Vermont Bills | MyRepTracker

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.

Kesha Ram Hinsdale (D) Andrew Perchlik (D) Seth Bongartz (D) Tanya Vyhovsky (D) Nader Hashim (D)

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

signed · Vermont · House May 29, 2026

H 816: An act relating to regulating the use of artificial intelligence in the provision of mental health services

H.816 prohibits mental health professionals in Vermont from using artificial intelligence to make therapeutic judgments, diagnoses, treatments, or provide therapeutic communication to clients. It specifically bans advertising or offering mental health services that claim AI provides these clinical functions. The bill allows AI use for administrative tasks like scheduling, documentation, or quality improvement, as long as licensed professionals retain full clinical responsibility. Violations would be enforced under Vermont's Consumer Protection Act, giving the Attorney General authority to take action. This directly affects all mental health service providers, including therapists and clinics, operating within Vermont.

Topics ✗ Healthcare ✗ Technology

signed · Vermont · Senate May 29, 2026

S 325: An act relating to regional planning and Act 250 Tier jurisdiction

S.325 creates a task force to develop model zoning bylaws for "residential opportunity overlay districts" in Vermont. The task force (with 9 members including housing experts, local government reps, and legislators) will draft clear, objective zoning codes allowing more housing development with simplified approval - requiring only a "certificate of compliance" from a zoning administrator, not municipal hearings or reviews. Municipalities could choose to adopt these model codes to meet state housing targets, with state grants and oversight available. The task force must submit its recommendations to the legislature by December 1, 2026. This bill directly affects Vermont towns and cities seeking to streamline housing development under state housing goals.

Topics ✓ Housing

signed · Vermont · Senate May 29, 2026

S 327: An act relating to economic development

This bill increases Vermont's downtown and village center tax credit program from $3 million to $5 million annually to support local business revitalization. It allocates specific funds for small business services, including $300,000 for legal support through Vermont Law School's business law center, $689,000 for expanded advising via the Small Business Development Center, and $594,000 to help microbusinesses through the Community Action Partnership. Additional funding includes $200,000 for an outdoor recreation economic study, $150,000 for the International Business Office, and $3 million for brownfields remediation. The bill also creates a task force to study business development needs and repeals the planned end of the Vermont Employment Growth Incentive program.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes

signed · Vermont · House May 29, 2026

H 611: An act relating to miscellaneous provisions affecting the Department of Vermont Health Access

This bill eliminates a requirement for Vermont's Department of Vermont Health Access to annually compile and share lists of prescription drugs with significant price increases (50%+ over five years or 15%+ in a year). The Department would no longer need to create these lists, which previously included details on cost increases, drug types (generic/brand), and spending data for the Office of the Attorney General and Green Mountain Care Board. The change directly affects the Department's administrative duties under existing prescription drug cost transparency rules. Other provisions in the bill adjust committee memberships, update health insurance market language, and modify Medicaid eligibility and doula service coverage timelines, but the core policy change is removing the annual drug price reporting requirement.

Topics ✗ Healthcare

signed · Vermont · Senate May 29, 2026

S 202: An act relating to plug-in photovoltaic devices

This bill allows homeowners and businesses to install small, portable solar devices (under 1,200 watts, UL-certified, and connected via standard outlets) without needing a special permit or certificate of public good. Instead of full utility interconnection approval, users must submit a simple online or printable notification form to their electric company by September 2026. The bill prohibits utilities from charging fees, requiring approvals, or demanding extra equipment for these devices, and explicitly states they cannot qualify for net metering credits. It directly affects customers installing portable solar units for personal electricity use, simplifying the process while maintaining safety and grid requirements. The law takes effect July 1, 2026.

Topics ✓ Energy

signed · Vermont · Senate May 29, 2026

S 323: An act relating to miscellaneous agricultural subjects

This bill prohibits municipalities from regulating farming activities already covered by Vermont's Required Agricultural Practices Rule, clarifying that local bylaws cannot restrict farm structures or operations. It provides income, capital gains, and property transfer tax exemptions for qualifying farmers and agricultural property sales, and establishes "farm kitchen operations" as a new type of food processing establishment. The bill also allows milk producers to request administrative hearings for purchasing disputes and gives the Agency of Agriculture flexibility to use contracts (not just grants) for farm-to-school programs. These changes directly affect Vermont farmers, local governments, and food processing businesses by reducing regulatory barriers and offering financial incentives.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes

signed · Vermont · House May 29, 2026

H 648: An act relating to banking, insurance, and securities

This bill amends Vermont's licensing requirements for financial service providers. It specifically adds a $200 registration fee and $300 application fee for consumer litigation funding companies seeking to operate in Vermont. The bill also clarifies licensing approval criteria, requiring applicants to demonstrate financial responsibility (including checks for recent judgments, tax liens, foreclosures, or delinquent accounts) and criminal history review (particularly for fraud or money laundering convictions). These changes directly affect businesses applying for or renewing licenses in banking, insurance, securities, and consumer litigation funding sectors, as well as the Commissioner who enforces these standards.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes

signed · Vermont · House May 29, 2026

H 841: An act relating to miscellaneous animal welfare procedures

H.841 creates a new Division of Animal Welfare within Vermont's Department of Public Safety, establishing a Director position with specific qualifications in animal welfare law and regional expertise. The Director must develop a comprehensive plan within eight months covering how to handle animal cruelty complaints, coordinate with local law enforcement, improve investigation procedures, and address funding for seized animals. The bill also requires outdoor cats to be vaccinated, spayed/neutered, and licensed (with indoor cats exempt), and implements a certified rabies vaccinator program. This directly affects animal shelters, pet dealers, rescue organizations, and municipal animal control officers by centralizing enforcement and adding new requirements for outdoor cat management.

signed · Vermont · Senate May 29, 2026

S 326: An act relating to miscellaneous amendments to laws relating to motor vehicles

Vermont's S.326 clarifies that residents cannot hold both a non-driver ID card and an operator's license simultaneously. It permits incarcerated individuals to renew licenses or learner's permits upon release without fees and allows the DMV to temporarily suspend licenses for unpaid registration or license fees. The bill also prohibits altering license plate colors or numbers and increases penalties for operating prohibited vehicles in Smugglers' Notch. Additional provisions include permitting electronic signatures for salvage titles and allowing duplicate title certificates at DMV offices.