Vermont Bills

introduced · Vermont · House Jan 23, 2026

H 774: An act relating to a three-year education property tax freeze

H.774 would freeze Vermont's education property tax rates at 2026 levels for the next three years (2027-2029), directly affecting all homeowners and property owners who pay these taxes. The bill requires tax rates to remain at 2026 levels regardless of local budget needs during this period. To ensure education funding stays fully supported, the bill mandates that any shortfall from the frozen rates be covered by redirecting money from the state's General Fund. This policy change provides immediate tax stability for property owners while guaranteeing continued education spending.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Education

James Gregoire (R) Dave Bosch (R) Mary Morrissey (R) Joe Luneau (R) Gina Galfetti (R)

passed both · Vermont · House Jan 23, 2026

HCR 174: House concurrent resolution recognizing January 27, 2026, as International Holocaust Remembrance Day in Vermont

This bill is a symbolic resolution recognizing January 27, 2026, as International Holocaust Remembrance Day in Vermont. It does not create new laws or policies but formally commemorates the date marking the liberation of Auschwitz and honors Holocaust victims. The resolution directs the Secretary of State to send a copy to the Vermont Holocaust Memorial, which educates the public about the Holocaust and promotes tolerance. It affects all Vermont residents by affirming the state's commitment to remembering this history and combating antisemitism.

passed both · Vermont · House Jan 23, 2026

HCR 172: House concurrent resolution in memory of the admired Vermont folk singer and former Elmore Town Moderator Jon Gailmor

HCR 172 is a commemorative resolution honoring Jon Gailmor, a Vermont folk singer and former Elmore Town Moderator who died in 2025. The resolution expresses the Vermont General Assembly’s condolences to his family and Elmore residents, recognizing his contributions as a musician who celebrated Vermont through songs like "A Town Meeting Tune" and his 15+ years serving as Elmore's town moderator. It directs the Secretary of State to send copies of the resolution to Gailmor’s family and the Elmore Town Clerk. This is a ceremonial measure with no policy impact.

introduced · Vermont · House Jan 22, 2026

H 746: An act relating to potable water supply and wastewater system permitting

H.746 simplifies permitting rules for potable water and wastewater systems to support housing development in Vermont. It requires a minimum 75-foot distance between water and wastewater systems (unless site conditions require more), allows public buildings like schools to switch uses without redesign, and sets new design standards for systems under paved areas. The bill reduces required water flow rates to enable compact housing, exempts village infrastructure projects from certain permits, and removes land use taxes for water system construction on enrolled agricultural land. These changes aim to lower development costs while maintaining health and environmental protections.

Topics ✓ Housing

introduced · Vermont · Senate Jan 22, 2026

S 294: An act relating to the creation of the Whole Home Repairs Program

S.294 creates Vermont's Whole Home Repairs Program within the Department of Housing and Community Development to provide funding for homeowners and private landlords. The program offers competitive grants and forgivable loans (capped at $50,000 per unit) to address habitability issues (like mold or lead), improve energy/water efficiency, or make homes accessible for people with disabilities. Landlords must contribute 20% in matching funds, cannot displace current tenants during repairs, and are prohibited from using renovated units as short-term rentals during the grant period. All grant details, including recipient names and amounts, will be publicly reported quarterly on the department’s website. This directly affects Vermont residents needing home repairs, particularly low-income households and landlords maintaining rental properties.

Topics ✓ Energy ✓ Housing

introduced · Vermont · House Jan 22, 2026

H 748: An act relating to regional plan future land use maps

H.748 amends Vermont's regional land use planning maps to clarify and update land use categories affecting development. It adds specific requirements for "village areas" (e.g., needing public water or adequate wastewater disposal) and defines "transition or infill areas" to encourage higher-density redevelopment while banning new commercial strip development that could harm existing commercial districts. The bill also creates a new "designated neighborhood" status for areas adjacent to village centers, prioritizing climate resilience and infill development within workforce housing zones near job-rich census tracts. These changes, effective July 1, 2026, directly impact municipalities and developers by shaping where and how new construction can occur under state land use regulations.

