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By Guy Page
The Vermont Senate opened the 2026 legislative session with a significant influx of new legislation on January 6. Lawmakers introduced a wide array of proposals ranging from sweeping public safety reforms and climate initiatives to critical updates in health care governance and technology regulation.
S.167, sponsored Sen. Allison Clarkson (D-Windsor) and co-sponsored by Democrat Sens. Thomas Chittenden, Ann Cummings, Martine Gulick, Ruth Hardy, Wendy Harrison, Virginia Lyons, Joseph Major, Andrew Perchlik, Kesha Ram Hinsdale, Anne Watson, and Rebecca White, would “ban the possession of semiautomatic assault weapons” statewide, making it a criminal offense to own such firearms if the measure becomes law. The proposal would add a new section to state law, 13 V.S.A. § 4028, explicitly prohibiting any person from possessing a semiautomatic assault weapon. The bill’s stated intent is to restrict access to weapons that lawmakers sponsoring the measure argue pose a heightened risk to public safety.
The bill defines ‘semiautomatic assault weapon’ as a semi-auto pistol or rifle that can be adapted in many, specifically defined ways.
Under the bill, a violation of the prohibition would be punishable by up to one year in prison, a fine of up to $500, or both. The text does not specify exemptions or a timeline for compliance, which are issues likely to be debated as the legislation moves through the Senate. The proposal is expected to draw strong reactions from gun-control advocates who support tighter restrictions and from firearms owners and civil liberties groups who oppose new limits on gun possession.
If history is any guide, most of these bills will not become law. However, they represent the initiatives of individual legislators, legislative caucuses, committees, and, in most cases, unnamed advocacy groups spurring them on.
The following is a breakdown of the newly introduced bills, organized by primary topic. VDC will provide analysis of high-profile Senate and House bills in coming days and weeks. For now, the links to these bills can be found on the All Senate Bills page on the Vermont General Assembly website.
Criminal Justice and Public Safety
Public safety remains a top priority, with several bills focusing on firearms regulation, criminal procedures, and law enforcement standards:
• S.160: firearms procedures
• S.167: prohibiting possession of semiautomatic assault weapons
• S.168: the aggregate value of stolen property in certain crimes
• S.172: requiring the use of personal flotation devices during cold weather
• S.178: speedy trial procedures in criminal cases
• S.180: the recommendations of the Post-Adjudication Reparative Program Working Group
• S.181: eliminating the requirement for a presentence investigation for imposition of a deferred sentence
• S.182: animal cruelty violation forfeitures and the Animal Welfare Fund
• S.183: home improvement and land improvement fraud
• S.184: community justice centers
• S.186: jurisdiction of the Criminal Division over plea agreements in proceedings related to juvenile offenders
• S.187: permitting members of the General Assembly to carry concealed handguns in the State House
• S.193: establishing a forensic facility for certain criminal justice-involved persons
• S.203: penalties for second or subsequent violations of operating a motor vehicle under the influence of alcohol or drugs
• S.208: standards for law enforcement identification
Health Care and Human Services
Legislators are seeking to address hospital oversight, prescription drug costs, and medical professional roles:
• S.162: miscellaneous provisions affecting the Department of Vermont Health Access
• S.163: the role of advanced practice registered nurses in hospital care
• S.164: health benefits for members of the General Assembly
• S.166: issuing immunization recommendations
• S.188: hospital governance
• S.189: an approval process for reducing or eliminating hospital services
• S.190: the Green Mountain Care Board, reference-based pricing, and hospital outsourcing of clinical care
• S.194: designated and specialized service agency payment methodology
• S.195: judicial proceedings for involuntary treatment
• S.197: establishing a primary care payment reform program
• S.199: establishing the Vermont Prescription Drug Discount Card Program
• S.200: the Medicaid school-based services program
Climate, Energy, and Environment
The 2026 session sees a strong push for green infrastructure and environmental protections, including a focus on agricultural impacts:
• S.159: removing the sunset on 30 V.S.A. § 248a
• S.170: net metering rates
• S.171: the Clean Fuels Program
• S.174: the study of Green Bank models to support and accelerate investments in climate mitigation infrastructure, farming, and agriculture in Vermont
• S.175: climate change education
• S.176: prohibiting the use of the herbicide paraquat
• S.177: the collection and recycling of waste motor vehicle tires
• S.191: appliance efficiency
• S.202: portable solar energy generation devices
• S.204: electric ratepayer assistance and utility disconnections
Land Use, Taxation, and Property
Updates to Act 250 and property tax regulations are also on the table:
• S.165: grand list values of parcels with wetlands
• S.169: Act 250 permit appeals
• S.179: the Uniform Disclaimer of Property Interests Act
• S.185: regional plan maps and Act 250 Tier 1
• S.192: municipal authority to compel the cleaning or repair of premises
• S.196: property tax sales
Education and Technology
New bills address the evolving landscape of academic freedom, childhood education, and the rise of artificial intelligence:
• S.161: the Governor’s list of scholarship granting organizations
• S.201: academic freedom in Vermont’s postsecondary schools
• S.205: a temporary moratorium on AI data centers and a report on the construction and operation of AI data centers in Vermont
• S.206: licensure of early childhood educators by the Office of Professional Regulation
Commerce and Labor
General regulations regarding worker protections and consumer pricing were also introduced.
