This bill (S.236) modifies Vermont's alcohol licensing rules for vinous beverage manufacturers and fourth-class license holders. It increases the permitted volume of alcoholic beverages that can be served at tasting rooms and retail shops under a fourth-class license (e.g., up to 12 ounces of wine-like beverages per customer). It also allows manufacturers of wine-like beverages to operate up to two retail locations directly on their licensed manufacturing property, provided the locations are on contiguous, owned land. These changes directly affect licensed beverage manufacturers and tasting room operators, effective July 1, 2026.
This bill requires Vermont municipalities that have not previously voted on cannabis retail operations to hold a binding vote at the 2026 general election. It applies to cities, towns, and incorporated villages as of July 1, 2026, that have not approved or rejected cannabis retail permits. The vote will use an Australian ballot on a specific question: "Shall licensed cannabis retailers be authorized to operate in this municipality?" A "yes" vote permits cannabis retail operations, while a "no" vote prohibits them, with the option to later rescind the decision under existing law. The bill takes effect immediately upon passage.
This bill creates a special "Vermont Green FC" license plate option for eligible vehicles, including pleasure cars, light trucks under 26,001 pounds, and state agency vehicles. Vehicle owners who choose this plate pay a $45 initial fee and $45 annual renewal fee, with 77% of the initial fee and 84% of renewal fees deposited into a new Vermont Green FC Special Fund. The fund, managed by a board including representatives from the Climate Action Office and outdoor business groups, provides grants to support environmental justice initiatives and Vermont’s outdoor recreation economy. All fees collected directly fund these specific public purposes, with no administrative costs deducted from the grants.
This bill requires motor vehicle dealers and repair shops to report accurate service and maintenance history - including diagnostic results - to vehicle history databases. It also mandates dealers to disclose all available vehicle history information (like accident records, maintenance logs, and odometer readings) to prospective buyers of used cars. The law directly affects dealers selling used vehicles and repair shops performing service work, ensuring transparency about a vehicle's past. Key provisions include standardized reporting to databases and mandatory disclosure at the point of sale, aiming to improve consumer access to reliable vehicle history data.
S.233 allocates $250,000 to establish a two-year pilot program providing neutral advocates for families of K-12 students with disabilities during Individualized Education Program (IEP) meetings. The program will award grants to school districts, parent child centers, and nonprofits to train advocates and offer parent education, aiming to improve school-family collaboration and prevent costly disputes. It requires grantees to provide in-person IEP meeting support and develop strategies for early issue resolution. The Agency of Human Services must report on the pilot's effectiveness by November 2027.
H.630 requires businesses selling connected devices (like smart home gadgets or wearables) in Vermont to meet specific security standards. Key provisions include mandating encrypted communications, automatic security updates enabled by default, strong password requirements with no default passwords, vulnerability management systems, and clear privacy policies with consumer data deletion options. The bill directly affects device manufacturers and sellers operating in Vermont, prohibiting sales of non-compliant products. Violations would be treated as unfair trade practices under Vermont law, with the requirements taking effect July 1, 2026.
H.627 expands rights for crime victims in forensic cases where defendants face competency or sanity evaluations. It requires prosecutors to notify victims (who haven’t opted out) at least 30 days before key proceedings, including hearings on a defendant’s discharge from mental health treatment or hospitalization. The bill mandates that victims receive notice of court hearings and the right to be heard when a defendant committed under mental health laws is scheduled for discharge. This applies to cases where defendants were found incompetent to stand trial or not guilty by reason of insanity. The law aims to ensure victims are informed about their rights and the status of the defendant’s case.
This bill establishes specific statewide targets for energy storage capacity: 200 megawatts (MW) by 2030, 450 MW by 2035, and 800 MW by 2040. It requires the Vermont Department of Public Service to track progress toward these goals in the state’s Comprehensive Energy Plan. The policy directly affects energy providers and infrastructure developers who must contribute to meeting these storage capacity milestones. The bill takes effect July 1, 2026, creating a measurable framework for expanding grid-scale battery storage.
This bill prohibits the consumption of cannabis in any public place where tobacco products are already banned, such as streets, parks, sidewalks, or public buildings. It directly affects cannabis users who might consume in these areas, aligning cannabis consumption rules with existing tobacco restrictions under Vermont law. The key mechanism defines "public prohibited place" using current tobacco prohibition statutes and amends cannabis laws to enforce this ban, while preserving existing limits on possession (e.g., 1 ounce for adults) and vehicle laws. The bill takes effect July 1, 2026, and does not change current rules about cannabis use in vehicles, schools, or private leases.
This Vermont bill (H 637) amends laws governing driving under the influence (DUI) by clarifying that "under the influence of a drug" means any slight impairment of driving ability from drugs (not just alcohol), per Section 1201. It updates testing procedures, requiring blood or saliva samples when breath tests aren't feasible or when drugs (not alcohol) are suspected, while preserving rights to challenge warrants (Section 1202). For penalties, it increases mandatory minimum jail time for repeat offenses: 80 hours for a second offense, 96 hours for a third, and 192 hours for a fourth or subsequent offense, with no suspension allowed except under specific court findings (Section 1210). The bill directly affects drivers suspected of DUI involving drugs or alcohol, focusing on clearer definitions, testing protocols, and stricter penalties for repeat violations.
This bill requires Vermont school districts to pay full tuition to the state-maintained virtual learning provider for any student enrolled full-time in virtual education, upon request by a parent or legal guardian. It directly affects families seeking virtual learning options, regardless of whether virtual education is included in the student's personalized learning plan. The key provision amends school funding laws (16 V.S.A. §§821 and 822) to mandate this tuition payment for both elementary and high school students. The virtual learning provider is overseen by the Agency of Education under 16 V.S.A. §948. The law takes effect July 1, 2026.
This bill (H.603) excludes U.S. military disability retirement income from Vermont's personal income tax. It directly affects Vermont veterans receiving military disability retirement pay under 10 U.S.C. chapter 61. The bill provides full exclusion for taxpayers with federal adjusted gross income under $125,000, partial exclusion for incomes between $125,000-$175,000 (proportional to income above $125,000), and no exclusion for incomes of $175,000 or more. The change applies retroactively to taxable years beginning January 1, 2026.
