H 177 proposes replacing Vermont’s education property tax with a new education income tax starting in fiscal year 2027. It would tax all Vermont residents’ income (both homeowners and renters) using progressive rates based on income brackets, with rates adjusted per school district according to local education spending. The bill eliminates the homestead property tax benefit for homeowners while continuing the renter credit and updating property tax credits to provide broader relief for taxpayers by 2026. This directly affects all Vermont residents through their state income tax filings, shifting the funding mechanism for public education from property-based to income-based.
Vermont's S.104 would replace the current education property tax with an income-based education tax starting in 2027, eventually applying to all residents (homeowners and renters) by 2030. The bill eliminates the homestead property tax but keeps nonhomestead tax on non-residential property, while creating new renter credits against the income tax and adjusting property tax credits to provide broader relief for lower-income households. It also establishes a new top income tax rate to offset revenue losses from these credit changes. The bill is currently in the Finance Committee after its first reading on February 28, 2025.
This bill requires Vermont public schools to adopt and enforce inclusive policies aligned with state education standards. It prevents schools from implementing federal mandates that conflict with Vermont's equity and inclusivity standards. The Vermont Agency of Education gains authority to provide guidance and support to schools resisting such conflicting federal requirements. The bill directly affects all public schools and the state education agency, focusing on preempting federal policy conflicts rather than creating new school obligations.
S 52 requires Vermont's Agency of Education to create a detailed framework for school districts considering mergers or closures. The framework must address cultural differences in course offerings, community impacts of school closures, student transition support, building repurposing (including maintenance costs), and transportation logistics. The bill also establishes new funding sources to help districts cover operational costs after closure, repurpose buildings, and manage cultural differences during transitions. This directly affects school districts planning mergers or closures and the Agency of Education, which must develop and implement the guidance.
H 173 would amend Vermont law to grant employees at public colleges and universities (including the Vermont State Colleges and University of Vermont) the right to strike, removing their current exemption from the general prohibition on state employee strikes. The bill specifically changes Section 903 to eliminate the existing exception and updates Section 962 to clarify that encouraging strikes by these employees is not an unfair labor practice. This change applies only to public higher education employees, not all state workers, and would take effect on July 1, 2025. The bill directly affects faculty, staff, and other employees at Vermont's public higher education institutions.
H.297 creates the Free Degree Promise Grant Program to provide free associate’s degrees at Vermont’s Community College of Vermont (CCV) for eligible students. It directly affects Vermont students who completed CCV’s Early College program (earning 20+ credits), require full-time enrollment (12+ credits), and meet income thresholds. The program covers remaining tuition/fees after other aid and provides $500-$1,000 per semester for books/supplies based on household income, with support for up to five semesters or degree completion. This aims to address equity gaps in college access, particularly for low-income, first-generation, and historically underserved students.
H 182 proposes to require state licensure for early childhood educators. The bill establishes a new Vermont Board of Early Childhood Educators under the Office of Professional Regulation to oversee this licensing process. It defines the scope of practice for educators working with children from birth through eight years old. The bill also creates three distinct licensure levels (Early Childhood Educator I, II, and III), each with specific responsibilities and supervision requirements. Unless exempt, individuals will be prohibited from identifying as early childhood educators without this license.
H 318 requires all Vermont public schools to offer computer science education starting in the 2025-2026 school year: high schools must provide at least one course for grades 9-12, middle schools must offer exploratory computer science for grades 6-8, and elementary schools must teach foundational computer science and computational thinking. The bill establishes standards for course quality, mandates annual reporting on student participation (disaggregated by gender, race, disability status, etc.) and teacher qualifications, and creates a grant program to fund teacher professional development in computer science. School districts must submit detailed reports to the Agency of Education, which will publicly post aggregated data on course offerings and student demographics. This bill directly affects Vermont's public schools, teachers, and students by integrating computer science into the curriculum while supporting educator training and tracking equity in access.
H 130 expands Vermont's Advisory Council on Harassment, Hazing, and Bullying Prevention in Schools by adding 12 new member positions representing diverse groups, including student advocates from specific youth organizations, disability rights, LGBTQ+ advocacy, racial equity, and domestic violence prevention. The council must now review model prevention policies every two years, develop school resources (like restorative practice guides), and annually solicit student and parent input on bullying issues. The expanded council will submit detailed reports to education committees by January 15 each year, including recommendations for policy changes. This bill directly affects all Vermont public and independent schools, school staff, students, and families by strengthening coordinated prevention efforts and accountability. The changes take effect July 1, 2025.
H.165 proposes creating an Inclusive Schools Protection Fund to replace lost federal funding for inclusive programs in Vermont schools. The bill would directly fund school districts to support LGBTQ+ student programs, antidiscrimination efforts, inclusive curricula, and educator training on equity. It also protects existing resources like student gender/sexuality alliances, school equity coordinators, and mental health programs for marginalized students. The Agency of Education must annually report on the fund's effectiveness, and the bill directs the state to develop new revenue sources to sustain the fund.
