Vermont Bills | MyRepTracker

introduced · Vermont · Senate Jan 22, 2026

S 290: An act relating to no net loss of State lands used for hunting and fishing

S.290 requires Vermont's Secretary of Natural Resources to ensure no net loss of state-owned or controlled lands available for hunting or fishing by July 1, 2026. If lands are closed to these activities (except for management, safety, or legal reasons), the Secretary must acquire replacement land within 25 miles that allows the same uses. The bill mandates annual reports to legislative committees detailing acreage closed, opened for replacement, and total available land. This directly affects state land management agencies and public access for hunters and anglers. (Effective July 1, 2026)

Topics ✓ Environment

introduced · Vermont · House Jan 22, 2026

H 751: An act relating to telecommunications siting

H.751 requires telecommunications companies to obtain permits from District Commissions for new facilities, including 5G small cell antennas. It repeals the previous certificate system and mandates specific safety rules: facilities must be at least 2,000 feet from residences, schools, hospitals, and parks; limit radiation to -75 dBm or 0.1 watts ERP; and require annual compliance certifications by licensed engineers. The bill directly affects telecom providers building infrastructure and aims to standardize siting rules for public safety and transparency. Key provisions include visible RF radiation labels on poles and annual monitoring reports for all radiating antennas.

Topics ✗ Technology

introduced · Vermont · House Jan 22, 2026

H 759: An act relating to a flat income tax

H.759 proposes replacing Vermont's current complex tax system - including income, sales, property, and estate taxes - with a single flat income tax. It would repeal 12 existing tax types (like education property tax, sales tax, and estate taxes) and simplify tax filing for all Vermont residents and businesses. The bill includes targeted relief for low-income households and rural communities to offset potential regressive impacts, while aiming to fund essential services like education and infrastructure through the new system. This change would affect every Vermont taxpayer subject to income tax, with specific adjustments to taxable income calculations outlined in the bill.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes

introduced · Vermont · Senate Jan 22, 2026

S 292: An act relating to granting public higher education employees the right to strike

This bill (S.292) would amend Vermont law to grant public higher education employees statewide the right to strike, which they currently do not have under state labor law. It directly affects employees at all public colleges and universities in Vermont (including Vermont State Colleges and the University of Vermont, which are currently exempt from the strike ban). The key mechanism is amending two sections of law: removing the prohibition on strikes for these employees in §903 and revising §962 to clarify that striking is not an unfair labor practice for them. The change would take effect on July 1, 2026.

Topics ✓ Education ✓ Labor & Employment

introduced · Vermont · Senate Jan 22, 2026

S 295: An act relating to Group membership in the State Employees’ Retirement System

This bill amends Vermont's State Employees' Retirement System membership definitions, primarily updating Group G eligibility. It adds three new job categories to Group G: Department of Corrections facility employees providing direct security/treatment, justice-involved youth facility staff, and Vermont Psychiatric Care Hospital patient care workers. It also expands Group G eligibility for sheriffs and deputy sheriffs who hold Level II/III law enforcement certification, perform law enforcement as their primary duty, and work for county sheriff's departments participating in the retirement system. The bill also clarifies existing Group C membership rules for certain public safety employees.

Topics ✓ Labor & Employment

introduced · Vermont · Senate Jan 22, 2026

S 293: An act relating to brownfields redevelopment of the Upper Valley Regional Landfill

This bill appropriates $143,000 from the General Fund to the Agency of Natural Resources for a grant to the Green Mountain Economic Development Corporation (GMEDC). The funds will cover GMEDC's costs to reinitiate brownfields redevelopment at the Upper Valley Regional Landfill in Post Mills, Thetford, specifically for a probate proceeding to appoint GMEDC as administrator. This facilitates transferring the landfill site to new ownership for redevelopment. The grant is for fiscal year 2027 and directly affects GMEDC and the landfill site's future use.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Environment

introduced · Vermont · House Jan 22, 2026

H 756: An act relating to termination of residential rental agreements based on criminal activity and increased penalties for crimes within a dwelling