Topics ✓ Housing

introduced · Vermont · House Jan 22, 2026

H 745: An act relating to immigration enforcement

This bill requires federal immigration authorities to obtain a judicial warrant before entering nonpublic areas of Vermont's schools, healthcare facilities, polling places, public libraries, or childcare centers. It also prohibits Vermont's Department of Corrections from assisting federal immigration enforcement beyond what federal law permits and limits civil arrests in government buildings. The Human Rights Commission must create a model policy for sensitive locations by April 2027, guiding institutions on refusing warrantless access requests. These provisions directly affect federal immigration agents, Vermont schools, healthcare providers, and other sensitive location operators.

Topics ✓ Healthcare ✓ Immigration

introduced · Vermont · Senate Jan 22, 2026

S 290: An act relating to no net loss of State lands used for hunting and fishing

S.290 requires Vermont's Secretary of Natural Resources to ensure no net loss of state-owned or controlled lands available for hunting or fishing by July 1, 2026. If lands are closed to these activities (except for management, safety, or legal reasons), the Secretary must acquire replacement land within 25 miles that allows the same uses. The bill mandates annual reports to legislative committees detailing acreage closed, opened for replacement, and total available land. This directly affects state land management agencies and public access for hunters and anglers. (Effective July 1, 2026)

Topics ✓ Environment

introduced · Vermont · House Jan 22, 2026

H 751: An act relating to telecommunications siting

H.751 requires telecommunications companies to obtain permits from District Commissions for new facilities, including 5G small cell antennas. It repeals the previous certificate system and mandates specific safety rules: facilities must be at least 2,000 feet from residences, schools, hospitals, and parks; limit radiation to -75 dBm or 0.1 watts ERP; and require annual compliance certifications by licensed engineers. The bill directly affects telecom providers building infrastructure and aims to standardize siting rules for public safety and transparency. Key provisions include visible RF radiation labels on poles and annual monitoring reports for all radiating antennas.

Topics ✗ Technology

introduced · Vermont · House Jan 22, 2026

H 759: An act relating to a flat income tax

H.759 proposes replacing Vermont's current complex tax system - including income, sales, property, and estate taxes - with a single flat income tax. It would repeal 12 existing tax types (like education property tax, sales tax, and estate taxes) and simplify tax filing for all Vermont residents and businesses. The bill includes targeted relief for low-income households and rural communities to offset potential regressive impacts, while aiming to fund essential services like education and infrastructure through the new system. This change would affect every Vermont taxpayer subject to income tax, with specific adjustments to taxable income calculations outlined in the bill.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes

introduced · Vermont · Senate Jan 22, 2026

S 292: An act relating to granting public higher education employees the right to strike

This bill (S.292) would amend Vermont law to grant public higher education employees statewide the right to strike, which they currently do not have under state labor law. It directly affects employees at all public colleges and universities in Vermont (including Vermont State Colleges and the University of Vermont, which are currently exempt from the strike ban). The key mechanism is amending two sections of law: removing the prohibition on strikes for these employees in §903 and revising §962 to clarify that striking is not an unfair labor practice for them. The change would take effect on July 1, 2026.

Topics ✓ Education ✓ Labor & Employment

introduced · Vermont · Senate Jan 22, 2026

S 295: An act relating to Group membership in the State Employees’ Retirement System

This bill amends Vermont's State Employees' Retirement System membership definitions, primarily updating Group G eligibility. It adds three new job categories to Group G: Department of Corrections facility employees providing direct security/treatment, justice-involved youth facility staff, and Vermont Psychiatric Care Hospital patient care workers. It also expands Group G eligibility for sheriffs and deputy sheriffs who hold Level II/III law enforcement certification, perform law enforcement as their primary duty, and work for county sheriff's departments participating in the retirement system. The bill also clarifies existing Group C membership rules for certain public safety employees.

Topics ✓ Labor & Employment

Bill results