Vermont Bills

introduced · Vermont · House Feb 28, 2025

H 451: An act relating to promoting racial and economic justice

H 451 (An act relating to promoting racial and economic justice) establishes Vermont's legislative intent to address systemic racism and wealth disparities rooted in historical injustices, including land dispossession from Indigenous Abenaki communities and the legacy of slavery. The bill directly affects Vermonters who face discrimination based on race, ethnicity, disability, or other factors, particularly those experiencing disproportionate barriers in homeownership, land access, and economic opportunity. Key mechanisms include mandating a "just transition" to an economic system that centers historically marginalized groups, requiring the state to engage in truth and reconciliation processes guided by impacted communities, and acknowledging how past policies created multigenerational wealth gaps. The bill focuses on concrete policy changes like data disaggregation by race (using "non-White" for BIPOC communities) and systemic reforms to improve access to economic advancement and cultural empowerment.

introduced · Vermont · House Feb 28, 2025

H 443: An act relating to a tax on vacant properties

This bill (H 443) proposes a new tax on residential and commercial properties that remain vacant for extended periods. It directly affects property owners who leave buildings empty, requiring them to pay an additional tax based on the property's value. The key provision creates a specific tax rate for vacant properties, aiming to encourage property use and generate local revenue. The bill is currently under review by the Committee on Ways and Means.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Housing

introduced · Vermont · Senate Feb 28, 2025

S 100: An act relating to administration of the concentrated animal feeding operation water quality permit

This bill clarifies the Secretary of Natural Resources' authority to regulate, permit, and enforce discharges from concentrated animal feeding operations (CAFOs) in Vermont. It adds specific definitions for CAFO types (large/medium), discharges, and pollutants to determine when permits are required, directly affecting large CAFOs (e.g., facilities with 1,000+ cattle) and medium CAFOs (e.g., 300-999 cattle). Key mechanisms include defining "continuous discharge" and "daily discharge" for monitoring, and specifying that discharges into waterways or non-compliant land applications trigger permit requirements. The changes establish clearer standards for water quality oversight without altering existing permit thresholds.

Topics ✓ Environment

introduced · Vermont · House Feb 28, 2025

H 453: An act relating to amending stormwater management to facilitate high-density development

This bill requires Vermont's Secretary of Natural Resources to update stormwater management rules to align with recent state land use changes that support higher-density development in walkable neighborhoods. It mandates incorporating existing EPA-approved stormwater management standards - such as off-site treatment and alternatives for high-density areas - into the state's permitting system. The policy directly affects developers and municipalities seeking to build denser housing in designated high-density zones. The changes aim to streamline permitting for projects that meet updated environmental standards without requiring new infrastructure.

Topics ✓ Environment ✓ Housing

introduced · Vermont · Senate Feb 28, 2025

S 96: An act relating to the calculation of recidivism and other related criminology measures

This bill redefines how Vermont calculates recidivism (reoffending after a prior conviction) and establishes a four-tier classification system for repeat violent offenders. It sets specific time thresholds between offenses: Class 1 requires at least one year, Class 2 three years, Class 3 five years, and Class 4 ten years before a new conviction. The Department of Corrections will use these definitions to measure recidivism rates and track repeat violent offenders. The changes apply to individuals sentenced to over one year in prison or convicted of violent offenses, effective July 1, 2025. The bill does not alter sentencing or penalties but standardizes how these metrics are calculated.

Topics ✗ Criminal Justice

introduced · Vermont · Senate Feb 28, 2025

S 104: An act relating to income-based education funding

Vermont's S.104 would replace the current education property tax with an income-based education tax starting in 2027, eventually applying to all residents (homeowners and renters) by 2030. The bill eliminates the homestead property tax but keeps nonhomestead tax on non-residential property, while creating new renter credits against the income tax and adjusting property tax credits to provide broader relief for lower-income households. It also establishes a new top income tax rate to offset revenue losses from these credit changes. The bill is currently in the Finance Committee after its first reading on February 28, 2025.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Education

introduced · Vermont · House Feb 28, 2025

H 439: An act relating to the creation of the Whole Home Repairs Program

This bill creates Vermont's Whole Home Repairs Program, providing grants and forgivable loans to homeowners and landlords for repairs addressing health/safety hazards (like mold or lead), improving energy/water efficiency, or making homes accessible for people with disabilities. The program, administered by the Department of Housing and Community Development, limits funding to $50,000 per unit and requires landlords to contribute 20% of costs in cash or services. Homeowners must earn 80% or less of the area median income to qualify for grants, while landlords must meet specific conditions like long-term property ownership and no recent safety violations. All grant/loan details will be publicly reported quarterly, and units cannot be converted to short-term rentals during the program period.

