This bill designates the third Monday in October as "Vermont Libraries Day" to raise awareness about library services. It expands funding access for public libraries by explicitly including them as eligible recipients for the Universal Afterschool and Summer Special Fund (supporting after-school/summer reading programs) and early education grants. The bill updates the definition of "collection" to include digital materials in all library statutes, requires the Department of Libraries to publish funding guidance for municipalities, and authorizes towns to issue bonds for library facility improvements. These changes directly benefit Vermont's public libraries and the communities they serve by enhancing their access to resources and infrastructure support.
This bill (S 308) removes income-based limits for excluding U.S. military retirement and survivor benefit income from Vermont income tax. Currently, Vermont taxpayers with federal adjusted gross income (AGI) over $125,000 see partial or no exclusion, but this bill would fully exclude all such military retirement income regardless of income level. It affects Vermont residents receiving military retirement pay, changing the tax treatment from a tiered system to a flat exclusion. The change applies retroactively to tax years beginning January 1, 2026.
This bill approves a charter amendment for the Town of Bennington to allow a 1% local tax on non-owner-occupied short-term rental properties (like Airbnb units). It directly affects property owners and businesses renting out vacation homes in Bennington who are not living there full-time. The key provision adds this tax option to the town's charter, enabling voters to approve it through future votes. The tax was previously approved by Bennington voters on March 4, 2025, and this bill formalizes that approval at the state level. The change takes effect immediately upon the bill's passage.
This bill (H 750) changes how Vermont school districts calculate "excess spending" for state funding purposes. It excludes capital construction costs from the definition of "education spending," meaning these costs won't count toward limits on district budgets. The bill also allows school districts that begin construction before July 1, 2026, to be considered as having "good cause" even without final state approval for their projects. These changes take effect immediately for the spending definition and July 1, 2026, for the construction approval provision. The bill directly affects school districts planning or starting construction projects during the state's moratorium on approving new construction aid.
H.774 would freeze Vermont's education property tax rates at 2026 levels for the next three years (2027-2029), directly affecting all homeowners and property owners who pay these taxes. The bill requires tax rates to remain at 2026 levels regardless of local budget needs during this period. To ensure education funding stays fully supported, the bill mandates that any shortfall from the frozen rates be covered by redirecting money from the state's General Fund. This policy change provides immediate tax stability for property owners while guaranteeing continued education spending.
H.845 would create a Vermont personal income tax deduction for residents who purchase snow tires for their personal vehicles. This deduction would allow taxpayers to subtract the full cost of qualifying snow tires from their taxable income when filing state taxes. The bill directly affects Vermont taxpayers who buy snow tires, reducing their state tax liability by the amount spent on the tires. It does not specify a maximum deduction amount or additional eligibility requirements beyond the purchase of snow tires for personal use.
H.777 creates the Vermont Skier Development Scholarship Fund to provide up to 20 annual scholarships of $25,000 each for Vermont high school students (grades 9-12) who attended Vermont public or approved private schools. The fund, financed by sales tax, supports students attending eligible Vermont ski academies that meet specific standards for student support, academic quality, and safety. Scholarship recipients must maintain athletic progress (competitive standing, training), academic performance, and Vermont community engagement. Ski academies must demonstrate compliance with accessibility, transparency, accredited academics, and safety protocols to qualify for funding.
This bill creates an annual fee for properties deemed uninhabitable by municipal officials under existing Vermont law (24 V.S.A. § 2291(24)). The fee equals the greater of 1% of a property’s appraised value or $5,000, due when regular property taxes are collected. It applies only to properties determined uninhabitable (e.g., abandoned, boarded-up, or unsafe) that remain unrepaired for 30 days after the determination. Property owners may request a pro-rata fee abatement once repairs are completed, as outlined in Section 1539 of the bill.
This bill increases the annual tax on solar power generation capacity in Vermont from $4 to $16 per kilowatt and redirects half of the new revenue to a newly created Farm Security Special Fund. The fund will provide grants covering up to 50% of uninsured financial losses for farms affected by defined weather events like floods, droughts, or extreme heat. It directly affects solar energy businesses (above 50kW capacity) and Vermont farms experiencing weather-related income loss. The fund will be administered by the Secretary of Agriculture, with grants awarded after consultation with a Farm Security Review Board.
This bill (S 317) continues a fossil fuel purchase tax to fund Vermont's Home Weatherization Assistance Program, expanding eligibility to households earning up to 125% of the state median income. It requires the program to prioritize high-energy-use buildings, increase salaries for weatherization staff by 15% annually (2026-2028), and partner with utilities to provide free weatherization services to low-income households. The bill also directs funding toward workforce training programs targeting new recruits, including partnerships with career programs and organizations serving homeless and formerly incarcerated individuals. The tax on heating oil, propane, and other fuels will continue until June 2027, with broader energy taxes ending by 2029.
