An act relating to increasing the State minimum wage based on the livable wage

S 67 would increase Vermont's minimum wage to $18.60 per hour starting January 1, 2026, and adjust it annually based on the lower of a 5% increase or the previous year's consumer price index (CPI). It defines "livable wage" as the hourly rate needed for a full-time worker in shared housing with employer health insurance to cover basic needs, as calculated by Vermont's Joint Fiscal Office. This bill directly affects all Vermont employers who currently pay the state's minimum wage, requiring them to raise wages to meet this new standard. The change takes effect on July 1, 2025, with the first adjusted rate applying in 2026.