H.756 shortens the notice period landlords must give tenants for termination based on criminal activity, drug use, human trafficking, or violence from 30 days to 7 days. It requires landlords to notify housing authorities within 48 hours when terminating a tenant receiving housing assistance, and to alert law enforcement "as soon as practicable" about suspected human trafficking. The bill also mandates defendants in eviction cases respond to complaints within 5 business days and allows expedited hearings for cases involving suspected criminal activity. Additionally, it increases maximum penalties for human trafficking and drug violations in dwellings to 10 years in prison or $500,000 fines, and creates a landlord assistance program for financial support.

Topics ✗ Housing

introduced · Vermont · House Jan 22, 2026

H 743: An act relating to increasing the State minimum wage based on the livable wage

This bill increases Vermont's minimum wage to $18.60 per hour starting July 1, 2026, based on the state's defined "livable wage" (the hourly rate needed for a full-time worker in shared housing with employer health coverage to cover basic needs). Future annual increases will be set at the smaller of 5% or the Consumer Price Index (CPI-U) change from the previous year, rounded to the nearest cent. It directly affects all employers in Vermont who pay the minimum wage, including businesses with low-wage workers across sectors like retail, hospitality, and agriculture. The change replaces the current $12.55 minimum wage and aligns future adjustments with inflation data.

Topics ✓ Housing ✓ Labor & Employment

introduced · Vermont · House Jan 22, 2026

H 755: An act relating to false or misleading advertisements

This bill prohibits Vermont businesses from spreading false or misleading advertisements to consumers. It requires all ads to be written in clear, easy-to-understand language that is prominently displayed. The law aligns with federal standards under the FTC Act and gives Vermont's Attorney General authority to create rules for enforcement. It directly affects any business running advertisements in Vermont, including those in real estate transactions.

introduced · Vermont · House Jan 22, 2026

H 752: An act relating to the Agency of Digital Services

H 752 requires Vermont's Agency of Digital Services to annually review all state government computer systems that make decisions (like benefits or permits) for cybersecurity risks and personal data vulnerabilities. The bill amends state law (sections 3303 and 3305) to mandate that the Agency's annual inventory of these systems include assessments of privacy risks and cybersecurity safeguards. If a system is found to pose significant risks, the Agency can formally request that state agencies terminate its use. This directly affects all Vermont state departments using automated decision systems that process personal data or make government decisions.

Topics ✓ Technology

introduced · Vermont · House Jan 22, 2026

H 754: An act relating to repeat violent offenders, assaults against a protected professional, and victim input on plea agreements

H.754 establishes stricter penalties for repeat violent offenders, requiring a mandatory minimum three-year prison term (with no parole or early release) for a third felony crime of violence conviction. It increases penalties for assaults against protected professionals (including police, firefighters, healthcare workers, and emergency personnel), with second offenses carrying up to 10 years in prison and aggravated assaults up to seven years. The bill also mandates that victims be notified and allowed to speak at plea hearings or sentencing regarding their views on the crime and restitution. These provisions directly affect defendants convicted of violent crimes, protected professionals, and victims in Vermont criminal cases.

Topics ✗ Criminal Justice

introduced · Vermont · House Jan 22, 2026

H 742: An act relating to providing legal representation in federal immigration proceedings

Vermont's H.742 would require the state to create a program providing free legal representation to people detained in Vermont during federal immigration proceedings. The program, managed by the Office of Defender General with two staff attorneys, would specifically assist "covered individuals" who are Vermont residents or detained in Vermont for immigration enforcement. It mandates funding for legal services including support staff, expert consultants, and social services to help immigrants navigate complex immigration court cases. This policy aims to address the current reality where most detained immigrants lack legal help, which significantly reduces their chances of winning release or relief from deportation.

Topics ✓ Immigration