This Vermont bill prohibits the sale and distribution of flushable wipes statewide starting January 1, 2025. The law defines flushable wipes as disposable cleaning products labeled as flushable, sewer safe, or septic safe, and bans their sale by any person or business. Violations carry a fine of up to $2,500 for a single offense, with additional daily fines of up to $100 for continuing violations after notification. The measure directly affects retailers, distributors, and consumers who currently purchase wipes marketed for toilet disposal.
This bill establishes an extended producer responsibility program in Vermont to manage the collection and recycling of waste motor vehicle tires, primarily affecting tire manufacturers and retailers. The legislation requires manufacturers to either implement an approved waste tire stewardship plan or participate in a registered stewardship organization before they can sell tires in the state starting January 1, 2026. Manufacturers must register with the Agency of Natural Resources by July 1, 2025, and pay associated fees to comply with the program. The bill also defines specific terms such as waste tire, motor vehicle, and legacy waste tire piles to clarify the scope of the new regulations.
This bill would allow prosecutors to charge individuals with murder or manslaughter if their actions result in the death of a fetus, while also permitting such charges in cases of drunk driving or grossly negligent driving that cause fetal death. The legislation specifically excludes abortions and routine medical procedures from these provisions, and clarifies that the law does not change the legal status or rights of a fetus. It would apply the same penalties for fetal deaths as for adult deaths in homicide and vehicle-related cases, including enhanced sentences for repeat offenders. The bill was introduced by Senators Williams and Starr and referred to the Judiciary Committee for review.
This bill directs Vermont's Agency of Human Services to request federal approval to allow people up to age 40 to purchase catastrophic health plans, which are currently limited to those under 30. The legislation aims to address rising health insurance costs and higher uninsured rates among young adults by providing access to lower-premium insurance options. If approved, the waiver would take effect on January 1, 2025, allowing eligible Vermonters to enroll in these plans during open enrollment periods. The bill does not change existing insurance laws but seeks to modify eligibility criteria for a specific type of coverage under federal guidelines.
This bill creates a temporary Study Committee on Dam Emergency Action Planning to examine how Vermont can improve regional emergency planning for dam failures. The committee would include representatives from the legislature, state agencies, regional planning commissions, and dam owners to review current responsibilities and funding for emergency preparedness. Its main tasks involve identifying high-hazard dams, recommending who should develop regional emergency action plans, and estimating the costs for creating and implementing these plans. The committee must submit its findings and legislative recommendations by December 15, 2023, and will dissolve on March 1, 2024.
This bill creates a new Division of Animal Welfare within Vermont's Department of Public Safety to centralize and improve enforcement of state animal welfare laws. It establishes a Director position with specific qualifications to oversee investigations, develop standardized procedures for handling cruelty complaints, and coordinate care for seized animals. The legislation also creates an Animal Welfare Advisory Council with 15 appointed members representing various stakeholders including shelters, veterinarians, law enforcement, and the public. Additionally, the bill sets standards for animal shelters and rescue organizations and addresses requirements for importing and transporting animals into the state.
This bill requires Vermont municipalities to review housing development applications within 60 days, with failure to meet this deadline automatically approving the application. It also mandates that local governments determine if an application is complete within 15 days and must provide written reasons for any denials. The law applies to residential and multifamily housing projects and takes effect on July 1, 2024.
This bill would classify binary explosives, such as Tannerite, and similar two-component systems as legally defined explosives in Vermont. By amending the state's definitions of destructive devices and explosives, the legislation requires these compounds to be regulated under existing laws that govern traditional explosives. The change applies to anyone who possesses, sells, or uses these components, particularly when they are marketed together with instructions for combination. The bill takes effect on July 1, 2024, and does not alter regulations for standard firearms or ammunition components like primers or gunpowder.
This bill creates a new crime called land improvement fraud in Vermont, targeting contractors who deceive homeowners about construction or landscaping work. It applies to anyone performing work like driveway installation, tree removal, or forestry operations on residential or non-residential property, and it criminalizes actions such as failing to complete agreed-upon work, misrepresenting facts, or charging excessive prices during emergencies. People convicted of this crime face fines and jail time depending on the amount of financial loss caused, and they must either work under supervision of a licensed company or post a $50,000 surety bond to continue working in the industry. The bill also allows law enforcement to seize equipment used in fraudulent activities and requires convicted individuals to register with the Attorney General. Additionally, the legislation expands restrictions on timber trespass by requiring convicted offenders or those with civil judgments to post a bond before they can resume timber harvesting work.
This bill creates a pilot program to support antiracism and diversity work in Vermont schools by funding up to five Equity Teams in supervisory unions or school districts. The program would provide each team with a $10,000 stipend to review equity-related policies and curriculum, with team members including administrators, teachers, and students. An Equity Team Commission would oversee the pilot, select participating districts, and submit a report by September 2025 on the program's outcomes and potential for expansion. The initiative is funded through a $50,000 appropriation from the state General Fund and is scheduled to begin on July 1, 2024.
This bill requires all licensed Vermont educators to complete professional learning on evidence-based literacy instruction, with current teachers finishing by January 2025 and new teachers completing it within their second year of teaching. It also mandates that educator preparation programs be reviewed to ensure they teach evidence-based literacy practices and incorporates a new examination to test candidates on literacy fundamentals. Additionally, the bill extends the Advisory Council on Literacy through 2027 and transfers rulemaking authority for educator licensing from the Standards Board for Professional Educators to the Agency of Education. These changes aim to improve literacy outcomes for Vermont students by updating teacher training and oversight requirements.
This bill exempts accessory on-farm businesses from development permit requirements under Vermont's Act 250, allowing farmers to expand their operations without seeking state-level approval. The legislation defines accessory on-farm businesses as activities like processing and selling farm products, hosting educational events, or offering farm stays, provided more than 50% of sales come from products grown on-site. To qualify, the farm must follow required agricultural practices, the business must be operated by the farm owner or residents, and improvements cannot alter more than one acre of land. Municipalities retain the ability to adopt less restrictive rules, and the Secretary of Agriculture will provide training to help farms understand permit requirements for water and wastewater systems.
