Vermont Bills

passed both · Vermont · House Mar 21, 2025

HCR 49: House concurrent resolution recognizing March 21, 2025 as World Day for Glaciers in Vermont

This is a procedural resolution, not a law. It formally recognizes March 21, 2025 (the first World Day for Glaciers) as "World Day for Glaciers in Vermont" and directs the Secretary of State to send a copy to the UN Secretary-General. It aligns with a UN resolution urging global awareness of glacier preservation due to climate impacts. The resolution has no direct effect on Vermont residents or new policies; it serves only as a symbolic gesture of support for international climate awareness efforts.

passed · Vermont · Senate Mar 21, 2025

S 66: An act relating to motor vehicle noise, exhaust modifications, and engine compression brakes

This bill (S 66) regulates motor vehicle noise by prohibiting certain exhaust modifications and requiring mufflers for engine compression brakes. It bans straight pipes, gutted mufflers, and unapproved exhaust systems on most vehicles, while requiring motorcycles (post-1985) to meet federal noise standards. Truck operators must equip compression brakes (like "Jake brakes") with mufflers to prevent excessive noise, failing which vehicles will fail safety inspections. The law affects drivers of modified cars, trucks, and motorcycles, with new rules taking effect July 1, 2026. It also requires a report by December 2025 on proposed noise level limits and enforcement procedures.

Topics ✓ Transportation

passed · Vermont · House Mar 21, 2025

H 125: An act relating to reporting on the energy transition

H 125 requires Vermont's Secretary of Natural Resources to publish a detailed report by December 15, 2025, tracking how the state's energy shift affects residents and businesses. The report must compile five years of data on electric rates, solar installations by county, heating fuel sales, weatherization services (by income), renewable energy jobs, fuel sales, EV charging infrastructure, and regional energy consumption patterns. It also mandates analysis of equity impacts and recommendations for future reporting to better understand regional benefits and burdens from Vermont's energy transition. This procedural bill focuses on data collection, not policy changes, to inform future energy planning.

Topics ✓ Energy ✓ Environment ✓ Transportation

passed both · Vermont · Senate Mar 21, 2025

JRS 18: Joint resolution relating to weekend adjournment on March 21, 2025

This procedural resolution adjusts the Vermont legislature's schedule, allowing lawmakers to take a weekend break after adjourning on Friday, March 21, 2025, with a return to session on Tuesday, March 25, 2025. It does not change any laws or affect residents, as it solely modifies the legislative calendar for that specific session. The resolution was adopted by both chambers on March 21, 2025.

passed both · Vermont · House Mar 21, 2025

HCR 54: House concurrent resolution in memory of former Representative, Governor, and Interim University of Vermont President Thomas Paul Salmon

HCR 54 is a ceremonial resolution honoring Thomas Paul Salmon, a former Vermont Representative, Governor (75th), and Interim University of Vermont President. The resolution expresses the General Assembly's condolences to his family following his death on January 14, 2025, and directs the Secretary of State to send a copy of the resolution to them. It commemorates his career, including his two terms as governor (1972-1978) and his six-year tenure as UVM Interim President. As a non-binding memorial resolution, it has no policy impact or direct effect on constituents.

introduced · Vermont · House Mar 20, 2025

H 490: An act relating to incentivizing community service sentencing in certain cases

H 490 would reduce the required community service hours for individuals convicted of a second impaired driving offense under Vermont law. It specifically targets people sentenced for a second offense under 23 V.S.A. § 1210(c), aiming to make community service a more appealing sentencing option compared to jail time. The bill cites Vermont’s Restorative Justice Policy (28 V.S.A. § 2a) as justification, arguing aligning the hours encourages community service use. It also references Department of Corrections data to measure potential impacts on incarceration rates, though the bill itself only changes the sentencing requirement.

