Vermont Bills

introduced · Vermont · Senate Jan 6, 2026

S 172: An act relating to requiring the use of personal flotation devices during cold weather

This bill requires all individuals on recreational vessels in Vermont to wear a U.S. Coast Guard-approved personal flotation device (PFD) when on an open deck while the vessel is underway between November 1 and May 1 each year. It directly affects recreational boaters during cold-weather months, excluding U.S. Coast Guard-inspected commercial vessels. The key provision mandates that PFDs must be properly secured and worn during these specific seasons, aligning with existing federal safety standards. The requirement would take effect on July 1, 2026.

introduced · Vermont · Senate Jan 6, 2026

S 201: An act relating to academic freedom in Vermont’s postsecondary schools

Vermont's S.201 requires all postsecondary schools (colleges and universities) operating in the state to adopt an academic freedom policy by August 1, 2027. The policy must guarantee faculty the freedom to discuss relevant course materials, use any reasonable instructional methods, and express views outside work as private citizens - while requiring faculty to clarify when speaking as individuals, not as representatives of the institution. The law takes effect July 1, 2026, and directly affects all Vermont colleges and universities by mandating specific institutional policies aligned with state policy supporting open inquiry and free expression in education.

Topics ✓ Education

introduced · Vermont · House Jan 6, 2026

H 547: An act relating to recognition of military protection orders

This bill (H 547) requires Vermont courts to recognize military protective orders as valid evidence in cases involving stalking, sexual assault, or domestic abuse. It directly affects victims of abuse who have obtained military protective orders against military members (including Vermont National Guard members) by allowing those orders and related sworn statements to be used in court proceedings. The key mechanism amends court procedures to explicitly admit military orders and sworn statements (administered by authorized military officials) as evidence to establish patterns of abuse. The bill takes effect on July 1, 2026, and is currently before the Judiciary Committee.

Topics ✓ Criminal Justice

introduced · Vermont · House Jan 6, 2026

H 553: An act relating to hospital public hearings and coordination of hospital administrative functions

This bill requires Vermont hospitals to hold public hearings at least 30 days before submitting proposed budgets to the Green Mountain Care Board, explaining planned service changes and gathering public input. Hospitals must then submit a summary of public comments to the Board as part of their budget review. The Green Mountain Care Board can also order hospitals to coordinate administrative operations (like billing or HR) to reduce costs and improve efficiency. This directly affects all Vermont hospitals submitting budgets to the Board, ensuring greater transparency and cost accountability in healthcare planning.

introduced · Vermont · House Jan 6, 2026

H 563: An act relating to a private right of action for unauthorized use of a person’s likeness obtained near the immediate entrance of an essential care facility

This bill creates a private right to sue for the unauthorized commercial use of a person's image captured within 25 feet of the entrance to essential care facilities (like clinics, hospitals, or shelters providing medical services). It directly affects individuals seeking care at these facilities and businesses or photographers who commercially exploit images taken in that zone without consent. The law prohibits using images for ads, marketing, or profit in this "functional curtilage of care" area, with exceptions for law enforcement, security personnel, journalists covering newsworthy events, and personal recordings not sold commercially. Violators face civil lawsuits seeking damages, attorney fees, and court orders to stop the exploitation, effective July 1, 2026.

introduced · Vermont · Senate Jan 6, 2026

S 192: An act relating to municipal authority to compel the cleaning or repair of premises

This bill authorizes Vermont towns, cities, and villages to adopt ordinances requiring property owners to clean or repair vacant, blighted, or hazardous premises that threaten public health, safety, or neighborhood appearance. Municipalities must establish rules with proper notice to owners and an administrative appeals process before taking action. If owners fail to comply, the municipality can clean or repair the property and recover costs as a lien on the property - treated like unpaid property taxes. The law applies to properties deemed dangerous, damaging to nearby property, or deteriorating public appearance, with specific procedural safeguards for property owners.

introduced · Vermont · Senate Jan 6, 2026

S 185: An act relating to regional plan maps and Act 250 Tier 1

This bill modifies Vermont's regional plan map categories for Act 250 Tier 1 development. It redefines "Village areas" to require municipal water/wastewater service or suitable soil for septic, and creates "Transition or infill areas" for redevelopment near existing villages - banning new strip commercial development to protect adjacent economic vitality. The bill also establishes "designated neighborhoods" for planned growth/village areas and transition areas within workforce housing zones, requiring approval similar to existing "designated centers." These changes aim to guide higher-density, mixed-use development while preserving downtown vitality and climate resilience.

Topics ✓ Housing

introduced · Vermont · Senate Jan 6, 2026

S 204: An act relating to electric ratepayer assistance and utility disconnections

S.204, the "Vermont Energy Equity Law," creates a state program to help low- and moderate-income households afford electricity bills and adds new protections against utility disconnections. It requires the Public Utility Commission to develop a draft assistance program by January 2027, with input from utilities, consumer groups, and agencies, targeting households at or below 150% of the federal poverty level. Key provisions include banning disconnections during extreme heat and requiring utilities to halt disconnections if a doctor certifies a health risk from service loss. The program must include automatic enrollment via existing state assistance programs (like Medicaid or food stamps) and fund the initiative equitably across all customers.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Energy ✓ Housing

passed · Vermont · Senate Jan 6, 2026

SR 19: Senate resolution relating to electronic participation in Senate Sessions

This Senate resolution (SR 19) extends the temporary rule allowing Vermont Senate members to participate in sessions remotely via electronic means. It amends Rule 9B to keep this option active until Tuesday, March 10, 2026. The change directly affects senators who may use video or audio technology to attend sessions without being physically present. This is a procedural adjustment to existing Senate rules, not a policy change affecting the public.

introduced · Vermont · Senate Jan 6, 2026

S 191: An act relating to appliance efficiency

S.191 updates Vermont's appliance efficiency standards to align with recent federal regulations, requiring new products like residential furnaces (with a minimum 90% efficiency for natural gas models), boilers, power supplies, and certain lamps to meet specific energy efficiency benchmarks. The bill applies to manufacturers and sellers of these products in Vermont, with exemptions for low-wattage lamps (e.g., 50 watts or less) and cases where local building codes conflict with compliance. This ensures Vermont's rules consistently match federal energy efficiency standards without creating new requirements.

Topics ✓ Energy ✓ Environment

introduced · Vermont · House Jan 6, 2026

H 570: An act relating to overtime pay

This bill changes Vermont's overtime rules by requiring employers to pay eligible employees 1.5 times their regular wage for hours worked over 8 in a single workday, and double their regular wage for hours over 12 in a day. It replaces the current system that only required overtime pay after 40 hours in a workweek. The law directly affects Vermont employers and most hourly workers who are not exempt from overtime rules. The changes will take effect on January 1, 2027.

Topics ✓ Labor & Employment

introduced · Vermont · House Jan 6, 2026

H 555: An act relating to permitting disabled veterans to park in metered spaces without charge

H.555 would allow disabled veterans with state-issued disabled veteran license plates to park in any metered public parking space without paying fees. The bill amends Vermont law to specifically exempt vehicles displaying these plates from meter charges, directly affecting disabled veterans who hold such plates issued by any state. Key provisions require municipalities to permit this free parking at all metered spaces on public property, while maintaining existing parking regulations. The law would take effect on July 1, 2026, if passed. This change modifies municipal parking fee collection but does not alter other parking restrictions or benefits.

Topics ✓ Veterans

Bill results