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Vermont Bills

Track legislation and stay informed about the bills that matter to you.

State Legislature US Congress

All 8,295 Active 3,475 In committee 2,310 Passed 2,033 Signed 934 Failed 25

passed both · Vermont · House May 23, 2025

JRH 5: Joint resolution authorizing limited remote joint committee voting through the remainder of calendar year 2025

This resolution allows members of Vermont's joint legislative committees to vote remotely for up to three days during 2025, if they notify the committee chair and clerk in advance. Remote votes count toward the required number of members needed for meetings to proceed (quorum). The committee clerk must track each member's remote voting days and document these votes. It applies to all joint committees until December 31, 2025.

signed · Vermont · House May 22, 2025

H 41: An act relating to abuse of the dead body of a person

This bill prohibits intentionally harming or sexually abusing a dead body without legal permission. It bans actions like burning, mutilating, disfiguring, or destroying a dead body (excluding cremated remains), and specifically prohibits sexual conduct on a dead body. Violations carry penalties of up to $5,000 fines or 5 years in prison for basic violations, and up to $10,000 fines or 15 years for offenses involving crime concealment or sexual acts. The bill also updates burial permit rules to require authorization for moving or burying bodies. It becomes effective July 1, 2025, after being signed by the governor.

passed both · Vermont · Senate May 22, 2025

JRS 27: Joint resolution relating to weekend adjournment on May 23, 2025

This procedural resolution adjusts Vermont's legislative schedule by directing that if both the Senate and House adjourn on Friday, May 23, 2025, they will reconvene no later than Tuesday, May 27, 2025. It affects only the state legislature's calendar, ensuring a shorter recess between sessions. The key provision extends the required meeting date to avoid a weekend break following the adjournment. The resolution was adopted by both chambers on May 22, 2025.

signed · Vermont · House May 22, 2025

H 27: An act relating to the Domestic Violence Fatality Review Commission

H 27 establishes the Domestic Violence Fatality Review Commission to investigate deaths related to domestic violence. The bill creates a formal process for reviewing these cases to identify patterns and improve prevention strategies. It became law after passing both legislative chambers and receiving the Governor's signature on May 20, 2025. The commission's work directly affects domestic violence prevention efforts and policy development in the state.

signed · Vermont · House May 22, 2025

H 398: An act relating to the Vermont Economic Development Authority

H 398 creates the Vermont Disaster Recovery Loan Fund within the Vermont Economic Development Authority. The fund provides loans and financial assistance to businesses, including agricultural and forest product enterprises, after disasters. It requires the Authority to consult with specific state secretaries when considering aid for non-declared disasters, though no consultation is needed for disasters declared by the Governor or President. This bill directly affects Vermont businesses recovering from disaster-related losses.

signed · Vermont · House May 22, 2025

H 98: An act relating to confirmatory adoptions and standby guardianships

This bill modifies Maine's adoption and guardianship laws. It allows parents to finalize certain adoptions without court approval and enables parents to designate standby guardians for their children without requiring court involvement. The changes affect families seeking to formalize adoptions or plan for child care in emergencies. The bill became law when the Governor signed it on May 22, 2025.

signed · Vermont · House May 22, 2025

H 461: An act relating to expanding employee access to unpaid leave

H 461 expands Vermont's unpaid leave protections by updating definitions to include more family relationships and caregiving situations. It specifically broadens eligibility for family leave to cover individuals standing "in loco parentis" (day-to-day caregivers without legal ties), domestic partners meeting specific cohabitation requirements, and nontraditional family structures. The bill also clarifies safe leave for victims of domestic violence, sexual assault, or stalking, including specific protections for estate administration during bereavement. These changes directly affect Vermont workers who care for extended family members, LGBTQ+ partners, or victims of violence, ensuring they qualify for leave under the same standards as traditional family situations. The law, signed by the Governor on May 22, 2025, aligns state policy with inclusive standards for low-income workers and nontraditional households.

Topics ✓ Labor & Employment

signed · Vermont · House May 22, 2025

H 494: An act relating to capital construction and State bonding

This bill, H.494, allocates $29.6 million in state bonding funds for capital construction projects across Vermont's government buildings and community initiatives over two fiscal years (2026-2027). It directly affects state agencies like the Department of Buildings and General Services, which will use funds for building repairs (e.g., Rutland building roof repairs, Burlington parking garage upgrades), and community grant programs. Key provisions include $1.8 million for historic preservation grants (like Bennington Battle Monument maintenance) and $3.9 million for community projects such as cultural facilities, recreational spaces, and agricultural fairs. The bill was signed into law by the Governor on May 22, 2025, and specifies exact project allocations with no new policy requirements.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes

signed · Vermont · House May 22, 2025

H 493: An act relating to making appropriations for the support of the government

This bill, H 493 (the "BIG BILL - Fiscal Year 2026 Appropriations Act"), provides funding for all Vermont state government operations and capital projects for fiscal year 2026 (July 1, 2025-June 30, 2026). It directly affects all state agencies, departments, and commissions by requiring them to operate within the specified budget limits, including restrictions on new positions and mandatory staffing adjustments. Key provisions include categorizing funds for "operating expenses" (like salaries and utilities) versus "capital appropriations" (for major projects like buildings), and directing that federal funds accepted by the Governor must align with the purposes of this bill. The bill serves as the primary funding reference for state operations during FY2026, with no new policy changes beyond budget allocation.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes

introduced · Vermont · House May 21, 2025

H 521: An act relating to health insurance coverage for donated human breast milk

H 521 proposes to mandate that health insurance plans and the Dr. Dynasaur program provide coverage for pasteurized donated human breast milk. This coverage would be for infants under 12 months of age. The bill specifies that this coverage would apply under certain circumstances, though the full details are not included in this short-form version.

Topics ✓ Healthcare

introduced · Vermont · House May 20, 2025

H 520: An act relating to the right of users to control their social media data

H 520 is a bill that proposes to enhance individual users' control over their data on social media platforms. It aims to require social media companies to provide users with the ability to delete their personal data. Additionally, the bill mandates that companies allow users to obtain their data in a portable format and transfer it to other social media platforms.

Topics ✓ Technology

introduced · Vermont · House May 20, 2025

H 518: An act relating to repealing the Climate Superfund Cost Recovery Program

H.518 proposes to repeal the State Climate Superfund Cost Recovery Program. If enacted, the Agency of Natural Resources would not be required to establish or implement this program. The bill would also eliminate the requirement for the State Treasurer to assess the cost of greenhouse gas emissions to Vermont and its residents. Any state positions authorized for the program or assessment would be terminated, and appropriated funds would be returned to the General Fund.

Topics ✗ Budget & Taxes ✗ Energy ✗ Environment