This bill directs approximately $900 million in state funding over nine years to address Vermont's housing shortage by supporting a range of programs for low-income, middle-income, and vulnerable residents including those experiencing homelessness, with disabilities, or facing eviction. The legislation establishes new programs to provide grants and forgivable loans to landlords for rehabilitating rental units, with requirements that properties remain affordable and cannot be used for short-term rentals during the funding period. It also creates a priority allocation system that balances affordable housing goals with the conservation of agricultural and natural lands, while expanding support for emergency shelter, permanent supportive housing, and manufactured home communities. The bill requires landlords receiving funding to contribute matching funds and mandates public transparency through quarterly reporting of grant recipients and affordability terms.
This bill directs the Vermont legislature to adjourn on Friday, April 5, 2024, and reconvene no later than Tuesday, April 9, 2024. It applies to both the Senate and House of Representatives, establishing a specific weekend break in legislative sessions. The resolution sets a clear schedule for when lawmakers will pause their work and when they must return to resume official duties. This procedural measure ensures a standardized adjournment period during the specified dates.
This bill designates April 3, 2024, as Prevention Day in Vermont to recognize efforts to prevent substance misuse. It directly affects community organizations, youth, and prevention groups working to address alcohol, marijuana, tobacco, and other substance use issues. The resolution directs the Secretary of State to send a copy of the document to Prevention Works!VT, the organization that hosts the annual event. This is a ceremonial measure that acknowledges the importance of substance misuse prevention rather than creating new laws or policies.
This bill creates a new 5% assessment fee for video streaming service providers in Vermont that earn more than $250,000 annually from streaming services. The fee is calculated based on the provider's gross receipts from customers located in the state and must be reported to the state tax commissioner by April 15 each year. The legislation defines covered services as video programming displayed for a fee on a subscription basis, while excluding cable television and certain revenue types like refunds, telecommunications services, and bundled charges. Collected funds are intended to support public benefits and services, particularly those in the communications sector, though the specific allocation details are not outlined in this text.
This bill aims to address court backlogs and improve access to justice in Vermont by increasing funding for legal services and adjusting corporate tax calculations. It establishes a surcharge on criminal fines and traffic penalties, directing portions of the revenue to victim compensation and domestic violence support funds. The legislation also modifies how corporate income is calculated for state tax purposes, specifically adjusting what counts as taxable income by adding back certain deductions and interest income. These changes are designed to provide more resources to legal aid organizations and victim services while ensuring corporations pay taxes based on a broader definition of their financial capacity.
This bill is a ceremonial resolution that honors Steve Mason, a former member of the Lowell School Board and North Country Supervisory Union Board in Vermont. It recognizes his 19-year chairmanship of the Lowell School Board and eight years on the supervisory union board for his leadership and commitment to education. The resolution directs the Secretary of State to send a copy of the document to Mason as a formal acknowledgment of his service. This type of bill does not change laws or policies but serves to publicly acknowledge an individual's contributions to their community.
This Vermont bill establishes statewide standards for law enforcement interrogations to prevent false confessions and wrongful convictions. It requires the Vermont Criminal Justice Council to create a model policy that prohibits law enforcement from using threats, physical harm, or deception during interrogations of all individuals, with specific protections for people under 20 and those with disabilities or low literacy. The bill also bans training officers in deceptive interrogation techniques like the Reid Technique and ties compliance with these standards to eligibility for state training services and financial grants. Law enforcement agencies must adopt and follow the model policy by April 1, 2025, with the Council reviewing and updating the policy every odd-numbered year thereafter.
This Senate concurrent resolution formally congratulates Jules Rabin of Marshfield on reaching his 100th birthday. The document recognizes his contributions as an educator, baker, peace activist, and writer, highlighting his long residence in Vermont and his various life achievements including teaching, baking sourdough bread, and organizing peace vigils. The resolution directs the Secretary of State to send a copy of the document to Rabin as an official acknowledgment of the General Assembly's congratulations.
This bill directs the Vermont legislature to adjourn on Friday, March 29, 2024, and reconvene no later than Tuesday, April 2, 2024. It affects state legislators by setting specific dates for the end of a legislative session and the start of the next. The resolution establishes a weekend break between the Friday adjournment and the Tuesday reconvening. This procedural measure ensures a structured schedule for legislative business without altering substantive laws or policies.
This bill is a commemorative resolution honoring the memory of Rutland City Police Officer Jessica Marie Ebbighausen, who was killed in the line of duty in July 2023. The resolution expresses the General Assembly's condolences to her family and directs the Secretary of State to send copies of the document to her family and the Rutland City Police Department. It does not create new laws or policies but serves as an official acknowledgment of her service and sacrifice.
This bill designates March 28, 2024, as Alzheimer's Awareness Day at the Vermont State House to raise public awareness about the disease. It directly affects state legislators, staff, and the Alzheimer's Association chapter in Vermont by formally recognizing the day through a ceremonial reading. The resolution includes background information on the impact of Alzheimer's in Vermont, including statistics on affected populations and caregiving costs, but does not create new laws or funding. The Secretary of State is instructed to send a copy of the resolution to the Vermont Chapter of the Alzheimer's Association.
This bill restructures Vermont's fish and wildlife management by creating a 16-member Fish and Wildlife Board that advises the Department of Fish and Wildlife on rules and policies. The board includes representatives from each county, two at-large members, and requires members to have expertise in wildlife biology and consider climate change impacts. Proposed regulations must be reviewed by the board before public hearings, and the board can recommend revisions with written explanations if the department does not adopt its suggestions. The bill also establishes a process for determining antlerless deer hunting seasons based on scientific studies and public testimony, with specific permit allocation rules for landowners and hunters.
