Budget & Taxes

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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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introduced · Vermont · House Jan 15, 2026

H 698: An act relating to various changes to 2025 Acts and Resolves No. 73

This bill (H.698) revises Vermont's 2025 education funding and policy framework. It removes provisions requiring schools to maintain minimum class sizes, eliminates a rule allowing receiving districts to charge sending districts extra fees for high school students, and reverts unused funds from a school district voting group back to the state General Fund. The bill also updates the state's education funding formula to add a "secondary student weight" for high school students and removes recent changes to property tax classifications affecting schools. These changes directly impact school districts, state education funding calculations, and the administration of public school tuition payments.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill reverts unused education funds to General Fund, promoting fiscal responsibility in budget management.90% confidence ✗ EducationOpposes EducationReverts unused education funds to General Fund (defunding) while removing class size requirements and fees, indicating reduced educational funding priorities.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Property Tax State Budget Higher Education K-12 Education School Funding

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introduced · Vermont · Senate Jan 22, 2026

S 293: An act relating to brownfields redevelopment of the Upper Valley Regional Landfill

This bill appropriates $143,000 from the General Fund to the Agency of Natural Resources for a grant to the Green Mountain Economic Development Corporation (GMEDC). The funds will cover GMEDC's costs to reinitiate brownfields redevelopment at the Upper Valley Regional Landfill in Post Mills, Thetford, specifically for a probate proceeding to appoint GMEDC as administrator. This facilitates transferring the landfill site to new ownership for redevelopment. The grant is for fiscal year 2027 and directly affects GMEDC and the landfill site's future use.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill appropriates $143,000 from General Fund for brownfields redevelopment grant, directly funding government spending on economic development project.90% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill funds brownfields redevelopment at contaminated landfill, facilitating cleanup and repurposing to reduce pollution and prevent further environmental harm.95% confidence

Sub-Topics State Budget Waste Management

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introduced · Vermont · Senate Jan 21, 2026

S 282: An act relating to increasing taxes on higher income earners and creating the School Construction Aid Special Fund

This bill creates new taxes on high-income Vermonters to fund school construction. It imposes a 2% surcharge on personal income above $250,000 (and 6% above $500,000) and a 4% "wealth proceeds tax" on individuals, estates, or trusts with taxable income exceeding $200,000 (single filers) or $250,000 (married filing jointly). It also doubles property tax rates for nonhomestead residential properties compared to homesteads. All revenue generated flows into a dedicated "School Construction Aid Special Fund" for public school infrastructure projects. The bill directly affects high earners and property owners with significant nonhomestead holdings.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill imposes higher taxes on high-income earners (2%+ surcharge, 4% wealth tax) to fund school construction, directly advancing public education spending via dedicated revenue stream.95% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill creates dedicated tax revenue specifically for school construction funding, directly advancing K-12 infrastructure investment through new surcharges on high earners.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Business Taxes Fees & Licensing Property Tax School Funding

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introduced · Vermont · House Jan 28, 2026

H 794: An act relating to increasing taxes on higher income earners and creating the School Construction Aid Special Fund

H.794 creates new tax rates for higher earners and modifies property taxes to fund school construction. It imposes a 2% surcharge on individual income above $250,000 and a 6% surcharge above $500,000, plus a wealth proceeds tax on individuals (with taxable income over $200,000 single/$250,000 married) and estates/trusts (over $15,200). It also doubles property tax rates for nonhomestead residential properties compared to homesteads. All new revenues will flow into the newly created School Construction Aid Special Fund.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesIncreases taxes on high earners (>250k) and wealth to fund school construction, aligning with progressive taxation and public service funding.95% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationCreates School Construction Aid Special Fund via new taxes to directly fund school infrastructure, advancing educational facilities per bill's purpose statement.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Business Taxes Property Tax State Budget School Funding

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