Vermont Bills | MyRepTracker

introduced · Vermont · House Jan 15, 2026

H 701: An act relating to the Secretary’s role in State support for schools not meeting education quality standards

H.701 requires Vermont's Secretary of Education to support any recommendation for correcting school deficiencies with data, rather than making decisions without evidence. It mandates that if the state takes administrative control of a school to fix quality issues, that control must automatically return to the local school board after two years unless the deficiencies are resolved. The bill also prevents the state from taking action against a school district based on incomplete or non-comparable student performance data. This affects Vermont public schools failing education quality standards, the Secretary of Education, and local school boards responsible for school governance.

Topics ✓ Education

introduced · Vermont · House Jan 15, 2026

H 693: An act relating to approval of amendments to the charter of the Town of Bennington concerning the Town police department

H.693 approves charter amendments for the Town of Bennington that allow the Select Board to delegate the review of complaint materials (like video footage and transcripts) following police investigations. This directly affects the Bennington Police Department and the Community Policing Advisory Review Board (or any new board the Select Board creates). The amendment, approved by Bennington voters on March 4, 2025, gives the Select Board the authority to assign this specific duty to the designated board, streamlining how police complaint reviews are handled.

Topics ✓ Criminal Justice

introduced · Vermont · House Jan 15, 2026

H 692: An act relating to implementing civics education in high school curricula

This bill requires all Vermont public high schools to teach civics as a mandatory subject in either 11th or 12th grade, starting with the 2027-2028 school year. It defines civics broadly to include understanding government history, developing skills like analyzing information, fostering respectful dialogue, and practicing civic behaviors like voting. Schools must provide dedicated class time for civics (at least one quarter-semester), and the state will fund this through existing education resources. The law aims to prepare students for active citizenship by building knowledge, skills, and engagement with democratic processes.

Topics ✓ Education

introduced · Vermont · House Jan 15, 2026

H 688: An act relating to timelines and process for residential evictions

H 688 reduces eviction timelines and changes procedures for residential rental agreements in Vermont. It shortens required notice periods for landlords (from 14 to 3 days for nonpayment and some breaches), mandates tenants respond to eviction complaints within 5 business days, and eliminates the option to pay partial rent into court. The bill also clarifies that criminal mischief covers leasehold property damage and tightens deadlines for serving writs of possession and handling tenant belongings. These changes directly affect Vermont landlords and tenants involved in eviction proceedings.

Topics ✗ Housing

introduced · Vermont · House Jan 15, 2026

H 696: An act relating to approval of amendments to the charter of the Town of Bennington concerning municipal liens

This bill approves charter amendments for the Town of Bennington to give first priority to municipal liens arising from unpaid fines. Specifically, liens from fines under the Town's Land Use Regulations, Property Maintenance Ordinance, or Housing/Building Safety Ordinance will now take priority over other liens that were recorded earlier. These liens remain valid on property for up to eight years from the judgment date, unless renewed under state law. The change directly affects property owners in Bennington who fail to pay fines related to these ordinances.

introduced · Vermont · Senate Jan 15, 2026

S 259: An act relating to online driver education

Vermont's S.259 allows the classroom portion of driver education to be completed through approved online courses. It directly affects Vermont students aged 15+ enrolled in public or independent high schools. The bill requires online courses to meet specific standards: using rotating exams, verifying student identity, tracking study time, ensuring data security, and providing technical support. Courses must align with the state's Novice Teen Driver Education standards and will be approved by the Agency of Education and DMV. The law takes effect July 1, 2026.

Topics ✓ Education ✓ Technology ✓ Transportation

introduced · Vermont · House Jan 15, 2026

H 690: An act relating to motor vehicle inspections

This bill (H 690) exempts noncommercial motor vehicles with a gross vehicle weight rating of 14,000 pounds or less from annual safety and emissions inspections in Vermont. It directly affects owners of standard passenger cars, small trucks, and similar noncommercial vehicles. The bill amends Vermont law to remove the requirement for these vehicles to undergo annual inspections, while maintaining inspection rules for school buses, motor buses, and newer vehicles (16 model years or less). The exemption takes effect on July 1, 2026.

Topics ✗ Environment ✗ Transportation

introduced · Vermont · House Jan 15, 2026

H 699: An act relating to consumer protection from abusive acts or practices

This bill prohibits businesses in Vermont from engaging in "abusive acts or practices" in commerce, directly affecting consumers and businesses operating within the state. It defines abusive practices as those that either materially interfere with a consumer's understanding of key risks/costs or take unreasonable advantage of a consumer's lack of understanding, inability to protect their interests, or reasonable reliance on the seller. The Attorney General is authorized to create rules enforcing these prohibitions, with violations of these rules considered evidence of unfair or deceptive conduct. The law applies to all consumer products and services, including real estate transactions, and aligns Vermont's interpretation with federal FTC Act standards.

introduced · Vermont · House Jan 15, 2026

H 702: An act relating to criminal trespass and residing on land or premises of another person without authority

H.702, the "Vermont Squatter Reform Act," makes it a felony to enter or reside on someone else's property without permission, with enhanced penalties if property damage exceeds $1,000. It also bans presenting fake lease agreements with false material facts for the purpose of occupying property. The bill expands fast-track court procedures for landlords to remove unlawful occupants who entered without authorization, streamlining eviction processes. This directly affects individuals occupying land or premises without legal right and landlords seeking to evict them.

Topics ✗ Criminal Justice ✓ Housing

introduced · Vermont · Senate Jan 15, 2026

S 262: An act relating to motor vehicle inspections

This bill (S 262) would exempt most passenger cars and light trucks from annual safety and emissions inspections in Vermont, while maintaining annual inspections for trucks with a gross vehicle weight rating of 10,000 pounds or more. It also requires used vehicles sold by dealers to undergo a safety and emissions inspection before sale, with vehicles 16 model years old or newer needing an emissions or OBD inspection. The changes would take effect July 1, 2027, directly affecting Vermont drivers of light vehicles (who would no longer need annual inspections), dealers selling used cars, and heavy truck operators. The bill focuses on simplifying inspection requirements for common vehicles while preserving standards for heavier commercial vehicles.

Topics ✗ Environment ✗ Transportation

introduced · Vermont · Senate Jan 15, 2026

S 260: An act relating to legislative approval of leases for continued operation of State-owned railroad rights-of-way

This bill requires Vermont's General Assembly to approve all new leases or lease renewals for State-owned railroad corridors used for ongoing operations. It directly affects the Secretary of Transportation (as the State's agent) and railroad operators seeking to lease these corridors, shifting approval authority from the Joint Transportation Oversight Committee to the full legislature. The bill amends existing law to mandate General Assembly approval for all such leases, while maintaining the existing requirement for federal Surface Transportation Board approval. Short-term leases (up to six months) remain permitted but must be reported to transportation committees within 10 days. The change takes effect July 1, 2026.

introduced · Vermont · Senate Jan 15, 2026

S 257: An act relating to nonprofit public transit systems

This bill requires that a majority of members on the governing boards of nonprofit public transit systems in Vermont be appointed by the legislative bodies (like city councils or town meetings) of the municipalities those systems serve. It also mandates that board membership be proportional to the population of served municipalities if multiple towns are involved. Existing systems not meeting these requirements must amend their bylaws by July 31, 2026, and submit the changes to state transportation committees by November 15, 2026. The definition changes take effect immediately, with the board appointment requirement applying from July 1, 2026. The bill directly affects all nonprofit public transit systems operating within Vermont municipalities.

Topics ✓ Transportation