This bill changes how Vermont school districts calculate their long-term membership numbers, which are used to determine education funding. It allows districts to use their current year's average daily membership if that number is higher than the average from the previous two years, instead of always using the two-year average. The change also applies to supervisory unions, which can use either their current year's membership or the average of the past three years, whichever is larger. This adjustment takes effect on July 1, 2024, and directly impacts how state funding is distributed to school districts based on enrollment figures.
This bill requires Vermont's Division of Liquor Control to conduct regular compliance checks on all alcohol beverage licensees to verify they are following state laws regarding alcohol sales. Under the new rule, each licensed establishment must be inspected at least once every two years to ensure they are not selling alcohol to minors or violating other regulations. The legislation includes a $200,000 appropriation from the state General Fund in fiscal year 2025 to support these enforcement activities. The changes are scheduled to take effect on July 1, 2024, and apply to all first-, second-, third-, and fourth-class alcohol licensees in Vermont.
This bill requires courts in Vermont to automatically seal all eviction records, treating them as if the eviction never occurred for most purposes. The law prohibits landlords, employers, and other entities from using sealed eviction records when screening applicants for housing, credit, or employment, with limited exceptions for judgments involving nonpayment of rent or lease breaches that remain unsealed for up to three years. Landlords and tenants may agree to keep records sealed even after a judgment, and courts must provide access to sealed records only to parties involved in the case, their attorneys, legal aid organizations, or those with specific court orders. Existing eviction records currently on file must be sealed by June 30, 2024, and the law takes effect on July 1, 2024.
This bill establishes a standardized process for removing members from Vermont state boards and commissions when no specific removal rules already exist. It requires the appointing authority to provide written reasons for removal and allow the member a chance to respond before taking action. Additionally, the bill mandates that any resulting vacancy must be filled within 60 days by the appropriate appointing official. The law applies to all state boards and commissions unless existing statutes already outline different removal procedures.
This bill creates a public directory of tobacco substitutes, such as e-cigarettes, that are legally allowed for sale in Vermont. It requires manufacturers to annually certify to the state that their products have received federal approval from the Food and Drug Administration or are under review, and to pay fees for each product listed. The Division of Liquor Control will maintain this online directory and can remove products that fail to meet certification requirements, after which those items become illegal to sell. Retailers, distributors, and wholesalers face daily fines and potential license suspensions if they sell tobacco substitutes not included in the directory. Manufacturers who falsely represent their product's status could face fines or imprisonment.
This bill would prohibit most individuals from possessing semiautomatic assault weapons in Vermont, with exceptions for law enforcement officers and active military personnel. It defines these weapons as semiautomatic rifles, pistols, or shotguns with specific features like detachable magazines and certain grip or stock configurations, while excluding manually operated firearms and those with limited magazine capacity. Violations could result in up to one year in prison, a $500 fine, or both. The law would take effect immediately upon passage.
This bill proposes to update how Vermont manages and delivers its workforce development programs based on recommendations from a special oversight committee. It directs the state to implement changes to the Vermont Workforce Expansion and Development Board's structure and operations as outlined in previous legislation. The act would take effect immediately upon passage, allowing the state to reorganize its workforce system without waiting for a new fiscal year.
This bill establishes a grant program within the Agency of Human Services to help municipalities and other organizations acquire or renovate existing buildings for permanent supportive housing. The program provides up to $4.5 million in funding for fiscal year 2025 and requires participating sites to include multiple studio apartments with kitchens and bathrooms, along with on-site support services from two staff members available at least eight hours daily. Eligible projects must prioritize individuals experiencing chronic homelessness, those recovering from mental health or substance use disorders, and other vulnerable populations, while also incorporating energy-efficient renovations and ensuring access to community services. The bill directs the agency to select proposals based on the greatest need for housing and the health and safety benefits for residents.
This bill authorizes Vermont municipalities to create and enforce local rules requiring owners to maintain buildings that pose risks to public health and safety. It allows towns and cities to compel cleaning or repairs of dangerous properties and establish specific health and safety standards for buildings within their jurisdiction. If a municipal official determines a building is uninhabitable or hazardous, the municipality can recover maintenance costs by placing a tax lien on the property, provided the owner receives proper notice and has access to an appeals process. The legislation applies to all incorporated towns, cities, and villages in Vermont and takes effect immediately upon passage.
This bill amends Vermont state law to expand the legal definition of a mobile home park to include communities where mobile home owners own their individual lots rather than renting them. The change clarifies that such owner-occupied communities should be treated similarly to traditional mobile home parks under existing housing regulations. It also specifies exclusions, such as storage lots, agricultural employer housing, and seasonal vacation sites, which remain outside the definition. The legislation would take effect on July 1, 2024, and primarily affects mobile home park owners, operators, and residents in Vermont.
This bill authorizes municipal stormwater utilities in Vermont to form cooperative agreements with other municipalities to share financial resources and establish joint ratemaking structures. It allows these utilities to collaborate on administrative matters and develop rates based on equivalent residential units calculated from impervious surface areas. The legislation also creates a grant program providing up to $100,000 to groups of cooperating municipalities outside Chittenden County for technical assistance in establishing utility governance and ratemaking. A total of $400,000 is appropriated in fiscal year 2025 to fund these grants, with the act taking effect on July 1, 2024.
This joint resolution establishes a formal meeting between the Vermont Senate and House of Representatives to hear the Governor's budget message. The legislation directs both legislative chambers to convene as a Joint Assembly on January 23, 2024, at 1:00 PM for this purpose. This procedural measure organizes the legislative schedule to ensure the Governor can present the state's budget proposal to elected officials. The resolution does not alter budget content or policy but sets the procedural framework for the budget presentation.
