This Vermont House joint resolution urges the U.S. Congress to pass H.R. 5356, a bill establishing a National Infrastructure Bank to fund critical public projects. The proposed bank would provide up to $5 trillion in direct loans and financing for initiatives such as repairing roads and bridges, upgrading water systems, expanding broadband, and building affordable housing. Modeled after historical federal financing institutions, the bank is designed to support projects that pay prevailing wages, prioritize American-made materials, and offer financial assistance to minority and women-owned businesses. While the resolution highlights Vermont's specific infrastructure challenges and rising homelessness as context, its primary function is to formally request federal action rather than create new state laws. The measure directs the Secretary of State to send copies of the resolution to the Governor, the President, and Vermont's congressional representatives.
This bill adopts Vermont's Fiscal Year 2027 Transportation Program and makes various updates to state transportation laws. It directly affects the Agency of Transportation, local municipalities, contractors, and transportation project stakeholders. Key provisions include defining project categories for budgeting purposes, repealing old rules for a municipal equipment loan fund, updating highway design standards, requiring contractors to post performance bonds, and making adjustments to funding authorizations for transportation projects. The legislation also addresses electric vehicle infrastructure, public transit advisory councils, and specific infrastructure improvements across the state.
H 860 creates a working group to develop a proposal for a "Justice and Recovery Hub" on state land near Burlington's Costello Courthouse and Department of Labor, plus identify additional "spoke" sites along public transit corridors. The group, composed of state agency directors and regional planning representatives, will design a hub including a 200-bed residential facility for people recently released from incarceration, recovery housing for youth (prioritizing those with Department for Children and Families history), and nonresidential components like firehouse space and business storefronts. It will also identify sites for "spoke" locations offering similar services in Addison, Chittenden, Franklin, and Washington Counties. The group must submit a report with recommendations by January 2027 and is allocated $200,000 for stakeholder engagement and expert support. This bill establishes a process for planning, not direct funding or construction.
H.851 proposes three pilot programs: (1) Incentivizing existing gas stations to install EV charging stations and add amenities like food, rest areas, and showers for travelers; (2) Creating incentives for public transit riders (e.g., discounts or prizes) and exploring autonomous vehicles to expand service frequency and hours; and (3) Establishing a state-operated rideshare service for on-demand transportation across Vermont, funded by its own revenues to support existing transit agencies. The bill directly affects gas station operators, EV drivers, public transit users, and Vermont’s transit agencies. Key provisions include station upgrades, rider rewards, autonomous vehicle trials, and a new state rideshare program. All changes are structured as temporary pilot programs within the Agency of Transportation.
This bill requires Vermont law enforcement officers to issue a citation for careless driving when a motor vehicle operator causes the death of a pedestrian or bicyclist (a "vulnerable user") in a traffic accident. Officers must issue a citation if the accident wasn't witnessed by them but resulted in death, or if the accident was witnessed but the operator couldn't reasonably have avoided it. The bill applies directly to drivers involved in such fatal collisions with pedestrians or cyclists. It creates a clear standard for when citations are mandatory, aiming to hold drivers accountable for preventable accidents.
H.863 imposes a $0.30 fee on retail deliveries (like online orders shipped to Vermont) that are subject to sales tax, collected by vendors and listed separately on receipts. It permits municipalities to levy a local tax on gasoline and diesel fuel sales and allocates funds to transportation programs including electric vehicle incentives, public transit coordination, and creating pollinator habitats along roads. The bill also requires public EV charging stations to accept credit cards and provide real-time availability, and mandates a study on electric bicycle safety. These provisions aim to fund infrastructure improvements, support clean energy transitions, and enhance transportation equity.
This bill requires Vermont motor vehicle insurance companies to offer a discount to policyholders who complete a state-approved driver safety or defensive driving course. It directly affects Vermont drivers who take such courses and their insurance providers. The key provision mandates that insurers provide this discount as a standard benefit, with the program designed to be revenue neutral for the state. The bill does not change insurance rates for drivers who don't complete the courses.
H.789 requires individuals with suspended or revoked licenses due to severe speeding violations (such as driving 100+ mph or multiple speeding convictions over the limit) to obtain a special "intelligent speed assistance restricted license" (ROL) or certificate. To qualify, drivers must install an approved aftermarket GPS device that automatically limits vehicle speed to posted limits, pay a $125 application fee, and cover all device costs (installation, maintenance, data retrieval). The license allows operation only of non-commercial vehicles equipped with the device and expires after one year, requiring annual renewal. This applies to Vermont residents and non-residents with specific speeding-related license suspensions or revocations.
This bill allows Vermont municipalities to set speed limits below 25 mph in downtowns, village centers, and "thickly settled districts" (areas with closely spaced buildings over a quarter-mile stretch). It prohibits parking within a specific distance of crosswalks but permits vehicle unloading or bicycle/scooter parking nearby. The bill also restricts using center turn lanes to pass vehicles and requires studies on improving bike/pedestrian infrastructure and converting state highways to lower-speed "class 1 town highways." These changes directly affect local governments, drivers, pedestrians, and cyclists in communities with designated village centers or dense development areas.
H.796 requires all publicly available electric vehicle charging stations (EVSE) to accept multiple payment methods, including credit cards. It mandates clear display of all fees - such as parking charges for remaining at the station after charging - and real-time status updates showing availability. The bill also requires compliance with additional rules set by Vermont's Secretary of Transportation to ensure reliable service. These changes directly affect EVSE operators and drivers using public charging infrastructure.
