Vermont Bills

introduced · Vermont · Senate Jan 6, 2026

S 196: An act relating to property tax sales

This bill (S.196) shortens the period during which homeowners can reclaim property after a municipal tax sale and allows the new owner to enter the property during that time to prevent damage, hazards, or deterioration. It directly affects delinquent property owners who owe at least $1,500 in taxes and municipal tax sale purchasers. Key provisions include reducing the redemption window and authorizing purchasers to secure properties against illegal activity, fire risks, or decay during the redemption period. The bill also maintains existing requirements for tax collectors to offer repayment plans before initiating sales and provide multilingual notices.

introduced · Vermont · House Jan 6, 2026

H 528: An act relating to improper disposal of a hypodermic needle or syringe in a sensitive area

H 528 makes it a misdemeanor to knowingly or recklessly discard used hypodermic needles or syringes in sensitive areas like playgrounds, parks, childcare facilities, schools, or public parks. It directly affects individuals who improperly dispose of such items in these locations, with penalties of up to one year in jail or a $1,000 fine. The law explicitly excludes proper medical waste disposal from healthcare services or educational use at schools and childcare centers. The bill takes effect July 1, 2026, and is currently under review by the Judiciary Committee.

Topics ✗ Criminal Justice

introduced · Vermont · Senate Jan 6, 2026

S 186: An act relating to jurisdiction of the Criminal Division over plea agreements in proceedings related to juvenile offenders

S.186 allows juvenile offenders (under 20) in certain criminal cases to choose whether to enter a plea agreement in the Criminal Division of the Superior Court instead of the Family Division. This applies when the offense charged is not specified in existing law (subsections 5204(a), 5201(c)(2), or (3)), giving juveniles a direct option to handle their case in Criminal Division. The bill amends Vermont statutes §5201 and §5203 to establish this election process, requiring the Criminal Division to retain jurisdiction if the juvenile chooses this path. It directly affects minors under 20 facing specific non-specified offenses who would otherwise be transferred to Family Division proceedings. The change takes effect immediately for sections 1-2 and July 2, 2027, for sections 3-4.

Topics ✗ Criminal Justice

introduced · Vermont · Senate Jan 6, 2026

S 160: An act relating to firearms procedures

This Vermont bill (S 160) bans the possession of bump-fire stocks, machine guns, and rapid-fire devices that increase a firearm's rate of fire. It directly affects Vermont residents who own these devices, prohibiting them under penalty of up to one year in jail or a $1,000 fine. The bill establishes a voluntary, anonymous collection program for bump-fire stocks before its effective date of October 1, 2018. Key definitions clarify terms like "bump-fire stock" (a device that mimics machine gun fire on semi-automatic firearms) and "rapid-fire device" (including auto sears that enable multiple shots per trigger pull).

introduced · Vermont · Senate Jan 6, 2026

S 175: An act relating to climate change education

This bill requires Vermont's Secretary of Education to create an interdisciplinary climate change curriculum for K-12 schools, based on the 2023 IPCC report. It mandates that the State Board of Education update all school district curriculum standards by July 2027 to include climate change education across all grade levels and subjects. The curriculum must be open-source and accessible, building on existing educational resources. These changes apply directly to Vermont's public elementary and secondary schools and their district-level curriculum planning.

Topics ✓ Education ✓ Environment

introduced · Vermont · House Jan 6, 2026

H 565: An act relating to security deposits

H 565 limits security deposits for landlords and mobile home park owners to three months' rent or lot rent, whichever applies. Landlords must hold all security deposits in interest-bearing accounts for tenants' benefit, with accrued interest not counting toward the cap. The bill takes effect July 1, 2026, allowing existing deposits above the limit to remain until that date, but requiring them to be moved into interest-bearing accounts within 30 days after July 1, 2026. It directly affects residential tenants, mobile home leaseholders, and their property owners.

Topics ✓ Housing

introduced · Vermont · Senate Jan 6, 2026

S 167: An act relating to prohibiting possession of semiautomatic assault weapons

S.167 prohibits Vermont residents from possessing semiautomatic assault weapons, defined as rifles, pistols, or shotguns with specific features (like detachable magazines plus a folding stock, pistol grip, or high-capacity magazine). Violators face up to one year in jail or a $500 fine. The law exempts federal and certified Vermont law enforcement officers, active National Guard members, and certain manually operated or antique firearms. It also excludes weapons that cannot hold more than five rounds in their magazine.

introduced · Vermont · Senate Jan 6, 2026

S 180: An act relating to the recommendations of the Post-Adjudication Reparative Program Working Group

This bill adopts recommendations from Vermont's Post-Adjudication Reparative Program Working Group. It creates a formal process for courts to refer nonviolent offenders (those convicted of nonviolent felonies, misdemeanors, or specific nonviolent misdemeanors) to community reparative boards instead of traditional sentencing or probation. Key provisions include requiring courts to consider victim input and community impact before referral, mandating standardized referral forms, and specifying that successful program completion avoids further sentencing while failure requires returning to court. The law applies to eligible cases starting July 1, 2026, directly affecting nonviolent offenders in Vermont's criminal justice system.

Topics ✓ Criminal Justice

introduced · Vermont · House Jan 6, 2026

H 551: An act relating to overtime pay for firefighters

This bill requires Vermont fire departments to pay full-time firefighters overtime at 1.5 times their regular rate for all hours worked beyond an average of 42 hours per week. It applies to state, municipal, and county fire departments, excluding civilian employees, and defines "hours worked" to include all paid leave. Overtime is calculated using the average weekly hours over the prior eight weeks (based on a seven-day week). The law takes effect July 1, 2026, and amends Vermont law at 21 V.S.A. § 388.

Topics ✓ Labor & Employment

introduced · Vermont · House Jan 6, 2026

H 554: An act relating to removing the Reach Up asset limit

H 554 would remove the $9,000 asset limit for Vermont's Reach Up program, which provides temporary aid to low-income families. The bill repeals the current rule that counted certain assets (like retirement and education savings) against this limit, allowing families to retain more savings while qualifying for benefits. It directly affects families applying for or receiving Reach Up assistance, with the change taking effect on July 1, 2026.

Topics ✓ Labor & Employment

introduced · Vermont · Senate Jan 6, 2026

S 174: An act relating to the study of Green Bank models to support and accelerate investments in climate mitigation infrastructure, farming, and agriculture in Vermont

This bill (S.174) requires Vermont's State Treasurer to study existing Green Bank models from other states to determine if adopting similar approaches would accelerate investments in climate mitigation infrastructure, farming, and agriculture within Vermont. The study must consider creating a standalone Green Bank or adapting existing state entities, with input from climate councils, agricultural agencies, and public stakeholders. The Treasurer must report findings and specific implementation recommendations to relevant legislative committees by December 1, 2026. This bill does not allocate funds or create new programs - it is solely a preparatory study to inform future policy decisions.

Topics ✓ Energy ✓ Environment

passed · Vermont · Senate Jan 6, 2026

SR 18: Senate resolution relating to concurrently conducted electronic committee meetings

This Senate Resolution (SR 18) extends the temporary rule allowing electronic committee meetings beyond the usual emergency period. It directly affects Vermont Senate committees by permitting them to continue holding electronic meetings under Permanent Senate Rule 32A through March 10, 2026. The key provision overrides the standard rule that limits Rule 32A to emergency declarations, making electronic meetings permissible for all committee work during this extended period.

Bill results