Vermont Bills

introduced · Vermont · House Mar 12, 2025

H 464: An act relating to flood response and the duties of the Division of Emergency Management

H 464 requires Vermont's Division of Emergency Management to create a statewide flood response plan and assist towns in developing their own flood preparedness strategies. It directs the Division to provide financial and technical help to municipalities for emergency shelters, real-time alert systems, and training for staff who coordinate post-flood aid. The bill also mandates a statewide assessment of flood recovery needs, with a final report to the legislature due by December 15, 2025. This directly affects all Vermont towns and cities by setting new standards for flood response planning and resource allocation. The focus is on improving coordinated emergency management ahead of flood events.

introduced · Vermont · House Mar 12, 2025

H 470: An act relating to flood response and flood alert systems for municipalities

H 470 requires Vermont's Division of Emergency Management to create a statewide flood alert system specifically for small municipalities. The system would integrate real-time river height monitoring, localized emergency warnings, and weather updates delivered through multiple communication channels like text, radio, and apps. The bill also increases staffing and resources for the Department of Public Safety and Division of Emergency Management to help municipalities with flood recovery, including securing federal FEMA grants, conducting engineering assessments, and implementing repair projects. This legislation directly affects small towns and cities across Vermont that face flood risks.

introduced · Vermont · House Mar 12, 2025

H 465: An act relating to flood response and financial assistance for municipalities

This bill (H 465) makes Vermont municipalities eligible for state financial assistance to cover flood-related emergency response costs, temporary housing, sheltering services, and local infrastructure repairs. It directly affects municipalities impacted by flooding by requiring the state to cover the federal "local match" cost (the portion municipalities usually pay themselves) for FEMA reimbursement. The state assistance is temporary, pending reimbursement from FEMA, and applies to costs incurred during flood emergencies. The bill is currently before the Committee on Government Operations and Military Affairs after its first reading.

introduced · Vermont · House Mar 12, 2025

H 471: An act relating to the transfer of State-owned property in the Town of Waterbury

This bill (H 471) proposes to transfer ownership of the State-owned Randall Meadow property in Waterbury to the town, contingent upon completing engineering modifications to create a deeper floodway on the property. It directly affects the Town of Waterbury, which would gain ownership of the land once the floodway improvements are finished. The key provision requires the State to complete specific engineering work to deepen the floodway before the property transfer can occur. (Note: Full bill text is omitted in the short-form summary provided.)

introduced · Vermont · House Mar 12, 2025

H 462: An act relating to approval of an amendment to the charter of the City of Burlington concerning just cause eviction

This bill (H 462) authorizes Burlington’s city council to pass an ordinance requiring landlords to have a "just cause" reason to evict residential tenants, directly affecting Burlington renters and landlords. It specifies valid reasons for eviction (like rent nonpayment, lease violations, or material breaches) while banning evictions solely due to lease expiration or property owner occupancy. The ordinance must include protections like adequate notice, relocation assistance, and limits on rent hikes that could force tenants out without a valid reason. It also excludes certain properties (like owner-occupied duplexes or homes needing major repairs) from the rule. The bill approves a charter amendment voters approved in 2021, with the ordinance to be implemented by Burlington’s city council.

Topics ✓ Housing

in committee · Vermont · House Mar 12, 2025

H 420: An act relating to tax increment financing for flood-impacted communities

This bill creates a program allowing Vermont towns and cities in areas affected by major floods (specifically in counties with a 2023-2024 FEMA disaster declaration) to use increases in property tax revenue to fund flood-related improvements. Municipalities must develop a project plan for repairs, infrastructure, or affordable housing, secure local approval, and get the Vermont Economic Progress Council to review it for compliance with criteria like flood resiliency or brownfield cleanup. The program uses existing tax revenue growth - without requiring new taxes - to finance projects that meet specific community needs, administered by the Vermont Economic Progress Council.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Housing

passed both · Vermont · House Mar 12, 2025

HCR 47: House concurrent resolution recognizing March 2025 as National Senior Nutrition Program Month in Vermont

HCR 47 is a symbolic resolution recognizing March 2025 as National Senior Nutrition Program Month in Vermont. It highlights Vermont's senior population (28% aged 60+), the threat of hunger among older residents (12%), and the role of programs like Meals on Wheels in delivering over 986,000 meals annually. The resolution directs the Secretary of State to send copies to the Department of Disabilities, Aging, and Independent Living and Vermont meal providers, with no new funding or policy changes. It serves as a ceremonial acknowledgment of existing senior nutrition efforts, aligning with the federal program's 2025 theme "A Place at the Table."

passed both · Vermont · House Mar 12, 2025

HCR 44: House concurrent resolution recognizing July 2025 as Park and Recreation Month in Vermont and designating July 18, 2025 as Vermont Park and Recreation Professionals Day in Vermont

This concurrent resolution symbolically recognizes July 2025 as Park and Recreation Month in Vermont and designates July 18, 2025, as Vermont Park and Recreation Professionals Day. It directly affects Vermont’s park and recreation professionals and programs by honoring their work through official state recognition. The resolution has no legal effect or policy changes - it simply directs the Secretary of State to send a copy to the Vermont Recreation and Parks Association, aligning with national observances established by the National Recreation and Park Association.

in committee · Vermont · Senate Mar 11, 2025

S 21: An act relating to cell phone-free schools

S.21 would require all Vermont public schools, independent schools, career centers, and prekindergarten programs to prohibit student use of cell phones and personal electronic devices during school hours. Schools must develop policies allowing devices only for documented medical needs or as specified in a student's individualized education program (IEP) or 504 plan. The bill also prohibits schools from using social media to communicate with students or requiring students to use social media for school activities. These provisions take effect December 1, 2025.

in committee · Vermont · Senate Mar 11, 2025

S 39: An act relating to the State Aid for School Construction Program

This bill creates Vermont's State Aid for School Construction Program, providing state funds to help school districts cover borrowing costs for eligible construction projects. The program offers varying levels of aid based on bonus incentives tied to criteria like cost efficiency, geographic accessibility, 21st-century facility standards, and prioritizing existing infrastructure use. The Agency of Education manages the program, including setting priority rules, reviewing applications, and maintaining public project data. A new eight-member advisory board - comprising agency officials and appointed education/construction experts - will advise on program implementation and priorities. The law requires annual reporting to the legislature and encourages joint projects between districts to maximize resource use.

Topics ✓ Education

introduced · Vermont · Senate Mar 11, 2025

S 106: An act relating to continuing the Psychedelic Therapy Advisory Working Group

This bill extends the Psychedelic Therapy Advisory Working Group's term and expands its membership and responsibilities. The group will continue reviewing research on psychedelics for mental health treatment, monitor other states' programs, and develop a pilot project for psilocybin therapy in serious illness and end-of-life care. It must submit a report by November 15, 2025, to legislative committees before potential future action. The bill does not change current laws but supports further study to inform future policy decisions.

Topics ✓ Healthcare

introduced · Vermont · Senate Mar 11, 2025

S 112: An act relating to amending a death certificate to reflect gender identity

This bill allows Vermont's State Registrar to correct a death certificate to match the deceased person's gender identity at the time of death. It directly affects transgender and non-binary individuals whose gender identity wasn't reflected on their death certificate, as well as their family members or healthcare providers seeking to update the record. The law permits corrections upon application by healthcare professionals, medical examiners, or close family members (spouse, parent, adult child, etc.), with the Department of Health required to create rules specifying acceptable evidence (like advanced directives) and forms for the process. The bill takes effect on July 1, 2025, and is currently under review by the Health and Welfare Committee.

Bill results