Vermont Bills

passed both · Vermont · House May 12, 2023

HCR 118: House concurrent resolution congratulating the Northfield Junior Rifle team on completing a memorable and successful 2022–2023 competitive season

This bill is a House concurrent resolution that formally congratulates the Northfield Junior Rifle team on their successful 2022-2023 competitive season. It recognizes the team as Vermont's only school-associated rifle club, noting their achievements including winning multiple gold medals at a competition in New Hampshire and earning a spot at the Junior Rifle Olympics in Colorado. The resolution also lists the specific team members and their coach by name as part of the official acknowledgment. The document directs the Secretary of State to send a copy of the resolution to the Northfield Junior Rifle Club.

passed both · Vermont · House May 12, 2023

HCR 125: House concurrent resolution recognizing May 2023 as Jewish American Heritage Month in Vermont

This bill formally recognizes May 2023 as Jewish American Heritage Month in Vermont. It directs the Secretary of State to send a copy of the resolution to Jewish communities in the state. The measure acknowledges the historical contributions of Jewish Americans to Vermont and the nation, noting their early settlement and ongoing cultural significance. It does not change laws or policies but serves as a symbolic recognition of Jewish heritage and history.

Barbara Rachelson (D) · 150 co-sponsors

passed both · Vermont · House May 12, 2023

HCR 122: House concurrent resolution in memory of University of Vermont Professor Emeritus Samuel B. Feitelberg of Shelburne

This bill is a House concurrent resolution honoring the life and legacy of Samuel B. Feitelberg, a retired University of Vermont professor and physical therapy expert. The resolution acknowledges his extensive career in education and healthcare, including his leadership roles at Columbia University, Clarkson University, and the American Physical Therapy Association. It also recognizes his contributions to diversity in academia, his work with NASA on Parkinson's disease therapy, and his community service in Vermont and Honduras. The bill formally expresses the General Assembly's condolences to Feitelberg's family and directs the Secretary of State to send a copy of the resolution to them.

passed both · Vermont · House May 12, 2023

HCR 127: House concurrent resolution recognizing May as Mental Health Awareness Month in Vermont

This bill formally recognizes May as Mental Health Awareness Month in Vermont to raise public awareness about mental health challenges. It does not change laws or allocate funding but serves as a symbolic acknowledgment of the state's mental health needs and statistics. The resolution directs the Secretary of State to send copies of the document to relevant mental health organizations and officials. While it highlights concerning data about suicide rates and access to care, the bill itself is a commemorative measure rather than a policy change.

Topics ✓ Healthcare

passed both · Vermont · House May 12, 2023

HCR 116: House concurrent resolution honoring the youth division snowboarders and skiers who represented Vermont with distinction at the 2023 United States of America Snowboard and Freeski Association National Championships

This bill is a formal resolution honoring 21 Vermont youth athletes who competed in snowboarding and skiing events at the 2023 USASA National Championships in Colorado. The resolution recognizes these athletes for representing Vermont with distinction and winning medals in various disciplines during the competition. It directs the Secretary of State to send copies of the resolution to each honored athlete as an official acknowledgment of their achievements. The bill does not create new laws or policies but serves as a ceremonial recognition of the athletes' accomplishments.

passed both · Vermont · House May 12, 2023

HCR 117: House concurrent resolution congratulating the University of Vermont Catamounts men’s basketball team on winning the 2023 America East Conference championship

This bill is a ceremonial resolution that formally congratulates the University of Vermont men's basketball team on winning the 2023 America East Conference championship. It recognizes the team's 15-game winning streak, their tournament victory over UMass Lowell, and their subsequent NCAA tournament appearance. The resolution acknowledges the players, coaches, and staff who contributed to the team's success and directs the Secretary of State to send a copy of the document to the university's athletics office.

passed both · Vermont · House May 12, 2023

HCR 121: House concurrent resolution congratulating the 2023 Burlington High School Seahorses championship Vermont-NEA Scholars’ Bowl team and wishing the students every success in their forthcoming national competitions

This legislative bill is a ceremonial resolution that congratulates the Burlington High School Seahorses team for winning the 2023 Vermont-NEA Scholars' Bowl state championship. The resolution recognizes the six student team members and their coach for their academic achievements in a competition that tests knowledge across various subjects. It formally acknowledges their victories in the state tournament and expresses good wishes for their upcoming national competition. The bill directs the Secretary of State to send a copy of this recognition to Burlington High School.

