Budget & Taxes

introduced · Vermont · House Jan 16, 2026

H 711: An act relating to a sales tax exemption for precious metals purchased for investment

H 711 would exempt sales of gold or silver bullion and coins purchased for investment from Vermont's sales and use tax, effective July 1, 2026. The bill specifically covers refined gold/silver bullion and coins (like bars or minted coins) used as investment, excluding jewelry, art, or industrial metals. It amends Vermont law to clarify that this exemption promotes investment in precious metals and defines "precious metal bullion or coins" as items valued primarily by their metal content. This change directly affects individuals and investors buying investment-grade gold or silver.

Topics ✗ Budget & TaxesOpposes Budget & TaxesExempts investment precious metal sales from tax, reducing state revenue. Creates tax break primarily for wealthier investors, weakening fiscal management.92% confidence

Sub-Topics Sales Tax Tax Incentives

Track

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

Track

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

Track

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 & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesIncreases tax credit program funding from $3M to $5M annually, providing tax relief for small businesses and funding business support services through targeted allocations.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Business Taxes Tax Credits Tax Incentives Tags Economic Development Small Business

introduced · Vermont · Senate Jan 21, 2026

S 289: An act relating to reimbursing the Department of Fish and Wildlife for lost license fee revenue

This bill requires the state to reimburse the Department of Fish and Wildlife for lost license fee revenue starting July 1, 2026, due to legally mandated free, discounted, or exempt hunting, fishing, trapping, or combination licenses. It mandates annual accounting of lost revenue by the department and payment from the General Fund by June 30 each year, equal to the exact amount of revenue lost. The reimbursement ensures the department maintains its funding level despite required fee exemptions, directly affecting the state treasury and the department’s budget. The bill takes effect on July 1, 2026, and applies to all statutorily required license exemptions.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesReimburses Department of Fish and Wildlife for lost license revenue, maintaining budget level via General Fund payments, ensuring continued funding for essential programs.95% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentReimburses Fish and Wildlife for lost license fees, maintaining funding for conservation programs and ensuring continued environmental protection efforts without revenue loss.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Fees & Licensing State Budget Wildlife

Track

introduced · Vermont · Senate Jan 13, 2026

S 238: An act relating to revenue for education and housing development

S.238 creates two new revenue streams to fund housing and education: a 2% surcharge on short-term rental stays (like Airbnb) and a tax on sugar-sweetened beverages. The rental surcharge will directly affect short-term rental operators, while the beverage tax applies to manufacturers and sellers of sugary drinks (excluding medical uses). Revenue from both taxes will flow into the Housing Investments Special Fund (to build/repair housing for low-income Vermonters) and the Education Fund. The bill explicitly targets housing for households earning under 120% of the Area Median Income, with a focus on making housing affordable for low-income residents.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill creates new taxes (rental surcharge, beverage tax) to fund housing/education programs via dedicated state funds, directly advancing public service funding.95% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingBill creates revenue streams (short-term rental surcharge, soda tax) to fund Housing Investments Special Fund for low-income housing development and repairs.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Fees & Licensing Property Development

Track

introduced · Vermont · House Jan 23, 2026

H 770: An act relating to opting out of the federal tax credit program for contributions to scholarship granting organizations

This bill (H 770) directs Vermont to opt out of a federal tax credit program that allows states to subsidize contributions to scholarship organizations for school expenses. It designates the Vermont General Assembly as the sole entity authorized to make this election, explicitly stating Vermont "shall not participate" in the program under federal law (26 U.S.C. § 25F). The policy change means Vermont residents will no longer be eligible for state tax credits when contributing to scholarship organizations, as the state declines to join the federal program. The bill takes effect July 1, 2026.

Topics ✗ Budget & TaxesOpposes Budget & TaxesBill explicitly prohibits Vermont from participating in federal tax credit program, restricting tax benefits for scholarship donations and removing state tax incentives.95% confidence ✗ EducationOpposes EducationOpting out of federal tax credit program for private school scholarships limits alternative funding sources, reducing educational access options for families.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Tax Credits School Choice Student Financial Aid

Track

introduced · Vermont · Senate Jan 27, 2026

S 319: An act relating to authorizing the issuance of limited wagering event permits for poker games and tournaments

This bill would authorize Vermont's Department of Liquor and Lottery to issue up to five annual permits for limited poker tournaments and games, each lasting no more than 72 hours. Operators must pay a $500 fee, undergo criminal background checks, and ensure all participants are over 18. A 35% tax on the net winnings (gross receipts minus payouts to players) would apply, with revenue directed to the state's Education Fund. The bill directly affects poker event organizers, the Department of Liquor and Lottery, and the Education Fund.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill imposes 35% tax on poker net winnings, directing revenue to Education Fund, directly funding a public service through new tax revenue.95% confidence

Track

introduced · Vermont · House Jan 8, 2026

H 620: An act relating to creating a wealth tax commission

H.620 creates a temporary Wealth Tax Commission to study how to tax wealth and investment gains currently excluded from income taxation in Vermont. The commission, composed of two legislative members and two state agency heads, will examine practical issues like valuing nonpublic assets, handling taxpayers moving between states, and coordinating with other states on uniform tax approaches. It must submit a report by November 2027 to the House and Senate finance committees with findings and recommendations. The bill does not implement a wealth tax but directs the commission to research policy options and best practices. This study aims to inform future legislative decisions about potential wealth taxation.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill studies taxing excluded wealth/investment gains (closing tax loopholes), directly advancing tax policy to strengthen revenue collection per Budget & Taxes topic.90% confidence

Track

introduced · Vermont · Senate Jan 21, 2026

S 280: An act relating to an increased education property tax rate for certain residential properties

S.280 increases the property tax rate for nonhomestead residential properties (including second homes and short-term rentals) to $2.00 per $100 of property value, up from a lower rate. It also creates a new classification for nonhomestead seasonal properties (such as seasonal vacation homes), taxing them at the nonhomestead nonresidential rate. Additional revenue from the higher tax rate on nonhomestead residential properties will fund a new special school construction fund. This bill directly affects Vermont property owners who use homes as second residences or short-term rentals by raising their property tax burden.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesIncreases property tax on nonhomestead properties to fund a new school construction fund, directly advancing public education funding through targeted tax revenue.95% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill increases property tax on nonhomestead properties to fund a new school construction fund, directly advancing school infrastructure funding.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Property Tax

Track