• S.173: workers’ compensation and the Vermont Labor Relations Board
• S.198: the regulation and taxation of tobacco products and tobacco substitutes
• S.207: prohibiting surveillance pricing
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Categories: Legislation
We would be much safer if we just closed Montpelier and sent them home.
They want to vote away your rights, that’s why they want a democracy, vote away your rights and vote to take your money and your land through regulation.
Welcome to the new world order, same as the old world order……satan is busy. Too bad nobody told him, he’s a complete loser, why would people follow him, he lies, “I will give you all of this” he says, meanwhile he steals your peace and corrupts your soul, we are witnessing those under the influence, Marx being a fool they seem to love and admire.
They need to read the book of Esther, that’s how God operates, Jesus hear our plea, may your power, glory and might be on full display for us to watch and enjoy. Forgive us for we know not what we are doing.
Closing Montpelier is a good idea. You’re right, Satan is always busy trying to convince the hearts and minds of people who ignore God, that they can be God, and the evidence of this is demonstrated in many of these bills that appeal to that kind of hubris. Thank God, Satan has already lost the plot and his days are numbered.
To all VDC commenters –
As stated since late 2025, in 2026 all commenters must be Sustaining Subscribers.
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A Sustaining Subscriber is someone who from November 1 – January 1 made an annual contribution of $108, either by check or online, or who became an online $9/monthly contributor before January 1.
Also, since January 2025 we have been (albeit gradually) enforcing our policy of requiring full names for all commenters. The latter is meant to promote transparency and genuine discourse. The former is an economic decision intended to enhance the longterm sustainability of VDC.
Both of these policies will take full effect this coming week. As non-subscribers and commenters not using their full names (first initial, full last name not preferred but will be accepted) will not be permitted to comment, full stop. We have allowed a week or more in order to ensure that late arrivals of 2025 contributions and procrastinators are accounted for. This week, the online giving link will be updated for 2026, with $11/month and $132/year.
Please note: if you are not yet a Sustaining Subscriber, please subscribe immediately online. Or send a check to VDC, P.O. Box 1547, Montpelier VT 05601 and email us at news@vermontdailychronicle.com that a check is coming.
VDC readers who are not Sustaining Subscribers still have several outlets for expressing their opinions. VDC remains free to read to all subscribers, including those who subscribe with pseudonyms or anonymously, and on our Facebook and X pages. Commenting on all news and commentary is free on the VDC Facebook and X pages. Also, all readers using their full names are invited to submit letters to the editor and commentaries for consideration, at no cost.
If you have any questions, please email me at news@vermontdailychronicle.com. Thank you for your attention to this matter,
Guy Page, Publisher
I guess the flooding of Montpelier was a little too subtle.
To all VDC commenters –
As stated since late 2025, in 2026 all commenters must be Sustaining Subscribers.
Most regular commenters already are Sustaining Subscribers. To you we say THANK YOU!, you are the reason why 2025 was another record year for views on http://www.vermontdailychronicle.com: 2.6 million. Again, thank you so much.
A Sustaining Subscriber is someone who from November 1 – January 1 made an annual contribution of $108, either by check or online, or who became an online $9/monthly contributor before January 1.
Also, since January 2025 we have been (albeit gradually) enforcing our policy of requiring full names for all commenters. The latter is meant to promote transparency and genuine discourse. The former is an economic decision intended to enhance the longterm sustainability of VDC.
Both of these policies will take full effect this coming week. As non-subscribers and commenters not using their full names (first initial, full last name not preferred but will be accepted) will not be permitted to comment, full stop. We have allowed a week or more in order to ensure that late arrivals of 2025 contributions and procrastinators are accounted for. This week, the online giving link will be updated for 2026, with $11/month and $132/year.
