Vermont Bills | MyRepTracker

introduced · Vermont · House Jan 21, 2026

H 730: An act relating to Act 250 location-based jurisdiction

H.730 updates Vermont's Act 250 land use law by clarifying "Tier 3" rules, which designate high-priority conservation areas (like river corridors and sensitive habitats). It requires the Land Use Review Board to define Tier 3 boundaries, explain why certain resources aren’t protected, and provide written notice to property owners in Tier 2/3 areas about upcoming rule changes. The bill also creates a de minimis construction exception (e.g., sheds under 200 sq. ft.) and temporarily exempts priority housing projects in designated downtown areas from Tier 3 rules until July 2027. These changes directly affect property owners in conservation zones, local municipalities, and developers navigating land use permits.

Topics ✓ Environment

Mike Southworth (R) James Gregoire (R) Chris Pritchard (R) Dave Yacovone (D) Jim Masland (D)

introduced · Vermont · House Jan 20, 2026

H 720: An act relating to the Cloud Computing Public Utility Act

This bill would classify cloud computing services as public utilities in Vermont, bringing them under the regulatory oversight of the Public Utility Commission and Department of Public Service. It directly affects cloud service providers meeting specific revenue or customer thresholds (set by the Commission) and their consumers, who would benefit from regulated fair practices. Key provisions require providers to avoid unfair tactics like vendor lock-in or opaque pricing, while the Commission monitors the market to ensure reliability and security. The law aims to protect Vermont residents and businesses by applying utility-style regulations to cloud services, which the bill states are now essential to the state's economic welfare.

Topics ✓ Technology

introduced · Vermont · House Jan 20, 2026

H 721: An act relating to juvenile proceedings, criminal procedures, and forensic facilities for criminal justice-involved individuals

This bill changes how Vermont handles juvenile criminal cases by moving certain serious offenses to the Criminal Division of Superior Court instead of the Family Division. It applies to juveniles aged 14-22 for specific crimes like firearm use during felony, drug trafficking, or aggravated stalking (as listed in sections 5201(c)(3) and 5204(a)). Key provisions include prohibiting suspended sentences for repeat offenders with prior escape convictions or three felony convictions, requiring written court findings for deferred sentences, and creating a new forensic facility for certain offenders. The bill also repeals "Raise the Age" protections for 19-year-olds and establishes stricter rules for sentencing and case transfers.

Topics ✗ Criminal Justice

introduced · Vermont · Senate Jan 20, 2026

S 273: An act relating to the provision of State-funded education in school districts that do not maintain an elementary school or a high school

This bill requires school districts without their own elementary or high schools to designate up to three eligible schools to serve as their public schools. Eligible schools include Vermont public schools, out-of-state public schools, or recognized independent schools meeting specific criteria (e.g., regional career training centers or historically designated schools). It repeals the "approved independent school" definition and process while maintaining the "recognized independent school" enrollment system, and adds a new definition for "therapeutic schools" with related special education tuition changes. The bill directly affects small school districts lacking their own K-12 facilities, altering how they access state education funding for student placements.

Topics ✓ Education

introduced · Vermont · House Jan 20, 2026

H 717: An act relating to the Residential and Commercial Building Energy Standards and the adoption of a residential building code

H.717 changes Vermont's oversight of building energy standards by renaming the Division of Fire Safety to the Division of Fire and Building Safety and transferring responsibility for residential and commercial building energy standards from the Department of Public Service to this new division. It requires the Division to adopt a residential building code specifically for public buildings that contain residential units. The bill repeals the existing Chapter 2 on building energy standards and updates enforcement procedures, including fines for violations and municipal enforcement options. This directly affects builders, local municipalities, and developers of public buildings with residential spaces.

introduced · Vermont · Senate Jan 20, 2026

S 277: An act relating to prohibiting mandatory overtime for nurses

This bill prohibits hospitals and long-term care facilities in Vermont from requiring nurses to work mandatory overtime beyond their scheduled shifts, except during declared emergencies, ongoing medical procedures, or unforeseen disasters. It defines "mandatory overtime" as work exceeding agreed-upon shifts (max 12 hours in 24 hours or 48 hours in a workweek) and requires employers to first seek voluntary staff or agency nurses before mandating overtime. Employers must report all mandatory overtime instances to the Vermont Department of Health within 30 days, including justification and good-faith efforts to avoid it, and must provide nurses with at least 10 consecutive hours off duty after working extended shifts. The law applies to registered and licensed practical nurses directly providing patient care in covered facilities.

