Vermont Bills

introduced · Vermont · Senate Feb 11, 2025

S 61: An act relating to automatic opening knives

This bill (S 61) would remove criminal penalties for possessing, selling, or offering for sale automatic opening knives (like switchblades) with blades three inches or longer. It directly affects individuals who own or sell these knives, eliminating the current penalty of up to 90 days in jail or a $100 fine. The key provision amends Vermont law (13 V.S.A. § 4013) to delete the criminal penalties for these specific knives. The bill is pending referral to the Judiciary Committee after its first reading on February 11, 2025.

Topics ✓ Criminal Justice

introduced · Vermont · House Feb 11, 2025

H 172: An act relating to establishing a Common Interest Community Resource Center

This bill creates a free, online resource center within Vermont's Secretary of State's Office to support common interest ownership communities (such as condominiums, townhouses, and planned communities). The center will provide public information and practical guides on governance, budgeting, conflict resolution, and homeowner rights - available at no cost to all Vermont residents. It directly benefits homeowners and community associations by simplifying complex administrative processes. The center must be operational by July 1, 2025, and may partner with nonprofit organizations to deliver services.

introduced · Vermont · House Feb 11, 2025

H 185: An act relating to developing and implementing a universal primary care program

H.185 proposes creating a universal primary care program in Vermont, requiring the Green Mountain Care Board to develop a system that provides all Vermonters with free access to primary care services - including mental health, substance use treatment, and preventive care - without needing insurance enrollment. Key provisions eliminate cost-sharing for primary care, reduce administrative burdens on providers and insurers, and fund the program through allocated health insurance premiums and public funds. The bill also directs the Board to separate primary care practices from hospital control and fund medical training to increase provider supply. This program, planned to launch by 2028, directly affects all Vermont residents, primary care providers, and health insurers.

Topics ✓ Healthcare

introduced · Vermont · House Feb 7, 2025

H 160: An act relating to creating a right to repair for medical devices

This bill requires medical device manufacturers to provide hospitals and independent repair shops with manuals, parts, and diagnostic tools needed to maintain or repair FDA-approved medical equipment on fair terms. Manufacturers must supply repair manuals at no cost (only charging for physical copies' shipping costs), offer replacement parts at the same price they give their own authorized repair partners, and not restrict access to tools or software. It applies to all medical devices used in patient care, including diagnostic and treatment equipment, but excludes religious facilities relying solely on spiritual healing. The law aims to expand repair options for healthcare facilities without forcing them to depend exclusively on the original device manufacturer.

Topics ✓ Healthcare

introduced · Vermont · House Feb 7, 2025

H 161: An act relating to the Vermont Fair Repair Act

H.161, the Vermont Fair Repair Act, requires manufacturers of agricultural, electronic, and forestry equipment to provide independent repair shops and equipment owners with the same parts, tools, and documentation they offer to their own authorized dealers. This includes making security features accessible for repairs, such as unlocking equipment. The law applies to equipment like tractors, computers, and forestry machinery but excludes motor vehicles and medical devices. It ensures Vermont residents and independent repair providers can access necessary repair resources without manufacturer restrictions.

introduced · Vermont · Senate Feb 7, 2025

S 57: An act relating to the Standard Offer Program

Vermont's S.57 reauthorizes the Standard Offer Program to fund new small-scale renewable energy projects (up to 2.2 MW capacity) in the state. The bill sets a cumulative capacity cap of 227.5 MW, with annual increases (starting at 5 MW) distributed between utility providers (10-20% of annual capacity) and independent developers. It allows certain projects - like those using agricultural methane or offering grid benefits - to bypass the cap and requires utilities to share transmission constraint data with developers. Contracts for eligible projects will last 10-25 years, with pricing determined by the Public Service Commission to ensure cost-effective development.