Topics ✓ Education

passed both · Vermont · House May 12, 2023

HCR 123: House concurrent resolution honoring William Boyd Davies for more than four decades of insightfully moderating the Northeast Kingdom Legislative Breakfast Series in Newport

This bill is a House concurrent resolution that formally honors William Boyd Davies for his more than 40 years of moderating the Northeast Kingdom Legislative Breakfast Series in Newport. The resolution recognizes his role in facilitating community dialogue between state legislators and constituents, highlighting his contribution to civil discourse and democratic engagement in Vermont. It directs the Secretary of State to send a copy of the resolution to Davies as an official acknowledgment of his service. This document serves as a commemorative measure rather than establishing new laws or policies.

passed both · Vermont · Senate May 12, 2023

SCR 7: Senate concurrent resolution honoring Stephanie Barrett for more than a quarter-century of public service excellence as a member of the Joint Fiscal Office staff

This Senate concurrent resolution honors Stephanie Barrett for over 25 years of public service as a fiscal analyst with Vermont's Joint Fiscal Office. The document recognizes her contributions to budget legislation, her professional leadership roles in state legislative associations, and her career achievements including earning a master's degree while working. The resolution formally acknowledges her upcoming new position as chief fiscal officer at the Department of Vermont Health Access and directs the Secretary of State to send a copy of the honor to Barrett.

passed both · Vermont · Senate May 12, 2023

SCR 6: Senate concurrent resolution honoring Vanessa Davison for her extraordinary dedication as a staff member of the General Assembly

This Senate concurrent resolution honors Vanessa Davison, a long-time staff member of the Vermont General Assembly, for her 45 years of dedicated service. The resolution recognizes her work ethic, professionalism, and contributions to legislative operations, including managing administrative tasks, operating early computer systems, and serving as Journal Clerk for over 30 years. It formally acknowledges her role in preparing Senate Journals and training her successor to ensure continued quality in legislative record-keeping. The resolution directs the Secretary of State to send a copy to Davison as an official recognition of her retirement after concluding her career in the spring of 2023.

passed both · Vermont · Senate May 12, 2023

S 133: An act relating to miscellaneous changes to education law

This bill requires the Secretary of Natural Resources to submit a comprehensive report by January 15, 2024, detailing the testing, remediation, and removal of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) in Vermont schools. The report must include cost estimates, funding recommendations for both public and independent schools, and plans for providing alternative educational spaces if testing or cleanup requires relocation. Additionally, the bill mandates expanding PCB testing to child care programs and includes a survey to gather feedback from school officials on the state's support efforts. The legislation takes effect on July 1, 2023, and applies to all public and independent schools as well as regulated child care facilities.

Topics ✓ Education ✓ Environment

passed both · Vermont · Senate May 12, 2023

S 5: An act relating to affordably meeting the mandated greenhouse gas reductions for the thermal sector through efficiency, weatherization measures, electrification, and decarbonization

This bill, known as the Affordable Heat Act, creates a new Clean Heat Standard program to help Vermont meet its greenhouse gas reduction goals by shifting away from fossil fuel heating in homes and businesses. It establishes a system where regulated utilities and fuel importers must purchase tradeable clean heat credits to fund efficiency upgrades, weatherization, and electrification projects that reduce emissions. The program prioritizes low and moderate-income households with high energy burdens and aims to use available federal funding to keep costs low for customers. The Public Utility Commission is given authority to set rules, designate default service providers, and enforce compliance with the credit requirements.

Topics ✓ Energy ✓ Environment

Bill results