An act relating to prohibiting the imposition of convenience fees on online municipal utility payments

H 265, the "Fair Access to Online Utility Payment Act," prohibits Vermont municipalities from charging convenience fees for online payments of municipal utility bills (electric, water, wastewater, or communications). It directly affects ratepayers - especially low-income residents - and municipalities that currently impose such fees. Key provisions require municipalities to absorb all online payment processing costs into general budgets (not pass them to customers), disclose these costs in annual budgets, and justify any rate increases tied to payment systems. The law takes effect July 1, 2025, and includes support for municipalities to transition to cost-efficient payment methods.