Vermont Bills

introduced · Vermont · House Jan 13, 2026

H 656: An act relating to supplemental compensation, health insurance, and retirement benefits for members of the General Assembly

This bill provides supplemental pay to Vermont General Assembly members whose household income during the legislative session falls below their pre-service income level. It also makes members eligible for the same state health insurance plan as executive branch employees (at identical cost) and allows them to join the state's Defined Contribution Retirement Plan with a matching contribution. These changes directly affect all legislators, including the Speaker and President Pro Tempore, who would receive similar supplemental payments based on income comparisons. The bill modifies existing statutes to establish these new compensation, health, and retirement benefits.

introduced · Vermont · Senate Jan 13, 2026

S 244: An act relating to the repeal of 2025 Acts and Resolves No. 73

This bill (S 244) proposes to repeal most provisions of 2025 Acts and Resolves No. 73, which was a comprehensive education and tax reform package. It specifically retains changes to tuition eligibility for approved independent schools (16 V.S.A. § 828), State Board of Education appointment rules (16 V.S.A. §§ 161-162), and the creation of regional assessment districts. The bill also creates new property tax classifications for second homes/short-term rentals and seasonal residential properties, taxing them like nonhomestead nonresidential properties. These changes affect Vermont school districts, taxpayers, and education funding structures by undoing prior legislative actions while maintaining specific education governance and tax provisions.

Topics ✗ Education

introduced · Vermont · Senate Jan 13, 2026

S 241: An act relating to regulating the use of artificial intelligence in the provision of mental health services

This Vermont bill (S.241) prohibits mental health professionals and organizations from offering, providing, or advertising mental health services delivered by artificial intelligence systems, such as chatbots for therapy. It directly affects mental health service providers, AI developers, and companies marketing AI-driven mental health tools. The bill creates a $10,000 civil penalty per violation under consumer protection law and defines "mental health services" to include therapy, counseling, treatment plans, and emotional support. The legislation stems from research showing AI systems have given dangerous advice (including suicide plans) and failed to recognize mental health crises, aiming to ensure services are delivered by licensed professionals.

Topics ✓ Healthcare ✗ Technology

introduced · Vermont · House Jan 13, 2026

H 654: An act relating to Vermont Airspace Safety and Unidentified Anomalous Phenomena Task Force

This bill creates the Vermont Airspace Safety and Unidentified Anomalous Phenomena (UAP) Task Force within the Department of Public Safety. The task force will evaluate reports of unexplained aerial objects (like drones or unidentified craft), assess public safety risks, and coordinate with federal agencies, academic experts, and Vermont's aviation sector. It requires the task force to work with the Scientific Coalition for UAP Studies (SCU) as its primary scientific partner for analyzing data. The bill directly affects Vermont residents and state agencies responsible for airspace safety by establishing a formal process for investigating and responding to UAP reports.

introduced · Vermont · House Jan 13, 2026

H 651: An act relating to aesthetics review for new energy projects

This bill eliminates aesthetic considerations from the review process for new energy projects in Vermont. It amends the law requiring the Public Utility Commission to evaluate projects for "undue adverse effect on aesthetics" when issuing a certificate of public good. The change directly affects developers of new energy facilities (like solar or wind projects) and the Commission's approval process. Other factors, such as environmental impact, historic sites, and public health, remain part of the review. The policy change takes effect July 1, 2026.

