Vermont Bills

introduced · Vermont · Senate Jan 27, 2026

S 310: An act relating to subscription renewal notifications

Vermont's S.310 requires businesses offering subscriptions with indefinite renewal terms to send consumers an annual notification about their right to cancel. This applies to services like streaming or software subscriptions (excluding financial institutions and insurance) and mandates clear notices stating renewal dates, automatic renewal terms, and simple cancellation methods (phone, email, or online). Businesses must provide this notice 30-60 days before renewal dates and ensure cancellation is easy without extra steps. The law takes effect July 1, 2026.

Topics ✓ Technology

Kesha Ram Hinsdale (D) Chris Mattos (R) Seth Bongartz (D) Bob Norris (R) Joe Major (D)

introduced · Vermont · House Jan 27, 2026

H 776: An act relating to the use of artificial intelligence in health care coverage decisions

This Vermont bill (H.776) requires health insurance companies using artificial intelligence to make coverage decisions to base those decisions on individual patient medical records - not group data - and prohibits AI from denying coverage. Final coverage decisions must be made by licensed human health care providers after reviewing patient-specific clinical information. The bill also mandates quarterly AI performance reviews, transparency about AI use in policies, and ensures tools are applied fairly across all patients with similar needs. It takes effect July 1, 2026.

Topics ✓ Healthcare ✓ Technology

introduced · Vermont · Senate Jan 27, 2026

S 309: An act relating to residential rental agreements, eviction procedures, and the creation of the positive rental payment credit reporting pilot program

This bill (S.309) amends Vermont's residential rental laws to protect tenants and clarify landlord obligations. It prohibits landlords from charging application fees (except for nominal credit checks), caps security deposits at two months' rent, and requires specific notice periods for termination (14 days for nonpayment, 30 days for breaches). The bill also creates a confidential "just cause" eviction process and establishes a pilot program through the State Treasurer’s office to allow tenants to report on-time rent payments to credit bureaus, building credit history. These changes directly affect Vermont landlords and tenants in residential rental agreements.

Topics ✓ Housing

introduced · Vermont · Senate Jan 27, 2026

S 320: An act relating to cannabis advertising

This bill redefines "advertisement" for licensed cannabis businesses to include any broadly disseminated material (like social media posts, billboards, or online ads) that reasonably induces cannabis sales. It excludes certain non-promotional content, such as news releases without payment, educational materials, and basic signage showing location or hours. The bill bans ads claiming cannabis cures diseases or offers free samples, and restricts paid third-party advertisements to those with under-21 audiences limited to 30% or less. All paid ads must include health warnings and be submitted to regulators before publishing. These changes aim to balance commercial speech rights with restrictions on misleading or youth-appealing advertising.

introduced · Vermont · Senate Jan 27, 2026

S 319: An act relating to authorizing the issuance of limited wagering event permits for poker games and tournaments

This bill would authorize Vermont's Department of Liquor and Lottery to issue up to five annual permits for limited poker tournaments and games, each lasting no more than 72 hours. Operators must pay a $500 fee, undergo criminal background checks, and ensure all participants are over 18. A 35% tax on the net winnings (gross receipts minus payouts to players) would apply, with revenue directed to the state's Education Fund. The bill directly affects poker event organizers, the Department of Liquor and Lottery, and the Education Fund.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes

introduced · Vermont · House Jan 27, 2026

H 783: An act relating to chatbot disclosure requirements

Vermont's H.783 requires businesses to clearly disclose when consumers interact with a chatbot during commercial transactions, preventing reasonable confusion about speaking with a human. It directly affects companies using AI chatbots for customer service, sales, or other commercial interactions. The law mandates a "clear and conspicuous" notice before or during the conversation, defining chatbots broadly to include AI agents, avatars, and automated systems simulating human dialogue. Violations would be treated as unfair trade practices under existing consumer protection law, effective July 1, 2026.

