Vermont Bills

introduced · Vermont · House Jan 10, 2024

H 726: An act relating to compliance checks by the Division of Liquor Control

This bill requires Vermont's Division of Liquor Control to conduct regular compliance checks on all alcohol beverage licensees to verify they are following state laws regarding alcohol sales. Under the new rule, each licensed establishment must be inspected at least once every two years to ensure they are not selling alcohol to minors or violating other regulations. The legislation includes a $200,000 appropriation from the state General Fund in fiscal year 2025 to support these enforcement activities. The changes are scheduled to take effect on July 1, 2024, and apply to all first-, second-, third-, and fourth-class alcohol licensees in Vermont.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes

introduced · Vermont · House Jan 10, 2024

H 724: An act relating to sealing eviction records

This bill requires courts in Vermont to automatically seal all eviction records, treating them as if the eviction never occurred for most purposes. The law prohibits landlords, employers, and other entities from using sealed eviction records when screening applicants for housing, credit, or employment, with limited exceptions for judgments involving nonpayment of rent or lease breaches that remain unsealed for up to three years. Landlords and tenants may agree to keep records sealed even after a judgment, and courts must provide access to sealed records only to parties involved in the case, their attorneys, legal aid organizations, or those with specific court orders. Existing eviction records currently on file must be sealed by June 30, 2024, and the law takes effect on July 1, 2024.

Topics ✓ Criminal Justice ✓ Housing

introduced · Vermont · House Jan 10, 2024

H 730: An act relating to uniformly removing members of State boards and commissions

This bill establishes a standardized process for removing members from Vermont state boards and commissions when no specific removal rules already exist. It requires the appointing authority to provide written reasons for removal and allow the member a chance to respond before taking action. Additionally, the bill mandates that any resulting vacancy must be filled within 60 days by the appropriate appointing official. The law applies to all state boards and commissions unless existing statutes already outline different removal procedures.

introduced · Vermont · House Jan 10, 2024

H 729: An act relating to establishing a tobacco substitute directory

This bill creates a public directory of tobacco substitutes, such as e-cigarettes, that are legally allowed for sale in Vermont. It requires manufacturers to annually certify to the state that their products have received federal approval from the Food and Drug Administration or are under review, and to pay fees for each product listed. The Division of Liquor Control will maintain this online directory and can remove products that fail to meet certification requirements, after which those items become illegal to sell. Retailers, distributors, and wholesalers face daily fines and potential license suspensions if they sell tobacco substitutes not included in the directory. Manufacturers who falsely represent their product's status could face fines or imprisonment.

James Gregoire (R) · 18 co-sponsors

introduced · Vermont · Senate Jan 10, 2024

S 239: An act relating to prohibiting possession of semiautomatic assault weapons

This bill would prohibit most individuals from possessing semiautomatic assault weapons in Vermont, with exceptions for law enforcement officers and active military personnel. It defines these weapons as semiautomatic rifles, pistols, or shotguns with specific features like detachable magazines and certain grip or stock configurations, while excluding manually operated firearms and those with limited magazine capacity. Violations could result in up to one year in prison, a $500 fine, or both. The law would take effect immediately upon passage.

Topics ✗ Criminal Justice

introduced · Vermont · Senate Jan 10, 2024

S 241: An act relating to revising the delivery and governance of the Vermont workforce system

This bill proposes to update how Vermont manages and delivers its workforce development programs based on recommendations from a special oversight committee. It directs the state to implement changes to the Vermont Workforce Expansion and Development Board's structure and operations as outlined in previous legislation. The act would take effect immediately upon passage, allowing the state to reorganize its workforce system without waiting for a new fiscal year.

introduced · Vermont · Senate Jan 10, 2024

S 245: An act relating to issuing grants for permanent supportive housing

This bill establishes a grant program within the Agency of Human Services to help municipalities and other organizations acquire or renovate existing buildings for permanent supportive housing. The program provides up to $4.5 million in funding for fiscal year 2025 and requires participating sites to include multiple studio apartments with kitchens and bathrooms, along with on-site support services from two staff members available at least eight hours daily. Eligible projects must prioritize individuals experiencing chronic homelessness, those recovering from mental health or substance use disorders, and other vulnerable populations, while also incorporating energy-efficient renovations and ensuring access to community services. The bill directs the agency to select proposals based on the greatest need for housing and the health and safety benefits for residents.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Housing

introduced · Vermont · Senate Jan 10, 2024

S 242: An act relating to the maintenance of properties for the health and safety of the public

This bill authorizes Vermont municipalities to create and enforce local rules requiring owners to maintain buildings that pose risks to public health and safety. It allows towns and cities to compel cleaning or repairs of dangerous properties and establish specific health and safety standards for buildings within their jurisdiction. If a municipal official determines a building is uninhabitable or hazardous, the municipality can recover maintenance costs by placing a tax lien on the property, provided the owner receives proper notice and has access to an appeals process. The legislation applies to all incorporated towns, cities, and villages in Vermont and takes effect immediately upon passage.

Topics ✓ Housing

introduced · Vermont · Senate Jan 10, 2024

S 244: An act relating to the definition of a mobile home park

This bill amends Vermont state law to expand the legal definition of a mobile home park to include communities where mobile home owners own their individual lots rather than renting them. The change clarifies that such owner-occupied communities should be treated similarly to traditional mobile home parks under existing housing regulations. It also specifies exclusions, such as storage lots, agricultural employer housing, and seasonal vacation sites, which remain outside the definition. The legislation would take effect on July 1, 2024, and primarily affects mobile home park owners, operators, and residents in Vermont.

Topics ✓ Housing

introduced · Vermont · Senate Jan 10, 2024

S 243: An act relating to the formation of stormwater utility districts

This bill authorizes municipal stormwater utilities in Vermont to form cooperative agreements with other municipalities to share financial resources and establish joint ratemaking structures. It allows these utilities to collaborate on administrative matters and develop rates based on equivalent residential units calculated from impervious surface areas. The legislation also creates a grant program providing up to $100,000 to groups of cooperating municipalities outside Chittenden County for technical assistance in establishing utility governance and ratemaking. A total of $400,000 is appropriated in fiscal year 2025 to fund these grants, with the act taking effect on July 1, 2024.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Environment

introduced · Vermont · House Jan 10, 2024

H 723: An act relating to flood recovery

This bill establishes a comprehensive flood recovery and preparedness framework for Vermont municipalities and businesses affected by the 2023 severe storms. It provides financial relief through tax abatement reimbursements for municipalities that lost State education property tax revenue, grants to offset municipal lost revenues, and a new Flood Recovery Assistance Program offering up to $40 million for business losses including physical damage, lost revenue, and employee wages. The legislation also creates a working group to improve emergency management coordination between state agencies and municipalities, while allowing reconsideration of property tax abatement decisions made during the disaster period.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Labor & Employment

introduced · Vermont · House Jan 10, 2024

H 719: An act relating to housing development and unit rehabilitation

This bill aims to increase housing availability in Vermont by modifying state land use laws, municipal zoning regulations, and tax policies. It directly affects developers, municipalities, and housing providers by creating exemptions for certain housing projects under Act 250, which governs land use in the state. Key provisions include raising the threshold for housing projects that trigger state review in smaller municipalities, exempting conversions of hotels and other buildings into affordable housing from certain regulations, and allowing some municipalities with strong zoning laws to handle development reviews locally instead of through state commissions. The legislation also repeals previous rules that required special permits for priority housing projects and establishes new criteria for when housing construction counts toward state jurisdiction thresholds.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Housing

Bill results