Vermont Bills

passed both · Vermont · Senate Jan 30, 2024

JRS 38: Joint resolution providing for a Joint Assembly for the election of an Adjutant and Inspector General, and two legislative Trustees of the Vermont State Colleges Corporation

This bill schedules a joint meeting of Vermont's Senate and House of Representatives to elect two state officials: an Adjutant and Inspector General, and two legislative Trustees for the Vermont State Colleges Corporation. The election is set for February 15, 2024, with the officials serving specific terms beginning March 1, 2024, and the legislation includes provisions to continue voting on subsequent days if the election is not completed on the scheduled date. This process directly affects the Vermont State Legislature and the leadership structure of the Vermont State Colleges Corporation. The bill is procedural in nature, focusing on the mechanics of filling these vacancies rather than changing substantive policy.

passed both · Vermont · House Jan 30, 2024

HCR 142: House concurrent resolution recognizing January 27, 2024 as International Holocaust Remembrance Day in Vermont

This bill recognizes January 27, 2024, as International Holocaust Remembrance Day in Vermont. It directs the Secretary of State to send a copy of the resolution to the Vermont Holocaust Memorial in Jeffersonville. The resolution includes background information about the Holocaust and recent antisemitic incidents to underscore the importance of Holocaust education. This is a ceremonial resolution that does not change laws or create new programs.

passed both · Vermont · Senate Jan 30, 2024

SCR 8: Senate concurrent resolution honoring those who assumed summer 2023 flood recovery leadership roles in Montpelier and Barre City

This Senate concurrent resolution honors the individuals and organizations that led flood recovery efforts in Montpelier and Barre City during the severe flooding of July 2023. The bill recognizes specific leaders who coordinated volunteer teams, established response hubs, and created relief funds to support affected residents and businesses. It directs the Secretary of State to send copies of the resolution to the named organizations and individuals as a formal acknowledgment of their contributions. The measure serves as a commemorative gesture rather than establishing new laws or policies.

passed both · Vermont · Senate Jan 30, 2024

SCR 9: Senate concurrent resolution commemorating the 175th anniversary of the chartering of the National Life Insurance Company

This Senate concurrent resolution commemorates the 175th anniversary of the National Life Insurance Company's original chartering in 1848. The bill directs the Secretary of State to send a copy of the resolution to the company's executive leadership as a formal acknowledgment of its history and contributions. It highlights the company's founding by notable figures like Henry Clay, its early operations in Vermont, and its recent charitable efforts during the 2023 floods. This legislative action serves as a ceremonial recognition rather than creating new laws or policies.

passed both · Vermont · Senate Jan 26, 2024

JRS 40: Joint resolution relating to weekend adjournment on January 26, 2024

This joint resolution directs the Vermont Senate and House of Representatives to adjourn on Friday, January 26, 2024, and reconvene no later than Tuesday, January 30, 2024. The measure applies specifically to the state legislature's schedule for that weekend period. It establishes a formal rule for when lawmakers will return to sessions after the Friday adjournment. This procedural action sets the timing for legislative business during the specified dates.

passed both · Vermont · House Jan 26, 2024

HCR 135: House concurrent resolution congratulating the 2023 Milton High School Division II Yellowjackets on winning the school’s 17th girls’ soccer state championship

This bill is a ceremonial resolution that congratulates the Milton High School girls' soccer team on winning their 17th state championship in 2023. It formally recognizes the team's achievement and directs the Secretary of State to send a copy of the resolution to the school. The document lists the players, coaches, and team manager who contributed to the victory, serving as an official acknowledgment of their accomplishment rather than establishing new policy or funding.

in committee · Vermont · House Jan 25, 2024

H 815: An act relating to health equity training in correctional facilities and to community-based mental health and substance use disorder services for detained or incarcerated individuals and individuals reentering the community

This bill creates a two-part pilot program to improve health outcomes for people involved with the justice system in Vermont. The first part provides $50,000 to train all correctional facility staff, contractors, and grant recipients in health equity practices, starting at the Chittenden Regional Correctional Facility. The second part allocates $1 million to fund community-based mental health and substance use disorder services for detained or incarcerated individuals, including telehealth visits, on-site case management, and support for reentry into the community. The pilot will run for three years with a required report submitted by October 1, 2025, to evaluate progress and recommend potential expansion.

Topics ✓ Criminal Justice ✓ Healthcare

passed both · Vermont · House Jan 25, 2024

HCR 141: House concurrent resolution honoring Director of Elections and Campaign Finance Will Senning for his superb public service

This bill is a ceremonial resolution honoring Will Senning, the Director of Elections and Campaign Finance in Vermont, for his public service. It recognizes his leadership in implementing election improvements such as earlier primary dates, expanded digital election processes, and enhanced vote-by-mail systems during the pandemic. The resolution also notes his work on election security, which led to his appointment as a regional security advisor for the U.S. Department of Homeland Security. The General Assembly formally thanks Senning and directs the Secretary of State to send him a copy of the resolution.

in committee · Vermont · House Jan 24, 2024

H 586: An act relating to flood protection and climate resilience infrastructure and financing

This bill creates a new Climate Infrastructure and Resilience Fund to provide loans and financing for projects that help communities adapt to climate change and protect against flooding. The fund will be managed by a board including state officials and appointed representatives, with money drawn from state cash balances, donations, and future legislative appropriations. It also adjusts how the Clean Water Fund distributes money, prioritizing projects that improve water quality, build climate resilience, and support ecological health. Additionally, the bill authorizes new staff positions across several state agencies to administer these programs and requires clean water service providers to prioritize projects that create climate-resilient communities.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Environment

Kari Dolan (D) · 24 co-sponsors

introduced · Vermont · House Jan 24, 2024

H 840: An act relating to specialty license plates for veterans

This bill directs Vermont's Department of Motor Vehicles to review existing specialty license plates for veterans and consider adding new designs based on branch of service or combat experience. The review must consult with the Office of Veterans' Affairs and other stakeholders while accounting for current plate numbers, program costs, and production expenses. The Department must submit a written report with its findings and any recommended legal changes to several state committees. This process aims to ensure the veteran plate program remains relevant and cost-effective without mandating specific plate designs.

Topics ✓ Veterans

in committee · Vermont · Senate Jan 24, 2024

S 257: An act relating to secondary enforcement of certain motor vehicle violations

This bill would require law enforcement officers in Vermont to detain a driver for a separate violation before issuing a ticket for specific motor vehicle infractions. It directly affects drivers who are pulled over and the officers who enforce traffic laws by changing how certain violations are handled. The law lists ten specific offenses, such as driving without a license, operating an uninspected vehicle, and having broken taillights, that can only be enforced as secondary violations. This means an officer must have a reason to stop the driver for another issue, like speeding or a broken taillight, before they can cite them for these particular offenses. The changes would take effect on July 1, 2024.

Topics ✗ Criminal Justice ✓ Transportation

vetoed · Vermont · House Jan 24, 2024

H 158: An act relating to the beverage container redemption system

This bill would modify Vermont's beverage container redemption system by allowing retailers and manufacturers operating in locations smaller than 5,000 square feet to refuse to redeem containers once a producer responsibility organization implements a public need stewardship plan. It also establishes annual reporting requirements for beverage container redemption rates across three categories and mandates a systems analysis to evaluate the costs, environmental impacts, and operational effects of expanding the redemption system. Additionally, the bill requires the Secretary of Natural Resources to submit a status report on the state's recycling infrastructure before any expansion occurs, ensuring adequate access and processing capacity for all Vermonters.

Topics ✓ Environment

Bill results