Topics ✓ Energy ✓ Environment

introduced · Vermont · House Feb 7, 2025

H 166: An act relating to establishing requirements for hunting with dogs

This bill establishes permit requirements and safety rules for hunting with dogs in Vermont. It requires permits for hunting black bears or coyotes with dogs (residents pay $50, nonresidents pay $10 application + $200 fee), caps nonresident permits at 10% of resident permits, and defines key terms like "accompany" (staying within 150 feet without devices) and "control" (maintaining visual/audio contact or physical leash). It also sets specific training seasons for different game (e.g., bears June 1-Sept 15 during daylight) and allows field trials with a $50 fee, exempting participants from needing a hunting license. The bill directly affects hunters using dogs for bears, coyotes, or training, and clarifies when dogs are properly controlled to prevent incidents.

introduced · Vermont · House Feb 7, 2025

H 170: An act relating to University of Vermont and State Agricultural College residential living space

This bill limits University of Vermont (UVM) enrollment when Burlington's housing vacancy rate falls below 5%, requiring UVM to cap enrollment at the previous fall semester's level. It mandates that all UVM-owned or affiliated housing meet Burlington's municipal housing codes and rental safety standards by July 2025, with current students in non-compliant housing offered compliant alternatives first. The bill also creates a UVM Housing Task Force (including city officials, UVM representatives, and legislators) to monitor compliance, review housing strategies, and submit annual reports to the state legislature. These provisions directly affect UVM’s enrollment decisions, housing management, and Burlington residents experiencing housing market pressures.

introduced · Vermont · House Feb 7, 2025

H 162: An act relating to repealing the three-acre stormwater permit

H 162 would repeal Vermont's requirement for the Agency of Natural Resources to issue permits for stormwater discharges from impervious surfaces of three or more acres. This directly affects property owners and developers with large impervious surfaces (like commercial sites or subdivisions) who previously needed permits for such discharges, particularly for sites not covered by earlier regulations. The bill removes the permit obligation for stormwater discharges that were either never permitted or were permitted under the outdated 2002 Stormwater Management Manual. The bill is currently pending in the Environment Committee after its first reading on February 7, 2025.

Topics ✗ Environment

introduced · Vermont · Senate Feb 7, 2025

S 55: An act relating to reference-based pricing for hospital services

This bill directs Vermont's Green Mountain Care Board to create a plan for implementing reference-based pricing for hospital services. It would require the Board to establish benchmarks (based on Medicare rates), outline a gradual implementation timeline, estimate cost savings, and include protections against balance billing for patients. The plan must address impacts on hospitals, quality of care, and alignment with state health reform efforts, with a submission deadline of February 1, 2026. This affects all Vermont hospitals and health insurance plans covering inpatient and outpatient services.

Topics ✓ Healthcare

introduced · Vermont · House Feb 7, 2025

H 165: An act relating to funding inclusive schools

H.165 proposes creating an Inclusive Schools Protection Fund to replace lost federal funding for inclusive programs in Vermont schools. The bill would directly fund school districts to support LGBTQ+ student programs, antidiscrimination efforts, inclusive curricula, and educator training on equity. It also protects existing resources like student gender/sexuality alliances, school equity coordinators, and mental health programs for marginalized students. The Agency of Education must annually report on the fund's effectiveness, and the bill directs the state to develop new revenue sources to sustain the fund.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Education ✓ Healthcare

introduced · Vermont · House Feb 7, 2025

H 168: An act relating to protecting academic freedom for prekindergarten through grade 12 educators

This bill requires Vermont public schools (prekindergarten through grade 12) to include instruction on social equity and justice in their curriculum, prohibiting restrictions on teaching topics like historical systems of oppression, race/gender as social constructs, and intersectional identities. It mandates that schools adopt policies affirming the dignity of all educators and students, bans influence from privately funded groups on curriculum decisions, and protects teachers from adverse action for following state/federal law in their teaching. The bill amends education standards to require curriculum development within existing State Board of Education frameworks, ensuring schools maintain autonomy while integrating these topics. It explicitly states the bill does not alter existing educational standards or dictate specific instructional materials.

Topics ✓ Education

Bill results