Vermont Bills

passed both · Vermont · House Jan 23, 2026

HCR 165: House concurrent resolution honoring Micheline Lemay of Stowe for her outstanding outdoor recreation and mindfulness leadership

This House Concurrent Resolution (HCR 165) commemorates Micheline Lemay of Stowe for her leadership in outdoor recreation and mindfulness. It specifically recognizes her work as a co-owner of Rugged Adventures Summer Camp, her personal journey overcoming serious health challenges including cancer, and her "Mansfield Million" ski challenge to ascend Mount Mansfield. The resolution directs the Secretary of State to send a copy to Micheline Lemay, with no policy changes or direct effects on legislation or constituents.

Emilie Krasnow (D) Wayne Laroche (R) Mike Southworth (R) Gina Galfetti (R) Chris Pritchard (R)

passed both · Vermont · Senate Jan 23, 2026

JRS 34: Joint resolution relating to weekend adjournment on January 23, 2026

This joint resolution (JRS 34) is a procedural scheduling measure for the Vermont legislature. It directs the Senate and House of Representatives to adjourn on Friday, January 23, 2026, and reconvene no later than Tuesday, January 27, 2026. The resolution specifically adjusts the legislative calendar to avoid a weekend break between sessions. It affects only the legislature's own meeting schedule, not any laws or external groups.

introduced · Vermont · House Jan 23, 2026

H 770: An act relating to opting out of the federal tax credit program for contributions to scholarship granting organizations

This bill (H 770) directs Vermont to opt out of a federal tax credit program that allows states to subsidize contributions to scholarship organizations for school expenses. It designates the Vermont General Assembly as the sole entity authorized to make this election, explicitly stating Vermont "shall not participate" in the program under federal law (26 U.S.C. § 25F). The policy change means Vermont residents will no longer be eligible for state tax credits when contributing to scholarship organizations, as the state declines to join the federal program. The bill takes effect July 1, 2026.

Topics ✗ Budget & Taxes ✗ Education

introduced · Vermont · Senate Jan 23, 2026

S 304: An act relating to parental rights and responsibilities

This Vermont bill (S.304) establishes a rebuttable presumption that shared parental rights and responsibilities are in a child's best interest after separation or divorce. It directly affects parents in custody cases and courts deciding child welfare, requiring judges to prioritize shared parenting unless harm is likely. Key provisions include defining "parental rights" (covering education, health, and daily care), listing specific factors courts must consider (like parent-child relationships and communication ability), and banning sex-based preferences in custody decisions. The bill aims to encourage ongoing parental involvement while ensuring courts evaluate all relevant circumstances objectively.

introduced · Vermont · Senate Jan 23, 2026

S 299: An act relating to posting of land

S.299 amends Vermont law to change how landowners post restrictions on hunting and fishing. It reduces the requirement for landowners to update their posted notices from annually to once every five years, while maintaining the need to record these postings with the town clerk every five years (for a $5 fee). The bill also requires sellers to disclose at the time of property transfer whether the land is posted under these rules. This directly affects landowners who restrict access, sellers, and buyers in real estate transactions. The changes take effect July 1, 2026.

introduced · Vermont · House Jan 23, 2026

H 771: An act relating to exempting ambulatory surgical centers from certificate of need requirements

This bill exempts ambulatory surgical centers (outpatient facilities performing surgeries) from Vermont's certificate of need approval process. It directly affects these centers by removing a state requirement they previously needed to open or expand services. The bill amends state law to specifically exclude such centers - when licensed under Chapter 49 of Vermont law - from the certificate of need rules. This change eliminates a regulatory hurdle for these facilities without altering other healthcare facility requirements.

