An act relating to approval of amendments to the charter of the City of Burlington

This bill approves amendments to the City of Burlington's charter that reform police oversight. It directly affects the Burlington Police Department, the Board of Police Commissioners, and the Chief of Police by: (1) allowing the Board and Chief to jointly propose department rules; (2) giving the Board sole authority to review all misconduct allegations and conduct independent investigations; and (3) enabling the Board to request an independent panel to resolve disagreements with the Chief over misconduct outcomes. These changes, approved by Burlington voters in November 2024, aim to strengthen civilian oversight of police conduct through clearer procedures and independent review processes. The bill does not change police staffing or funding but modifies how misconduct reviews and rule-making are handled.