Vermont Bills

passed both · Vermont · House Jan 9, 2026

HCR 155: House concurrent resolution honoring Melvin and Susan Coburn for their nearly half-century of superb proprietorship of Coburns’ General Store in South Strafford and congratulating the Strafford Community Trust on a successful fundraising campaign to preserve this historic mercantile establishment

This concurrent resolution honors Melvin and Susan Coburn for their nearly 50 years of running Coburns’ General Store in South Strafford, a historic community hub that offered services like groceries, a post office, bank, and laundromat. It also congratulates the Strafford Community Trust for successfully raising $1.8 million to purchase the store through a community fundraising campaign, ensuring its continued operation as a nonprofit. The resolution has no legal effect or policy changes - it is purely ceremonial, recognizing the Coburns' service and the Trust's efforts to preserve the store's legacy.

passed both · Vermont · House Jan 9, 2026

HCR 156: House concurrent resolution honoring Timothy McNamara for his outstanding public service in environmental and municipal law enforcement

HCR 156 is a ceremonial resolution honoring Timothy McNamara for his 33-year career in environmental and municipal law enforcement. It recognizes his work at Vermont's Agency of Natural Resources (starting in 1992), including investigations into hazardous waste violations, illegal discharges, and environmental law enforcement, as well as his part-time service as a local police officer in Weathersfield and Springfield. The resolution has no policy or legal effect - it simply directs the Secretary of State to send a copy of the resolution to McNamara as a formal acknowledgment of his service. This is purely a symbolic gesture with no concrete policy changes or direct impact on legislation.

passed · Vermont · House Jan 7, 2026

HR 10: House resolution amending House Rules relating to bill draft request and approval deadlines in the second year of the biennium

This bill amends Vermont House Rules to establish specific deadlines for drafting and introducing bills during the second year of the biennium. It requires House members to submit standard-form bill requests by December 5th, avoid content changes after January 15th, and approve bills for public release by January 31st. Municipal charter or merger bills have more flexible timing, and committees face deadlines for releasing bills by March 31st (with exceptions for Appropriations and Ways and Means committees). The changes directly affect House members and committees seeking to introduce new legislation, streamlining the drafting process for the second half of the two-year legislative session.

passed · Vermont · Senate Jan 6, 2026

SR 19: Senate resolution relating to electronic participation in Senate Sessions

This Senate resolution (SR 19) extends the temporary rule allowing Vermont Senate members to participate in sessions remotely via electronic means. It amends Rule 9B to keep this option active until Tuesday, March 10, 2026. The change directly affects senators who may use video or audio technology to attend sessions without being physically present. This is a procedural adjustment to existing Senate rules, not a policy change affecting the public.

passed both · Vermont · Senate Jan 6, 2026

JRS 30: Joint resolution to provide for a Joint Assembly to receive the State-of-the-State message from the Governor

This procedural bill (JRS 30) requires Vermont's Senate and House of Representatives to convene together on January 7, 2026, at 2:00 PM for a Joint Assembly. It directly affects the state legislature by scheduling a traditional meeting to formally receive the Governor's State-of-the-State address. The bill contains no policy changes - it solely sets the date and time for this ceremonial legislative event.

passed · Vermont · Senate Jan 6, 2026

SR 18: Senate resolution relating to concurrently conducted electronic committee meetings

This Senate Resolution (SR 18) extends the temporary rule allowing electronic committee meetings beyond the usual emergency period. It directly affects Vermont Senate committees by permitting them to continue holding electronic meetings under Permanent Senate Rule 32A through March 10, 2026. The key provision overrides the standard rule that limits Rule 32A to emergency declarations, making electronic meetings permissible for all committee work during this extended period.

passed · Vermont · House Jan 6, 2026

H 230: An act relating to the management of fish and wildlife

H 230 updates Vermont's fish and wildlife management laws, making it easier for some to fish by establishing "free fishing days" and a "free mentored fishing weekend" while also requiring permits and fees for fishing tournaments. The bill increases fines and potential imprisonment for serious violations, such as big game offenses and those involving threatened or endangered species. Additionally, it introduces new regulations prohibiting the intentional taking of most reptiles and amphibians and restricts the import, possession, and sale of pond slider turtles, with an exception for those legally acquired as pets before July 1, 2025.

Topics ✓ Environment

passed · Vermont · House Jan 6, 2026

H 248: An act relating to supplemental child care grants and the Child Care Financial Assistance Program

H.248 amends existing laws regarding child care grants and financial assistance programs. It allows the Commissioner for Children and Families to provide supplemental financial relief to child care programs at risk of closing, particularly those in high-poverty areas. The bill also expands eligibility for the Child Care Financial Assistance Program, enabling families with incomes up to 575% of the federal poverty level to receive subsidies for child care needed for employment or training. Additionally, it revises payment schedules for child care providers, requiring timely payments and reducing the rate difference between family child care homes and center-based programs.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes

passed · Vermont · Senate Jun 16, 2025

SR 17: Senate resolution honoring the outstanding legislative staff service of Chrissy Gilhuly and extending to her best wishes for future success

This is a ceremonial Senate resolution (SR 17) honoring Chrissy Gilhuly for her 7+ years of nonpartisan legislative staff service in the Vermont General Assembly. It recognizes her roles as Supervisor of Committee Services, Joint Fiscal Office Staff Associate, and Senate Operations Manager/Journal Clerk, and extends best wishes as she transitions to a new position at the Agency of Administration. The resolution has no policy impact - it is purely symbolic recognition of her professional contributions.

passed both · Vermont · Senate Jun 16, 2025

JRS 28: Joint resolution relating to final adjournment of the General Assembly in 2025

This resolution specifies that Vermont's 2025 legislative session must end by June 16-17, with automatic reconvening on January 6, 2026, unless Senate and House leaders call an earlier session. It is a procedural scheduling measure for the legislature itself, setting the default timeline for the end of the session and the start of the next term. The bill does not change policies or affect residents; it only governs the legislative calendar. As a procedural resolution, it applies solely to the General Assembly's internal scheduling.

passed both · Vermont · Senate May 31, 2025

SCR 6: Senate concurrent resolution honoring Montpelier City Manager William J. Fraser for three decades of distinguished municipal public service

SCR 6 is a ceremonial Senate Concurrent Resolution honoring Montpelier City Manager William J. Fraser for his 30 years of service (since 1995). It recognizes his leadership in overseeing Montpelier's $32 million budget, managing 113+ employees, and guiding key projects like a new water treatment facility, police station, and downtown transit center. The resolution formally expresses the General Assembly's appreciation for his service, including emergency response coordination and professional achievements, and directs the Secretary of State to send a copy to Fraser. As a procedural resolution, it does not create new laws or policies but serves as a symbolic tribute.

passed · Vermont · Senate May 30, 2025

SR 15: Senate resolution urging that all State agencies, departments, and offices protect the civil rights, medical confidentiality, and all aspects of personal privacy of Vermonters who have been diagnosed with autism in light of the Secretary of the U.S. Health and Human Services’ recently announced plans to establish an autism research database and other databases related to autism

This Senate resolution urges Vermont state agencies to protect the civil rights, medical confidentiality, and personal privacy of residents diagnosed with autism, in response to federal plans for an autism research database. It specifically addresses concerns that the federal database - collecting medical records and wearable device data - could use sensitive health information without explicit consent. The resolution directs agencies to safeguard this data and references Illinois' similar privacy protections for autism-related information. As a non-binding resolution, it does not create new laws but calls for proactive privacy safeguards.

Topics ✓ Healthcare ✓ Technology

Bill results