Vermont Bills | MyRepTracker

signed · Vermont · House May 29, 2026

H 639: An act relating to genetic data privacy

This bill, H.639 (Genetic Information Privacy Act), requires direct-to-consumer genetic testing companies to protect the genetic data of Vermont residents. It mandates that companies obtain clear "express consent" from consumers before collecting or sharing their genetic data (defined as information from DNA analysis, including SNPs and inferred data), prohibits using "dark patterns" to manipulate consent, and limits data sharing without permission. Consumers gain the right to access their own genetic data and must actively authorize its use. The law applies specifically to companies offering genetic testing directly to Vermont residents, excluding deidentified data and research conducted under federal human subjects protections.

Topics ✓ Technology

Tom Stevens (D) Woody Page (R) Will Greer (D) James Gregoire (R) Chloe Tomlinson (D)

signed · Vermont · House May 29, 2026

H 660: An act relating to fiscal year 2027 Opioid Abatement Special Fund and Substance Misuse Prevention Special Fund appropriations

This bill allocates funding from Vermont's Opioid Abatement Special Fund for fiscal year 2027. It specifies the appropriations for this dedicated fund without detailing specific programs or recipients. As a procedural appropriations bill, it focuses solely on authorizing the use of existing funds for opioid-related initiatives in the upcoming fiscal year.

signed · Vermont · House May 29, 2026

H 642: An act relating to youthful offender proceedings

H.642 modifies Vermont's youthful offender proceedings to strengthen court considerations and protections. It requires courts to specifically evaluate whether a youth has acknowledged causing harm (§ 5284(a)(11)) when deciding if public safety allows youthful offender treatment. The bill also mandates revoking youthful offender status if a youth on probation is charged with a violent crime (unless public safety is protected) or fails to attend a probation hearing without valid reason. Additionally, it clarifies victims' right to attend and speak at key hearings. This bill directly affects youth aged 12-18 facing charges, courts making disposition decisions, and the Departments of Children and Families and Corrections responsible for supervision.

Topics ✓ Criminal Justice

signed · Vermont · House May 29, 2026

H 686: An act relating to expanding identification of certain lobbying advertisements

H 686 requires lobbyists, lobbying firms, or their employers to clearly identify themselves in advertisements intended to influence Vermont legislative action. Specifically, any ad paid for by these entities must include their name and a statement that the advertisement was paid for by them, before the end of a legislative session. This applies to all such ads created during the session and takes effect on July 1, 2026. The bill directly affects lobbying organizations and their paid communications with the public.

vetoed · Vermont · House May 29, 2026

H 710: An act relating to defining electricity generating facilities

H 710 clarifies when multiple electricity-generating facilities (like wind turbines or solar arrays) count as a single "plant" for regulatory purposes in Vermont. It states that facilities using the same technology (e.g., wind or solar) on the same or adjacent land parcels will be treated as one plant, unless specific exceptions apply. These exceptions cover individual net-metering systems (not on the same parcel), multi-owner projects on shared community land, or colocation of certain renewable energy programs with separate grid connections. The bill directly affects utility companies, renewable energy developers, and property owners managing multiple generating facilities, streamlining how the Public Utility Commission reviews projects. It takes effect July 1, 2026.

Topics ✓ Energy ✓ Environment

passed both · Vermont · House May 29, 2026

H 740: An act relating to the greenhouse gas inventory and registry

This bill requires Vermont's Agency of Natural Resources to create a new statewide system for tracking greenhouse gas emissions. It directly affects fuel suppliers (for transportation and heating) and businesses across all sectors, mandating them to report detailed data on fuel types and volumes sold, broken down by sector (transportation, residential, commercial, industrial) and county. The law establishes a formal reporting program to compile this data, aiming to streamline requirements and align with other state and federal programs. The agency must draft these rules by March 2027 and has $800,000 appropriated for development and staff time.

