Vermont Bills | MyRepTracker

introduced · Vermont · House Jan 16, 2026

H 708: An act relating to the creation of the State Flag Task Force

H.708 creates a State Flag Task Force to develop a new design for Vermont's state flag, which has remained unchanged since 1923. The task force, composed of 10 state officials including the Secretary of State and representatives from historical, cultural, and equity offices, will gather public input and submit a preliminary report by March 2027 and a final recommendation by December 2027. The recommendation may propose a new flag design and whether to seek voter approval through a 2028 election. The task force will dissolve on December 31, 2027, after completing its work.

introduced · Vermont · Senate Jan 16, 2026

S 265: An act relating to school counselors

S.265 requires Vermont school counselors to spend at least 80% of their time providing direct or indirect student services, such as academic, career, or social-emotional counseling, rather than administrative tasks. The bill defines "direct services" as face-to-face or virtual counseling with students and "indirect services" as counselor actions on behalf of students, while limiting "school support services" (like substitute teaching or testing coordination) to no more than 20% of their time. It applies to licensed school counselors or those with a master’s degree in counseling, as defined in the bill. The requirement takes effect July 1, 2026, aligning with the ASCA National Model recommendations.

Topics ✓ Education

introduced · Vermont · Senate Jan 16, 2026

S 263: An act relating to the use of automated traffic law enforcement (ATLE) systems by municipalities

Vermont's S.263 authorizes municipal law enforcement agencies to use automated traffic law enforcement (ATLE) systems - like speed cameras and noise sensors - in specific locations to improve safety. These systems may be deployed in municipal work zones (when workers are present), areas with high crash or speeding rates, traffic signals, or locations exceeding noise ordinances, but only after engineering analysis confirms safety needs. The bill requires clear signage before enforcement begins, prohibits using ATLE to fix road design flaws, and limits deployment until July 1, 2029. Municipalities must contract with vendors following strict data storage rules, and systems cannot replace traditional policing or address infrastructure issues.

Topics ✓ Transportation

introduced · Vermont · House Jan 16, 2026

H 716: An act relating to the net metering formula

This bill (H.716) changes Vermont's net metering rules for solar energy customers. It freezes the "negative adjustor" at a maximum of -$0.04 per kWh for excess solar electricity sent back to the grid and eliminates any adjustor for electricity used directly on-site ("behind-the-meter"). These changes directly affect residential and commercial solar customers who generate more power than they use. The policy takes effect July 1, 2026, ensuring solar customers receive clearer, more predictable credit calculations for their excess energy.

Topics ✓ Energy

introduced · Vermont · Senate Jan 16, 2026

S 266: An act relating to the regulation of wetlands

This bill amends Vermont's wetland regulations to streamline residential development in certain wetlands. It authorizes the Department of Environmental Conservation to establish "allowed uses" for residential housing projects (including single-family, multiunit, and multifamily housing that's at least 75% residential space) and related utilities, eliminating the need for permits for these specific activities. The bill also requires the Secretary of Natural Resources to issue guidance on avoiding/minimizing wetland impacts and alternatives analysis, while exempting development in unmapped Class II wetlands and their buffers from permitting requirements. It directly affects residential developers seeking to build in designated wetland areas without traditional permitting.

Topics ✗ Environment ✓ Housing

introduced · Vermont · House Jan 16, 2026

H 705: An act relating to the creation of the Student Secular Bill of Rights

H.705 would require Vermont public schools to adopt policies protecting students' right to practice or not practice any religion on school grounds, based on a model policy developed by the Agency of Education. The law prohibits school-sponsored religious activities and ensures students cannot be forced to participate in religious exercises. It creates a private right of action, allowing students or families to sue if schools violate these protections. The bill aims to align school policies with established Supreme Court rulings on church-state separation in education.

