Vermont Bills | MyRepTracker

signed · Vermont · House Apr 29, 2026

H 917: An act relating to military affairs

This bill (H 917) amends existing Vermont statutes related to military affairs. It corrects the title of the "Adjutant and Inspector General" position, defines "Gold Star family member," and updates administrative procedures for the National Guard and military benefits programs. The bill modifies sections governing the Adjutant General's election, duties, and authority over military personnel and tuition benefits. It does not create new benefits but adjusts existing legal language and processes within Vermont's military structure. The changes primarily affect state military officials and administrative systems, not direct program recipients.

signed · Vermont · House Apr 29, 2026

H 549: An act relating to eligibility of sentenced or detained individuals to obtain a State-issued nondriver identification card, replacement operator's license, or replacement learner's permit

H 549 would allow individuals detained in Vermont correctional facilities for six months or more without a conviction to obtain a free state nondriver ID card. Currently, an initial nondriver ID requires a $29 fee, but this bill would waive that fee for pre-trial detainees meeting the six-month detention threshold. The card would provide essential identification for accessing basic services like banking, housing, and government programs. This change directly affects people held in pre-adjudication detention who have served six months or longer.

Topics ✓ Criminal Justice

signed · Vermont · House Apr 29, 2026

H 744: An act relating to procedures for release after arrest

This bill (H.744) requires law enforcement officers making warrantless arrests to include specific details in their written statements to judges. Specifically, officers must state the crime they intend to charge and any requested bail or release conditions the prosecutor is seeking. This applies when officers seek a judge's immediate decision on temporary release after an arrest without a warrant. The change aims to provide judges with clearer information upfront to make release decisions, affecting both arresting officers and judicial officers reviewing cases.

Topics ✓ Criminal Justice

signed · Vermont · House Apr 29, 2026

H 237: An act relating to prescribing by doctoral-level psychologists

H 237 allows licensed doctoral-level psychologists in Vermont to prescribe medication for mental health conditions under specific requirements. To qualify, psychologists must complete a postdoctoral psychopharmacology program, 14 months of clinical rotations across nine medical settings (including psychiatry and pediatrics), and pass a certification exam. The bill mandates a written collaboration agreement with a psychiatrist for all prescribing psychologists, restricts prescribing to certain age groups (under 18, over 80, or pregnant patients), and requires specific drug naming for controlled substances. This policy directly affects psychologists seeking prescribing authority, collaborating psychiatrists, and patients receiving mental health treatment under these conditions. The law takes effect in phases, with key provisions beginning July 1, 2025.

Topics ✓ Healthcare

signed · Vermont · House Apr 29, 2026

H 508: An act relating to approval of amendments to the charter of the City of Burlington

H 508 proposes to approve amendments to the charter of the City of Burlington, which were approved by voters on March 4, 2025. These amendments authorize the Burlington City Council to adopt ordinances that govern the notice landlords must provide to residential tenants before terminating a tenancy. The bill also repeals the current codified ward boundaries within the city's charter. This change allows the City Council to reapportion the city's electoral wards.

Topics ✓ Housing

signed · Vermont · Senate Apr 23, 2026

S 210: An act relating to access to autopsy reports

This bill (S 210) creates a process for individuals not already authorized under federal law to obtain a decedent’s autopsy report. It allows people who are not the decedent’s personal representative, executor, or heir to petition the Probate Division of the Superior Court, providing proof of relationship and a legitimate reason for the request. If the court approves the petition, the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner must provide the report. The law amends Vermont statute 18 V.S.A. § 505 to establish this procedure, effective July 1, 2026. It directly affects family members or others seeking access beyond current federal privacy protections.

signed · Vermont · House Apr 22, 2026

H 540: An act relating to the recommendations of the Post-Adjudication Reparative Program Working Group

H 540 adopts recommendations from Vermont's Post-Adjudication Reparative Program Working Group to create a structured alternative to traditional sentencing for certain nonviolent offenses. The bill allows courts to refer nonviolent felony, misdemeanor, or nonviolent misdemeanor offenders (who pled guilty) to community reparative boards instead of probation, requiring the offender to complete the program or return to court for further sentencing. Key provisions include mandatory court consideration of victim input, community impact, offender willingness, and standardized referral forms for all courts. This directly affects nonviolent offenders and community reparative boards, shifting focus toward restorative practices rather than standard probation. The policy change takes effect July 1, 2026.

Topics ✓ Criminal Justice

signed · Vermont · House Apr 22, 2026

H 694: An act relating to approval of amendments to the charter of the Town of Bennington concerning the Town Manager

This bill approves amendments to the Town of Bennington's charter that allow the Select Board to remove the Town Manager without requiring "notice, cause, and hearing" if the manager has a written contract. The key change modifies the removal process to permit removal by a Select Board majority vote after 90 days' written notice, with the manager eligible for suspension with pay during that period. The policy directly affects the Select Board (which votes on removal) and the Town Manager (whose removal process is altered). This change streamlines the removal process for contracted managers while maintaining the 90-day notice period.

signed · Vermont · House Apr 22, 2026

H 733: An act relating to designating a franchise relationship

This Vermont bill (H 733) regulates franchise agreements between franchisors (brand owners) and franchisees (business operators). It prohibits franchisors from terminating agreements early without "good cause," requiring 60 days' written notice and a 60-day cure period for most violations (Section 4052). Specific exceptions allow immediate termination for bankruptcy, business abandonment, criminal convictions, or failure to pay fees. The bill directly affects franchisees operating under brand agreements in Vermont, providing greater protection against arbitrary termination. Key provisions include defining "franchise agreement" and clarifying that non-compete clauses must not unreasonably restrict post-termination competition.

signed · Vermont · House Apr 22, 2026

H 84: An act relating to allowing telehealth appointments to be recorded with patient and provider consent

This bill allows telehealth and telephone medical consultations in Vermont to be recorded only with the explicit consent of both the patient and the health care provider. It amends Vermont law to require mutual consent before any recording of these appointments can occur, updating statutes for telemedicine (§ 9361) and audio-only phone consultations (§ 9362). The law directly affects all patients and providers using telehealth services in Vermont, ensuring recordings are permitted only with agreement from both parties. The bill takes effect immediately upon passage.

Topics ✓ Healthcare ✓ Technology

signed · Vermont · House Apr 8, 2026

H 50: An act relating to identifying underutilized State buildings and land

This bill requires Vermont state agencies to annually report detailed information about their buildings and land to the Commissioner of Buildings and General Services. Agencies must track metrics like available space, current usage, vacant properties, and costs per square foot, including whether land is unused for its intended purpose. The Commissioner will compile this data biannually and submit it to legislative committees by January 15 each biennium. The law creates a formal system for identifying underutilized state properties but does not authorize selling or repurposing them. It directly affects all state agencies and the Buildings Commissioner.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes

signed · Vermont · Senate Mar 27, 2026

S 60: An act relating to establishing the Farm and Forestry Operations Security Special Fund to provide payments for farm and forestry operation losses due to weather conditions

Bill S.60 establishes the Farm Security Special Fund in Vermont to provide grants to farms that incur financial losses due to eligible severe weather conditions. This fund aims to help farmers recover by reimbursing up to 50 percent of their uninsured losses, with a maximum of $150,000 per farm annually. A new Farm Security Special Fund Review Board will assist in evaluating applications and recommending awards. The bill defines eligible weather conditions, such as flooding or drought, and outlines reimbursable losses, including lost income, replanting costs, and infrastructure repair.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes