Vermont Bills

introduced · Vermont · House Jan 13, 2026

H 658: An act relating to sign language interpretation at public events for elected officials

H 658 requires local, state, and federal elected officials to provide sign language interpretation at public events they host. This directly affects Deaf and hard of hearing individuals by improving their access to participate in governance and civic engagement. The bill mandates interpretation services at all such events, ensuring accessibility without specifying funding mechanisms or enforcement details.

introduced · Vermont · House Jan 13, 2026

H 646: An act relating to creating a residential property tax subclass for uninhabitable buildings

This bill creates an annual fee for properties deemed uninhabitable by municipal officials under existing Vermont law (24 V.S.A. § 2291(24)). The fee equals the greater of 1% of a property’s appraised value or $5,000, due when regular property taxes are collected. It applies only to properties determined uninhabitable (e.g., abandoned, boarded-up, or unsafe) that remain unrepaired for 30 days after the determination. Property owners may request a pro-rata fee abatement once repairs are completed, as outlined in Section 1539 of the bill.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes

introduced · Vermont · House Jan 13, 2026

H 652: An act relating to wastewater discharges from landfills

H.652 prohibits all landfill leachate discharges - whether treated or untreated - from entering the Lake Memphremagog watershed. This includes direct discharges from landfills or transfers to wastewater treatment facilities within the watershed. The bill targets PFAS-contaminated leachate, citing studies showing Lake Memphremagog has the highest PFOS levels in Vermont (2.8 ppt) and fish with PFAS at 1,000 ppt. It directly affects landfill operators and wastewater facilities in the watershed, banning any discharge that could harm the lake’s water quality or public health.

Topics ✓ Environment

introduced · Vermont · House Jan 13, 2026

H 647: An act relating to vinous beverage manufacturers and fourth-class licenses

H.647 modifies Vermont's alcohol licensing rules for vinous beverage manufacturers (wine producers). It increases serving limits at fourth-class tasting rooms and retail shops: allowing up to 16 ounces of malt beverages/cider, 12 ounces of wine/RTDs, and limited spirits per customer. The bill also permits manufacturers to operate up to two first-class retail locations directly on their licensed manufacturing property or adjacent owned land. These changes would take effect on July 1, 2026, and directly affect licensed wineries seeking expanded retail operations.

introduced · Vermont · House Jan 13, 2026

H 640: An act relating to adding voting student members to school district boards

This bill would require Vermont school districts providing secondary education to add voting student members for grades 9-12 (one student per grade, totaling four voting members) and nonvoting student members for grades 7-8 (one student per grade, totaling two nonvoting members). Student members must be enrolled in and attending a school within the district during their term, and appointments would be made by the superintendent using a process involving student input. The bill applies to all town, city, and regional school districts operating secondary schools and takes effect July 1, 2026. It does not change the term length for student members, who serve the same term as other board members.

Topics ✓ Education

introduced · Vermont · House Jan 13, 2026

H 655: An act relating to alcoholic beverages and the Board of Liquor and Lottery

H.655 modifies Vermont's alcohol licensing rules. It changes the Board of Liquor and Lottery's term length from three to four years, removes hour restrictions for off-premises alcohol sales (like takeout), and requires special event permits to get local commissioners' approval. The bill also eliminates the requirement for solicitors to pay license fees via certified check and cancels a planned 2026 repeal of rules for "retail establishments" (such as stores selling alcohol alongside other goods). These changes directly affect liquor license holders, event organizers, and the Board members. The bill preserves existing rules for retail establishments while updating administrative processes.

introduced · Vermont · House Jan 13, 2026

H 641: An act relating to requiring all hospitals to use the same independent auditor

This bill requires all Vermont hospitals to use a single independent auditor for their financial statement audits. It directly affects every hospital in Vermont by mandating they no longer choose their own auditors. The Green Mountain Care Board, in consultation with the State Auditor, will select and direct the use of this single auditor. The bill aims to standardize financial oversight across the state's hospital system.

introduced · Vermont · Senate Jan 13, 2026

S 237: An act relating to restructuring the Parole Board

S.237 restructures Vermont's Parole Board by establishing a five-member board (one full-time chair and four members) with new staffing requirements, including a staff attorney and additional administrative support. It mandates annual training for board members on topics like criminogenic behavior and trauma-informed practices, requires the board to submit its budget directly to the Governor, and sets new parole eligibility rules: offenders must have no pending criminal charges to qualify. The bill also clarifies victims’ rights to receive notification of parole hearings, testify, and receive the board’s decision, while allowing parolees to voluntarily relinquish parole status or benefit from earned time. These changes directly affect parole board operations, incarcerated individuals seeking release, crime victims, and parolees.

Topics ✓ Criminal Justice

introduced · Vermont · House Jan 13, 2026

H 644: An act relating to regulating the use of artificial intelligence in the provision of mental health services

Vermont's H.644 prohibits mental health professionals and entities from offering, providing, or advertising mental health services delivered by artificial intelligence systems, with limited exceptions. The bill directly affects licensed mental health providers, clinics, and AI service developers operating in Vermont. It amends licensing rules to define AI misuse as unprofessional conduct and adds penalties of $10,000 per violation under the Consumer Protection Act. The law aims to prevent harm from AI systems that have been shown to give dangerous advice (e.g., encouraging self-harm or suicide) based on research cited in the bill.

Topics ✓ Healthcare ✗ Technology

introduced · Vermont · House Jan 13, 2026

H 638: An act relating to recovery residence certification

H.638 establishes a voluntary certification program for recovery residences in Vermont through the Department of Health. It defines recovery residences as peer-support living spaces for people recovering from substance use disorders and sets six standards for certification, including meeting safety/sanitation rules, having a complaint process, and maintaining certification via a Vermont-approved organization. Certified residences must annually report data to the Department (e.g., resident numbers, employment changes) and undergo inspections with 10 days' notice. The bill directly affects recovery residences operating in Vermont, requiring them to meet these standards to participate in the program.

introduced · Vermont · House Jan 13, 2026

H 643: An act relating to purchase and use tax revenue

H.643 redirects all revenue from Vermont's purchase and use tax to the Transportation Fund instead of the Education Fund, phasing out the education allocation over six years. The bill gradually reduces the annual cap for education funding - from $50 million in 2026 down to $10 million in 2030 - before fully repealing it by 2031. This change directly affects state budget allocations, shifting funds from education to transportation infrastructure without altering the tax itself. The policy change takes effect annually starting July 1, 2026, with full implementation by 2031.

Topics ✗ Budget & Taxes ✗ Education ✓ Transportation

introduced · Vermont · Senate Jan 9, 2026

S 226: An act relating to the creation of the Vermont Sister State Program

This bill establishes Vermont's official Sister State Program within the Agency of Commerce and Community Development to foster relationships with subnational governments (like other states or regions) abroad. The program is overseen by a 10-member committee including state agency leaders, legislative members, and experts in cultural exchange, education, and arts. It creates a formal process where the committee reviews applications within 30 days, uses a scoring rubric to evaluate proposals, and recommends partnerships to the Governor. The program aims to strengthen Vermont's international ties through cultural exchange, economic development, and educational cooperation.

Bill results