Vermont Bills

introduced · Vermont · House Jan 21, 2026

H 728: An act relating to trespass in common areas

This bill (H.728) allows landlords in Vermont to obtain a "no trespass" order barring a tenant’s guests or licensees from entering the dwelling unit or its common areas under specific conditions. Landlords may seek such orders if the tenant consents, the guest violated the lease terms, or the guest broke state/federal law on the property. The order can be appealed only through a small claims court action within seven days, with the court’s decision being final. This directly affects landlords, tenants (who control guest access), and guests/licensees who may face trespass restrictions.

Topics ✗ Housing

introduced · Vermont · Senate Jan 21, 2026

S 283: An act relating to school districts pursuing school construction projects during the moratorium on State aid

This bill (S 283) changes how Vermont school districts calculate "excess spending" for state aid eligibility and allows early construction of school projects during a state aid moratorium. It excludes capital construction costs from "education spending" calculations (Section 1) and deems school districts that begin construction before July 1, 2026, as having "good cause" to do so without final state approval (Section 2). The bill directly affects Vermont school districts planning construction projects, particularly those wanting to start work before the state aid program begins. These changes take effect immediately upon passage for the spending exclusion and on July 1, 2026, for the construction approval provision.

Topics ✓ Education

introduced · Vermont · House Jan 21, 2026

H 734: An act relating to nonprofit transparency in lobbying and elections

H.734 requires Vermont-based nonprofit organizations spending over $10,000 annually on issue advocacy, lobbying, or election-related activities to disclose their major funders and affiliated entities. It creates new categories for nonprofits - “advocacy organizations” (for those exceeding the $10,000 threshold) and “grassroots lobbying entities” (for efforts urging the public to contact lawmakers). The bill mandates annual reporting of these details to increase transparency around how nonprofits influence policy and elections in Vermont. This directly affects nonprofits operating in Vermont that engage in significant advocacy or lobbying, not general charitable nonprofits or political campaigns.

introduced · Vermont · House Jan 21, 2026

H 736: An act relating to medication adherence and continuity of care in inpatient health care settings

This bill requires Vermont inpatient health care facilities to allow patients to continue taking all medically necessary medications prescribed for rare diseases - even if the facility doesn’t normally stock those drugs. It directly affects hospitals and patients receiving treatment for rare conditions who enter facilities while on specific medication regimens. The key provision mandates that facilities must accommodate these medications to prevent treatment disruptions during hospital stays. This ensures continuity of care without requiring facilities to maintain stock of every rare disease medication. The bill aims to address documented shortages of rare disease drugs in hospitals.

Topics ✓ Healthcare

introduced · Vermont · House Jan 21, 2026

H 738: An act relating to licensing fees for fair stands

H.738 would allow fair stand operators in Vermont to sell food for up to three days per year without paying an annual licensure fee. Currently, fair stands operating four or more days annually must pay $125, but this bill would waive that fee for short-term operations. The key change amends Vermont law to establish a fee exemption for fair stands operating three days or less, while the existing $125 fee would still apply for longer operations. This change would directly affect small food vendors at temporary events like fairs or festivals, reducing their costs for brief participation. The bill would take effect on July 1, 2026.

introduced · Vermont · Senate Jan 21, 2026

S 281: An act relating to the Zero-Carbon Nuclear Feasibility Study for Vermont

This bill creates a 7-member committee to study the feasibility of building a new nuclear power plant in Vermont. The committee, including representatives from the state utility commission, electric companies, and bipartisan legislators, will examine past nuclear plant closures, legal barriers, and stakeholder input by December 2026. It will produce a report with recommendations for potential legislative action, but the bill itself does not authorize construction or funding. The study is strictly procedural, focusing on gathering information rather than making policy changes.

