Vermont Bills

introduced · Vermont · House Jan 30, 2024

H 842: An act relating to the creation a forgivable loan incentive program for graduates of the Vermont Law School

This bill creates a forgivable loan program for graduates of Vermont Law School who agree to work as lawyers for state government agencies for at least three years. The program would provide financial incentives to encourage recent graduates to pursue public service careers in Vermont. Under the proposed legislation, eligible graduates would receive loan forgiveness as a reward for their commitment to working in the state's governmental legal sector. The bill directly affects law school graduates and state employers seeking to strengthen their legal workforce.

Topics ✓ Education

introduced · Vermont · House Jan 30, 2024

H 841: An act relating to increasing access to a blenderized whole foods diet for individuals receiving nutrition through a feeding tube

This bill aims to improve access to blenderized whole foods for people who receive nutrition through feeding tubes by offering financial help to buy nutritious whole foods. It also provides educational resources for families and healthcare providers on best practices for preparing blenderized food diets and supports individuals and families who choose to make these meals themselves. The legislation directly affects individuals with feeding tubes and their families, as well as healthcare professionals who care for them.

Topics ✓ Healthcare

introduced · Vermont · House Jan 24, 2024

H 840: An act relating to specialty license plates for veterans

This bill directs Vermont's Department of Motor Vehicles to review existing specialty license plates for veterans and consider adding new designs based on branch of service or combat experience. The review must consult with the Office of Veterans' Affairs and other stakeholders while accounting for current plate numbers, program costs, and production expenses. The Department must submit a written report with its findings and any recommended legal changes to several state committees. This process aims to ensure the veteran plate program remains relevant and cost-effective without mandating specific plate designs.

Topics ✓ Veterans

introduced · Vermont · House Jan 23, 2024

H 838: An act relating to improved highway access for pedestrians and bicyclists

This bill requires the Vermont Agency of Transportation to narrow the driving lanes of state highways to 11 feet in rural village centers when requested by local selectboards. The primary goal is to create safer and more accessible pathways for pedestrians and bicyclists, encouraging active transportation and reducing vehicle emissions. Local communities can initiate this change by formally requesting the modification through their selectboard, and the agency must implement the lane narrowing within one year of receiving the request. The legislation focuses on specific rural village centers rather than applying statewide changes to all highways.

Topics ✓ Environment ✓ Transportation

introduced · Vermont · House Jan 23, 2024

H 836: An act relating to expanding earned time to include credit for higher education degrees

This bill would allow incarcerated individuals in Vermont to receive time off their sentences for earning higher education degrees or credentials. Under the proposal, offenders would get six months off for completing a certificate program with at least 30 credit hours, one year for an associate or bachelor's degree, 18 months for a master's degree, and two years for a doctoral degree. The legislation also directs that any cost savings from reduced incarceration time be transferred to the state's education budget to support colleges and universities. This change directly affects the Department of Corrections and institutions of higher education in Vermont.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Criminal Justice ✓ Education

introduced · Vermont · House Jan 23, 2024

H 837: An act relating to equalizing community service and incarceration requirements for offenses that permit such sentencing alternatives

This bill proposes to make the number of community service hours required for certain offenses equal to the number of hours of jail time that would otherwise be served. It directly affects individuals convicted of crimes where community service is available as a sentencing alternative. The legislation would establish a finding that aligning these time requirements supports Vermont's restorative justice policy and aims to encourage more people to choose community service over incarceration. The bill also includes a provision to reference current Department of Corrections data when assessing any potential reduction in the state's incarcerated population.

Topics ✓ Criminal Justice

introduced · Vermont · House Jan 23, 2024

H 835: An act relating to services for adults with an intellectual disability

This bill aims to improve services and rights for adults with intellectual disabilities in Vermont by establishing stronger oversight and support mechanisms. It requires a professional review committee to approve any restrictions on personal rights or privacy, mandates the submission of a final Olmstead Plan by January 2025, and provides financial assistance to parents or guardians when alternative care options are unavailable. The legislation also enhances transparency in Human Services Board proceedings by allowing participants to submit supporting documentation and introducing a complaint procedure for individuals under guardianship. Additionally, it clarifies guardianship laws to ensure guardians can negotiate contracts that protect the individual's rights under the Americans with Disabilities Act and other applicable state laws.

Topper McFaun (R) · 38 co-sponsors

introduced · Vermont · House Jan 18, 2024

H 831: An act relating to the running of livestock at large

This bill requires livestock owners in Vermont to keep their animals enclosed within a properly maintained fence made of specific materials such as posts and rails, wire, or electrified wire. It directly affects owners of livestock who currently allow animals to roam freely, mandating that they secure their animals to prevent them from running at large. The legislation establishes criminal penalties of up to $500 per animal for a first violation and up to $1,500 per animal for subsequent violations, enforced by law enforcement officers or the Agency of Agriculture, Food and Markets. Additionally, it holds livestock owners financially liable for any damages caused by their animals when they escape or run at large.

introduced · Vermont · House Jan 18, 2024

H 832: An act relating to repealing the mandatory retirement age for certain State law enforcement officers

This bill would remove the mandatory retirement age requirement for certain Vermont state law enforcement officers. It directly affects state employees who work in law enforcement roles that currently have a set age limit for retirement. The key provision eliminates the specific age threshold that forces these officers to retire, allowing them to continue working past that age if they meet other employment requirements. This change would apply only to the specified law enforcement positions within the state system, leaving other state employees' retirement rules unchanged.

introduced · Vermont · House Jan 18, 2024

H 834: An act relating to cannabis special event licenses

This bill creates a new special event license for cannabis establishments in Vermont, allowing them to serve cannabis products on-site for limited-time events. The license would enable businesses to host gatherings where customers can consume cannabis at the venue rather than taking products home. It directly affects existing cannabis establishments and event organizers seeking to host temporary cannabis-related events. The legislation establishes a specific regulatory framework for these temporary on-site consumption scenarios without changing broader cannabis laws.

introduced · Vermont · House Jan 18, 2024

H 833: An act relating to capping the number of cannabis establishment licenses issued by the Cannabis Control Board

This bill proposes to set a maximum limit on the number of cannabis business licenses that the Cannabis Control Board can issue in Vermont. It would directly affect cultivators, product manufacturers, and retailers by restricting how many new establishments can operate in the state. The legislation aims to control market saturation by preventing the issuance of additional licenses beyond a specified cap. If passed, this would require the Cannabis Control Board to stop approving new applications once the limit is reached. The measure focuses on regulating the quantity of licensed cannabis businesses rather than changing how existing ones operate.

introduced · Vermont · Senate Jan 18, 2024

S 298: An act relating to increasing penalties for drug-related offenses

This bill proposes to increase penalties for various drug-related offenses in Vermont, directly affecting individuals charged with selling, dispensing, or trafficking regulated drugs. Key provisions include clarifying the legal definition of "knowingly" to include consciously ignoring substantial risks, raising penalties for selling drugs to minors and on school grounds, and imposing stricter mandatory minimum sentences for repeat trafficking offenses and cases where drug sales result in death. The legislation also prevents defendants from using the presence of multiple drugs as a defense when a single substance causes death and requires courts to make written findings before allowing alternative sentences for serious offenses.

Topics ✗ Criminal Justice

Bill results