This Vermont bill (H.19) changes the definition of grand larceny to automatically include the theft of any firearm, regardless of its value. Previously, grand larceny required stolen property to exceed $900 in value; this bill removes that threshold specifically for firearms. The key mechanism amends Vermont law to list "a firearm of any value" as a separate basis for grand larceny charges under § 2501(2). This directly affects individuals who steal firearms, subjecting them to the same penalties as other high-value thefts (up to 10 years in prison or $5,000 fine). The law takes effect upon passage.
This bill establishes the Vermont Broadband Consumer Protection and Competition Act to safeguard consumers using broadband and VoIP services in Vermont. It requires broadband providers to obtain a net neutrality compliance certificate by October 2025 and prohibits unfair practices like misleading marketing, excessive termination fees, and predatory data caps (except for reasonable network management). Providers must also maintain complaint records and submit broadband availability data to the state to help track service issues and improve rural access. These rules aim to promote fair competition, reliable service, and consumer choice, particularly benefiting Vermonters in areas with limited broadband options.
H.23 ensures that married couples in Vermont who transfer property they jointly owned (as tenants by the entirety) into a trust retain the same protection from their separate creditors as they had before the transfer. The law requires the trust to meet specific conditions, such as being revocable by one spouse alone or requiring both for amendments, to maintain this protection. This immunity ends if the marriage is dissolved by court order, such as through divorce. The bill applies to all trusts and related legal proceedings involving such property transfers.
H.3 would eliminate college degree requirements for most Vermont state jobs, requiring agencies to prioritize relevant work experience and job-specific skills instead. This change directly affects state job applicants without degrees and hiring managers who would adjust their evaluation criteria. The bill aims to increase access to state employment by broadening eligibility beyond traditional academic qualifications. It has been referred to the Committee on Government Operations and Military Affairs for further review.
This bill (H 24) requires Vermont retail businesses to accept cash as a payment method for goods or services. It prohibits businesses from refusing cash payments, directly affecting all retailers selling to consumers within the state. The law, effective July 1, 2025, adds a new provision to Vermont law making refusal of cash an unfair commercial practice. The measure aims to protect consumer access to cash transactions in commerce.
H 25 amends Vermont law to replace fixed fees for the Impaired Driver Rehabilitation Program with an income-based fee structure. It requires the Department of Health to set fees based on an individual’s gross income relative to the federal poverty level: people earning 175% or less of the federal poverty level pay no fees, while those earning up to 575% qualify for discounted fees. Participants must disclose income confidentially for fee assessment, and collected fees will fund the program’s operations. The changes take effect July 1, 2025, with implementing rules due by January 1, 2026.
This bill prohibits confining egg-laying hens in spaces that prevent them from fully spreading both wings without touching enclosure sides or other hens. It requires egg producers to provide floor space per hen that meets the 2017 United Egg Producers Animal Husbandry Guidelines for cage-free production. The law directly affects Vermont egg producers who house hens in confined systems, with exemptions for medical research, veterinary care, agricultural fairs, and humane slaughter. Violations may result in enforcement actions by the Secretary of Agriculture, including written warnings, corrective orders, or civil penalties.
H.18 would reclassify third-time nonmoving license violations (such as parking tickets) as civil offenses instead of criminal ones for drivers with suspended licenses. Specifically, it changes penalties for individuals who operate a vehicle with a suspended license after their third nonmoving violation within a two-year period, shifting from potential jail time or large fines to civil penalties like fines and community service. This applies only to nonmoving violations (not moving traffic offenses like speeding), affecting repeat offenders who commit nonmoving violations after multiple license suspensions. The bill, if passed, would take effect July 1, 2025.
This bill creates a study committee to examine the benefits and barriers of blenderized tube feeding - a method of providing blended foods and liquids through a feeding tube - particularly for children. The committee, including health officials, caregivers, medical experts, and dietitians, will study impacts on health outcomes, costs of fresh food/blenders, insurance coverage gaps, and provider awareness. It must report findings and recommendations to legislative committees by January 15, 2026, to inform potential future policy changes. The bill does not implement immediate policy changes but establishes a process to address access barriers for patients relying on this feeding method.
This bill creates a Vermont personal income tax credit for homeowners who make safety and accessibility modifications to their primary residence (homestead). It covers qualified expenses like ramps, stair lifts, widened doorways, bathroom renovations, and other safety-focused home improvements, up to a lifetime maximum of $15,000. Unreimbursed costs for these modifications can reduce income tax liability, with unused credit amounts carried forward for up to three years. The credit applies to taxable years beginning January 1, 2025, and is designed to help residents safely age in place.
This bill (H.6) permanently maintains the 2023 increase to Vermont marriage license fees, which raised the total fee from $60 to $80. The change keeps $15 for town clerks and directs $50 to the Domestic and Sexual Violence Special Fund. It removes a temporary expiration date (sunset) that would have ended the fee increase after July 2025, making the higher fees permanent. The bill directly affects individuals applying for marriage licenses and the fund supporting domestic violence services.
This bill amends Vermont law to require courts in adoption proceedings to explicitly consider whether a parent has made reasonable and consistent child support payments when determining if terminating parental rights is in the child's best interests. It directly affects parents involved in adoption cases where parental rights may be terminated, specifically adding child support payments as a required factor alongside other considerations like communication and custody. The key provision updates Section 3-504 of Vermont's adoption statute to mandate courts evaluate a parent's financial support obligations as part of their "reasonable and consistent" efforts. This change clarifies that failure to pay child support (when legally obligated) must be weighed in termination decisions. The bill does not alter the standard for termination but specifies a new factor courts must address.