Please note: if you are not yet a Sustaining Subscriber, please subscribe immediately online. Or send a check to VDC, P.O. Box 1547, Montpelier VT 05601 and email us at news@vermontdailychronicle.com that a check is coming.
VDC readers who are not Sustaining Subscribers still have several outlets for expressing their opinions. VDC remains free to read to all subscribers, including those who subscribe with pseudonyms or anonymously, and on our Facebook and X pages. Commenting on all news and commentary is free on the VDC Facebook and X pages. Also, all readers using their full names are invited to submit letters to the editor and commentaries for consideration, at no cost.
If you have any questions, please email me at news@vermontdailychronicle.com. Thank you for your attention to this matter,
Guy Page, Publisher
To all VDC commenters –
As stated since late 2025, in 2026 all commenters must be Sustaining Subscribers.
Most regular commenters already are Sustaining Subscribers. To you we say THANK YOU!, you are the reason why 2025 was another record year for views on http://www.vermontdailychronicle.com: 2.6 million. Again, thank you so much.
A Sustaining Subscriber is someone who from November 1 – January 1 made an annual contribution of $108, either by check or online, or who became an online $9/monthly contributor before January 1.
Also, since January 2025 we have been (albeit gradually) enforcing our policy of requiring full names for all commenters. The latter is meant to promote transparency and genuine discourse. The former is an economic decision intended to enhance the longterm sustainability of VDC.
Both of these policies will take full effect this coming week. As non-subscribers and commenters not using their full names (first initial, full last name not preferred but will be accepted) will not be permitted to comment, full stop. We have allowed a week or more in order to ensure that late arrivals of 2025 contributions and procrastinators are accounted for. This week, the online giving link will be updated for 2026, with $11/month and $132/year.
Please note: if you are not yet a Sustaining Subscriber, please subscribe immediately online. Or send a check to VDC, P.O. Box 1547, Montpelier VT 05601 and email us at news@vermontdailychronicle.com that a check is coming.
VDC readers who are not Sustaining Subscribers still have several outlets for expressing their opinions. VDC remains free to read to all subscribers, including those who subscribe with pseudonyms or anonymously, and on our Facebook and X pages. Commenting on all news and commentary is free on the VDC Facebook and X pages. Also, all readers using their full names are invited to submit letters to the editor and commentaries for consideration, at no cost.
If you have any questions, please email me at news@vermontdailychronicle.com. Thank you for your attention to this matter,
Guy Page, Publisher
“Climate Change Education”.
Yeah, that’ll rest the state’s test scores & prepare the youth for college, careers, & success in the workforce.
And what the H is “academic freedom”? Never mind, don’t tell me. I’m sure whatever it is it is frighteningly asinine.
So, no more pussyfooting around here, they want to now ban about 9 out of 10 guns currently owned and in common use in Vermont. Someone needs to enlighten them about a ruling that came out of the US Supreme Court in 2008:
District of Columbia v. Heller (2008) and affirmed in NYSRPA v. Bruen (2022), established that the Second Amendment protects arms “in common use” for lawful purposes, like self-defense, meaning they generally cannot be banned; weapons deemed “dangerous and unusual” are exceptions, but popular firearms such as handguns and many semi-automatic rifles (like AR-15s) are considered protected due to their widespread ownership and use, requiring strict historical justification for any prohibition.
In support of Bill H.217 the federal government budget document shows Geoengineering is funded to the tune of 5 to almost 6 billion dollars each year. ICAMS FY 2025 Federal Weather Enterprise Budget and Coordination Report
– URL: https://zerogeoengineering.com/2025/the-federal-meteorological-enterprise-fy-2025/
To all VDC commenters –
As stated since late 2025, in 2026 all commenters must be Sustaining Subscribers.
Most regular commenters already are Sustaining Subscribers. To you we say THANK YOU!, you are the reason why 2025 was another record year for views on http://www.vermontdailychronicle.com: 2.6 million. Again, thank you so much.
A Sustaining Subscriber is someone who from November 1 – January 1 made an annual contribution of $108, either by check or online, or who became an online $9/monthly contributor before January 1.
Also, since January 2025 we have been (albeit gradually) enforcing our policy of requiring full names for all commenters. The latter is meant to promote transparency and genuine discourse. The former is an economic decision intended to enhance the longterm sustainability of VDC.
Both of these policies will take full effect this coming week. As non-subscribers and commenters not using their full names (first initial, full last name not preferred but will be accepted) will not be permitted to comment, full stop. We have allowed a week or more in order to ensure that late arrivals of 2025 contributions and procrastinators are accounted for. This week, the online giving link will be updated for 2026, with $11/month and $132/year.
