Budget & Taxes

introduced · Vermont · House Jan 8, 2026

H 619: An act relating to an income tax surcharge

H.619 proposes a 3% income tax surcharge on Vermont residents with federal adjusted gross income of $1 million or more, directly affecting high-income earners. The surcharge applies in addition to existing income tax and will automatically adjust for inflation each year to maintain the $1 million threshold. It takes effect retroactively for tax years beginning January 1, 2026. This bill creates a new tax obligation for individuals earning over $1 million annually, with no changes to other tax rates or brackets.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesImposes 3% income tax surcharge on high earners ($1M+ AGI), increasing state revenue from top earners to fund budget priorities without affecting lower/middle income tax rates.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Fees & Licensing Income Tax

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introduced · Vermont · Senate Jan 13, 2026

S 240: An act relating to developing State-owned affordable housing

This bill creates a Vermont Housing Production Revolving Fund to develop state-owned affordable housing for low and moderate-income households (defined as earning up to 150% of area median income). It authorizes the State Treasurer to issue $50 million in bonds to fund the program, which will provide loans to developers for purchasing or building housing that remains permanently affordable. Repayments of principal, interest, and fees will replenish the fund for future projects, creating a self-sustaining system. The program requires equitable distribution of funds across communities based on economic need and annual reporting to legislative committees.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesAuthorizes $50M in bonds to fund affordable housing through a revolving fund, increasing state budget allocation for public housing program with self-sustaining repayment structure.92% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingCreates Vermont Housing Production Revolving Fund with $50M bonds for state-owned affordable housing development targeting low/moderate-income households (≤150% AMI), funding permanent affordability through developer loans and repayments.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Procurement Affordable Housing Housing Finance

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introduced · Vermont · House Jan 22, 2026

H 759: An act relating to a flat income tax

H.759 proposes replacing Vermont's current complex tax system - including income, sales, property, and estate taxes - with a single flat income tax. It would repeal 12 existing tax types (like education property tax, sales tax, and estate taxes) and simplify tax filing for all Vermont residents and businesses. The bill includes targeted relief for low-income households and rural communities to offset potential regressive impacts, while aiming to fund essential services like education and infrastructure through the new system. This change would affect every Vermont taxpayer subject to income tax, with specific adjustments to taxable income calculations outlined in the bill.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesReplaces complex taxes with flat income tax, includes low-income relief, and funds education/infrastructure per summary.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Business Taxes Income Tax Property Tax

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signed · Vermont · Senate May 29, 2026

S 328: An act relating to housing and common interest communities

This bill requires Vermont municipalities to include detailed housing target analyses in their development plans, identifying needed housing types and sites while addressing zoning and infrastructure constraints. It extends tax credits to help first-time homebuyers with down payments and closing costs for primary residences, and caps mobile home lot rent increases to protect residents. The bill also prevents homeowner associations from banning rentals, family child care homes, or electric vehicle chargers in units. These changes directly affect local governments, homebuyers, mobile home park residents, and community associations.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesExtends tax credits to first-time homebuyers for down payments/closing costs, providing direct tax relief for lower/middle income housing costs.95% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingRequires housing target analyses, extends first-time homebuyer tax credits, caps mobile home rent increases, and prohibits HOA bans on rentals - directly advancing affordable housing and tenant protections.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Affordable Housing Homeownership Property Taxes

introduced · Vermont · House Jan 7, 2026

H 594: An act relating to establishing the Temporary Emergency Housing and Accountability Program and the Return Home Program in fiscal years 2027 and 2028

This bill establishes two temporary housing programs for Vermonters in crisis during fiscal years 2027-2028: the Temporary Emergency Housing and Accountability Program (TEHAP) and the Return Home Program (RHP). It directly affects individuals and households without fixed housing or at immediate risk of losing housing within seven days, including those experiencing homelessness, domestic violence, or with disabilities. Key provisions include setting strict eligibility criteria, requiring case management services to connect participants with permanent housing and support, transitioning away from hotel/motel reliance toward sustainable options like recovery housing and the Vermont Housing Investment Program (VHIP), and implementing accountability measures for program oversight. The bill mandates a tiered care approach and requires active participant engagement to achieve housing stability.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesEstablishes state-funded housing programs for vulnerable populations, directly allocating budget resources for essential services during specified fiscal years.95% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingBill creates two emergency housing programs (TEHAP/RHP) funding temporary housing for homeless, domestic violence victims, and disabled Vermonters at immediate risk of housing loss, directly addressing homelessness and providing housing support.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Homelessness