Topics ✓ Education

introduced · Vermont · Senate Jan 16, 2026

S 264: An act relating to collective bargaining for Assistant Attorneys General

This bill (S.264) amends Vermont's State Employees Labor Relations Act to allow Assistant Attorneys General (AAGs) to form unions and engage in collective bargaining with the state. Currently excluded from the definition of "State employee," AAGs would now be explicitly included under the law, granting them the right to negotiate terms like pay, benefits, and working conditions. The bill removes their prior exclusion from bargaining rights by revising the legal definition of "State employee" in Section 902 of the statute. This change directly affects AAGs employed in Vermont’s Office of the Attorney General, enabling them to collectively address workplace concerns through formal negotiations.

Topics ✓ Labor & Employment

introduced · Vermont · Senate Jan 16, 2026

S 271: An act relating to protecting political expression and promoting civil rights in education

S.271 requires Vermont's Agency of Education to create guidance and training for school districts to distinguish between protected political expression (like advocacy for Palestinian rights) and unlawful harassment targeting protected groups. It also expands the Harassment, Hazing, and Bullying Prevention Advisory Council with new member categories and mandates the development of a First Amendment curriculum for public K-12 schools, teaching age-appropriate constitutional protections under both the U.S. Constitution and Vermont's Chapter I, Article 13. The bill directly affects Vermont public schools, staff, and students by setting new standards for handling speech-related incidents and integrating free expression education into curricula. Key provisions include requiring schools to use context-based evaluations of speech (e.g., differentiating targeted harassment from political critique) and ensuring training avoids chilling student expression. The bill aims to align school policies with constitutional standards while addressing concerns about vague antisemitism definitions suppressing lawful discourse.

Topics ✓ Education

introduced · Vermont · Senate Jan 16, 2026

S 270: An act relating to a right to charge electric vehicles at home

This bill, S.270, establishes a legal right for unit owners in Vermont condominiums, planned communities, and other common interest communities to install and use electric vehicle supply equipment (EVSE) at home. It voids rules that unreasonably block or restrict EVSE installation in units or designated parking spaces, while allowing associations to impose "reasonable restrictions" (e.g., cost or performance-related rules). Associations must process installation requests within 60 days (deeming approval if denied later) and follow the same procedures as for other architectural modifications. Unit owners are responsible for all costs related to installation, maintenance, repairs, and electricity usage.

Topics ✓ Energy

introduced · Vermont · House Jan 16, 2026

H 714: An act relating to automated employment decision making and State employees

H.714 requires Vermont state agencies to publicly disclose any automated tools (like AI or algorithms) used for employment decisions affecting wages, hiring, promotion, or discipline. Agencies must post details about these tools on their websites, including their purpose and when they began using them. The bill explicitly protects unionized state employees by ensuring these tools cannot reduce job security, benefits, or collective bargaining rights. It also creates a study committee to examine the impact on state employees and explore extending these requirements to municipal workers, teachers, and public college staff.

Topics ✓ Labor & Employment ✓ Technology

introduced · Vermont · House Jan 16, 2026

H 709: An act relating to limiting overtime for medical interns, resident physicians, and physicians

This bill sets a 60-hour weekly maximum for medical interns, resident physicians, and physicians, with no single shift exceeding 16 hours. It requires at least 16 consecutive hours off duty after any 16-hour shift. The law directly affects healthcare trainees and physicians working in Vermont hospitals and medical programs. These provisions aim to limit extended work periods without specifying enforcement or penalties.

Topics ✓ Healthcare ✓ Labor & Employment

introduced · Vermont · House Jan 16, 2026

H 715: An act relating to the provision of menstrual products in postsecondary schools located in Vermont

This bill requires all Vermont postsecondary schools to provide free menstrual products in a majority of gender-neutral bathrooms and bathrooms designated for female students (for students aged 8+), plus in school nurse offices or health centers. It mandates that schools cover the cost of these products, though they may seek grants or partner with nonprofits to help. The law applies to all public and approved independent postsecondary schools in Vermont and takes effect July 1, 2026. It aims to ensure immediate, no-cost access without requiring students to request products.

Topics ✓ Education ✓ Healthcare