Immigration

introduced · Vermont · House Apr 25, 2025

H 511: An act relating to the admittance of federal immigration authorities into schools

H.511 proposes to require schools throughout Vermont to implement a policy regarding federal immigration authorities. This policy would restrict federal immigration authorities from entering nonpublic areas of school facilities. Access to these nonpublic areas would only be permitted if a judicial warrant is presented. The bill directly affects Vermont schools and federal immigration authorities seeking access to them.

Topics ✓ ImmigrationSupports ImmigrationRestricts federal immigration access to schools without warrant, limiting cooperation with enforcement per bill summary.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Detention Enforcement Sanctuary Policies

Track

introduced · Vermont · Senate Feb 26, 2025

S 91: An act relating to tenant rights

This bill strengthens tenant protections in Vermont by banning rental application fees (including background check costs), requiring all leases over 12 months to be in writing with specific details (like rent terms and maintenance responsibilities), and limiting no-cause evictions. It mandates longer notice periods for evictions (60-90 days based on tenancy length), creates a rental registry and Office of Tenant’s Rights Advocate, and adds citizenship/immigration status to housing discrimination protections. Tenants gain the right to counsel in eviction cases and to receive notice if a landlord sells their building, with options to negotiate purchase. The bill directly affects residential renters and landlords across Vermont.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingBans rental fees, mandates written leases, limits no-cause evictions, extends eviction notice periods, and prohibits discrimination - directly strengthening tenant protections in housing policy.95% confidence ✓ ImmigrationSupports ImmigrationBill explicitly prohibits housing discrimination based on immigration status, protecting immigrant renters from discrimination. This directly advances immigrant rights in housing access.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Landlords Renters Tenant Rights Citizenship & Naturalization

Track

introduced · Vermont · House Feb 20, 2025

H 298: An act relating to restricting the Department of Corrections’ cooperation with federal immigration authorities

This bill restricts Vermont's Department of Corrections (DOC) from cooperating with federal immigration authorities. It prohibits DOC staff from contacting federal agencies about an individual's immigration status, prolonging detention to investigate status, or accepting requests for immigration enforcement support. The DOC must terminate existing agreements with federal immigration authorities within 30 days and submit annual reports to legislative committees detailing any federal requests for assistance. Additionally, the DOC must create staff training protocols and penalties for noncompliance with these restrictions.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticePrevents DOC from prolonging detention for immigration status, protecting civil rights within corrections system85% confidence ✓ ImmigrationSupports ImmigrationRestricts state DOC cooperation with federal immigration enforcement, limiting state involvement in federal immigration actions.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections Detention Enforcement Sanctuary Policies

Track

passed both · Vermont · House May 30, 2025

H 479: An act relating to housing

H.479 establishes the Vermont Rental Housing Improvement Program, providing grants and forgivable loans to landlords for rehabilitating or creating rental housing units. Funding is capped at $70,000 per accessible unit (meeting Vermont Access Rules) or $50,000 per standard unit, with landlords required to lease to specific eligible households (e.g., those exiting homelessness, refugees, or individuals with disabilities) for 5 or 10 years and keep rents at or below HUD's fair market rent. At least 30% of annual program funds must be reserved for five-year programs, and repaid funds return to the program. The Department must annually report on program usage, including units funded, tenant eligibility, and outcomes, to relevant legislative committees.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill allocates state funds via grants/loans for housing rehabilitation, directly funding a public service program under state budget appropriations.95% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingFunds rental rehab with affordability requirements: 5-10 yr leases to vulnerable groups (homeless, refugees, disabled) at HUD rents, directly advancing affordable housing access.95% confidence ✓ ImmigrationSupports ImmigrationBill requires housing for refugees (an immigrant group) under eligible households, directly providing immigrant services through housing access.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Landlords Renters Tenant Rights

Track

signed · Vermont · Senate Jun 16, 2025

S 51: An act relating to Vermont income tax exclusions and tax credits

Vermont's S.51 creates a $1,000-per-child refundable tax credit for residents with children under age 6, regardless of whether they or their children have a federal tax ID number. It also expands the state's earned income tax credit to cover individuals who qualify federally but lack required tax IDs, and adjusts exclusions for Social Security and Civil Service retirement income based on income thresholds (e.g., full exclusion for single filers earning ≤$55,000 or married couples ≤$70,000). The bill directly affects low-to-moderate-income families, retirees, and individuals with limited access to federal tax IDs. Signed into law by Governor on June 25, 2025, it modifies Vermont's tax code to broaden eligibility for existing federal credit programs.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesExpands refundable tax credits for low-income families and adjusts retirement exclusions to benefit lower earners, providing direct tax relief per bill's provisions.95% confidence ✓ ImmigrationSupports ImmigrationExpands state tax credits without requiring federal tax IDs, enabling access for immigrants lacking status and aligning with immigrant service provision.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Income Tax Tax Credits

introduced · Vermont · Senate Apr 9, 2025

S 148: An act relating to expanding good samaritan protections concerning immigration