Topics ✓ Healthcare ✓ Labor & Employment

introduced · Vermont · Senate Jan 20, 2026

S 276: An act relating to requiring municipalities to hold a vote concerning the operation of cannabis establishments

This bill requires all Vermont municipalities that haven't previously voted on cannabis businesses to hold a vote at the 2026 general election. The vote will ask residents whether licensed cannabis retailers may operate within their community, using a secret ballot. Municipalities must hold this vote if they haven't already approved or rejected cannabis establishments. The measure does not change existing cannabis laws but mandates a community decision on local permitting by 2026.

introduced · Vermont · Senate Jan 20, 2026

S 274: An act relating to the sales and use tax exemption for fuel used in a residence for domestic use

This bill narrows Vermont's sales tax exemption for fuel used in homes by removing the exemption for second homes, short-term rentals, and other nonhomestead residential properties. It amends tax code to define "residence" as only properties not listed as "nonhomestead residential" on an annual July 1 list published by the Commissioner. Sellers can rely on this published list to avoid tax liability if they mistakenly exempt fuel sales to nonhomestead properties. The change takes effect July 1, 2029, directly affecting property owners of secondary or rental homes who previously qualified for the tax exemption.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes

introduced · Vermont · House Jan 20, 2026

H 722: An act relating to authorizing municipalities to regulate the surface water use of public waters used as drinking water supplies

This bill authorizes Vermont towns and cities to adopt local regulations governing surface water use for public drinking water supplies, but only when the municipality owns all land adjacent to the water source. It specifically applies to public water systems serving the municipality, excludes transboundary lakes or ponds, and allows local ordinances to override state rules from the Secretary of Natural Resources if conflicts arise. The law amends existing state statute (24 V.S.A. § 2291) to add this new municipal power, directly affecting local governments managing drinking water sources within their owned watersheds. This change provides towns with greater control over water use impacting their public water systems.

Topics ✓ Environment

introduced · Vermont · House Jan 20, 2026

H 725: An act relating to the State Labor Relations Act

This bill amends Vermont's State Labor Relations Act to ensure the state can step in if the federal National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) loses jurisdiction over labor disputes. It directly affects Vermont employers and unions by allowing the state Labor Relations Board to take over cases where the NLRB can no longer act due to federal law changes or inaction. Key provisions require the state Board to verify and maintain existing union contracts within 60 days of a petition, keeping all current employment terms in effect during this process. The bill creates a clear mechanism to prevent disruption in labor relations if federal oversight ends.

Topics ✓ Labor & Employment

introduced · Vermont · House Jan 20, 2026

H 726: An act relating to flexible working arrangements

H.726 requires Vermont employers to consider employee requests for flexible work arrangements (like adjusted hours, remote work, or job-sharing) at least twice yearly, provided the arrangement doesn’t conflict with business operations. It directly affects employees seeking changes to their schedules and employers with 10+ employees. Employers must discuss requests in good faith, and may deny them only if the request would cause specific impacts like excessive costs, harm to morale, or inability to meet customer demand. The law takes effect July 1, 2026.

Topics ✓ Labor & Employment

introduced · Vermont · House Jan 20, 2026

H 719: An act relating to hospital collaboration and state action immunity

This bill (H.719) allows Vermont hospitals and health systems to collaborate on initiatives like cost containment, improving rural healthcare access, or advancing state health goals without facing antitrust lawsuits, provided they follow a state approval process. It directly affects rural and community hospitals, health systems, and the Agency of Human Services, which must review and approve all proposed collaborations. Key mechanisms include requiring Secretary of Human Services approval before discussions begin, mandating that initiatives align with state health policy, and permitting shared data on costs and quality during approved collaborations. The state agency will also monitor these partnerships through quarterly reporting requirements.

Topics ✓ Healthcare