Vermont Bills

introduced · Vermont · House Jan 6, 2026

H 529: An act relating to enforcing violations of court-imposed pretrial supervision conditions

H.529 allows pretrial supervision officers to formally request court reviews when defendants violate court-imposed release rules. It directly affects defendants with five or more pending court cases or who have violated prior release conditions, requiring courts to reassess supervision needs. The bill establishes a clear process where officers can file motions for review, and courts must evaluate factors like the violation’s nature, defendant’s history, and public safety risks before adjusting supervision levels or issuing warrants for noncompliance.

Topics ✓ Criminal Justice

introduced · Vermont · House Jan 6, 2026

H 530: An act relating to establishing a forensic facility

This bill proposes creating a specialized forensic facility in Vermont for individuals involved in the criminal justice system who meet specific criteria for involuntary mental health treatment. It directly affects people facing criminal charges or sentencing who require court-ordered psychiatric care under state commitment laws. The key provision establishes a dedicated facility to provide structured mental health treatment and supervision for these individuals, separate from general correctional or hospital settings. The bill aims to address the intersection of mental health care and criminal justice by creating a specialized environment for those needing involuntary commitment. It does not alter existing commitment standards but provides a new facility to meet these needs.

Topics ✓ Criminal Justice ✓ Healthcare

passed · Vermont · House Jan 6, 2026

H 230: An act relating to the management of fish and wildlife

H 230 updates Vermont's fish and wildlife management laws, making it easier for some to fish by establishing "free fishing days" and a "free mentored fishing weekend" while also requiring permits and fees for fishing tournaments. The bill increases fines and potential imprisonment for serious violations, such as big game offenses and those involving threatened or endangered species. Additionally, it introduces new regulations prohibiting the intentional taking of most reptiles and amphibians and restricts the import, possession, and sale of pond slider turtles, with an exception for those legally acquired as pets before July 1, 2025.

Topics ✓ Environment

passed · Vermont · House Jan 6, 2026

H 248: An act relating to supplemental child care grants and the Child Care Financial Assistance Program

H.248 amends existing laws regarding child care grants and financial assistance programs. It allows the Commissioner for Children and Families to provide supplemental financial relief to child care programs at risk of closing, particularly those in high-poverty areas. The bill also expands eligibility for the Child Care Financial Assistance Program, enabling families with incomes up to 575% of the federal poverty level to receive subsidies for child care needed for employment or training. Additionally, it revises payment schedules for child care providers, requiring timely payments and reducing the rate difference between family child care homes and center-based programs.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes

vetoed · Vermont · House Jan 6, 2026

H 91: An act relating to the Vermont Homeless Emergency Assistance and Responsive Transition to Housing Program

H.91 establishes the Vermont Homeless Emergency Assistance and Responsive Transition to Housing (VHEARTH) Program to replace existing homelessness services. It directly affects Vermonters experiencing homelessness, including children, seniors, and Black residents who face disproportionate homelessness rates (5.6x higher than white residents). Key provisions include ending reliance on hotel/motel stays for shelter, expanding permanent emergency shelters, and requiring regional advisory councils with diverse representation to guide the program. The bill aims to eliminate unsheltered homelessness by 2027 and transition people to permanent housing, using funds previously allocated to the General Assistance Program (phased out by 2027). Note: The bill was vetoed by the Governor on June 11, 2025.

Topics ✓ Housing

passed · Vermont · Senate Jun 16, 2025

SR 17: Senate resolution honoring the outstanding legislative staff service of Chrissy Gilhuly and extending to her best wishes for future success

This is a ceremonial Senate resolution (SR 17) honoring Chrissy Gilhuly for her 7+ years of nonpartisan legislative staff service in the Vermont General Assembly. It recognizes her roles as Supervisor of Committee Services, Joint Fiscal Office Staff Associate, and Senate Operations Manager/Journal Clerk, and extends best wishes as she transitions to a new position at the Agency of Administration. The resolution has no policy impact - it is purely symbolic recognition of her professional contributions.

