Vermont Bills

signed · Vermont · House May 28, 2025

H 364: An act relating to approval of the annexation of property by the Village of Swanton

This bill formally approves the Village of Swanton's annexation of a specific property at 124 First Street, located adjacent to the Village's existing offices within the Town of Swanton. The General Assembly's approval is required under Vermont law (24 App. V.S.A. chapter 279) following the Village Board of Trustees' prior approval of the annexation. This action directly affects the Village of Swanton by expanding its boundaries and the property owner at 124 First Street, who will now be part of the Village jurisdiction. The bill is procedural, confirming an existing boundary change without creating new policy.

signed · Vermont · House May 28, 2025

H 481: An act relating to stormwater management

H.481 requires property owners with impervious surfaces of three or more acres to obtain stormwater permits if their discharge wasn't previously permitted or didn't follow the 2002 Stormwater Management Manual. It sets deadlines for compliance: October 1, 2028 for Lake Champlain/Lake Memphremagog watersheds and October 1, 2038 for other areas. The bill establishes a general permit process, allows municipalities to assume full responsibility for stormwater systems (with owner-approved fees), and permits stormwater impact fees and phosphorus credit trading within watersheds. These changes aim to improve water quality by standardizing stormwater management practices across Vermont.

Topics ✓ Environment

signed · Vermont · House May 28, 2025

H 396: An act relating to the creation of the Mollie Beattie Distinguished Service Award

This bill creates the Mollie Beattie Distinguished Service Award to honor the legacy of Mollie Beattie, former Commissioner of Vermont's Department of Forests, Parks and Recreation. Annually, the Department's Commissioner will present the award to current or former state employees or partners who advance conservation, public land accessibility, recreational quality, or sustainability of Vermont's public lands. The award commemorates the centennial of Vermont State Parks and recognizes contributions aligned with Beattie's values. It takes effect on July 1, 2025, and is purely ceremonial with no new funding or regulations.

passed both · Vermont · House May 27, 2025

HCR 152: House concurrent resolution honoring Silas R. Loomis for his more than half century of extraordinary municipal public service as the esteemed Castleton First Constable

HCR 152 is a ceremonial concurrent resolution honoring Silas R. Loomis for his 53 years of service as Castleton's First Constable (1972-2025). It formally commends his municipal public service, including unique motorcycle patrols, community rescues, and roles with sheriff's departments, without creating new laws or policies. The resolution directs the Secretary of State to send a copy to Loomis and Castleton's town clerk. As a procedural resolution, it has no direct impact on legislation or affected populations.

passed both · Vermont · House May 23, 2025

HCR 130: House concurrent resolution commemorating the bicentennial of the 1824–1825 Farewell American tour of the Marquis de Lafayette

This concurrent resolution (HCR 130) commemorates the 200th anniversary of the Marquis de Lafayette's 1824-1825 Farewell American tour, which concluded in Burlington, Vermont. It directs the Vermont Secretary of State to send a copy of the resolution to the American Friends of Lafayette, the group organizing the bicentennial recreation of the tour. The resolution has no binding effect or policy changes - it is purely ceremonial, honoring historical events without impacting laws or constituents.

passed both · Vermont · House May 23, 2025

HCR 132: House concurrent resolution congratulating the West Rutland High School Golden Horde girls’ basketball team on winning a fourth consecutive Division IV championship

This ceremonial resolution (HCR 132) honors the West Rutland High School Golden Horde girls’ basketball team for winning their fourth consecutive Division IV championship. It specifically recognizes their 2025 championship victory, including their 46-21 win in the final game. The resolution, adopted by both the Vermont House and Senate, directs the Secretary of State to send a copy to West Rutland High School. It has no policy or funding impact - it is purely a symbolic gesture of recognition.

passed both · Vermont · House May 23, 2025

HCR 133: House concurrent resolution congratulating West Rutland High School girls’ basketball standout Peyton Guay and extending to her best wishes for every future success

HCR 133 is a ceremonial resolution passed by Vermont's House and Senate to honor West Rutland High School girls' basketball player Peyton Guay. It formally congratulates her on her record-setting high school career - during which she scored 2,279 points (a Vermont girls' basketball record) and helped lead her team to four consecutive Division IV championships - and extends best wishes for her future college basketball career. The resolution directs the Secretary of State to send a copy to Guay. As a symbolic gesture with no policy impact, it does not create new laws or alter existing regulations.

passed both · Vermont · House May 23, 2025

HCR 153: House concurrent resolution congratulating Ronald Loomis on his receipt of the 2025 Shaftsbury Ordinary Hero Award

This is a ceremonial resolution (HCR 153), not a policy bill. It formally expresses the Vermont General Assembly's praise for Ronald Loomis, recognizing his decades of community service in Shaftsbury. The resolution specifically highlights his donations of vehicles to the fire department, creation of police training facilities, support for schools and youth programs, and other volunteer work that earned him the 2025 Shaftsbury Ordinary Hero Award. The legislature directs the Secretary of State to send a copy of the resolution to Mr. Loomis.

passed both · Vermont · House May 23, 2025

HCR 154: House concurrent resolution recognizing May 2025 as Mental Health Awareness Month in Vermont

HCR 154 is a non-binding resolution recognizing May 2025 as Mental Health Awareness Month in Vermont. It formally acknowledges the importance of mental health through the General Assembly’s recognition, citing Vermont-specific data on rising mental health challenges (like 34% of high school students reporting poor mental health). The resolution directs the Secretary of State to share it with mental health organizations, including NAMI Vermont and the Vermont Association for Mental Health & Addiction Recovery, to support awareness efforts. It does not create new programs or funding but aligns with national Mental Health Awareness Month observances.

signed · Vermont · Senate May 23, 2025

S 56: An act relating to creating an Office of New Americans

This bill amends Vermont's legislative structure to establish an Office of New Americans Study Committee, not a new agency. It requires the Governor to appoint six committee members, including one New American with lived experience nominated by a specific community organization (e.g., Association of Africans Living in Vermont or Migrant Justice). The committee's purpose is to study issues affecting New Americans in Vermont, with membership directly reflecting input from key immigrant-serving organizations. The bill passed both chambers and was signed into law by the Governor on May 21, 2025.

Topics ✓ Immigration

passed both · Vermont · House May 23, 2025

HCR 141: House concurrent resolution in memory of U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) engineer Edward M. Hathaway

HCR 141 is a ceremonial resolution passed by Vermont's House and Senate to honor Edward M. Hathaway, a former EPA engineer who died in March 2025. The resolution expresses condolences to his family and directs the Secretary of State to send a copy of the resolution to them. It recognizes Hathaway's 36-year EPA career, including his role supervising Superfund cleanup projects in Vermont (Ely Copper Mine and Elizabeth Mine), where he facilitated projects totaling over $100 million. The resolution has no policy impact - it is solely a memorial gesture with no legislative action or funding changes.

signed · Vermont · Senate May 23, 2025

S 44: An act relating to authorization to enter into certain immigration agreements

This bill clarifies Vermont's authority to enter federal immigration agreements. It states only the Governor (with the Attorney General's consultation) can authorize such agreements under federal law, except when local law enforcement needs to address immediate public safety threats during emergencies. The law prohibits all other state, county, or municipal agencies from entering these agreements without the Governor's specific approval. It directly affects Vermont's executive branch, law enforcement agencies, and any entity seeking to partner with federal immigration authorities. The change ensures centralized oversight of immigration-related agreements while allowing limited emergency exceptions.

Topics ✓ Immigration

Bill results