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Vermont Bills

Track legislation and stay informed about the bills that matter to you.

State Legislature US Congress
All 8,295 Active 4,786 In committee 1,729 Passed 2,509 Signed 952 Failed 8

Bill results

introduced · Vermont · House Jan 12, 2024

H 787: An act relating to an excise tax on the sale of firearms and ammunition

This bill proposes a new 11 percent excise tax on the retail sale of firearms, firearm precursor parts, and ammunition in Vermont, which would be paid by sellers at the time of each transaction. The tax applies to both licensed firearm dealers and ammunition vendors, with licensed dealers required to collect the tax during background checks and remit it quarterly to the state. All revenue generated from this tax would be deposited into the Domestic and Sexual Violence Special Fund, which supports grants for domestic and sexual violence prevention services. The legislation excludes transfers exempt from background checks, such as those to law enforcement agencies or immediate family members, and would take effect on July 1, 2025.
Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill creates new excise tax to fund Domestic and Sexual Violence Special Fund, directly advancing budget/fiscal management through revenue generation for public services.90% confidence
Rey Garofano (D) Karen Dolan (D) Alyssa Black (D) · 36 co-sponsors
introduced · Vermont · Senate Jan 12, 2024

S 261: An act relating to liability for the release of perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances

This bill establishes strict liability for any person who releases perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances, commonly known as PFAS, from large facilities in Vermont. It directly affects businesses and organizations operating large-scale industrial facilities that manufacture, process, use, or store these chemicals, as well as the manufacturers of the PFAS themselves. Under the bill, any individual or entity responsible for releasing PFAS from a qualifying large facility must be held fully responsible for any resulting personal injury or property damage, regardless of whether the release was intentional or accidental. The law also allows those held liable to seek financial contribution from the PFAS manufacturer and does not replace existing legal remedies available under current laws.
Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill establishes strict liability for PFAS releases, strengthening environmental protection and pollution control measures.95% confidence
Brian Campion (D) · 2 co-sponsors
passed both · Vermont · House Jan 12, 2024

HCR 132: House concurrent resolution congratulating the 2023 Georgia Elementary and Middle School Chargers seventh- and eighth-grade girls’ softball team on its exciting, undefeated season

This legislative resolution congratulates the 2023 Georgia Elementary and Middle School Chargers seventh- and eighth-grade girls' softball team for their undefeated 13-0 season. The document formally recognizes the individual players and their head coach, Seth Hungerford, for their athletic achievements and mentoring. It directs the Secretary of State to send a copy of the resolution to the school, serving as an official acknowledgment of the team's success.
Carolyn Branagan (R) · 12 co-sponsors
passed both · Vermont · House Jan 12, 2024

HCR 133: House concurrent resolution congratulating the 2023 Thetford Academy Panthers’ Division III baseball championship team

This bill is a House concurrent resolution that formally congratulates the 2023 Thetford Academy Panthers' Division III baseball championship team. It recognizes the team's achievement of winning their first baseball title in 37 years with a 6-0 victory over the White River Valley School Wildcats. The resolution names the individual players and coaches who contributed to the team's success and directs the Secretary of State to send a copy of the resolution to Thetford Academy.
Jim Masland (D) Rebecca Holcombe (D) Mark MacDonald (D) · 3 co-sponsors
in committee · Vermont · House Jan 11, 2024

H 690: An act relating to establishing community restitution as a sentencing alternative

This bill would reinstate community restitution as a sentencing option for people convicted of crimes in Vermont. It directs the Department of Corrections to create rules for this program and ensure it is available across all 14 counties with proper staffing and funding. Under the bill, courts could order offenders to perform structured work for municipalities, state agencies, or local nonprofits as an alternative to other sentencing options like probation or jail time. The program would allow individuals to make amends to their communities through labor while remaining under correctional supervision.
Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill introduces community restitution as a sentencing alternative, promoting rehabilitation and reducing reliance on incarceration.85% confidence
Martin LaLonde (D) Michelle Bos-Lun (D) · 8 co-sponsors
introduced · Vermont · House Jan 11, 2024

H 740: An act relating to inclusive curricular standards for the sciences, arts, and humanities

This bill requires public schools and approved independent schools in Vermont to include instruction on the history and contributions of marginalized groups in science, arts, and humanities courses. It specifically mandates coverage of Native Americans, LGBTQ+ individuals, people with disabilities, various racial and ethnic backgrounds, different socioeconomic statuses, immigrants, refugees, and diverse religious backgrounds. The State Board of Education must develop specific standards and performance measures for this content by July 1, 2025, and schools must begin implementing these requirements in the 2025-2026 school year. The instruction must be age-appropriate and integrated into existing courses with established student performance standards.
Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill expands inclusive curricular standards to include marginalized groups, enhancing educational access and diversity in K-12 science, arts, and humanities instruction.92% confidence ✓ ImmigrationSupports ImmigrationBill mandates inclusion of immigrants' history and contributions in public school curricula, promoting immigrant integration and recognition.75% confidence
Kate McCann (D) · 11 co-sponsors
introduced · Vermont · House Jan 11, 2024

