Vermont Bills | MyRepTracker

vetoed · Vermont · Senate May 15, 2026

S 218: An act relating to reducing chloride contamination of State waters

S.218 establishes a voluntary certification program for commercial salt applicators to reduce chloride pollution in Vermont's waters. It requires the Secretary of Natural Resources to develop training and best management practices for applying salt and alternatives, focusing on minimizing salt use while maintaining road safety, with mandatory record-keeping for application details. Certified commercial applicators and municipal employees who complete the new training curriculum would have a legal defense against liability claims for damages caused by snow or ice hazards if they followed the program's guidelines. The bill aims to protect water quality without compromising public safety during winter maintenance.

Topics ✓ Environment

signed · Vermont · House May 14, 2026

H 940: An act relating to miscellaneous public utility subjects

This bill modifies how Vermont's energy efficiency utility can use existing funds to support greenhouse gas reduction projects, allowing the use of thermal energy and process fuel funds for programs that reduce fossil fuel use regardless of a customer's current fuel source. It also requires regional planning commissions to submit draft regional plans to the Department of Public Service for enhanced energy compliance reviews and changes the telecommunications planning cycle from every three years to every five years. Additionally, the bill abolishes the Telecommunications and Connectivity Advisory Board. These changes aim to expand funding flexibility for energy efficiency programs, streamline regional planning processes, and adjust telecommunications oversight structures.

Topics ✓ Energy ✓ Environment

signed · Vermont · House May 14, 2026

H 762: An act relating to the County and Regional Governance Study Committee

H 762 extends the deadline for the County and Regional Governance Study Committee to submit its final report from November 1, 2025, to December 15, 2026, and prolongs the committee’s existence until July 1, 2027. The committee, composed of six legislators (three from each chamber), studies county governance structures and makes recommendations on public safety, regional collaboration, resource allocation, and climate resilience. This procedural bill does not change the committee’s study focus or create new policies - it only adjusts timing for an existing oversight body. The committee’s work directly affects Vermont’s county and municipal governments by shaping future governance recommendations.

passed both · Vermont · House May 13, 2026

HCR 284: House concurrent resolution honoring former Senate Majority Leader and Department of State’s Attorneys and Sheriffs Executive Director John F. Campbell for his outstanding public service career

This bill honors John F. Campbell, a former Vermont Senate Majority Leader and Department of State's Attorneys and Sheriffs Executive Director, for his distinguished public service career. The resolution recognizes his long history in law enforcement and legal practice, his leadership roles in the state legislature, and his advocacy for marriage equality and gun control measures. It directs the Secretary of State to send a copy of this tribute to Campbell, acknowledging his contributions to Vermont government before he retired to pursue painting.

passed · Vermont · Senate May 13, 2026

S 329: An act relating to criminal procedures involving firearms

This bill strengthens Vermont's firearm laws by increasing penalties for theft and possession. It classifies stealing any firearm as a serious felony and raises prison sentences for individuals with prior convictions who possess guns again. The legislation also bans firearm ownership for people with certain mental health court findings, prohibits machine guns, and restricts carrying weapons on licensed alcohol premises.

Topics ✓ Criminal Justice

passed · Vermont · House May 13, 2026

H 650: An act relating to educational technology products

H 650 requires educational technology providers (like software companies) to annually register with Vermont’s Secretary of State by January 31, paying a $100 fee and submitting privacy policies. It mandates the Secretary of State to create certification standards for these products, ensuring they comply with privacy laws and avoid collecting sensitive student data (like health or behavioral information). Schools cannot use uncertified products, and certification must verify that products are designed for education, have clear privacy practices, and do not include features like targeted advertising or compulsive usage triggers. This directly affects tech providers and Vermont schools by establishing a formal review process before products can be used in classrooms.

Topics ✓ Education ✓ Technology

failed · Vermont · House May 12, 2026

H 70: An act relating to the inclusion of use value appraisal land in the conserved land inventory

Vermont's H.70 would add land enrolled in the state's Use Value Appraisal Program to the official "conserved land" inventory. This program allows landowners to pay lower property taxes in exchange for maintaining agricultural or forest land. The bill updates legal definitions so this land counts toward Vermont's conservation goals of protecting 30% and 50% of land by 2030 and 2050, respectively. It directly affects landowners in the Use Value Appraisal Program and state conservation planning efforts. The law would take effect on July 1, 2025.

Topics ✓ Environment

signed · Vermont · House May 12, 2026

H 410: An act relating to the calculation of recidivism and other related criminology measures

This bill redefines how Vermont calculates recidivism - reoffending after a criminal conviction - by creating a four-tier classification system based on the time between offenses. It establishes categories where offenders are classified as "Class 1" (reoffending after 1+ year), "Class 2" (3+ years), "Class 3" (5+ years), or "Class 4" (10+ years) after release. The Department of Corrections must use this system to track repeat offenders, including those convicted of violent crimes, and report recidivism rates. This directly affects the state’s corrections system and individuals who reoffend, but does not change sentencing laws.

Topics ✓ Criminal Justice

signed · Vermont · House May 12, 2026

H 519: An act relating to Vermont State Employees' Retirement System Group G membership

H 519 proposes to authorize law enforcement officers employed by the Town of Randolph Police Department to enroll in Group C of the Vermont State Employees' Retirement System. This bill directly affects Randolph police officers by allowing them to access the specific benefits and provisions of this state retirement plan. The key mechanism is to grant these municipal officers the option to participate in a state-level retirement system.

Topics ✓ Labor & Employment

passed · Vermont · House May 8, 2026

HR 17: House resolution affirming that all Vermonters are presumed to be competent to communicate and must be provided effective communication resources of their choice

This House resolution affirms that all Vermonters are presumed to be competent to communicate and must be provided with effective communication resources of their choice. The measure emphasizes that communication challenges should not be interpreted as a lack of intellectual ability and highlights the role of the Vermont Communication Task Force in supporting these needs. It specifically mentions the Rapid Prompting Method as a potentially beneficial option for assisting individuals in expressing themselves. By directing the House Clerk to send a copy of the resolution to the Task Force, the bill formally recognizes the importance of these communication strategies within the state's developmental disabilities services.

Topics ✓ Healthcare

introduced · Vermont · House May 8, 2026

HR 18: House resolution supporting the preservation of the Julian Scott birthplace in Johnson

This bill expresses support for the Town of Johnson's efforts to save the birthplace of Civil War Medal of Honor recipient Julian Scott from demolition. It urges the Governor to direct state historic preservation officials to collaborate with the town and publicly endorse the preservation initiative. The resolution addresses a situation where the home, which lacks significant architectural features or museum displays, was initially slated for removal under a federal disaster buyout program. By highlighting the historical connection between the property and Scott, the bill aims to ensure the site is preserved despite previous concerns about its structural integrity and original character.

Topics ✓ Veterans

passed both · Vermont · House May 8, 2026

HCR 275: House concurrent resolution congratulating the 2025 Mt. Mansfield Union High School Cougars on winning a third consecutive Division II girls’ tennis championship

This bill is a formal resolution that congratulates the 2025 Mt. Mansfield Union High School girls' tennis team for winning their third consecutive Division II state championship. It recognizes the specific athletes and coaches who contributed to the team's victory in the 2025 season. The resolution directs the Secretary of State to send a copy of the document to the high school as an official acknowledgment of their achievement.