Vermont Bills

passed · Vermont · Senate Mar 17, 2026

S 213: An act relating to the use of advanced metering infrastructure devices

S.213 requires Vermont public water systems to notify customers before installing smart meters and allow them to opt out. Customers can choose not to have wireless smart meters installed (though systems may charge for alternative meters), and can request removal of existing meters without fees. The bill applies to all public water systems serving 15+ connections or 25+ people annually. It also mandates cybersecurity measures for systems using smart meters by July 2027.

Topics ✓ Technology

in committee · Vermont · Senate Mar 17, 2026

S 275: An act relating to creation of the Cemetery Vandalism Response Fund

S.275 creates the Cemetery Vandalism Response Fund to help Vermont cemeteries repair vandalism. It requires cemetery agencies (including town, religious, and association-run cemeteries) to pay a $5 fee per burial or cremation into the fund. When vandalism occurs (e.g., toppled stones or damaged crypts), agencies can apply for a grant to cover repair costs after reporting the incident to the Vermont Old Cemetery Association (VOCA), notifying families about insurance, and providing documentation like photos and contractor bids. Funds are disbursed directly to cemeteries for repairs, with any unused money returned to the fund. The bill aims to address vandalism without relying on regular maintenance budgets or family insurance claims.

passed both · Vermont · Senate Mar 13, 2026

JRS 44: Joint resolution relating to weekend adjournment on March 13, 2026

This bill directs the Vermont General Assembly to adjourn on Friday, March 13, 2026, and reconvene no later than Tuesday, March 17, 2026. It directly affects state legislators by setting specific dates for the legislative session's pause and return. The resolution establishes a weekend break for lawmakers to meet again within four days of the adjournment. This is a procedural measure that schedules legislative business without changing substantive laws or policies.

passed both · Vermont · House Mar 13, 2026

HCR 225: House concurrent resolution honoring East Haven Selectboard Chair Kirwin Flanders for his extraordinary municipal public service career

This bill is a House concurrent resolution that formally honors Kirwin Flanders, a long-serving East Haven Selectboard Chair in Vermont, for his extraordinary municipal public service career. The resolution recognizes his 51-year tenure as Selectboard Chair and his 52 years of service on the town's governing board, noting his roles in local waste management and water system administration. It directs the Secretary of State to send a copy of the resolution to Flanders as a commemorative gesture for his upcoming retirement. This document serves as an official acknowledgment of his contributions to local governance rather than establishing new laws or policies.

passed · Vermont · Senate Mar 13, 2026

JRS 43: Joint resolution providing for a Joint Assembly to vote on the retention of six Superior Court Judges

This bill schedules a joint meeting of Vermont's Senate and House of Representatives on March 19, 2026, to vote on retaining six Superior Court Judges. If the vote isn't completed on that date, the chambers will meet daily (excluding weekends) until the retention votes are finalized. The resolution directly affects the six judges whose continued service depends on this vote. It establishes a specific procedural timeline for the judicial retention process without altering any substantive laws.

in committee · Vermont · House Mar 13, 2026

H 205: An act relating to agreements not to compete

Vermont's H 205 bill prohibits most noncompete agreements that restrict franchisees from operating their businesses after leaving a franchisor or employees from competing after leaving a job. It exempts agreements protecting trade secrets, reasonable nonsolicitation agreements (like preventing employee poaching), and noncompetes for employees earning $100,000+ annually (with a 3-day job offer notice requirement). The bill requires franchisors and employers to notify affected individuals that existing noncompete clauses are void and unenforceable. It takes effect on July 1, 2025, with specific exceptions for business sales, dissolutions, and severance agreements containing reasonable time, geographic, and scope limits.

Topics ✓ Labor & Employment

introduced · Vermont · House Mar 12, 2026

H 929: An act relating to the form of school budgets

This bill proposes to change how school district budgets are presented on voter ballots to improve clarity and transparency. It directly affects school districts and their voters by modifying the format of budget authorization votes. The key provision requires that budget information be displayed in a clearer form to help voters better understand what they are approving. This change aims to make the budgeting process more accessible without altering the underlying budget amounts or authority.

Topics ✓ Education

introduced · Vermont · House Mar 11, 2026

H 925: An act relating to congregate homes for adults with a developmental or cognitive disability

This bill requires the Vermont Agency of Human Services to submit a report to the General Assembly about creating congregate homes for adults with developmental or cognitive disabilities. The report must assess whether there is a need for such housing, identify where that need exists, and explore how these homes could reduce healthcare costs. It also asks the agency to identify potential funding sources and recommend ways to partner with community organizations to develop these homes statewide. The legislation focuses on gathering information and recommendations rather than mandating immediate construction or funding.

Topics ✓ Healthcare ✓ Housing

introduced · Vermont · House Mar 11, 2026

H 924: An act relating to reporting on residential care homes

This bill requires Vermont's Agency of Human Services to submit a report to the General Assembly about the need for residential care homes for people leaving hospitals who cannot safely recover at home but do not need nursing home care. The report must identify where such facilities are needed, explain how they could save money in the health care system, suggest funding sources, and recommend ways to partner with community organizations to develop these homes statewide. The legislation focuses on gathering information to guide future decisions about creating these specific types of care facilities rather than mandating their immediate construction.

Topics ✓ Healthcare

introduced · Vermont · House Mar 11, 2026

H 923: An act relating to pupil weighting for small schools and sparse school districts

This bill proposes changing how Vermont calculates funding for small schools and sparse school districts by excluding students who do not attend schools operated by the district from pupil weighting calculations. The key provision modifies the weighted long-term membership formula used to determine state education funding, specifically targeting districts classified as small or sparse. By removing non-district students from these counts, the legislation aims to adjust how much state funding these specific school districts receive based on enrollment numbers. The change directly affects school districts in Vermont that meet the criteria for small school or sparse district classifications.

Topics ✓ Education

introduced · Vermont · House Mar 11, 2026

H 926: An act relating to taking account of a defendant’s ability to pay for purposes of criminal fines, fees, and surcharges

This bill would prevent courts in Vermont from charging interest on unpaid criminal fines, fees, and surcharges while a defendant is in prison and for 90 days after their release. It also gives judges the authority to reduce or eliminate these surcharges when a defendant shows they cannot afford to pay them. The legislation aims to align financial penalties with a defendant's actual ability to pay during and shortly after incarceration.

Topics ✓ Criminal Justice

passed both · Vermont · House Mar 11, 2026

HCR 208: House concurrent resolution honoring Selectboard Chair Alyssa Joyce Johnson for her dedicated service on behalf of the Town of Waterbury and applauding the good work she facilitated during her tenure

HCR 208 is a ceremonial resolution honoring Alyssa Joyce Johnson for her service as Waterbury Selectboard Chair. The resolution recognizes her work from January 2025 to March 2026, including her role in flood recovery efforts, advocacy for housing and flood resilience, and volunteerism with local organizations. It specifically applauds her contributions to the Town of Waterbury and directs the Secretary of State to send her a copy of the resolution. As a procedural resolution, it does not create new policy or affect any laws.

Bill results