vetoed · Vermont · Senate Jun 16, 2025

S 125: An act relating to collective bargaining

This bill amends Vermont's collective bargaining law (3 V.S.A. §§ 941, 1021, 1581, 1584, 1992) to clarify who qualifies for union representation. It redefines "employee" to exclude judges, court staff, interns, probationary workers, and certain managers (Sec. 5), while adjusting petition thresholds: 30% signatures for new bargaining units and 50%+1 for ending union representation (Sec. 5a). It also requires school districts to hold referendums using 50%+1 signatures to challenge current union representation (Sec. 5d). The bill directly affects public-sector workers in state agencies and schools, altering how unions form and gain recognition.

Topics ✗ Labor & Employment

signed · Vermont · House Jun 16, 2025

H 474: An act relating to miscellaneous changes to election law

H 474, now law after being signed by the Governor on June 25, 2025, makes two key changes to Vermont's election rules. First, it prevents candidates who lose a major party primary from appearing as independents on the general election ballot for the same office (Sec. 4-5). Second, it requires write-in candidates for state or federal offices to file a form with the Secretary of State by 5:00 p.m. on the Thursday before the election to have their votes counted, and sets a minimum vote threshold to qualify as a primary winner (Sec. 9-10). These changes directly affect candidates running for office and election officials handling ballots. The bill also updates procedures for military/overseas voters to request electronic ballot delivery (Sec. 7), but this is a minor amendment to existing process.

signed · Vermont · House Jun 16, 2025

H 480: An act relating to miscellaneous amendments to education law

H 480 requires all Vermont public school districts and independent schools to establish behavioral threat assessment teams by July 1, 2025, with full implementation of threat assessment programs by October 1, 2025. This includes training staff (with bias training), adopting policies, updating emergency plans, and educating school communities. The bill also creates a new framework for virtual learning, allowing Vermont public school students to enroll in supervised online courses that meet state standards, with districts counting these students in enrollment totals. Additionally, it exempts specific accredited colleges from certain education law requirements and clarifies that school nutrition contracts do not require public bidding.

Topics ✓ Education

passed both · Vermont · Senate Jun 16, 2025

JRS 28: Joint resolution relating to final adjournment of the General Assembly in 2025

This resolution specifies that Vermont's 2025 legislative session must end by June 16-17, with automatic reconvening on January 6, 2026, unless Senate and House leaders call an earlier session. It is a procedural scheduling measure for the legislature itself, setting the default timeline for the end of the session and the start of the next term. The bill does not change policies or affect residents; it only governs the legislative calendar. As a procedural resolution, it applies solely to the General Assembly's internal scheduling.

signed · Vermont · Senate Jun 16, 2025

S 51: An act relating to Vermont income tax exclusions and tax credits

Vermont's S.51 creates a $1,000-per-child refundable tax credit for residents with children under age 6, regardless of whether they or their children have a federal tax ID number. It also expands the state's earned income tax credit to cover individuals who qualify federally but lack required tax IDs, and adjusts exclusions for Social Security and Civil Service retirement income based on income thresholds (e.g., full exclusion for single filers earning ≤$55,000 or married couples ≤$70,000). The bill directly affects low-to-moderate-income families, retirees, and individuals with limited access to federal tax IDs. Signed into law by Governor on June 25, 2025, it modifies Vermont's tax code to broaden eligibility for existing federal credit programs.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Immigration

signed · Vermont · House Jun 16, 2025

H 454: An act relating to transforming Vermont’s education governance, quality, and finance systems

H.454 establishes the Commission on the Future of Public Education to study Vermont's education system and develop recommendations for a statewide vision ensuring all students have substantially equal opportunities. The bill mandates creating new, larger school district boundaries effective July 1, 2027, and requires updates to career and technical education governance by 2026. It also plans for a full transition to these new districts by July 1, 2029, with funding and guidance to support the change. This directly affects Vermont’s 119 current school districts, students, teachers, and local communities by restructuring governance and resource allocation. The law, signed by the governor in July 2025, aims to address declining enrollment and unequal educational quality.

Topics ✓ Education

Bill results