Topics ✓ Environment

introduced · Vermont · Senate Jan 21, 2026

S 287: An act relating to studying the construction of a self-funding limited access highway replacing Route 22A and linking Burlington, Vergennes, Middlebury, and Rutland to Interstate 87

This bill creates a study committee to examine the potential for building a new limited-access highway connecting Burlington, Vergennes, Middlebury, and Rutland to Interstate 87, replacing Vermont Route 22A. The committee, composed of transportation officials, local mayors, and regional planning representatives, will analyze Route 22A's current usage, potential highway routes, estimated costs, and funding options like tolls or public-private partnerships. It must submit a report to the legislature by January 15, 2027, detailing findings and recommendations. The study focuses on economic impacts and alternatives for the primary route from Burlington to I-87, without authorizing construction or funding.

Topics ✓ Transportation

introduced · Vermont · Senate Jan 21, 2026

S 286: An act relating to a meals and rooms tax surcharge for school construction aid

This bill imposes a 2% surcharge on hotel room rentals, taxable meals, and alcoholic beverages in Vermont. Businesses selling these items must collect the surcharge in addition to existing taxes and clearly label it as funding the School Construction Aid Special Fund. Revenue from this surcharge will be deposited directly into the School Construction Aid Special Fund, which supports public school construction projects. The surcharge applies to the same tax base as Vermont's current meals and rooms tax, effective August 1, 2026.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Education

introduced · Vermont · Senate Jan 21, 2026

S 285: An act relating to the adoption of policies to allow Vermont State Police officers and correctional officers to wear religious head coverings

This bill requires Vermont's Department of Public Safety and Department of Corrections to adopt or update policies by October 1, 2026, allowing state police officers and correctional officers to wear religious head coverings while on duty in uniform - subject to exceptions where tight-fitting protective headgear is required for safety. It directly affects sworn law enforcement and correctional officers who wish to observe religious practices. The policy change applies only to head coverings worn during official duties, not to standard uniform requirements. The bill mandates specific deadlines for policy implementation but does not specify which religious practices are covered.

Topics ✓ Labor & Employment

introduced · Vermont · House Jan 21, 2026

H 731: An act relating to the water quality of the State

H 731 codifies Vermont's antidegradation policy to comply with federal Clean Water Act requirements and establishes a new classification system for inland lakes and ponds. The bill directly affects all state waters, particularly lakes and ponds, by requiring management that protects existing uses and maximizes the health of littoral ecosystems. Key provisions include defining "high quality waters" and "outstanding resource waters," setting standards to prevent degradation, and requiring permits to evaluate cumulative impacts of discharges. This system ensures water quality management aligns with public health and environmental goals under Vermont's water quality standards.

Topics ✓ Environment

introduced · Vermont · Senate Jan 21, 2026

S 279: An act relating to caterer’s licenses and the distribution of malt beverages by licensed manufacturers

This bill (S.279) allows licensed malt beverage manufacturers in Vermont to sell directly to businesses with first- or second-class licenses (like restaurants and bars), but limits annual direct sales to 5,000 barrels per manufacturer. It also updates the definition of a "caterer’s license" to remove restrictions preventing caterers from serving alcohol at first- or third-class licensed venues. The changes affect malt beverage manufacturers, licensed venues, and caterers by expanding distribution options and clarifying where alcohol can be served at events. The bill takes effect July 1, 2026.

introduced · Vermont · Senate Jan 21, 2026

S 288: An act relating to hunting or fishing license fees for nonresident students enrolled in Vermont schools

S.288 would allow nonresident full-time students enrolled in Vermont schools to purchase hunting or fishing licenses at resident rates. Specifically, it applies to students in grades 9-12, postsecondary institutions, or postgraduate programs who have completed two semesters and present a valid student ID or school verification. Under this bill, these students would pay the same fees as Vermont residents ($28 for fishing/hunting, $47 for combo) instead of the higher nonresident fees ($54, $102, or $143). The change takes effect July 1, 2026, and requires students to show proof of enrollment when applying for a license.

Bill results