Vermont Bills

introduced · Vermont · House Jan 14, 2026

H 676: An act relating to maintaining patient access to animal-derived thyroid medications

This bill requires Vermont's Office of Professional Regulation (OPR) and Department of Financial Regulation to find ways to keep animal-derived thyroid medications - like desiccated thyroid extract - available to patients who need them. It directs these agencies to implement feasible solutions without new laws and consult with healthcare providers, insurers, and patients with thyroid conditions. The OPR must report by January 2027 with findings, implemented options, and any needed legislative changes. The bill specifically aims to maintain access for patients for whom these medications are more effective or better tolerated than synthetic alternatives. It does not create new coverage requirements but mandates agency action to preserve current access pathways.

Topics ✓ Healthcare

introduced · Vermont · House Jan 14, 2026

H 679: An act relating to emergency management in flood-prone municipalities

This bill requires the state to provide financial assistance to Vermont municipalities affected by flooding, covering emergency response costs, temporary housing, and infrastructure repairs while waiting for federal reimbursement. It creates two new programs: a Voluntary Buyout Program offering full market value for flood-prone properties and a Homeowner Assistance Program funding elevation, relocation, or flood-resilient rebuilding of homes. The bill also authorizes state agencies to provide technical support and grants for infrastructure upgrades like bridge modifications, culvert improvements, and stormwater management systems in flood-prone areas. These provisions directly benefit local governments and homeowners in communities vulnerable to flooding.

Topics ✓ Environment

introduced · Vermont · Senate Jan 14, 2026

S 250: An act relating to administration of involuntary psychiatric medication in emergency circumstances

This bill allows emergency involuntary psychiatric medication for patients in mental health crises when they cannot consent, directly affecting individuals in hospitals or secure facilities during acute emergencies. It requires physicians to explain medication details (name, risks, benefits) to patients, document refusal or inability to refuse, and confirm less restrictive alternatives were considered before administration. Medication may be given for up to 72 hours without court approval, but facilities must seek a court hearing within five business days if continuation is needed beyond that period. Strict documentation and 12-hour reporting requirements for physicians, along with joint medical director approval, are mandated to ensure oversight. The law also specifies that medication cannot exceed 10 days without a court order.

Topics ✓ Healthcare

introduced · Vermont · House Jan 14, 2026

H 665: An act relating to recording, indexing, and the duties of town clerks

H.665 standardizes terms and procedures for recording liens and property notices in Vermont's land records. It requires claimants (like contractors, farmers, or employees) to file lien notices with their town clerk's office within specific timeframes - 60 days for dairy producers and 180 days for labor/material providers - to make liens legally valid. The bill directly affects town clerks (who must maintain consistent records), property owners (who need clear lien visibility), and those filing liens (who must meet filing deadlines). Key changes include uniform filing locations (town clerk's office for real property) and explicit time limits to protect all parties involved in property transactions.

introduced · Vermont · House Jan 14, 2026

H 687: An act relating to an exception to the moratorium on approval of new approved independent schools

H.687 creates an exception to Vermont’s moratorium on approving new independent schools for therapeutic schools changing ownership. It specifies that if a therapeutic approved independent school (as defined in 16 V.S.A. § 828(d)) undergoes an ownership change requiring a new application for initial approval, the moratorium does not apply. The State Board of Education and Agency of Education must process these applications under existing laws. This directly affects therapeutic schools transitioning ownership and ensures their applications are reviewed without the moratorium barrier. The bill takes effect July 1, 2026.