This bill prohibits Vermont law enforcement agencies, officers, and their representatives from using state resources (including personnel, equipment, or funds) to assist federal immigration authorities in civil or criminal immigration investigations or proceedings. It specifically applies to situations covered by existing Vermont laws protecting healthcare providers (12 V.S.A. § 7306) and overdose reporting (18 V.S.A. § 4254), expanding those "good Samaritan" protections to immigration contexts. Exceptions allow cooperation when responding to a valid judicial warrant or investigating a crime unrelated to immigration enforcement. The law directly affects Vermont police and sheriff's departments by restricting their collaboration with federal immigration agencies.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeRestricts state law enforcement from aiding federal immigration enforcement, protecting civil rights and reducing state overreach in criminal justice context.85% confidence ✓ ImmigrationSupports ImmigrationProhibits Vermont law enforcement from using state resources to assist federal immigration enforcement, expanding protections to immigrants.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Law Enforcement Policing Enforcement Sanctuary Policies

Track

introduced · Vermont · House Jan 24, 2025

H 81: An act relating to requiring legislative approval prior to entering into certain immigration agreements

H 81 requires Vermont's Governor to obtain prior approval from the General Assembly before entering into certain federal immigration enforcement agreements (specifically those under 8 U.S.C. § 1357(g) and 19 U.S.C. § 1401(i)). The bill mandates a 60-day notice period before a vote, during which the Governor must provide the full agreement text, an analysis of fiscal/social/legal impacts, and hold public hearings. It also prohibits such agreements if the General Assembly isn't in session and requires annual reporting to legislative committees on related discussions. This directly affects the Governor and state agencies that might enter these agreements, adding a legislative review step to federal immigration partnerships.

Topics ✓ ImmigrationSupports ImmigrationRequires legislative approval for state-federal immigration enforcement agreements, limiting state cooperation with federal enforcement per 8 U.S.C. § 1357(g) and 19 U.S.C. § 1401(i), aligning with 'limits cooperation' indicator.92% confidence

Sub-Topics Enforcement Sanctuary Policies

Track

signed · Vermont · Senate Jun 13, 2025

S 127: An act relating to housing and housing development

S.127 creates Vermont's Rental Housing Improvement Program to fund rental housing development and rehabilitation. It provides grants and forgivable loans to landlords, with funding limits of $70,000 per accessible unit or $50,000 per standard unit. Landlords must lease units to specific groups (e.g., people exiting homelessness, immigrants, individuals with disabilities) and adhere to HUD fair market rent limits for 5-10 years to qualify for loan forgiveness. The program also establishes a revolving fund for repaid loans and requires annual reporting on program outcomes.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingBill funds rental housing development/rehabilitation via grants/loans with requirements to lease to vulnerable groups (homelessness, disabilities) and adhere to HUD rent limits for affordability.95% confidence ✓ ImmigrationSupports ImmigrationBill mandates landlords lease units to immigrants as a required tenant group, directly advancing immigrant housing access through targeted funding requirements.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Landlords Renters Tenant Rights

passed · Vermont · House Apr 22, 2025

HR 8: House resolution strongly objecting to the manner and circumstances under which U.S. immigration authorities arrested and detained Mohsen Mahdawi and strongly advocating that he be afforded due process under the law and released immediately from detention

House Resolution 8 (HR 8) is a resolution from the Vermont House of Representatives expressing strong objection to the arrest and detention of Mohsen Mahdawi by U.S. immigration authorities. It advocates that Mr. Mahdawi, a U.S. permanent resident, be afforded due process under the law and immediately released from detention. Copies of the resolution are directed to be sent to the U.S. Secretary of Homeland Security, the Immigration and Customs Enforcement Acting Director, and the Vermont Congressional Delegation.

Topics ✓ ImmigrationSupports ImmigrationDemands due process for permanent resident detained by federal authorities, opposing unlawful detention and advocating release, aligning with immigrant rights protection.95% confidence

Track