Vermont Bills

signed · Vermont · House Mar 25, 2026

H 516: An act relating to approval of amendments to the charter of the Town of Essex

H 516 proposes to approve several amendments to the charter of the Town of Essex. The bill clarifies when a Selectboard member's office is considered vacant, such as if they move out of town or fail to attend at least 50 percent of meetings in a year. It also establishes the duties of the Town Moderator and outlines procedures for electing a temporary Moderator when needed. Additionally, the bill authorizes the Selectboard to appoint members to the Town Cemetery Commission and requires the Selectboard to hire a public accountant to examine the Town's financial statements.

passed both · Vermont · House Mar 24, 2026

HCR 219: House concurrent resolution designating March 2026 as Athletic Trainers’ Month in Vermont

This bill designates March 2026 as Athletic Trainers' Month in Vermont to raise public awareness of the profession. It directly affects athletic trainers who work in schools, healthcare facilities, and other organizations across the state. The resolution directs the Secretary of State to send a copy of the document to the Vermont Association of Athletic Trainers. No new laws or funding are created; the measure serves as a commemorative designation to highlight the role of athletic trainers in healthcare and injury prevention.

passed both · Vermont · House Mar 24, 2026

HCR 226: House concurrent resolution remembering, with great sadness, the historic and interconnected 2011 earthquake, tsunami, and nuclear disasters that struck the Tohoku region of Japan

This House concurrent resolution formally acknowledges the 2011 earthquake, tsunami, and nuclear disasters that struck Japan's Tohoku region. It directs the Secretary of State to send a copy of the resolution to the Japanese Consul General in Boston and to Dr. and Mrs. Masatoshi Kida, recognizing their long-term efforts to strengthen friendship and cultural understanding between Vermont and Japan. The document serves as a commemorative statement of remembrance rather than a policy change, and it does not alter any laws or regulations.

introduced · Vermont · House Mar 24, 2026

H 950: An act relating to compensation for certain State employees (Pay Act)

This bill establishes salary increases for Vermont state employees across the Executive, Judicial, and Legislative branches for fiscal years 2027 and 2028. It fully funds collective bargaining agreements for most classified employees, providing a 5.9 percent raise in 2027 and a 4.9 percent raise in 2028 through step increases and across-the-board adjustments. The legislation also allows branch leaders to extend these raises to exempt employees not covered by collective bargaining agreements, sets specific salary amounts for top state officials, and defines how annual salary adjustments for exempt employees will be calculated based on the classified employee increases.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Labor & Employment

passed · Vermont · House Mar 24, 2026

H 887: An act relating to crime victim status under the Fair Employment Practices Act

This bill (H.887) adds survivors of domestic violence, sexual assault, and stalking to the definition of "crime victim" under Vermont's Fair Employment Practices Act. It directly affects these survivors by expanding their legal protections against employment discrimination. The key provision modifies the Act's definition to explicitly include these survivors, ensuring they are covered by existing anti-discrimination safeguards in the workplace. This change clarifies that employers cannot discriminate against individuals based on their status as survivors of these specific crimes. The bill focuses on updating definitions to align with current protections, not creating new employment rules.

Topics ✓ Criminal Justice ✓ Labor & Employment

passed both · Vermont · House Mar 24, 2026

HCR 199: House concurrent resolution congratulating the Rice Memorial High School Green Knights Division I field hockey team on winning a second consecutive championship

This is a symbolic resolution (not a law) congratulating Rice Memorial High School's field hockey team for winning the Division I championship for the second straight season in 2025. It recognizes their undefeated 17-0 record and 4-2 victory over Champlain Valley Union High School. The resolution directs the Secretary of State to send a copy to the school, with no policy changes or financial impact. It solely serves as a ceremonial acknowledgment of the team's athletic achievement.

passed both · Vermont · House Mar 24, 2026

HCR 198: House concurrent resolution congratulating the 2025 Rice Memorial High School Green Knights Division II championship girls’ soccer team

This is a ceremonial resolution (HCR 198), not a policy bill. It formally congratulates the 2025 Rice Memorial High School girls' soccer team for winning the Division II championship. The resolution, offered by Rep. Minier, describes their dramatic game-winning victory and directs the Secretary of State to send a copy to the school. It has no legislative effect or policy change - it solely serves as a formal recognition of the team's achievement.

passed · Vermont · House Mar 24, 2026

H 585: An act relating to health insurance reforms

This bill (H 585) reforms health insurance company governance and pricing in Vermont. It requires health insurers to have boards where at least 75% of members are subscribers or public representatives (not providers), with the Governor appointing two public members. The bill also mandates a compensation committee with public representatives to review executive pay and limits primary care provider exemptions from prior authorization. Additionally, it allows limited age-based pricing in individual/small group insurance markets and begins implementing site-neutral billing for certain services. These changes directly affect health insurance companies operating in Vermont’s individual and small group markets.

Topics ✓ Healthcare

passed · Vermont · Senate Mar 24, 2026

S 219: An act relating to an energy navigator program report

This bill directs Efficiency Vermont to study creating a statewide community-based energy navigator program. It would provide in-person and remote energy coaching to residential consumers - especially low- and moderate-income households - to help them navigate efficiency options, access grants/rebates, prioritize savings, and connect with contractors. Efficiency Vermont must submit a detailed report by January 2027, including program design, costs, and implementation plans. The bill appropriates $15,000 for the study and $150,000 to support the Climate Economy Action Center’s collaboration on the program. It does not create the program directly but mandates a study to inform future implementation.

Topics ✓ Energy ✓ Environment

passed · Vermont · Senate Mar 24, 2026

S 291: An act relating to travel disclosures for legislators and certain executive officers

This bill requires Vermont legislators and statewide elected executive officers (like the governor or secretary of state) to disclose details about travel paid for by non-state sources. They must report the purpose, itinerary, all expenses (including transportation, lodging, and meals), and who paid for each cost - whether it was the state, their personal funds, or entities like lobbyists or political groups. Disclosures must be filed within 30 days of travel costs being incurred, including a signed verification of accuracy. The law aims to increase transparency around travel funded outside government budgets, effective July 1, 2026.

passed · Vermont · Senate Mar 24, 2026

S 138: An act relating to commercial property-assessed clean energy projects

S.138 expands Vermont's property-assessed clean energy program to include commercial and industrial buildings, which were previously excluded. The bill allows municipalities to create "clean energy districts" through voter approval, enabling property owners of commercial/industrial buildings to voluntarily enter written agreements with their town or city. These agreements would subject qualifying properties to a special property tax (replacing traditional financing) to fund renewable energy or energy efficiency projects, with requirements for energy savings analysis and financial underwriting. The law takes effect July 1, 2025, and directly affects commercial property owners seeking to finance clean energy upgrades.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Energy ✓ Environment

passed both · Vermont · Senate Mar 20, 2026

JRS 45: Joint resolution relating to weekend adjournment on March 20, 2026

This bill directs the Vermont General Assembly to adjourn on Friday, March 20, 2026, and reconvene no later than Tuesday, March 24, 2026. It directly affects state legislators by setting specific dates for the end and resumption of the legislative session. The resolution establishes a weekend break for lawmakers to meet again within four days of the adjournment. This procedural measure ensures a structured schedule for legislative business during that period.

Bill results