Topics ✓ Education

introduced · Vermont · House Jan 14, 2026

H 671: An act relating to requiring proof of U.S. citizenship for voter registration

H.671 requires voters in Vermont to provide documented proof of U.S. citizenship when registering to vote. This affects all individuals registering to vote in the state, including new registrants and those updating their registration. The bill mandates acceptance of documents like U.S. birth certificates, passports, or naturalization certificates, and requires the Secretary of State to verify citizenship using the federal SAVE Program. It amends voter registration statutes to add this requirement and specifies the acceptable forms of proof.

introduced · Vermont · House Jan 14, 2026

H 663: An act relating to exempting municipalities from the Act 250 requirement to mitigate reduction of primary agricultural soils

H.663 exempts Vermont municipalities from Act 250's requirement to protect prime farmland when developing land they own. It allows municipalities to avoid mitigation if they prove no reasonable alternative locations exist and the development serves specific public purposes like infrastructure, public safety facilities, or recreation/welfare projects open to residents. The exemption applies only to municipal-owned land and does not affect private development. This bill modifies Act 250's soil protection rules to simplify land-use for local government projects. The law takes effect July 1, 2026.

Topics ✗ Environment

introduced · Vermont · Senate Jan 14, 2026

S 247: An act relating to the regulation of the disposal of plastics and the sale of consumer products containing microplastics

This Vermont bill (S 247) bans specific plastic-related practices starting in 2029 or 2030. It prohibits chemical conversion of plastics (like turning plastic into fuel via pyrolysis or gasification) and bans the sale of personal care/cleaning products containing plastic microbeads beginning January 1, 2029. It also bans medical solution containers with a common plasticizer (DEHP) from sale starting January 1, 2030, and medical tubing containing DEHP starting January 1, 2035. The bill directly affects manufacturers, distributors, and sellers of these products within Vermont.

Topics ✓ Environment ✓ Healthcare

introduced · Vermont · House Jan 14, 2026

H 669: An act relating to internet lottery sales

This bill authorizes Vermont's Lottery Board to sell lottery tickets, products, and subscriptions through mobile apps, mobile devices, or the internet, effective July 1, 2026. It requires all such purchases to be initiated and received within Vermont, prohibiting intentional routing outside state lines. The bill also creates confidentiality exemptions under Vermont's Public Records Act for customer financial data, business records, and security systems related to online sales. It mandates public hearings for sales procedures but bypasses standard rulemaking processes for these rules. The policy change directly affects Vermont residents who purchase lottery tickets online and the Lottery Board as the operator.

introduced · Vermont · Senate Jan 14, 2026

S 246: An act relating to tax exemptions for noncommercial aircraft and revenue sharing with airports

This bill adds noncommercial aircraft (like private planes used for personal travel) to Vermont's existing sales and use tax exemption currently available to commercial aircraft. It also creates a new business personal property tax for noncommercial aircraft owners, while requiring a study on sharing tax revenue generated from air commerce with Vermont airports. The study, due by December 2026, will assess how to identify and distribute sales/use tax and property tax revenue from airports and air commerce operations. The tax changes and study will take effect on July 1, 2026.

introduced · Vermont · Senate Jan 14, 2026

S 252: An act relating to waiver of criminal history record fees for certain DAIL volunteers

This bill waives the $30 criminal history record check fee for volunteers working with organizations that provide free home-delivered meals to elderly Vermonters through the Department of Disabilities, Aging, and Independent Living (DAIL). It directly affects meal program organizations and their volunteers by removing a $30 fee for background checks required for these volunteers. The key provision adds a new exemption to Vermont law (§ 2063) specifically for "no-cost home-delivered meals for elderly Vermonters" administered in connection with DAIL. The fee waiver applies to all such organizations and their volunteers starting July 1, 2026.

introduced · Vermont · House Jan 14, 2026

H 681: An act relating to voter approval prior to school closure

H.681 requires Vermont school districts to obtain voter approval from the town where a school is located before closing any school serving prekindergarten through 12th grade, or specific grades within that range. The bill mandates a townwide vote for closures or relocations of school facilities, directly affecting school districts and local voters in communities with public schools. It amends state law to override existing school district agreements that might allow board decisions without voter input. The policy change takes effect July 1, 2026, ensuring community approval is required for school closure decisions.

Topics ✓ Education

Bill results