Topics ✓ Technology

introduced · Vermont · House Jan 27, 2026

H 780: An act relating to establishing mandatory minimum sentences of incarceration for retail theft and drug trafficking

H.780 establishes mandatory minimum prison sentences for repeat retail theft and specific drug trafficking offenses. For retail theft, it requires at least six months of consecutive prison time for fourth or subsequent offenses (over $250 value) and 12 months for fourth or subsequent offenses (over $900 value), with no suspension allowed. For drug trafficking (cannabis, cocaine, heroin, fentanyl, or methamphetamine), it mandates at least 12 months of consecutive prison time for trafficking offenses, increasing to 24 months if the trafficking causes death or serious injury. The bill directly affects individuals convicted of these specific repeat or serious offenses, removing judicial discretion to reduce the minimum prison time for these cases.

Topics ✗ Criminal Justice

introduced · Vermont · Senate Jan 27, 2026

S 317: An act relating to weatherization funding and weatherization workforce recruitment

This bill (S 317) continues a fossil fuel purchase tax to fund Vermont's Home Weatherization Assistance Program, expanding eligibility to households earning up to 125% of the state median income. It requires the program to prioritize high-energy-use buildings, increase salaries for weatherization staff by 15% annually (2026-2028), and partner with utilities to provide free weatherization services to low-income households. The bill also directs funding toward workforce training programs targeting new recruits, including partnerships with career programs and organizations serving homeless and formerly incarcerated individuals. The tax on heating oil, propane, and other fuels will continue until June 2027, with broader energy taxes ending by 2029.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Energy ✓ Environment ✓ Housing ✓ Labor & Employment

introduced · Vermont · House Jan 27, 2026

H 781: An act relating to filing certain juvenile offenses in the Criminal Division

This bill changes Vermont's juvenile justice process by requiring certain serious offenses committed by juveniles (aged 14-22) to be filed in the Criminal Division of the Superior Court instead of the Family Division. It specifically applies to: (1) violating release conditions for prior serious offenses; (2) using firearms during felonies; (3) drug trafficking; and (4) aggravated stalking. The State’s Attorney may still choose to file such cases as "youthful offender" petitions in the Family Division. This shift aims to handle these specific offenses through criminal court procedures rather than juvenile court, while allowing limited transfer options between divisions under defined conditions.

Topics ✗ Criminal Justice

introduced · Vermont · Senate Jan 27, 2026

S 321: An act relating to consumption of cannabis in a prohibited place

This bill prohibits consuming cannabis (including smoking or vaping) in public places where tobacco use is already banned, such as streets, parks, sidewalks, and public buildings. It aligns cannabis consumption rules with existing tobacco restrictions, applying to all individuals regardless of age. The law defines "public prohibited places" as areas where tobacco use is prohibited under state law, and violations would be punished under existing cannabis possession penalties. It does not affect current laws about driving under the influence, school policies, or local ordinances on cannabis use. The bill takes effect July 1, 2026.

Topics ✗ Criminal Justice

introduced · Vermont · Senate Jan 27, 2026

S 316: An act relating to credit card fees

S.316 prohibits credit card networks from charging fees on the portion of a transaction that covers tax or gratuity (tip). This directly affects merchants (like restaurants and retailers), payment card networks (such as Visa or Mastercard), and banks that issue credit cards. The bill requires that any credit card fee must be calculated only on the non-tax, non-gratuity amount of a purchase, preventing networks from charging fees on taxed or tipped portions. The law takes effect on July 1, 2026, and includes civil penalties for violations.

introduced · Vermont · House Jan 27, 2026

H 786: An act relating to remote meetings with the Department of Homeland Security

H 786 requires the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to offer remote meetings and hearings with Vermont residents applying for U.S. citizenship or visa authorization, upon the resident's request. This bill directly affects Vermont residents navigating immigration processes with DHS. The key provision mandates DHS to provide remote options for these meetings, eliminating the need for in-person attendance if requested by the applicant. The bill is procedural, focusing solely on meeting format changes without altering immigration eligibility or standards.

Topics ✓ Immigration

Bill results