Topics ✓ Energy ✓ Environment

introduced · Vermont · House Jan 13, 2026

H 653: An act relating to approval of the adoption of the charter of the Town of Randolph

This bill (H.653) approves the adoption of the Town of Randolph's charter, specifically allowing Randolph's law enforcement officers to join the Vermont State Employees’ Retirement System as "Group G members." It amends the town's charter to clarify that police officers employed by Randolph who enroll in the state retirement system will be treated under the same terms as other state Group G members. This change directly affects Randolph's police department, providing them with access to the state retirement system instead of a separate local plan. The bill has no other substantive policy changes beyond this retirement enrollment provision.

introduced · Vermont · Senate Jan 13, 2026

S 238: An act relating to revenue for education and housing development

S.238 creates two new revenue streams to fund housing and education: a 2% surcharge on short-term rental stays (like Airbnb) and a tax on sugar-sweetened beverages. The rental surcharge will directly affect short-term rental operators, while the beverage tax applies to manufacturers and sellers of sugary drinks (excluding medical uses). Revenue from both taxes will flow into the Housing Investments Special Fund (to build/repair housing for low-income Vermonters) and the Education Fund. The bill explicitly targets housing for households earning under 120% of the Area Median Income, with a focus on making housing affordable for low-income residents.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Housing

introduced · Vermont · Senate Jan 13, 2026

S 240: An act relating to developing State-owned affordable housing

This bill creates a Vermont Housing Production Revolving Fund to develop state-owned affordable housing for low and moderate-income households (defined as earning up to 150% of area median income). It authorizes the State Treasurer to issue $50 million in bonds to fund the program, which will provide loans to developers for purchasing or building housing that remains permanently affordable. Repayments of principal, interest, and fees will replenish the fund for future projects, creating a self-sustaining system. The program requires equitable distribution of funds across communities based on economic need and annual reporting to legislative committees.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Housing

introduced · Vermont · Senate Jan 13, 2026

S 242: An act relating to dementia respite and dementia capable programming

This bill appropriates $750,000 for Vermont's dementia respite grant program to support unpaid family caregivers of people with dementia, with funds capped at $3,000 per person for individuals at or below 400% of the federal poverty level. It also allocates $100,000 for a one-year pilot program creating dementia-capable social activities in Rutland and Washington Counties, funding community organizations like senior centers with $25,000 grants. The respite program specifically covers in-home care, adult day services, and "out-of-home day" respite, prioritizing caregivers with high care burdens. It directly affects Vermonters with dementia and their 20,000 unpaid caregivers, who collectively provide 29 million hours of annual care.

Topics ✓ Healthcare

introduced · Vermont · House Jan 13, 2026

H 645: An act relating to identity verification in real property transactions

This bill requires real estate brokers, salespersons, attorneys, title insurers, and mortgage lenders to verify the identity of sellers (grantors) in property transactions using an identity verification platform approved by Vermont's Secretary of State. It creates a registry for "secure real property transactors" (those using approved platforms) and mandates town clerks to expedite recording for transactions meeting this verification standard. Parties must provide documentation showing identity verification through an approved platform, or register with the Secretary of State for $20 annually. Non-compliant transactions will face delayed processing until verification is provided, with town clerks required to notify parties of this requirement.

introduced · Vermont · Senate Jan 13, 2026

S 245: An act relating to allowing telehealth appointments to be recorded with patient and provider consent

This Vermont bill (S.245) amends health care statutes to require both patient and provider consent before recording telehealth appointments or audio-only phone consultations. It directly affects healthcare providers and patients using telemedicine services, clarifying that recordings may only occur with explicit agreement from both parties. The key provision adds a dual-consent requirement to existing rules prohibiting unauthorized recordings during virtual or phone health visits. The bill does not create new recording rights but establishes a clear consent mechanism for existing telehealth practices.

Topics ✓ Healthcare ✓ Technology

introduced · Vermont · House Jan 13, 2026

H 659: An act relating to Child Care Financial Assistance Program certificates

H.659 requires Vermont's Department for Children and Families to update its rules for the Child Care Financial Assistance Program. It directly affects families with multiple children enrolled in the program who currently have certificates automatically assigned by the children's age. The bill mandates that certificates be ordered based on the parent or guardian's choice instead of automatically by age. This change provides families with greater flexibility in how their child care assistance is applied across multiple children. The policy shift is a specific procedural adjustment to the program's certificate assignment process.

Bill results