Topics ✓ Energy ✓ Housing

introduced · Vermont · House Feb 28, 2025

H 430: An act relating to allowing health insurance premiums to vary based on age and tobacco usage

H 430 allows Vermont health insurers to adjust individual and small group health insurance premiums based on the policyholder's age and tobacco use, while maintaining strict limits. Insurers may charge up to 3 times more for the oldest age group compared to the youngest, and up to 1.5 times more for tobacco users compared to non-users. Premium changes cannot deviate more than 20% above or below the standard community rate, and total adjustments (including age/tobacco) must stay within a 30% cap. This bill directly affects Vermont residents purchasing individual or small-group health plans, effective January 1, 2026.

Topics ✗ Healthcare

introduced · Vermont · House Feb 28, 2025

H 428: An act relating to training requirements for guardians

H 428 requires court-appointed guardians for adults with disabilities to complete mandatory training before starting their role and every three years thereafter. The training, developed jointly by the Probate Division and Vermont's Department of Disabilities, Aging, and Independent Living, covers guardianship duties, constitutional rights, civil rights for people with disabilities, and a court-approved handbook. This applies directly to individuals serving as legal guardians for adults with disabilities in Vermont. The bill aims to ensure guardians understand their responsibilities and the rights of the people they support. The law takes effect on September 1, 2025.

introduced · Vermont · House Feb 28, 2025

H 448: An act relating to miscellaneous amendments to the Vermont State Employees’ Retirement System

H 448 amends Vermont's State Employees’ Retirement System to create a new Group G membership category for specific state workers, including correctional facility staff, mental health care providers, and public safety employees. It changes retirement benefits for Group G members to a formula of 2.5% of average final compensation per year of service (capping at 50-60% depending on role), replaces their previous contribution rates with a pay-quartile system (starting at 11.23% in 2024 and decreasing to 8.93% by 2026), and expands creditable service for temporary/seasonal state work and prior military service without requiring additional contributions. These changes directly affect current and future Group G employees in designated state roles. The bill also establishes a statutory contractual right for all retirement system members.

introduced · Vermont · Senate Feb 28, 2025

S 103: An act relating to updating the Periodic Inspection Manual

This bill requires Vermont's Department of Motor Vehicles to update the Periodic Inspection Manual to clarify that cosmetic rust, corrosion, or torn metal on a vehicle (not affecting structural integrity or safety) cannot cause a vehicle to fail its annual safety inspection. It directly affects Vermont vehicle owners (especially owners of older vehicles with minor cosmetic rust), mechanics conducting inspections, and the DMV. Key provisions mandate the DMV to adopt manual amendments by January 1, 2026, including clear distinctions between cosmetic rust and safety-threatening damage, plus visual examples and training for mechanics. The changes aim to prevent unnecessary inspection failures due to non-safety-related cosmetic issues.

Topics ✓ Transportation

introduced · Vermont · House Feb 28, 2025

H 429: An act relating to the jurisdiction of the Human Rights Commission

H.429 would expand the jurisdiction of Vermont's Human Rights Commission to include handling discrimination complaints against members of the state legislature (General Assembly) and elected statewide officials. Currently, these officials are excluded from the Commission's authority, meaning such complaints could not be formally addressed through this process. The bill directly affects state legislators and statewide elected officials by making them subject to the Commission's complaint procedures for unlawful discrimination. This change would create a formal mechanism for addressing discrimination claims against these public officials within the existing Human Rights Commission framework. The bill was referred to the Committee on General and Housing on February 28, 2025, and remains in early legislative review.

Bill results