Topics ✓ Criminal Justice

introduced · Vermont · Senate Mar 20, 2025

S 129: An act relating to the regulation of virtual-currency kiosk operators

S 129 regulates virtual-currency kiosk operators in Vermont by setting daily transaction limits ($1,000 for new customers, $5,000 for existing customers), capping fees at $5 or 15% of transaction value, and requiring mandatory risk disclosures about virtual currency volatility, lack of government backing, and irreversible transactions. It mandates licensing for operators, prohibits new kiosks from operating before July 1, 2025 (except existing ones), and requires operators to verify third-party compliance. The bill directly affects kiosk businesses handling virtual currency transactions, ensuring consumer protections through transparency and financial safeguards. A commissioner must report by January 2025 on whether these rules sufficiently prevent fraud, referencing federal oversight recommendations.

passed · Vermont · Senate Mar 20, 2025

SR 10: Senate resolution relating to the disapproval of Executive Order 01-25

This Senate resolution (SR 10) formally disapproves Governor Scott's Executive Order 01-25, which aimed to reorganize Vermont's Department of Public Safety into a new cabinet-level "Agency of Public Safety" effective April 2025. The resolution directly affects the Governor's proposed reorganization plan by rejecting it and committing the Senate to develop new legislation instead. The key mechanism requires the Senate to use its standing committee process - allowing for research, analysis, and public input - to create a revised structure for public safety services. This action does not change current operations but redirects the process toward formal legislative action.

introduced · Vermont · House Mar 19, 2025

H 486: An act relating to homestead declarations and the property tax credit

This bill extends the deadline for filing homestead declarations and offers relief for late submissions. It raises the household income limit for qualifying for the property tax credit and increases the amount of land value considered when calculating the credit amount. These changes directly affect Vermont homeowners who file homestead declarations to access property tax relief. The bill simplifies eligibility by making it easier to qualify for the credit through higher income thresholds and expanded land value inclusion. (3 sentences)

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Housing

introduced · Vermont · Senate Mar 19, 2025

S 128: An act relating to eliminating certain exemptions from the minimum wage and overtime, including the tipped minimum wage; increasing the minimum wage; and requiring that inmates receive the minimum wage for work performed

This Vermont bill increases the state's minimum wage to $25.00 per hour starting January 1, 2026, with annual adjustments tied to inflation, and eliminates the lower "tipped minimum wage" that previously allowed hospitality workers (like servers in restaurants) to be paid less than the standard rate if tips covered the difference. It also requires inmates in Vermont correctional facilities to be paid at least the minimum wage for all work performed, with wages held in a separate fund and subject to limited deductions for maintenance or victim payments. The bill directly affects most Vermont workers - particularly tipped employees in hotels, motels, and restaurants - and inmates in state correctional facilities. The new minimum wage takes effect January 1, 2026, and corrections policies must align by that date.

Topics ✓ Criminal Justice ✓ Labor & Employment

introduced · Vermont · House Mar 19, 2025

H 487: An act relating to local option tax revenue sharing between a town and village

H 487 would create a formal process for incorporated villages and their associated towns in Vermont to share revenue from a single local option tax adopted by the town. It directly affects towns that have implemented a local option tax and any incorporated villages located within that town's boundaries. The bill establishes a mechanism requiring the town to share a portion of this tax revenue with the village, based on a formula agreed upon by both entities. This is a procedural change to how existing local option tax revenue is distributed, not a new tax or policy.

passed both · Vermont · House Mar 19, 2025

HCR 13: House concurrent resolution in memory of the former esteemed Clerk of the Vermont House of Representatives Robert Louis Picher of Winooski

HCR 13 is a non-binding memorial resolution honoring Robert Louis Picher, the former Clerk of the Vermont House of Representatives. It commemorates his 30 years of service (1963-1993, plus 2002 acting role), military career, legal background, and community contributions. The resolution expresses the Vermont General Assembly’s condolences to his family and directs the Secretary of State to send a copy to them. This is purely ceremonial with no policy changes or affected constituents.

Bill results