Vermont Bills

introduced · Vermont · House Jan 9, 2026

H 629: An act relating to judgments issued by the Family Division of the Superior Court

This bill changes how money and property judgments from Vermont's Family Division (e.g., child support, alimony, or property division orders) can be enforced after the initial 8-year period. It requires renewal via a "motion to renew" filed within 8 years (or until the last payment is due), not by starting a new civil lawsuit. Payments, written debt acknowledgments, or other compliance actions by the person owing money restart the 8-year clock. All such judgments must now include a clear warning: "RENEWAL... SHALL BE INITIATED BY MOTION TO RENEW WITHIN EIGHT YEARS... OR IT SHALL BE TIME BARRED." It directly affects individuals with ongoing family court judgments seeking enforcement.

introduced · Vermont · Senate Jan 9, 2026

S 228: An act relating to collective bargaining over remote, in-person, and hybrid work standards for State employees

This bill requires Vermont's Executive Branch to negotiate remote, in-person, and hybrid work arrangements for State employees through collective bargaining. It amends the State Employees Labor Relations Act to explicitly add "terms and conditions of remote, in-person, and hybrid work standards" as a mandatory subject for bargaining. The change directly affects all permanent and limited-status State employees, ensuring their input on work location policies. The law takes effect immediately upon passage, making work arrangement decisions subject to negotiation rather than unilateral state policy.

Topics ✓ Labor & Employment

introduced · Vermont · House Jan 9, 2026

H 628: An act relating to domestic abuse orders of protection

This bill (H.628) amends Vermont's domestic abuse protection laws to allow courts to issue orders requiring defendants under Department of Corrections supervision - convicted of specific violent crimes like domestic assault or sexual assault - to continue paying household bills they were responsible for at the time the plaintiff requested the order. It directly affects domestic abuse victims (plaintiffs) and defendants in correctional supervision who have committed certain violent offenses. The key provision adds a requirement for defendants to cover household expenses for up to three months, in addition to standard protective measures like restraining orders or housing awards. This change ensures financial stability for victims during the protection process without altering existing legal standards for abuse claims.

Topics ✓ Criminal Justice

introduced · Vermont · Senate Jan 9, 2026

S 229: An act relating to compensation and health insurance for members of the General Assembly

S.229 creates the Legislative Compensation Commission to review and recommend changes to Vermont legislators' pay, benefits, and working conditions. The commission, composed of non-legislators appointed by legislative leaders and the governor, will conduct an initial review and make biennial recommendations on compensation rates, expense reimbursements, and staffing. Crucially, the bill would make General Assembly members eligible for the state employees' health benefit plan under the same terms and cost as executive branch employees. This directly affects current and future Vermont legislators by altering their health insurance access and establishing a formal process for adjusting their compensation structure.

introduced · Vermont · Senate Jan 9, 2026

S 231: An act relating to a family caregiver tax credit

This bill creates a Vermont family caregiver tax credit for residents who provide care to family members with long-term care needs. It allows eligible taxpayers to claim a refundable credit equal to 30% of qualified care expenses, up to $2,500 annually (adjusted for inflation after 2027), for expenses like respite care, adult daycare, and lost wages. To qualify, the care recipient must be a related family member aged 14+ with a medical condition that prevents them from performing two daily activities without help, and they cannot live in a licensed care facility. The credit is reduced for taxpayers with adjusted gross income over $125,000 and excludes expenses already claimed for child/dependent care. Households with eligible caregivers will also see their property tax credit eligibility expanded.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Healthcare

passed both · Vermont · Senate Jan 9, 2026

JRS 29: Joint resolution relating to weekend adjournment on January 9, 2026

This joint resolution adjusts the Vermont legislature's schedule for January 2026. It requires the Senate and House to reconvene by Tuesday, January 13, 2026, if they adjourn on Friday, January 9, 2026, ensuring they skip only the weekend rather than a full week. The bill affects only the timing of legislative sessions and has no policy impact beyond scheduling.

introduced · Vermont · House Jan 9, 2026

H 636: An act relating to an independent monitoring board for body-worn camera footage

H 636 would create a five-member independent civilian board to oversee police body camera footage in Vermont. The board, appointed by all three branches of government, would review public requests for footage, control access to stored recordings, and redact sensitive information before releasing any material. This directly affects law enforcement agencies (which must provide footage to the board) and the public (which can request access to recordings). The bill establishes a formal process for managing bodycam data without changing how police use the cameras.

Topics ✓ Criminal Justice

introduced · Vermont · Senate Jan 9, 2026

S 236: An act relating to vinous beverage manufacturers and fourth-class licenses

This bill (S.236) modifies Vermont's alcohol licensing rules for vinous beverage manufacturers and fourth-class license holders. It increases the permitted volume of alcoholic beverages that can be served at tasting rooms and retail shops under a fourth-class license (e.g., up to 12 ounces of wine-like beverages per customer). It also allows manufacturers of wine-like beverages to operate up to two retail locations directly on their licensed manufacturing property, provided the locations are on contiguous, owned land. These changes directly affect licensed beverage manufacturers and tasting room operators, effective July 1, 2026.

introduced · Vermont · House Jan 9, 2026

H 633: An act relating to requiring municipalities to hold a vote concerning the operation of cannabis retail establishments

This bill requires Vermont municipalities that have not previously voted on cannabis retail operations to hold a binding vote at the 2026 general election. It applies to cities, towns, and incorporated villages as of July 1, 2026, that have not approved or rejected cannabis retail permits. The vote will use an Australian ballot on a specific question: "Shall licensed cannabis retailers be authorized to operate in this municipality?" A "yes" vote permits cannabis retail operations, while a "no" vote prohibits them, with the option to later rescind the decision under existing law. The bill takes effect immediately upon passage.

passed both · Vermont · Senate Jan 9, 2026

JRS 31: Joint resolution relating to Town Meeting adjournment

This joint resolution sets a specific date for the Vermont legislature to reconvene after adjourning on February 27 or 28, 2026. It requires the Senate and House of Representatives to meet again no later than March 10, 2026. The bill directly affects the state legislature's schedule and is purely procedural, with no substantive policy changes. (JRS 31, Senate Chamber, February 2026)

introduced · Vermont · Senate Jan 9, 2026

S 234: An act relating to the Vermont Green FC license plate

This bill creates a special "Vermont Green FC" license plate option for eligible vehicles, including pleasure cars, light trucks under 26,001 pounds, and state agency vehicles. Vehicle owners who choose this plate pay a $45 initial fee and $45 annual renewal fee, with 77% of the initial fee and 84% of renewal fees deposited into a new Vermont Green FC Special Fund. The fund, managed by a board including representatives from the Climate Action Office and outdoor business groups, provides grants to support environmental justice initiatives and Vermont’s outdoor recreation economy. All fees collected directly fund these specific public purposes, with no administrative costs deducted from the grants.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Environment

introduced · Vermont · Senate Jan 9, 2026

S 235: An act relating to the reporting and disclosure of motor vehicle diagnostics and service history

This bill requires motor vehicle dealers and repair shops to report accurate service and maintenance history - including diagnostic results - to vehicle history databases. It also mandates dealers to disclose all available vehicle history information (like accident records, maintenance logs, and odometer readings) to prospective buyers of used cars. The law directly affects dealers selling used vehicles and repair shops performing service work, ensuring transparency about a vehicle's past. Key provisions include standardized reporting to databases and mandatory disclosure at the point of sale, aiming to improve consumer access to reliable vehicle history data.

Bill results