This bill amends Vermont's liquor laws to allow art galleries, bookstores, public libraries, and museums to apply for special permits to serve alcoholic beverages by the glass during events at their locations. The permits allow these venues to serve alcohol for up to six hours without selling it, with a limit of 12 permits per venue per year, and clarify that liquor stores and cannabis establishments are excluded from eligibility. The legislation also extends a liquor liability insurance requirement to take effect in 2026, requires the liquor board to report on a potential retail master license program by December 2024, and mandates a report on alcohol product placement in retail stores by January 2025.
This bill designates Juneteenth, observed on June 19, as an official legal holiday in the state. The change applies to state government operations and employees, requiring them to observe the day as a holiday. The legislation takes effect on May 30, 2024, making it part of the state's recognized calendar of holidays.
This bill adjusts the Vermont State bonding budget for capital construction projects, reallocating funds across multiple state agencies for the 2024 and 2025 fiscal years. It directly affects state departments including Buildings and General Services, Human Services, Commerce and Community Development, Natural Resources, Labor, and the Sergeant at Arms. Key provisions include specific appropriations for correctional facility upgrades, historic site maintenance, environmental infrastructure improvements, and building renovations at state facilities. The legislation also establishes that future amendments to these appropriations must follow a specific capital construction and state bonding adjustment process.
This bill amends existing laws to strengthen protections against child sexual abuse by clarifying that manipulating a child for sexual contact is prohibited. It directly affects adults who may exploit children through emotional or psychological pressure to engage in sexual activities. The key provision adds the phrase "with intent" to the legal language, ensuring that deliberate manipulation is explicitly covered under the statute. The legislation reflects findings that most child sexual abuse is committed by someone known to the child and their family. Once signed into law, it provides clearer legal grounds for prosecuting cases involving coercive manipulation of minors for sexual purposes.
This bill enacts the Uniform Trust Decanting Act in Vermont, establishing clear rules for moving assets from one trust to another. It directly affects trustees and individuals managing trusts by providing statutory guidelines for this common trust administration practice. The act creates a consistent legal framework that defines how and when trust assets can be decanted into a new trust. These provisions become effective on July 1, 2024.
This bill makes three main changes to Vermont's professional regulation and health care laws. First, it requires the Office of Professional Regulation to check criminal backgrounds for psychologists, speech-language pathologists, and nonlicensed psychotherapists applying for or renewing their credentials. Second, it officially recognizes naturopathic physicians as licensed health care professionals for birth and death certificate filing purposes and creates a temporary advisory group to study their role in end-of-life care policies. Third, it directs the Office of Professional Regulation to conduct a study on its current funding structure and report findings with recommendations by January 2025.
This bill makes administrative and policy changes to Vermont's tax laws, primarily affecting municipalities, property owners, and taxpayers. It establishes a per-parcel fee of $8.50 per year from the Education General Fund to help municipalities cover property reappraisal costs, allows municipalities to request recalculations of education tax liability when property values are reduced through appeals or settlements, and updates the state's adoption of federal income tax laws to include changes through December 31, 2023. The legislation also expands the renter credit definition to include residents of Franklin and Grand Isle counties, removes a late fee for property tax credit claims, extends the deadline for filing property tax credit claims to March 15 of the following year, and clarifies procedures for utility property valuations.
This bill, known as the BIG BILL for Fiscal Year 2025, provides state government funding for operations and capital projects not covered by bond proceeds. It directly affects all state agencies, departments, and boards by establishing the primary source of appropriations for the upcoming fiscal year. The legislation sets spending limits, defines key financial terms like operating expenses and grants, and restricts the creation of new state positions unless previously authorized. It also outlines how federal funds may be accepted and used, while maintaining existing laws unless specifically changed. The bill was signed into law by the Governor in May 2024.
This bill makes various updates to Vermont laws governing the Department of Motor Vehicles, motor vehicles, and vessels. It expands the definition of vehicle transporters to include those selling fewer vehicles than dealers, simplifies their registration requirements, and clarifies rules for all-surface vehicles with up to eight wheels. The legislation also adjusts window tinting standards effective July 1, 2026, requiring compliance with federal regulations for pleasure cars, and provides guidance to inspection mechanics on distinguishing acceptable surface rust from rust that warrants vehicle rejection. Additionally, it addresses temporary resident vehicle registration, low-number plate eligibility for lighter trucks, and fee refund procedures for certain cancelled registrations.
This bill ends the Vermont Employment Growth Incentive Program, which previously provided financial incentives to businesses for creating jobs in the state. The change stops the Vermont Economic Progress Council from accepting or approving new applications for these job creation incentives starting January 1, 2027. The program's existing rules remain in place until that date, but no new businesses will be able to apply for funding after the deadline. The legislation takes effect on July 1, 2024, allowing time for the state to transition away from the incentive program.
This bill directs the Department of Health to develop a certification program for recovery residences and conduct an assessment of existing facilities in the state. The program would establish standards for resident rights, complaint processes, and certification levels, with a report due by January 15, 2025. The bill also requires the department to create an inventory of all recovery residences and submit assessment results by December 15, 2025. Additionally, it allows recovery residences to transfer or exit residents under specific conditions, such as policy violations or safety threats, provided proper procedures and alternative housing are arranged. The department must collect and report data on these exits and transfers for two years starting July 1, 2024.
This bill updates Vermont's agricultural regulations by creating a new program to help farmers establish grassed waterways and filter strips near water sources, providing financial incentives for maintaining these conservation practices for ten years. It also establishes licensing requirements and fee structures for public warehouses storing farm products like milk, eggs, and meat, ensuring facilities meet sanitation and safety standards. Additionally, the bill clarifies definitions and licensing rules for milk handlers and meat processors, setting specific annual fees based on business volume and type. These changes aim to improve agricultural water quality, ensure food safety compliance, and standardize licensing across various agricultural sectors in Vermont.
