This bill bans the sale, use, and application of the herbicide paraquat in Vermont, except when the Secretary of Agriculture authorizes it to address a specific crop threat for which no other herbicide is effective. It defines paraquat by chemical name and CAS number to ensure clear identification. The ban takes effect on July 1, 2026. The law aims to protect public health by preventing exposure to paraquat, which studies link to increased risks of Parkinson's disease, non-Hodgkin lymphoma, and childhood leukemia.
This Vermont bill (S 170) freezes the current adjusted net metering rate for renewable energy customers until 2028. It directly affects residential and commercial solar energy users who receive credits for excess electricity sent to the grid. The key provision prohibits the Public Utility Commission from implementing new renewable energy credit adjustors or siting adjustors before the 2028 Biennial Update. This maintains existing billing calculations for solar customers without new rate changes through 2028. The bill takes effect immediately upon passage.
H 531 would require Vermont state agencies to add 5 points to the exam scores of qualified military spouses applying for state jobs through point-based hiring processes. It specifically targets spouses of active-duty U.S. military personnel who meet eligibility criteria, such as receiving disability compensation or being unable to work due to disability. The bill amends Vermont law to include this preference in state employment exams, alongside existing veteran hiring preferences. This policy change directly affects military spouses seeking state government jobs by giving them a competitive advantage in scoring. The provision takes effect July 1, 2026.
This bill establishes a competency restoration program within Vermont's Department of Mental Health. It directly affects individuals charged with certain felonies who have been found by a court to be incompetent to stand trial due to a mental illness. The program provides structured treatment and support to help these individuals regain the mental capacity needed to participate in their legal proceedings. The bill mandates the Department of Mental Health to operate this program as a formal state service.
This bill requires Vermont's Department of Health to add congenital cytomegalovirus (cCMV) testing to the state's newborn screening program, effective July 1, 2026. It mandates that the Department distribute clear information to expectant parents, hospitals, and healthcare providers about cCMV - including its incidence, transmission, associated birth defects, and testing methods. The bill also creates a multi-disciplinary Congenital Cytomegalovirus Advisory Committee to advise on screening validity, testing standards, and public education, with members including healthcare providers, parents of affected children, and specialists. The committee must submit annual reports to health committees and recommend improvements to follow-up care and public awareness.
This bill would permanently establish year-round U.S. Eastern Standard Time in Vermont, eliminating the biannual clock changes for daylight saving time. It directly affects all Vermont residents and businesses by making the current standard time (without summer daylight saving adjustments) the permanent standard. The key mechanism amends Vermont law to remove the provision for daylight saving time and sets a transition date of January 1, 2027, contingent on neighboring states (Massachusetts, New Hampshire, and New York) adopting similar changes under federal law. The policy change would take effect on July 1, 2026, with the time adjustment occurring January 1, 2027.
This bill would adopt the Cosmetology Licensure Compact, allowing cosmetologists, estheticians, and nail technicians licensed in one participating state to practice in Vermont without reapplying for a separate license. It directly affects licensed cosmetology professionals seeking to work across state lines, particularly military personnel relocating with families. The key mechanism establishes a uniform multistate licensing system, requiring only one application and background check across all compact states instead of separate state processes. This reduces administrative burdens for professionals while maintaining consistent public safety standards through shared disciplinary records and enforcement.
H.529 allows pretrial supervision officers to formally request court reviews when defendants violate court-imposed release rules. It directly affects defendants with five or more pending court cases or who have violated prior release conditions, requiring courts to reassess supervision needs. The bill establishes a clear process where officers can file motions for review, and courts must evaluate factors like the violation’s nature, defendant’s history, and public safety risks before adjusting supervision levels or issuing warrants for noncompliance.
This bill proposes creating a specialized forensic facility in Vermont for individuals involved in the criminal justice system who meet specific criteria for involuntary mental health treatment. It directly affects people facing criminal charges or sentencing who require court-ordered psychiatric care under state commitment laws. The key provision establishes a dedicated facility to provide structured mental health treatment and supervision for these individuals, separate from general correctional or hospital settings. The bill aims to address the intersection of mental health care and criminal justice by creating a specialized environment for those needing involuntary commitment. It does not alter existing commitment standards but provides a new facility to meet these needs.
S.158 would limit contributions to independent expenditure-only political committees in Vermont to $5,000 per single source. These committees run election ads without coordinating with candidates but still accept money from contributors. The bill sets this new cap specifically for these committees, distinct from existing limits for candidates (e.g., $4,000 for gubernatorial candidates) or regular political committees. It applies to all contributors, including individuals, corporations, and political parties, without changing other campaign finance rules.
H 521 proposes to mandate that health insurance plans and the Dr. Dynasaur program provide coverage for pasteurized donated human breast milk. This coverage would be for infants under 12 months of age. The bill specifies that this coverage would apply under certain circumstances, though the full details are not included in this short-form version.
H 520 is a bill that proposes to enhance individual users' control over their data on social media platforms. It aims to require social media companies to provide users with the ability to delete their personal data. Additionally, the bill mandates that companies allow users to obtain their data in a portable format and transfer it to other social media platforms.
