Vermont Bills

passed both · Vermont · House May 30, 2025

HCR 151: House concurrent resolution congratulating Casella Waste Systems, Inc. on the company’s 50th anniversary

This House Concurrent Resolution (HCR 151) is a ceremonial gesture congratulating Casella Waste Systems, Inc. on its 50th anniversary. It formally recognizes the company's founding in 1975, growth to over 5,000 employees across 10 states, sustainability initiatives (including EV fleets and the Casella Center for Circular Economy), and community contributions. The resolution has no legislative effect - only directing the Secretary of State to send a copy to the company. It directly affects Casella Waste Systems, Inc., as the recipient of this symbolic recognition.

Woody Page (R) Wayne Laroche (R) Mike Southworth (R) Will Greer (D) Tom Charlton (R)

passed both · Vermont · House May 29, 2025

HCR 106: House concurrent resolution congratulating the 2025 Mount Mansfield Union High School Cougars dance program on winning a 10th consecutive hip-hop State championship

HCR 106 is a ceremonial resolution congratulating the Mount Mansfield Union High School Cougars dance team for winning their 10th consecutive Vermont State championship in the hip-hop category. It formally recognizes the team's achievement at the February 2025 championship, where they scored first place overall (259-253) and named the 15 student dancers and five coaches. The resolution directs the Secretary of State to send a copy to the school, as part of Vermont's tradition of honoring athletic and academic accomplishments. This is a non-binding, symbolic gesture with no policy or funding changes.

passed both · Vermont · House May 29, 2025

HCR 100: House concurrent resolution congratulating the 2025 Mount Mansfield Union High School Cougars Division I championship girls’ Nordic ski team

HCR 100 is a non-binding ceremonial resolution passed by the Vermont General Assembly to formally congratulate the Mount Mansfield Union High School (MMU) girls' Nordic ski team for winning the 2025 Division I championship. The resolution specifically recognizes the team's victories in both freestyle and classic racing events, highlighting their 23-62 lead over competitors and their 44-120 championship win. It directs the Secretary of State to send a copy of the resolution to MMU, honoring the 16 athletes and their coaches for their athletic achievements. This resolution does not create new laws or policies but serves as an official expression of support for the team's accomplishments.

passed both · Vermont · House May 29, 2025

HCR 108: House concurrent resolution congratulating the remarkable four-time State high school individual girls’ golf champion Namo Seibert

HCR 108 is a ceremonial resolution congratulating Namo Seibert, a Mount Mansfield Union High School senior and four-time Vermont high school girls' golf individual state champion. The resolution formally recognizes her achievement of winning the state title for four consecutive years, starting in ninth grade. It directs the Secretary of State to send a copy of the resolution to Seibert. As a commemorative measure with no policy impact, it does not create new laws or affect any programs.

passed both · Vermont · House May 29, 2025

HCR 99: House concurrent resolution congratulating the 2025 Mount Mansfield Union High School Cougars boys’ Division I championship Nordic ski team

This ceremonial House Concurrent Resolution (HCR 99) formally congratulates the 2025 Mount Mansfield Union High School (MMU) boys’ Nordic ski team for winning the Division I championship. It specifically recognizes their team victory and individual achievements at the Vermont Nordic championships, naming all 22 athletes and coaches. The resolution has no policy impact - it simply directs the Secretary of State to send a copy to MMU as a formal acknowledgment of their athletic accomplishment. This is a standard recognition measure with no legislative or regulatory effect.

signed · Vermont · Senate May 29, 2025

S 117: An act relating to wage and hour, unemployment compensation, and workers' compensation

This bill (S.117) updates Vermont's wage, unemployment, and workers' compensation laws. It establishes a $12.55 minimum wage starting January 1, 2022, with annual increases tied to either 5% or the Consumer Price Index (capped at 5%), and allows lower wages for learners, apprentices, and workers with disabilities under specific conditions. Employers who willfully withhold wages face penalties of up to double the unpaid amount, with half paid to the employee and half covering administrative costs. The bill also modernizes unemployment processes by enabling electronic communication for notices and requiring employers to submit separation information within 10 days of requests to determine claimant eligibility.

