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.
This bill modifies Vermont's regional plan map categories for Act 250 Tier 1 development. It redefines "Village areas" to require municipal water/wastewater service or suitable soil for septic, and creates "Transition or infill areas" for redevelopment near existing villages - banning new strip commercial development to protect adjacent economic vitality. The bill also establishes "designated neighborhoods" for planned growth/village areas and transition areas within workforce housing zones, requiring approval similar to existing "designated centers." These changes aim to guide higher-density, mixed-use development while preserving downtown vitality and climate resilience.
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.
S.269 would amend Vermont's tax code to exclude Supplemental Security Income (SSI) payments from the definition of "household income" when calculating two specific tax credits: the homestead property tax credit and the renter credit. This change directly affects Vermont residents who receive SSI and apply for these credits, as their SSI payments would no longer count toward their household income for eligibility purposes. The bill modifies the statutory definition of "household income" to explicitly exclude SSI payments, ensuring they are not considered when determining credit amounts. This adjustment would likely increase the tax credit amount for SSI recipients by reducing the income figure used in the calculation.
This bill (H 772) updates Vermont's residential rental laws to protect tenants and clarify landlord obligations. It bans application fees for residential rentals, limits security deposits to two months' rent, and requires specific notice periods for evictions (14 days for nonpayment, 21 days for other breaches). The bill also creates a pilot program through the State Treasurer's office to allow tenants to report on-time rent payments to credit bureaus, helping build credit history. These changes directly affect all landlords and tenants in Vermont rental agreements, with additional technical assistance available via the Champlain Valley Office of Economic Opportunity.
H.835 requires Vermont school districts to immediately enroll homeless students and provide transportation assistance to their school of origin if parents or guardians relocate to a different district. Each district must also designate a homeless education liaison to help with enrollment, transportation, and support services. The bill creates the Educational Stability Grant Program, providing state funding to schools for academic and social-emotional services aimed at improving attendance, graduation rates, and reducing disciplinary incidents for highly mobile students. These changes directly affect homeless students, school districts, and public education providers.
This bill (H.728) allows landlords in Vermont to obtain a "no trespass" order barring a tenant’s guests or licensees from entering the dwelling unit or its common areas under specific conditions. Landlords may seek such orders if the tenant consents, the guest violated the lease terms, or the guest broke state/federal law on the property. The order can be appealed only through a small claims court action within seven days, with the court’s decision being final. This directly affects landlords, tenants (who control guest access), and guests/licensees who may face trespass restrictions.
This bill increases Vermont's minimum wage to $18.60 per hour starting July 1, 2026, based on the state's defined "livable wage" (the hourly rate needed for a full-time worker in shared housing with employer health coverage to cover basic needs). Future annual increases will be set at the smaller of 5% or the Consumer Price Index (CPI-U) change from the previous year, rounded to the nearest cent. It directly affects all employers in Vermont who pay the minimum wage, including businesses with low-wage workers across sectors like retail, hospitality, and agriculture. The change replaces the current $12.55 minimum wage and aligns future adjustments with inflation data.
H.534 renames Vermont's "community service agencies" to "community action agencies" and updates their governance and planning requirements. The bill requires these agencies to create community service plans every three years and ensures at least one-third of their boards consist of low-income residents they serve. It clarifies that these agencies must provide services addressing poverty, including job training, housing assistance, and access to health care. The Office of Economic Opportunity will continue managing funding for these agencies under the revised statutory framework.
H.737 amends Vermont's Act 250 land use law to clarify that constructing roads for property access counts as "development" under the law, but exempts state/municipal roads, utility corridors, and roads primarily used for farming or forestry. It also revises the definition of "Tier 3" areas (critical natural resources zones) to require justification for housing development there, unless a town plan already designates land for housing with evidence of minimal environmental harm. The bill mandates the Land Use Review Board to create rules by July 2027 on how municipalities can object to road projects near roads or agricultural land. Most provisions take effect July 1, 2026, with the key definition change delayed until December 31, 2026. These changes directly affect developers, municipalities, and landowners seeking to build housing or infrastructure near natural resources or roads.