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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 & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill imposes $200 registration and $300 application fees on financial service providers, generating direct state revenue that supports budget funding without altering tax policy.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Fees & Licensing

introduced · Vermont · House Jan 30, 2026

H 844: An act relating to sales tax and a new surcharge paid on fuel by owners of short-term rental and second home properties

H 844 (Vermont) modifies sales tax rules for fuel used in residential properties. It removes the sales tax exemption for fuel purchases when a property was used as a short-term rental or occupied by the owner for fewer than 183 days in the past year. Instead, owners of such properties must pay a new 3% surcharge on residential fuel sales. Revenue from this surcharge will fund the Home Weatherization Assistance Fund, which helps low-income households improve energy efficiency. The bill takes effect August 1, 2026.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesCreates 3% surcharge on fuel for short-term rentals to fund Home Weatherization Assistance Fund for low-income households, directly increasing tax revenue for public service funding.90% confidence ✓ EnergySupports EnergyFunds energy efficiency improvements for low-income households via surcharge revenue, directly advancing energy efficiency goals.90% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingBill imposes 3% surcharge on short-term rental fuel sales to fund Home Weatherization Assistance for low-income housing, directly advancing affordable housing programs.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Fees & Licensing Sales Tax Tax Incentives Energy Efficiency

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signed · Vermont · Senate May 20, 2026

S 255: An act relating to establishing a pilot Law Enforcement Governance Council in Windham County

This bill establishes a pilot Law Enforcement Governance Council in Windham County to provide regional law enforcement and related services (including dispatch and animal control) to participating municipalities. To join, towns must vote at a town meeting to become "member municipalities," pay a special property tax based on population, and receive services through the Council. The Council, governed by one representative per member town, sets annual budgets, service levels, and performance standards, with funding collected solely from participating towns until June 2034. Non-member municipalities are not affected by the tax or service provisions.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill creates a special property tax for member municipalities to fund the Council's annual budgets and services, directly advancing fiscal management for regional law enforcement.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Property Tax

introduced · Vermont · House Jan 7, 2026

H 591: An act relating to limiting the circumstances under which an asset is subject to judicial forfeiture

This bill (H.591) limits when assets can be seized through judicial forfeiture. It requires that forfeiture only occur after a person is convicted of the underlying criminal offense, rather than before conviction. Proceeds from selling seized assets, after deducting costs ("offset"), must be deposited into the state's General Fund. The bill directly affects individuals facing asset forfeiture proceedings by changing the legal standard for seizure and directing funds to state general revenue.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill directs forfeiture proceeds to General Fund, increasing state revenue without tax changes, directly supporting budget management.95% confidence ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeRequires conviction before asset forfeiture, protecting civil rights and advancing criminal justice reform by preventing pre-conviction seizures.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Revenue State Budget

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introduced · Vermont · House Jan 14, 2026

H 673: An act relating to brownfields redevelopment of the Upper Valley Regional Landfill

This bill appropriates $143,000 from the General Fund for fiscal year 2027 to the Agency of Natural Resources, which will grant the funds to the Green Mountain Economic Development Corporation (GMEDC). The money specifically covers GMEDC's costs for a probate proceeding to obtain a Court Appointed Administrator, enabling the transfer of the Upper Valley Regional Landfill site in Post Mills, Thetford, to new ownership. This step is required to redevelop the brownfields site, which is a contaminated or underused industrial property. The bill directly affects GMEDC and the redevelopment plans for the landfill site.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill appropriates $143k from General Fund for brownfields redevelopment, directly funding state budget allocation for economic development project.95% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentFunds transfer process for brownfields redevelopment, enabling environmental remediation of contaminated landfill site per brownfields cleanup standards.85% confidence

Sub-Topics State Budget Waste Management

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