Topics ✓ Labor & Employment

signed · Vermont · Senate May 29, 2025

S 50: An act relating to increasing the size of solar net metering projects that qualify for expedited registration

This bill increases the size limit for solar net metering systems eligible for expedited registration from 15 kilowatts (kW) to 25 kW, directly affecting residential and small commercial customers installing solar systems under this capacity. It requires the Public Utility Commission to update rules to allow 25 kW and smaller ground-mounted solar systems to use a faster approval process. The bill also adjusts setback requirements (minimum distances from property lines and highways) based on system size and adds a 45-day requirement for certificate holders to record facility locations in local land records. These changes streamline approvals for smaller solar projects while maintaining regulatory standards for larger installations.

Topics ✓ Energy ✓ Environment

signed · Vermont · Senate May 29, 2025

S 87: An act relating to extradition procedures

This bill amends Vermont's extradition laws to streamline the process for returning individuals accused of crimes committed in other states. It extends the maximum time a person can be held in custody while awaiting extradition from 30 to 90 days (Section 1), allows up to 60 additional days if needed (Section 2), and creates a formal process for individuals to waive court hearings by signing a written consent to return to the demanding state (Section 3). This directly affects people arrested in Vermont for out-of-state crimes and Vermont judges, sheriffs, and the Governor handling extradition requests. The changes aim to reduce delays while ensuring accused individuals' rights to challenge proceedings remain intact.

passed · Vermont · House May 29, 2025

HR 9: House resolution urging that all State agencies, departments, and offices protect the civil rights, medical confidentiality, and all aspects of personal privacy of Vermonters who have been diagnosed with autism in light of the Secretary of the U.S. Health and Human Services’ recently announced plans to establish an autism research database and other databases related to autism

This Vermont House resolution (HR 9) urges all state agencies to protect the privacy and medical confidentiality of Vermonters diagnosed with autism, specifically in response to federal plans for an autism research database. It directly affects autistic Vermonters by seeking to prevent their personal health data - like medical records, insurance claims, and wearable device information - from being collected or shared without informed consent. The resolution emphasizes that autism is a neurological difference, not a disease, and highlights concerns about federal data collection practices that lack explicit privacy safeguards. As a non-binding resolution, it directs state officials to uphold privacy rights and has been formally adopted by the House.

Topics ✓ Healthcare ✓ Technology

passed · Vermont · House May 28, 2025

H 319: An act relating to miscellaneous environmental subjects

H.319 establishes an Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) program for household hazardous products in Vermont, requiring manufacturers to register with stewardship organizations by November 2025. These organizations must submit collection plans by July 2026 to manage free statewide recycling of covered products like gas cylinders and certain hazardous waste items (excluding architectural paint). The bill mandates that manufacturers cannot sell covered products without participating in an approved stewardship program, which must include annual reporting and audits. It directly affects manufacturers of specific hazardous consumer products sold in Vermont, shifting responsibility for end-of-life management from municipalities to producers. The legislation does not create new environmental standards but reorganizes waste management accountability through mandatory industry registration and program oversight.

Topics ✓ Environment

signed · Vermont · House May 28, 2025

H 167: An act relating to establishing the Vermonters Feeding Vermonters Grant at the Agency of Agriculture, Food and Markets

This bill establishes a permanent state grant program at Vermont's Agency of Agriculture to fund the existing "Vermonters Feeding Vermonters" program operated by Vermont Foodbank. The grant will provide annual funding for Foodbank to directly purchase local produce from Vermont farms and distribute it through food banks, while also offering smaller grants to Foodbank's partners for similar purchases (including culturally preferred foods). Annual reports to legislative committees will track food purchases, farms supported, and distribution sites. The program aims to address food insecurity while supporting Vermont's agricultural economy, contingent on future state funding.

signed · Vermont · House May 28, 2025

H 339: An act relating to removing the repeal of 7 V.S.A. § 230

This bill reverses a prior decision to repeal Vermont Statute Annotated § 230 (7 V.S.A. § 230), which was scheduled to be repealed effective July 1, 2025. It amends the 2021 law to remove the repeal provision, ensuring the existing statute remains in effect. The bill directly affects the legal provisions covered under 7 V.S.A. § 230, keeping them active rather than eliminating them. As a procedural amendment, it does not create new policy but corrects legislative text.

Bill results