb 28, 2024

H 866: An act relating to adding xylazine to the list of regulated drugs

This bill would add xylazine, a veterinary sedative, to Vermont's list of regulated drugs. It directly affects individuals who possess, dispense, or sell the substance by making it illegal to do so outside of approved veterinary use. The key provision prohibits the non-veterinary handling of xylazine, treating it similarly to other controlled substances under state law. This change aims to increase oversight of the drug's availability and use within the state.

Topics ✓ Healthcare

in committee · Vermont · Senate Feb 28, 2024

PR 1: Elections; sheriffs; qualifications

This proposal would amend Vermont's state constitution to allow the General Assembly to set qualifications for sheriffs, who are currently elected without specific legal requirements. The change would give lawmakers the authority to establish rules such as requiring law enforcement certification for individuals running for or serving as sheriff. Sheriffs would continue to be elected by voters in their districts for four-year terms, but the amendment adds the possibility of future legal standards for the position. The measure does not mandate any specific qualifications immediately but creates the legal framework for the legislature to define them later.

Topics ✓ Criminal Justice

passed · Vermont · House Feb 28, 2024

H 132: An act relating to prohibiting discrimination against persons without homes

This bill expands anti-discrimination protections in Vermont by adding housing status, which includes homelessness, to the list of protected characteristics in state laws covering public accommodations, housing, employment, and land use decisions. The legislation prohibits businesses, landlords, employers, and government agencies from refusing service, denying housing, discriminating in employment, or making discriminatory housing advertisements based on whether a person is homeless or perceived to be homeless. By amending existing statutes across multiple areas, the bill ensures that individuals experiencing homelessness receive the same legal protections against unfair treatment as other protected groups. The changes apply to public accommodations, real estate transactions, employment practices, and land use permitting, requiring compliance from owners, operators, employers, and relevant agencies throughout the state.

Topics ✓ Housing ✓ Labor & Employment

introduced · Vermont · House Feb 27, 2024

H 864: An act relating to pilot projects expanding democratic practices in State and local government

This bill proposes launching pilot projects to expand democratic practices across Vermont state and local governments. It would create new neighborhood and regional planning assemblies, explore random selection of officials and deliberative group methods for public meetings, and provide paid time off to encourage voter participation. The legislation also includes grants for schools to use assemblies for decision-making and funding to educate the public on advocacy skills. These initiatives aim to increase citizen engagement in governance without mandating permanent structural changes.

Topics ✓ Education

introduced · Vermont · House Feb 27, 2024

H 865: An act relating to an income tax surcharge and tax policies relating to housing

This bill proposes creating a temporary 10-year income tax surcharge on earnings above $500,000, with the revenue directed to a state reserve fund. It would increase taxes on secondary home ownership, short-term property sales with significant profits, and rentals at above-market rates. The legislation also introduces tax incentives for landlords who allow tenants to purchase their rental units or rent at below-market rates. Additionally, the bill establishes a task force to develop further tax incentives and penalties aimed at promoting affordable housing.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Housing

introduced · Vermont · House Feb 27, 2024

H 863: An act relating to recommendations on the education and potential harms of deepfake technology

This bill directs Vermont's Agency of Digital Services to work with the Division of Artificial Intelligence and submit a report to the General Assembly by October 1, 2024. The report will provide recommendations on educating the public about deepfake technology risks, offering security resources to protect against misuse, addressing potential threats to state government operations, and evaluating the need for state-level regulation of deepfakes. Additionally, the report must assess how President Biden's recent executive order on artificial intelligence impacts the state. This measure focuses on gathering information and guidance rather than creating new laws or regulations at this time.

Topics ✓ Technology

passed both · Vermont · House Feb 27, 2024

HCR 161: House concurrent resolution honoring Newport City Council Chair John Wilson for his national and municipal public service

This bill is a ceremonial resolution that honors John Wilson, a former Newport City Council Chair, for his public service. It recognizes his military career in the U.S. Army, including service in Vietnam, and his long-term leadership on the Newport City Council where he chaired the body for 15 years. The resolution directs the Secretary of State to send a copy to John Wilson and the Newport City Clerk as a formal acknowledgment of his contributions.

Topics ✓ Veterans

passed both · Vermont · House Feb 27, 2024

HCR 160: House concurrent resolution in memory of veteran Pownal firefighter Kenneth Carlton O’Dell

This bill is a commemorative resolution honoring the life and service of Kenneth Carlton O'Dell, a veteran Pownal firefighter who served for 65 years. It formally extends condolences to O'Dell's family and directs the Secretary of State to send copies of the resolution to his family and the Pownal Fire Department. The document recognizes his extensive contributions to the community, including his work as a burner technician, cemetery superintendent, and volunteer firefighter. This legislative action serves as a formal acknowledgment of his public service rather than enacting new laws or policies.

Topics ✓ Veterans

Bill results