Vermont Bills

passed both · Vermont · Senate Jan 16, 2026

JRS 33: Joint resolution to provide for a Joint Assembly to hear the budget message of the Governor

This joint resolution (JRS 33) requires Vermont's Senate and House of Representatives to convene together on Tuesday, January 20, 2026, at 1:00 PM for a Joint Assembly. Its sole purpose is to formally hear the Governor's annual budget message. The resolution directly affects the legislature by setting a specific time and place for this required procedural meeting, with no policy changes or new laws enacted.

passed both · Vermont · House Jan 16, 2026

HCR 159: House concurrent resolution congratulating the 2025 Milton High School Yellowjackets Division II championship boys’ soccer team

This House Concurrent Resolution (HCR 159) formally congratulates the 2025 Milton High School Yellowjackets boys’ soccer team for winning the Division II state championship. It specifically recognizes their championship victory over Mt. Abraham in overtime at the D.G. Weaver Athletic Complex, as detailed in the resolution’s recitals. The resolution directs the Secretary of State to send a copy to Milton High School as a ceremonial gesture. This is a non-binding, symbolic resolution with no policy changes or direct impact on laws or regulations.

passed both · Vermont · Senate Jan 16, 2026

JRS 32: Joint resolution relating to weekend adjournment on January 16, 2026

This procedural joint resolution (JRS 32) directs Vermont's legislature to reconvene no later than Tuesday, January 20, 2026, if both chambers adjourn on Friday, January 16, 2026. It specifically adjusts the legislative schedule to avoid a weekend break following that adjournment date. The resolution applies solely to the timing of legislative sessions and does not create new laws or affect any constituents. It is a routine scheduling measure for the state legislature.

passed · Vermont · House Jan 15, 2026

HR 11: House resolution authorizing limited remote committee voting through the remainder of calendar year 2026

This Vermont House resolution (HR 11) allows members of House committees to vote remotely for up to three days total during 2026. Committee members must notify the chair and clerk before voting remotely, and their votes will count toward meeting quorum requirements. The committee clerk must track all remote votes and the number of days each member uses this option. The resolution applies only to House committee voting procedures and expires at the end of 2026.

passed · Vermont · House Jan 15, 2026

H 409: An act relating to appeals of orders denying bail revocation

H.409 updates Vermont's bail revocation rules to align with court rulings like *State v. Sauve*. It clarifies when a defendant’s bail can be revoked - such as repeated failures to appear in court or violating release conditions that disrupt prosecutions - and requires courts to find a "compelling State interest" before revoking bail. Prosecutors must prove violations by a "preponderance of evidence" (more likely than not), and courts must schedule a trial within 60 days of revocation if the defendant remains jailed. This directly affects defendants on pretrial release, prosecutors seeking revocation, and courts managing bail hearings.

Topics ✓ Criminal Justice

passed · Vermont · House Jan 15, 2026

H 28: An act relating to including an affirmation option in oath requirements in Titles 1–10 of the Vermont Statutes Annotated

This bill amends Vermont state laws to explicitly allow individuals to choose "affirmation" instead of "oath" in all legal contexts requiring such declarations, including government offices and professional licensing. It directly affects officials such as the Attorney General, Capitol Police officers, and licensing board members who currently must swear oaths under statutes. The key mechanism updates specific sections of Vermont Statutes Annotated (Titles 1-10) to replace "oath" with "oath or affirmation" in all relevant provisions. This change accommodates people who object to religious oaths while maintaining the legal requirement for sworn or affirmed declarations.

passed both · Vermont · House Jan 14, 2026

JRH 6: Joint resolution authorizing the Green Mountain Boys State educational program to use the State House facilities on June 25, 2026

This joint resolution authorizes the Green Mountain Boys State educational program to use Vermont's State House facilities on June 25, 2026. It specifically permits the program - run by the American Legion Department of Vermont for 12th graders - to occupy chambers and committee rooms from 8:00 a.m. to 4:15 p.m., subject to limitations set by the Sergeant at Arms. The resolution does not change any laws or policies but formally grants facility access for a mock legislative session. It directly affects the participating students and the American Legion program organizers. The authorization is limited to the specified date and time, with no additional funding or regulatory changes.

passed both · Vermont · Senate Jan 9, 2026

JRS 29: Joint resolution relating to weekend adjournment on January 9, 2026

This joint resolution adjusts the Vermont legislature's schedule for January 2026. It requires the Senate and House to reconvene by Tuesday, January 13, 2026, if they adjourn on Friday, January 9, 2026, ensuring they skip only the weekend rather than a full week. The bill affects only the timing of legislative sessions and has no policy impact beyond scheduling.

passed both · Vermont · Senate Jan 9, 2026

JRS 31: Joint resolution relating to Town Meeting adjournment

This joint resolution sets a specific date for the Vermont legislature to reconvene after adjourning on February 27 or 28, 2026. It requires the Senate and House of Representatives to meet again no later than March 10, 2026. The bill directly affects the state legislature's schedule and is purely procedural, with no substantive policy changes. (JRS 31, Senate Chamber, February 2026)

passed both · Vermont · House Jan 9, 2026

HCR 157: House concurrent resolution congratulating the Thetford Academy Panthers on winning a sixth consecutive Division III boys’ track and field championship and for their victories and record-setting performances at the 2025 New England Interscholastic Outdoor Track and Field championship

HCR 157 is a ceremonial resolution congratulating Thetford Academy's boys' track and field team for winning their sixth consecutive Division III state championship and setting Vermont records at the 2025 New England Interscholastic Outdoor Track and Field Championship. The resolution specifically recognizes their victory in 10 individual events, relay races, and field events, which earned them 164.5 points - far ahead of the runner-up - and three new state records. The resolution formally directs the Secretary of State to send a copy to Thetford Academy as a symbolic gesture of legislative recognition. This is a non-binding, commemorative measure with no policy impact or funding changes.

passed both · Vermont · House Jan 9, 2026

HCR 158: House concurrent resolution congratulating the 2025 Thetford Academy Panthers’ Division III championship baseball team

HCR 158 is a purely ceremonial resolution congratulating the Thetford Academy Panthers for winning the 2025 Vermont Division III high school baseball championship. It formally recognizes the team's victory over White River Valley in the championship game and acknowledges the players and coaching staff. The resolution has no policy impact or binding effect - it simply expresses the General Assembly's congratulations and directs the Secretary of State to send a copy to Thetford Academy. No individuals or groups are affected by new requirements or funding.

passed both · Vermont · House Jan 9, 2026

HCR 160: House concurrent resolution congratulating Shirley Young Cooper on her centennial birthday

This is a ceremonial resolution (HCR 160) honoring Shirley Young Cooper of Springfield, Vermont, on her 100th birthday (November 4, 2025). The resolution formally congratulates her for her life as a Springfield resident, her community service as a poll worker and Red Cross volunteer, and her family legacy. It directs the Secretary of State to send copies of the resolution to Shirley Cooper, her daughter, and her grandchildren. As a non-binding expression of goodwill with no policy changes, it does not affect any laws or regulations.

Bill results