Topics ✓ Healthcare

introduced · Vermont · House Jan 23, 2026

H 764: An act relating to inpatient psychiatric bed capacity

This bill removes the requirement for special approval when hospitals build or renovate psychiatric units, streamlining the process for expanding mental health services. It creates a Psychiatric Inpatient Capacity Working Group - comprising mental health officials, patient advocates, and healthcare professionals - to study bed shortages, identify barriers to expansion, and recommend a 25% increase in statewide inpatient psychiatric beds by July 2028. The group must submit its findings and recommendations to legislative committees by January 2027, with the policy changes taking effect on July 1, 2026. The bill directly affects hospitals seeking to expand psychiatric services, the state mental health system, and patients requiring inpatient care.

Topics ✓ Healthcare

introduced · Vermont · Senate Jan 23, 2026

S 297: An act relating to electronic ballot return in local elections

This bill (S.297) allows Vermont towns, cities, and villages to adopt secure electronic ballot return systems for local elections using the Australian ballot method. It requires any adopted system to meet strict security standards - including end-to-end encryption, dual-factor authentication, and biometric verification - to protect voter data and ballot integrity. Municipal clerks must transcribe all electronic ballots to anonymous paper copies for counting, storage, and auditing, just like paper ballots. The bill takes effect July 1, 2026, and the Secretary of State must provide security and privacy guidance for municipalities. It directly affects local election administrators and voters in communities choosing to implement this option.

Topics ✓ Technology

introduced · Vermont · Senate Jan 23, 2026

S 301: An act relating to miscellaneous amendments to the prohibitions on discrimination

This bill, S.301 ("Vermont Civil Rights Sovereignty and Equal Protection Act of 2026"), modernizes Vermont’s civil rights laws by expanding protections against discrimination in public accommodations and housing. It directly affects all Vermont residents by adding gender identity, immigration status, crime victim status, and other characteristics to protected classes, and redefines "harassment" to be unlawful regardless of severity. Key provisions include creating a state-funded Civil Rights Coordinating Council and Special Fund to enforce protections independently of federal policy, and requiring state agencies to combat housing segregation. The bill also updates definitions to clarify that discrimination includes barriers restricting access to housing or services based on protected characteristics.

Topics ✓ Housing ✓ Immigration

introduced · Vermont · Senate Jan 23, 2026

S 303: An act relating to administration of the three-acre stormwater discharge permit

This bill revises Vermont's three-acre stormwater discharge permit program. It requires the Agency of Natural Resources (ANR) to verify each parcel's impervious surface area through on-site visits (not just GIS data) and rank parcels by their impact on water quality. Parcels in the top 10% for water quality impact will need permits, while others will follow a new priority schedule based on severity. The bill also clarifies that failing to obtain a permit when required does not create a legal "cloud on title" affecting property sales or financing. ANR must hold public hearings in each county to explain these changes.

Topics ✓ Environment

introduced · Vermont · Senate Jan 23, 2026

S 305: An act relating to housing and land use

This bill (S.305) requires Vermont municipalities to allow all housing types, including mobile, modular, and prefabricated homes, in residential zones where conventional housing is permitted - prohibiting bans on these options except for specific safety standards. It also mandates that accessory dwelling units (ADUs) be permitted as a standard use on single-family lots without additional restrictions, ensuring they face the same zoning rules as primary homes. The bill defines "areas served by municipal sewer/water infrastructure" to clarify where new housing can be built, excluding flood zones, industrial areas, and parks without residential growth plans. It includes a minor provision allowing a 20% density bonus for union-labor projects. These changes directly affect local zoning laws, developers, homeowners, and communities seeking to expand housing options.

Topics ✓ Housing

introduced · Vermont · House Jan 23, 2026

H 769: An act relating to child welfare and appropriate independent childhood activities

This bill clarifies that allowing children to engage in age-appropriate independent activities - such as walking to school, playing outdoors, or being home alone for reasonable periods - does not constitute neglect. It directly affects parents/guardians and child welfare agencies by updating Vermont’s legal definition of neglect under §4912. The bill adds specific examples of "independent activities" to prevent unnecessary investigations into safe, routine childhood independence. It also requires the Department for Children and Families to update policies and train staff by 2027. The law takes effect July 1, 2026.

Bill results