Topics ✓ Energy ✓ Environment

signed · Vermont · Senate May 29, 2026

S 278: An act relating to cannabis

This bill changes Vermont's cannabis regulations by removing the 30% THC limit for flower and raising the concentrate limit to 70%. It increases the per-transaction retail purchase limit from one to two ounces of cannabis or equivalent products. The bill also eliminates the requirement for cannabis businesses to submit ads to the Cannabis Control Board for review, lowers the excise tax from 14% to 10%, and allows municipalities to condition permits on local ordinances or hold 2026 election votes on cannabis establishment authorization. Additionally, it expands access to the Cannabis Business Development Fund and appropriates $1 million for it.

Topics ✗ Budget & Taxes

vetoed · Vermont · House May 29, 2026

H 727: An act relating to sustainable data center deployment

H.727 establishes a regulatory framework for data centers in Vermont that use 20 megawatts or more of power. It requires the Public Utility Commission to create a separate ratepayer class and specific contract terms for data centers, including 10-year minimum agreements and cost-sharing mechanisms to prevent existing customers from bearing undue infrastructure costs. Before construction can begin, the Commission must issue a "certificate of public good" after assessing impacts on electric system reliability, local communities, environmental protections (including air/water quality and agricultural soils), and economic benefits. The bill directly affects data center developers, electric utilities, and Vermont ratepayers by mandating standardized contracts and site reviews to balance industry growth with community and environmental safeguards.

Topics ✓ Technology

signed · Vermont · House May 29, 2026

H 757: An act relating to manufactured homes and limited equity cooperatives

This bill proposes key changes to manufactured home ownership and limited equity cooperative housing in Vermont. It requires specific warranty deeds for mobile homes financed as real estate, exempts mobile homes from sales tax (shifting to property transfer tax), and removes property taxes for mobile home parks organized as limited equity cooperatives. The bill also prohibits subleasing in new limited equity co-ops unless hardship is proven, classifies them as nonprofits serving low/moderate-income residents for state funding, and allows manufactured housing to be treated equally with other housing in municipal zoning. These changes directly affect manufactured home owners, mobile home park residents, and limited equity cooperative corporations.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Housing

signed · Vermont · Senate May 29, 2026

S 298: An act relating to voter protections

This bill creates Vermont's Voting Rights Act to protect voters from discrimination. It requires municipalities to get Attorney General approval before changing election districts or methods (a "pre-clearance" system), bans racial gerrymandering, and prohibits at-large voting systems that weaken minority voting power. The law mandates language assistance for voters in minority languages and new voting accessibility for seniors and people with disabilities. It also criminalizes voter intimidation and spreading false election information. The bill directly affects all Vermont towns, cities, and school districts that hold elections.

signed · Vermont · House May 29, 2026

H 606: An act relating to firearms relinquishment and storage procedures

H 606 (Vermont) updates firearms laws by making the theft of any firearm a grand larceny (previously requiring $900+ value), increasing penalties for repeat firearm possession by prohibited individuals, and banning firearm possession for people ordered by a court to be restricted due to mental health risks. The bill also prohibits machine guns and devices mimicking them, while allowing firearms manufacturers to face liability in public nuisance lawsuits. These changes directly affect individuals with prior violent crime convictions, those subject to court-ordered mental health restrictions, and firearms manufacturers. The bill aims to strengthen enforcement around firearm theft, prohibited possession, and specific weapon types without altering federal firearm restrictions.

signed · Vermont · Senate May 29, 2026

S 313: An act relating to transforming Vermont’s career technical education system

This bill proposes transforming Vermont's career technical education (CTE) system to ensure all high school students have equitable access to CTE programs. It mandates expanding CTE opportunities to middle school and early high school years, removing barriers like transportation and scheduling conflicts, and requiring high schools to award credits recommended by CTE centers. The bill also directs CTE programs to align with Vermont's current workforce needs and establishes flexible delivery models (including hybrid options) to improve accessibility. It aims to create a sustainable funding system and strengthen coordination between secondary and adult CTE programs. The changes will take effect July 1, 2026.

Topics ✓ Education