H 844 (Vermont) modifies sales tax rules for fuel used in residential properties. It removes the sales tax exemption for fuel purchases when a property was used as a short-term rental or occupied by the owner for fewer than 183 days in the past year. Instead, owners of such properties must pay a new 3% surcharge on residential fuel sales. Revenue from this surcharge will fund the Home Weatherization Assistance Fund, which helps low-income households improve energy efficiency. The bill takes effect August 1, 2026.
This is a commemorative resolution (HCR 175), not a substantive bill. It honors the late Venerable J. Stannard Baker of Shelburne, recognizing his pivotal role in Vermont's marriage equality history. The resolution commemorates his leadership in the landmark 1999 *Baker v. State* case that established marriage equality under the Vermont Constitution, leading to civil unions and later marriage rights. It expresses the legislature's condolences to his family and directs the Secretary of State to share the resolution with his family and the Episcopal Diocese of Vermont.
HCR 177 is a ceremonial resolution honoring Twin Valley High School's Athletic Director and boys' soccer coach Buddy Hayford for achieving 500 career coaching victories. It recognizes his 43-year coaching career, including 10 divisional titles, two state basketball titles, and his status as Vermont's first high school soccer coach to reach 500 wins. This resolution, offered by all House members and sponsoring senators, formally congratulates Hayford and directs the Secretary of State to send a copy to him and his school - **it is not a law but a symbolic gesture of appreciation**.
This procedural resolution formally congratulates West Rutland High School's 2025 Division IV championship softball team (the Golden Horde) for their 19-4 victory in the state championship game and their sixth athletic title. It specifically recognizes the team's players, coaches, and support staff as detailed in the resolution. The resolution directs the Secretary of State to send a copy of the resolution to West Rutland High School. As a symbolic gesture with no policy or funding changes, it does not affect legislation or require voter action.
HCR 180 is a ceremonial resolution congratulating the 2025 Essex High School Hornets boys' volleyball team on winning the Vermont State championship. It formally recognizes the team's 3-1 victory over Mount Mansfield Union High School in the championship match and acknowledges the players and co-head coaches. The resolution directs the Secretary of State to send a copy to Essex High School. This is a non-binding, symbolic gesture with no policy changes or funding impacts.
This procedural joint resolution (JRS 38) directs the Vermont legislature to adjourn on Friday, January 30, 2026, and reconvene no later than Tuesday, February 3, 2026. It affects the Vermont Senate and House of Representatives by setting a specific schedule for their next meeting after a Friday adjournment. The key provision is a mandated weekend break with a defined reconvene date, skipping the weekend. This is a scheduling adjustment, not a substantive policy change.
H.845 would create a Vermont personal income tax deduction for residents who purchase snow tires for their personal vehicles. This deduction would allow taxpayers to subtract the full cost of qualifying snow tires from their taxable income when filing state taxes. The bill directly affects Vermont taxpayers who buy snow tires, reducing their state tax liability by the amount spent on the tires. It does not specify a maximum deduction amount or additional eligibility requirements beyond the purchase of snow tires for personal use.
H 843 requires Vermont's municipal wastewater treatment facilities (pollution abatement facilities) to monitor for pesticides and pharmaceuticals in their discharges. The bill mandates annual monitoring of the top 80% of pesticides and pharmaceuticals most commonly used in Vermont, as determined by the Secretary of Environmental Conservation. Facilities must comply with these monitoring requirements starting July 1, 2026. This directly affects all municipal wastewater systems handling discharges into state waters.
HCR 179 is a formal expression of congratulations from Vermont's legislature to the Essex High School Hornets girls' volleyball team for winning their fifth consecutive divisional championship in 2025. The resolution specifically recognizes the team's undefeated season (17-0), their 3-0 victory over BFA-St. Albans in the championship match, and their 86th consecutive win. It directs the Secretary of State to send a copy of the resolution to Essex High School. This is a ceremonial measure with no policy changes or direct impact beyond public recognition.
This concurrent resolution (HCR 184) celebrates the successful restoration of wild turkeys in Vermont, commemorating the 1969 effort led by wildlife biologist Bill Drake. It specifically honors the release of 17 turkeys (5 toms, 12 hens) in Pawlet, which established the population now thriving statewide. The resolution recognizes this as a conservation milestone made possible through federal wildlife funding and local landowner cooperation, and directs the Secretary of State to send a copy to the Pawlet Historical Society. As a ceremonial resolution, it has no legislative effect and does not alter laws or directly affect any individuals or groups.
This bill creates a process for Vermont's Governor to maintain an annual list of scholarship organizations eligible for a federal tax credit. It directly affects Vermont taxpayers who donate to qualifying organizations and the scholarship organizations themselves. To be listed, organizations must be nonprofits focused on underprivileged students, provide scholarships only to students at public or eligible private schools, and meet federal criteria. The Governor must submit the list to the U.S. Treasury by December 1 each year, with a presumption that previously listed organizations remain eligible unless the Governor finds noncompliance. This enables Vermont taxpayers to claim the federal qualified education scholarship tax credit (26 U.S.C. § 25F) for donations to these organizations.
H.846 requires high-traffic online platforms to block materially deceptive election content and label inauthentic or synthetic AI-generated content during specific periods before and after Vermont elections. It prohibits knowingly distributing deceptive election ads with malice within 120 days of an election. The bill also mandates that political advertisements created or altered using AI include a clear disclosure statement. These provisions directly affect online platforms, political advertisers, and election participants in Vermont.
