Vermont Bills

introduced · Vermont · House Mar 20, 2026

H 948: An act relating to membership of the Retired Employees’ Committee on Insurance

This bill proposes to change how members are selected for the Retired Employees' Committee on Insurance in Vermont. It would increase the total number of committee members from five to seven, with three members appointed by the Vermont Retired State Employees' Association. Additionally, the bill allows the Commissioner of Human Resources to appoint a representative to serve on the committee. These changes affect the composition and appointment process for this specific insurance oversight committee.

introduced · Vermont · House Mar 20, 2026

H 945: An act relating to hemp products

This bill updates Vermont's legal definitions of hemp, hemp products, and hemp-infused products to ensure state regulations remain stable even if federal definitions change. It directly affects businesses and consumers by clarifying how hemp products are classified under state law. The key provision amends Titles 6 and 7 of the Vermont statutes to create a buffer between state and federal hemp regulations. This change aims to prevent potential disruptions to the state's hemp industry if federal policies are modified.

introduced · Vermont · House Mar 20, 2026

H 947: An act relating to the requirement to implement a residential universal design building code

This bill requires Vermont's Division of Fire Safety to create and adopt a residential universal design building code. It mandates that any housing development receiving state funding must incorporate designs meeting this new code. The legislation directly affects state agencies responsible for building codes and developers or builders of publicly funded housing projects. By establishing universal design standards, the bill aims to ensure housing is accessible to people of all abilities, though the specific design requirements will be determined through future rulemaking.

Topics ✓ Housing

introduced · Vermont · House Mar 20, 2026

H 946: An act relating to the advertisement and costs of utilities under a residential rental agreement

This bill requires landlords in Vermont to clearly advertise which utilities and costs are the tenant's responsibility versus those included in the rent. Landlords must also document this information directly within the residential rental agreement to ensure transparency. Additionally, the bill mandates that landlords provide individual metering for utilities whenever possible, or ensure that tenant utility costs accurately reflect their actual usage. These changes directly affect residential rental agreements by standardizing how utility information is presented and calculated.

Topics ✓ Energy ✓ Housing

passed · Vermont · House Mar 20, 2026

H 556: An act relating to exceptions to applicability of State minimum wage

H 556 would amend Vermont's minimum wage law to exclude municipal legislators (such as mayors and town council members) from the legal definition of "employee." This means local elected officials would no longer be covered by state minimum wage and overtime requirements. The bill adds a specific exception to the definition of "employee" in Vermont law, effective July 1, 2026. It directly affects municipal legislative body members in cities and towns across Vermont. The change applies only to local elected officials, not state legislators or other government workers.

Topics ✗ Labor & Employment

passed · Vermont · Senate Mar 20, 2026

S 203: An act relating to penalties for second or subsequent violations of operating a motor vehicle under the influence of alcohol or drugs

This bill clarifies the timeframe for counting prior DUI convictions to determine enhanced penalties. It specifies that a second or subsequent DUI offense penalty applies when a person has been convicted of a prior violation within the 20 years *before the date of the current violation*, not the conviction date for the current offense. This directly affects drivers convicted of repeat operating under the influence (OUI) offenses in Vermont. The change ensures penalties for second offenses (fines up to $1,500, mandatory community service or 80 hours in jail) are applied consistently based on the violation timeline.

Topics ✗ Criminal Justice

passed both · Vermont · House Mar 20, 2026

HCR 168: House concurrent resolution congratulating the members of Troop 60336 of Milton on earning the Girl Scout Bronze Award

HCR 168 is a ceremonial resolution congratulating Girl Scout Troop 60336 of Milton for earning the Bronze Award. It recognizes their project constructing a rain barrel system and six accessible raised garden beds at the Milton Community Garden, which improves water access for gardeners with disabilities. The resolution formally expresses the Vermont General Assembly's praise for the troop members and their co-leaders, but it does not create any new laws or policy changes. As a procedural resolution, it serves only to acknowledge the troop's community work.

introduced · Vermont · House Mar 19, 2026

JRH 9: Joint resolution urging the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA) to reconsider its opposition to the Rapid Prompting Method (RPM) of communication instruction for students with apraxia of speech (AOS) or autism

This bill urges the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association to reconsider its opposition to the Rapid Prompting Method, a communication teaching approach used for students with apraxia of speech or autism. The resolution does not change any laws or funding but asks the professional association to review its stance on this instructional method. It highlights that while the ASHA currently rejects RPM's scientific validity, many parents report positive outcomes for their children using this technique. The bill directs the Secretary of State to send a copy of the resolution to the ASHA to prompt this reconsideration.

Topics ✓ Education

in committee · Vermont · House Mar 19, 2026

H 877: An act relating to the Green Mountain Passport

This bill (H 877) expands eligibility for Vermont’s Green Mountain Passport to include residents with disabilities. Currently, the passport is available to Vermonters aged 62+ or veterans; this bill adds "persons with a disability" as a qualifying category under existing law (9 V.S.A. § 4501). The passport provides free access to state-sponsored events, parks, museums, and historical sites. Applicants must be Vermont residents and pay a $2 application fee to their town clerk, with records maintained by the town and reported to the Commissioner of Disabilities, Aging, and Independent Living.

passed · Vermont · Senate Mar 19, 2026

S 211: An act relating to motor vehicle inspections

This Vermont bill (S.211) changes vehicle inspection requirements from annual to biennial (every two years) for most registered vehicles. It directly affects Vermont vehicle owners by altering inspection frequency, with exceptions for school buses (inspected as prescribed) and motor buses (inspected twice yearly). Key provisions include increasing the inspection fee from $8 to $16 (with half the revenue funding bridge maintenance) and setting an effective date of July 1, 2026. The bill modifies existing law to require safety and emissions inspections every two years instead of annually for standard vehicles.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Transportation

passed both · Vermont · House Mar 18, 2026

HCR 224: House concurrent resolution congratulating the athletes representing Vermont at the 2025 National Senior Games and designating March 18, 2026, as Vermont Senior Games Day at the State House

This bill congratulates Vermont athletes who competed at the 2025 National Senior Games and designates March 18, 2026, as Vermont Senior Games Day at the State House. It recognizes the achievements of 50 Vermont athletes who won multiple medals and ribbons in the competition held in Des Moines, Iowa. The resolution directs the Secretary of State to send a copy of the document to the Vermont Senior Games Association and the Governor's Council on Physical Fitness and Sport. This is a ceremonial measure that acknowledges the importance of physical fitness for people of all ages.

passed both · Vermont · House Mar 18, 2026

HCR 187: House concurrent resolution congratulating Village Garage Distillery of Bennington on winning a silver medal at the 2025 San Francisco World Spirits Competition for Bonfire, its debut spirit, a smoked maple bourbon

This House Concurrent Resolution (HCR 187) is a symbolic gesture congratulating Village Garage Distillery in Bennington for winning a silver medal at the 2025 San Francisco World Spirits Competition for its debut product, Bonfire - a smoked maple bourbon. The resolution formally recognizes the distillery's achievement in the international competition, which evaluates spirits through blind tastings. It has no legal effect or policy changes; it merely offers words of praise and directs the Secretary of State to send a copy to the distillery. The resolution directly affects the distillery by publicly honoring its product's recognition.

Bill results