Vermont Bills

passed both · Vermont · House Mar 1, 2024

HCR 165: House concurrent resolution congratulating the 2024 Essex High School Hornets Division I championship boys’ indoor track and field team

This bill is a House concurrent resolution that formally congratulates the 2024 Essex High School Hornets boys' indoor track and field team for winning the Division I championship. The resolution recognizes the team's athletic achievements, including their performance in various events and their narrow victory over St. Johnsbury Academy. It also acknowledges the contributions of the team members and their coaching staff. The General Assembly directs the Secretary of State to send a copy of this resolution to Essex High School.

passed both · Vermont · House Mar 1, 2024

HCR 166: House concurrent resolution congratulating the Essex High School Hornets girls’ volleyball team on winning its third consecutive State championship

This House concurrent resolution formally congratulates the Essex High School Hornets girls' volleyball team on winning their third consecutive state championship. The document acknowledges the team's achievement of winning 51 straight games and lists the players and coaches who earned this honor. It directs the Secretary of State to send a copy of the resolution to Essex High School as a gesture of recognition.

passed both · Vermont · House Feb 29, 2024

HCR 162: House concurrent resolution honoring Sergeant at Arms Janet Miller for her stellar public service for the General Assembly

This bill is a ceremonial resolution that honors Sergeant at Arms Janet Miller for her service to the Vermont General Assembly. It recognizes her long career, which includes managing security, coordinating events, and overseeing the Legislative Council before she was elected to her current role five times. The resolution also acknowledges her specific contributions during the COVID-19 pandemic, including helping the legislature transition back to in-person meetings. The bill directs the Secretary of State to send a copy of this honor to Janet Miller, who has announced her retirement effective March 1, 2024.

Kesha Ram Hinsdale (D) Robert Starr (D) Andrew Perchlik (D) Dick Mazza (D) Bob Norris (R) · 148 co-sponsors

passed · Vermont · House Feb 28, 2024

H 132: An act relating to prohibiting discrimination against persons without homes

This bill expands anti-discrimination protections in Vermont by adding housing status, which includes homelessness, to the list of protected characteristics in state laws covering public accommodations, housing, employment, and land use decisions. The legislation prohibits businesses, landlords, employers, and government agencies from refusing service, denying housing, discriminating in employment, or making discriminatory housing advertisements based on whether a person is homeless or perceived to be homeless. By amending existing statutes across multiple areas, the bill ensures that individuals experiencing homelessness receive the same legal protections against unfair treatment as other protected groups. The changes apply to public accommodations, real estate transactions, employment practices, and land use permitting, requiring compliance from owners, operators, employers, and relevant agencies throughout the state.

Topics ✓ Housing ✓ Labor & Employment

passed both · Vermont · House Feb 27, 2024

HCR 161: House concurrent resolution honoring Newport City Council Chair John Wilson for his national and municipal public service

This bill is a ceremonial resolution that honors John Wilson, a former Newport City Council Chair, for his public service. It recognizes his military career in the U.S. Army, including service in Vietnam, and his long-term leadership on the Newport City Council where he chaired the body for 15 years. The resolution directs the Secretary of State to send a copy to John Wilson and the Newport City Clerk as a formal acknowledgment of his contributions.

Topics ✓ Veterans

passed both · Vermont · House Feb 27, 2024

HCR 160: House concurrent resolution in memory of veteran Pownal firefighter Kenneth Carlton O’Dell

This bill is a commemorative resolution honoring the life and service of Kenneth Carlton O'Dell, a veteran Pownal firefighter who served for 65 years. It formally extends condolences to O'Dell's family and directs the Secretary of State to send copies of the resolution to his family and the Pownal Fire Department. The document recognizes his extensive contributions to the community, including his work as a burner technician, cemetery superintendent, and volunteer firefighter. This legislative action serves as a formal acknowledgment of his public service rather than enacting new laws or policies.

Topics ✓ Veterans

passed both · Vermont · House Feb 27, 2024

HCR 163: House concurrent resolution recognizing Public Schools Week in Vermont

This bill is a ceremonial resolution that officially recognizes the week of February 26 to March 1 as Public Schools Week in Vermont. It does not create new laws or change policies but instead acknowledges the importance of public schools as community institutions and major employers. The resolution directs the Secretary of State to send copies to various education-related organizations, including the Vermont Secretary of Education and state education associations. This measure serves to honor the role of public schools in Vermont society without affecting any operational or funding aspects of the education system.

Topics ✓ Education

passed both · Vermont · Senate Feb 27, 2024

SCR 10: Senate concurrent resolution honoring Waterville Town Clerk and Treasurer Nancy LaRose for her exemplary municipal public service

This Senate concurrent resolution honors Nancy LaRose, the Waterville Town Clerk and Treasurer, for her 27 years of exemplary public service. The bill formally recognizes her contributions, including her role in election oversight, financial management, and community projects like the Town Clerk's office relocation. It directs the Secretary of State to send a copy of the resolution to LaRose and the Waterville Selectboard. This is a commemorative measure that does not change any laws or policies.

passed both · Vermont · Senate Feb 23, 2024

JRS 46: Joint resolution regarding weekend adjournment on February 23, 2024

This bill directs the Vermont State Legislature to adjourn on Friday, February 23, 2024, and to reconvene no later than Tuesday, February 27, 2024. It directly affects state legislators by setting specific dates for the legislative session to pause and resume during the weekend. The resolution establishes a procedural schedule for legislative meetings without changing laws or policies. This measure ensures the legislative body meets again within a defined timeframe after the Friday adjournment.

passed both · Vermont · House Feb 22, 2024

HCR 158: House concurrent resolution designating February 22, 2024 as Age Strong Vermont Day at the State House

This bill designates February 22, 2024 as Age Strong Vermont Day at the State House to recognize the state's aging population and the new 10-year action plan developed to support older Vermonters. It directly affects Vermont residents aged 60 and older, who make up nearly 30 percent of the state's population, by formally acknowledging the Age Strong VT roadmap that addresses seven key areas including affordable aging, health, social connection, and elder justice. The resolution requires the Secretary of State to send copies to the Governor and relevant state officials, serving as a ceremonial observance rather than creating new policy requirements.

Dan Noyes (D) · 32 co-sponsors

passed both · Vermont · House Feb 22, 2024

HCR 159: House concurrent resolution congratulating the Vermont State Employees’ Association on its 80th anniversary

This bill is a ceremonial resolution that congratulates the Vermont State Employees' Association on its 80th anniversary. It does not change any laws or policies but serves as an official recognition of the organization's history and contributions to advocating for state employees. The resolution directs the Secretary of State to send a copy of the document to the association. This type of bill is purely symbolic and has no practical impact on government operations or employee rights.

passed both · Vermont · Senate Feb 16, 2024

JRS 45: Joint resolution relating to weekend adjournment on February 16, 2024

This bill directs the Vermont State Legislature to adjourn on Friday, February 16, 2024, and reconvene no later than Tuesday, February 20, 2024. It directly affects the state's legislative body by setting specific dates for when lawmakers will pause and resume their sessions during that weekend. The resolution establishes a procedural schedule for legislative meetings rather than changing laws or policies.

Bill results