An act relating to creating the Municipal Law Enforcement Assistance Program

H 395 creates a Municipal Law Enforcement Assistance Program allowing Vermont towns and cities to vote to add a $75 surcharge on civil penalties collected by the Judicial Bureau for violations occurring within their borders. Municipalities must first approve the surcharge via voter vote, and the Judicial Bureau would collect the surcharge (keeping $5 for administration) and remit the rest quarterly to the municipality. Funds received must be used exclusively for local law enforcement services like staffing, equipment, or training. The bill requires municipalities to notify the Judicial Bureau within 10 days of approval, with the program effective July 1, 2025, pending committee review and passage. This applies only to communities choosing to adopt the surcharge.