H 734: An act relating to establishing a residency requirement for the General Assistance Emergency Housing Program and the emergency housing transition benefit

This bill requires that individuals living in Vermont for at least one year before applying for emergency housing assistance. It directly affects people seeking help through the General Assistance Emergency Housing Program and the emergency housing transition benefit. The Department for Children and Families would need to update its rules to enforce this one-year residency requirement. The change would take effect immediately upon the bill's passage.
Topics ✗ HousingOpposes HousingBill imposes residency requirement limiting access to emergency housing assistance, restricting housing support for vulnerable populations.85% confidence ✗ ImmigrationOpposes ImmigrationBill restricts access to emergency housing assistance by imposing a one-year residency requirement, which disproportionately affects new immigrants who may not yet meet this threshold.75% confidence
Jim Carroll (D)
introduced · Vermont · House Jan 11, 2024

H 737: An act relating to the appointment of State Board of Education members

This bill establishes a new appointment system for Vermont's State Board of Education, which consists of ten members representing educators, parents, and students. Under the proposed changes, the Governor would appoint four members including two secondary students, the Senate Committee on Committees would appoint three members, and the Speaker of the House would appoint three members. The bill also sets six-year terms for non-student members with no eligibility for successive terms, requires biennial appointments in February, and includes provisions for filling vacancies and selecting a board chair. A transition period outlined in the bill ensures current board members can finish their terms while new appointments follow the new distribution rules starting July 1, 2024.
Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill reformulates State Board of Education appointments to include student and parent representation, enhancing educational governance and stakeholder involvement.85% confidence
Mary-Katherine Stone (D) · 3 co-sponsors
introduced · Vermont · House Jan 11, 2024

H 738: An act relating to the rights of school district and supervisory union employees to testify before a school board or supervisory union board

This bill protects school district and supervisory union employees from disciplinary action when they testify before school boards, supervisory union boards, or state education agencies. It amends existing state law to explicitly include these local and state education venues where employees can speak without fear of punishment from their employers. However, the law maintains that employees cannot share confidential information about the school district or its students and staff, and they must clarify they are not speaking on behalf of their employer unless authorized to do so. The changes take effect on July 1, 2024, ensuring employees can participate in public testimony while protecting sensitive information.
Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill protects educators from retaliation when testifying, supporting teacher rights and educational governance.90% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentBill protects school employees from disciplinary action when testifying, strengthening worker rights and free speech protections in the workplace.90% confidence
Bill Canfield (R) · 6 co-sponsors
introduced · Vermont · House Jan 11, 2024

H 735: An act relating to exemptions for food manufacturing establishments

This bill exempts small food manufacturing businesses from paying licensing fees if their annual gross receipts are $50,000 or less. It also allows individuals to sell bakery products from their home kitchens without licensing requirements if their weekly sales do not exceed $962. The changes apply to both non-bakery food processors and home bakers, removing the need for them to pay fees to the state Department. These exemptions take effect on July 1, 2024, and are intended to reduce regulatory burdens on smaller food operations.
Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill provides tax relief by exempting small food businesses from licensing fees, reducing regulatory burden and costs for small enterprises.85% confidence
Jim Carroll (D)
introduced · Vermont · House Jan 11, 2024

H 736: An act relating to requiring approved independent schools to confirm compliance with the Vermont Public Accommodations Act

This bill requires approved independent schools in Vermont to annually confirm compliance with the state's Public Accommodations Act, which prohibits discrimination. Schools must submit two specific items to the State Board of Education each year: proof that their nondiscrimination statement is posted online and included in application materials, and a signed assurance from the school head that the school follows the law in all admissions and operations. The requirement applies to all approved independent schools regardless of whether they hold external accreditation. The new reporting obligation takes effect on July 1, 2024.
Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill strengthens educational access by requiring schools to comply with nondiscrimination laws, ensuring fair admissions and operations for all students.85% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentBill strengthens worker protections by requiring schools to comply with nondiscrimination laws in admissions and operations, ensuring fair treatment for employees and applicants.75% confidence
Mary-Katherine Stone (D) · 3 co-sponsors
introduced · Vermont · House Jan 11, 2024

H 746: An act relating to unemployment insurance eligibility and benefits

This bill modifies Vermont's unemployment insurance rules to help workers who earn low wages or work in non-teaching roles at educational institutions. It changes how benefits are calculated by excluding low-earning work from the earnings used to determine benefit amounts, and it expands eligibility for workers in non-instructional positions at schools during breaks between academic terms. The bill also clarifies that individuals who work in administrative or support roles at educational institutions can receive unemployment benefits during summer breaks and holidays if they have a contract to return to work in the next term. These changes aim to provide more consistent income support for workers whose employment is tied to the academic calendar or who earn wages below the threshold for full-time benefits.
Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill protects workers in educational institutions by modifying unemployment insurance, supporting non-teaching staff and ensuring financial stability for educational sector employees.75% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentBill expands unemployment insurance eligibility and benefits for low-wage workers and non-teaching staff, strengthening worker protections and financial security.90% confidence
Dennis LaBounty (D)
Showing 2,197 to 2,208 of 8,295 bills
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