Vermont Bills | MyRepTracker

introduced · Vermont · House Mar 12, 2026

H 929: An act relating to the form of school budgets

This bill proposes to change how school district budgets are presented on voter ballots to improve clarity and transparency. It directly affects school districts and their voters by modifying the format of budget authorization votes. The key provision requires that budget information be displayed in a clearer form to help voters better understand what they are approving. This change aims to make the budgeting process more accessible without altering the underlying budget amounts or authority.

Topics ✓ Education

introduced · Vermont · House Mar 11, 2026

H 925: An act relating to congregate homes for adults with a developmental or cognitive disability

This bill requires the Vermont Agency of Human Services to submit a report to the General Assembly about creating congregate homes for adults with developmental or cognitive disabilities. The report must assess whether there is a need for such housing, identify where that need exists, and explore how these homes could reduce healthcare costs. It also asks the agency to identify potential funding sources and recommend ways to partner with community organizations to develop these homes statewide. The legislation focuses on gathering information and recommendations rather than mandating immediate construction or funding.

Topics ✓ Healthcare ✓ Housing

introduced · Vermont · House Mar 11, 2026

H 924: An act relating to reporting on residential care homes

This bill requires Vermont's Agency of Human Services to submit a report to the General Assembly about the need for residential care homes for people leaving hospitals who cannot safely recover at home but do not need nursing home care. The report must identify where such facilities are needed, explain how they could save money in the health care system, suggest funding sources, and recommend ways to partner with community organizations to develop these homes statewide. The legislation focuses on gathering information to guide future decisions about creating these specific types of care facilities rather than mandating their immediate construction.

Topics ✓ Healthcare

introduced · Vermont · House Mar 11, 2026

H 923: An act relating to pupil weighting for small schools and sparse school districts

This bill proposes changing how Vermont calculates funding for small schools and sparse school districts by excluding students who do not attend schools operated by the district from pupil weighting calculations. The key provision modifies the weighted long-term membership formula used to determine state education funding, specifically targeting districts classified as small or sparse. By removing non-district students from these counts, the legislation aims to adjust how much state funding these specific school districts receive based on enrollment numbers. The change directly affects school districts in Vermont that meet the criteria for small school or sparse district classifications.

Topics ✓ Education

introduced · Vermont · House Mar 11, 2026

H 926: An act relating to taking account of a defendant’s ability to pay for purposes of criminal fines, fees, and surcharges

This bill would prevent courts in Vermont from charging interest on unpaid criminal fines, fees, and surcharges while a defendant is in prison and for 90 days after their release. It also gives judges the authority to reduce or eliminate these surcharges when a defendant shows they cannot afford to pay them. The legislation aims to align financial penalties with a defendant's actual ability to pay during and shortly after incarceration.

Topics ✓ Criminal Justice

introduced · Vermont · House Mar 10, 2026

H 922: An act relating to the extension of isolation distances of potable water supplies and wastewater systems onto neighboring property

This bill would require water and wastewater system permit holders to compensate neighboring property owners before extending isolation distances onto their land. Currently, isolation distances create buffer zones around water infrastructure where certain activities are restricted, but this legislation would change how those buffers apply to adjacent properties. Under the new rules, a permit holder cannot impose restrictions on a neighbor's property without providing compensation for that use and the limitations it creates. The measure directly affects property owners near water systems and the agencies that issue permits for water infrastructure projects.

introduced · Vermont · House Feb 27, 2026

HR 14: House resolution relating to amending the House Rules to allow municipal charter and merger bills to be read three times without referral to a committee of jurisdiction

This bill (HR 14) proposes amending House Rules to allow municipal charter and merger bills to bypass committee referral. Instead of being sent to the Committee on Government Operations and Military Affairs, these bills would be placed directly on the calendar for five days before debate, streamlining their path to a vote. The change aims to free up the committee's time for other duties while giving municipalities more direct access to the legislative process. The Office of Legislative Counsel would still prepare a summary and analysis of each bill to identify errors or legal issues. This affects municipal governments seeking charter changes or mergers and the House's committee workflow.

introduced · Vermont · House Feb 27, 2026

H 919: An act relating to classifying incarcerated individuals as temporary State employees

H.919 would classify incarcerated individuals working under the Vermont Department of Corrections as temporary state employees for labor-related rights. This applies to anyone performing work "for, at the direction of, or under the supervision of" the Department. The bill grants these individuals access to wage and hour protections, workers’ compensation, unemployment insurance, and collective bargaining rights during their labor. It directly affects incarcerated people working in Vermont correctional facilities, changing their legal status for employment benefits without altering prison operations.

Topics ✓ Criminal Justice ✓ Labor & Employment

introduced · Vermont · House Feb 27, 2026

H 920: An act relating to the creation of the Citizens’ Assembly

This bill proposes creating a 150-member Vermont Citizens’ Assembly composed of randomly selected residents (via sortition) to develop policy recommendations for the state legislature. The Assembly would operate independently for one year (mid-June to mid-November, meeting two weekends monthly), with members receiving a daily wage equal to the median Vermonter’s wage plus reimbursements for expenses. It would address significant public issues chosen annually by the Assembly itself, with recommendations submitted to the Vermont General Assembly. The body would be funded through state appropriations and have its own staff and website. The bill directly affects Vermont residents selected for membership and the General Assembly, which would consider the Assembly’s proposals.

introduced · Vermont · House Feb 26, 2026

H 918: An act relating to membership on school district boards

H 918 requires every Vermont school district board to include at least one member from each town the district serves. This directly affects school districts operating across multiple towns, ensuring all constituent communities have representation on their governing boards. The key provision mandates that no town within a school district's boundaries can be excluded from having a board member. The bill aims to improve local input in school governance by guaranteeing each contributing town has a voice. It does not change existing school district boundaries or funding mechanisms.

Topics ✓ Education

introduced · Vermont · House Feb 25, 2026

H 914: An act relating to compensating the City of Barre for overpayment of education property tax increment

This bill compensates the City of Barre for overpaying education property taxes between 2021 and 2024. It directs a $150,576 transfer from the General Fund to the Education Fund, then appropriates those funds to the Department of Taxes to pay the city. The payment covers overpayments caused by the city’s tax increment financing district retaining less tax revenue than required during those fiscal years. The bill directly affects the City of Barre’s finances by refunding specific overpayments to its general fund.

introduced · Vermont · House Feb 25, 2026

H 916: An act relating to Education Fund expenditures review

H.916 directs Vermont's Joint Fiscal Office to create a formal process for reviewing how school districts spend Education Fund money. The review will categorize all spending, determine if it's required by law or discretionary, assess whether each category directly supports student learning, and evaluate if spending levels are reasonable. It also requires identifying better revenue sources for non-essential spending and establishing a cost-effectiveness analysis method for future state education programs. This bill directly affects school districts by requiring them to justify their spending patterns and will influence how new education legislation is evaluated for cost impact.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Education