This bill formally approves the adoption of a new governing charter for the Town of South Hero, which was previously voted on by local residents in August 2023. The charter establishes the town's legal structure, including its elected and appointed officials, and outlines how the town will operate under state law. Key provisions allow the Selectboard to appoint specific town officers such as a delinquent tax collector, listers, and potentially a Town Administrator, while also authorizing the town to impose a one percent local option tax on rooms, meals, or alcoholic beverages for property maintenance. The legislation ensures the town retains its corporate existence and grants it the authority to create and enforce local rules and regulations.
This bill makes several changes to Vermont's education laws, primarily focusing on adult education programs, dual enrollment eligibility, and community school funding. It updates the Adult Diploma Program and GED Program to clarify eligibility requirements for adults seeking high school equivalency credentials, while repealing the older High School Completion Program. The legislation also expands dual enrollment program eligibility to include students who have completed grade 10 but lack a high school diploma, provided they meet specific preparation criteria. Additionally, the bill establishes funding mechanisms for community schools, requiring recipients to conduct needs assessments and hire coordinators to implement programs that address student support and family engagement. These changes aim to streamline adult education pathways and improve resource allocation for community-based educational initiatives.
This bill updates Vermont's career and technical education (CTE) system to ensure all students from grades six through 12 have meaningful access to career preparation programs. It requires schools to provide career exposure visits for middle schoolers, offer exploratory CTE courses for high school freshmen and sophomores, and create comprehensive career development policies for all secondary students. The legislation also establishes new oversight standards for CTE centers, mandates regular evaluations of program quality and facility conditions, and ensures isolated rural districts can access CTE programs in neighboring states with transportation and tuition support. Additionally, the bill directs the state to include CTE centers in future construction aid funding and requires the education secretary to develop a model career development policy within a year.
This bill directs approximately $900 million in state funding over nine years to address Vermont's housing shortage by supporting a range of programs for low-income, middle-income, and vulnerable residents including those experiencing homelessness, with disabilities, or facing eviction. The legislation establishes new programs to provide grants and forgivable loans to landlords for rehabilitating rental units, with requirements that properties remain affordable and cannot be used for short-term rentals during the funding period. It also creates a priority allocation system that balances affordable housing goals with the conservation of agricultural and natural lands, while expanding support for emergency shelter, permanent supportive housing, and manufactured home communities. The bill requires landlords receiving funding to contribute matching funds and mandates public transparency through quarterly reporting of grant recipients and affordability terms.
This bill creates a new 5% assessment fee for video streaming service providers in Vermont that earn more than $250,000 annually from streaming services. The fee is calculated based on the provider's gross receipts from customers located in the state and must be reported to the state tax commissioner by April 15 each year. The legislation defines covered services as video programming displayed for a fee on a subscription basis, while excluding cable television and certain revenue types like refunds, telecommunications services, and bundled charges. Collected funds are intended to support public benefits and services, particularly those in the communications sector, though the specific allocation details are not outlined in this text.
This bill aims to address court backlogs and improve access to justice in Vermont by increasing funding for legal services and adjusting corporate tax calculations. It establishes a surcharge on criminal fines and traffic penalties, directing portions of the revenue to victim compensation and domestic violence support funds. The legislation also modifies how corporate income is calculated for state tax purposes, specifically adjusting what counts as taxable income by adding back certain deductions and interest income. These changes are designed to provide more resources to legal aid organizations and victim services while ensuring corporations pay taxes based on a broader definition of their financial capacity.
This bill amends the Town of Essex charter to change the official fiscal year from July 1 to June 30. The change affects the town's financial planning and budgeting cycles by adjusting the start and end dates of its fiscal year. The amendment was approved by the legislature and signed into law by the Governor in March 2024. This adjustment aligns the town's fiscal calendar with other Vermont municipalities that operate on a July 1 to June 30 fiscal year.
This bill approves the adoption of a new town charter for Waterbury, Vermont, which was previously voted on by local residents. The charter establishes a new municipal manager with authority to hire, appoint, discipline, and remove town employees, while also authorizing the Selectboard to levy a one percent local option tax on sales, meals, alcoholic beverages, and hotel rooms. Additionally, the act reorganizes the state's municipal code by redesignating chapters for several other towns to accommodate Waterbury's new charter. The legislation takes effect immediately upon passage and was signed into law by the Governor in March 2024.
This bill makes permanent the ability to use remote and electronic methods for signing advance directives, which were previously only allowed through March 31, 2024. It allows witnesses and neutral explainers to participate via live video or telephone, and permits all parties to use digital signatures. The law also expands remote witnessing options for a special clause called a Ulysses clause, which lets a named agent make medical decisions even against the principal's wishes if they lose capacity. These changes affect individuals creating advance directives, their witnesses, and healthcare providers in Vermont. The bill takes effect on April 1, 2024.
This bill restructures Vermont's fish and wildlife management by creating a 16-member Fish and Wildlife Board that advises the Department of Fish and Wildlife on rules and policies. The board includes representatives from each county, two at-large members, and requires members to have expertise in wildlife biology and consider climate change impacts. Proposed regulations must be reviewed by the board before public hearings, and the board can recommend revisions with written explanations if the department does not adopt its suggestions. The bill also establishes a process for determining antlerless deer hunting seasons based on scientific studies and public testimony, with specific permit allocation rules for landowners and hunters.
This bill creates the Vermont-Ireland Trade Commission, a new entity within the State Treasurer's office designed to promote trade and investment between Vermont and Ireland. The Commission will consist of 10 members appointed by the Governor, Speaker of the House, Senate Committee on Committees, and the State Treasurer, who will serve staggered four-year terms and meet quarterly to advance bilateral economic cooperation. The Commission is authorized to raise funds through donations and grants to cover its administrative expenses and must submit annual reports to the Governor and General Assembly, with members receiving no state compensation for their service.
This bill authorizes Vermont to join the federal Restaurant Meals Program, allowing eligible SNAP recipients to use their benefits at participating restaurants instead of buying groceries. It requires the state to develop eligibility criteria for restaurants and provides funding for a new staff position to help restaurants apply and participate. The legislation also mandates a transition plan by January 2025 to adjust 3SquaresVT benefit calculations to 30 percent of the federal moderate-cost food plan, which would increase benefits for some recipients.