Please note: if you are not yet a Sustaining Subscriber, please subscribe immediately online. Or send a check to VDC, P.O. Box 1547, Montpelier VT 05601 and email us at news@vermontdailychronicle.com that a check is coming.
VDC readers who are not Sustaining Subscribers still have several outlets for expressing their opinions. VDC remains free to read to all subscribers, including those who subscribe with pseudonyms or anonymously, and on our Facebook and X pages. Commenting on all news and commentary is free on the VDC Facebook and X pages. Also, all readers using their full names are invited to submit letters to the editor and commentaries for consideration, at no cost.
If you have any questions, please email me at news@vermontdailychronicle.com. Thank you for your attention to this matter,
Guy Page, Publisher
Make sure you get an anal search when you go in the controlled entrance of the Vermont Statehouse.
To all VDC commenters –
As stated since late 2025, in 2026 all commenters must be Sustaining Subscribers.
Most regular commenters already are Sustaining Subscribers. To you we say THANK YOU!, you are the reason why 2025 was another record year for views on http://www.vermontdailychronicle.com: 2.6 million. Again, thank you so much.
A Sustaining Subscriber is someone who from November 1 – January 1 made an annual contribution of $108, either by check or online, or who became an online $9/monthly contributor before January 1.
Also, since January 2025 we have been (albeit gradually) enforcing our policy of requiring full names for all commenters. The latter is meant to promote transparency and genuine discourse. The former is an economic decision intended to enhance the longterm sustainability of VDC.
Both of these policies will take full effect this coming week. As non-subscribers and commenters not using their full names (first initial, full last name not preferred but will be accepted) will not be permitted to comment, full stop. We have allowed a week or more in order to ensure that late arrivals of 2025 contributions and procrastinators are accounted for. This week, the online giving link will be updated for 2026, with $11/month and $132/year.
Please note: if you are not yet a Sustaining Subscriber, please subscribe immediately online. Or send a check to VDC, P.O. Box 1547, Montpelier VT 05601 and email us at news@vermontdailychronicle.com that a check is coming.
VDC readers who are not Sustaining Subscribers still have several outlets for expressing their opinions. VDC remains free to read to all subscribers, including those who subscribe with pseudonyms or anonymously, and on our Facebook and X pages. Commenting on all news and commentary is free on the VDC Facebook and X pages. Also, all readers using their full names are invited to submit letters to the editor and commentaries for consideration, at no cost.
If you have any questions, please email me at news@vermontdailychronicle.com. Thank you for your attention to this matter,
Guy Page, Publisher
But, by golly, they’re pushing a bill for legislators to carry in the House (🤫it’s already legal there). Probably just single-action revolvers, you know.
They want to prevent us regular old citizens from having evil black semi-autos, but are ensuring they can keep theirs to maintain decorum and civil discourse. Hey, an armed society is a polite society, right?…except in Vermont bars, of course.
The inanity and insanity down there is beyond belief.
I don’t think I missed anything, but one Senator’s name is very conspicuous in it’s absence . Why ?
Are you detecting the fetid odor of Baruth running for Governor?
Once again, trying to fix what’s not broken. In my 72 years in Vermont, I don’t recall anyone getting shot with a semi-auto firearm. I may be wrong and I’m sure someone will let me know.
Another attempt by the Left Democrats trying to change the Bill of Rights into the Bill of Permissions. Supreme Court of US already addressed this with the Bruan decision recently but all of the Democrat controlled cities and States are ignoring them. SCOTUS has no enforcement arm as the founders said a moral and honorable people would disobey a decision
To all VDC commenters –
As stated since late 2025, in 2026 all commenters must be Sustaining Subscribers.
Most regular commenters already are Sustaining Subscribers. To you we say THANK YOU!, you are the reason why 2025 was another record year for views on http://www.vermontdailychronicle.com: 2.6 million. Again, thank you so much.
A Sustaining Subscriber is someone who from November 1 – January 1 made an annual contribution of $108, either by check or online, or who became an online $9/monthly contributor before January 1.
Also, since January 2025 we have been (albeit gradually) enforcing our policy of requiring full names for all commenters. The latter is meant to promote transparency and genuine discourse. The former is an economic decision intended to enhance the longterm sustainability of VDC.
Both of these policies will take full effect this coming week. As non-subscribers and commenters not using their full names (first initial, full last name not preferred but will be accepted) will not be permitted to comment, full stop. We have allowed a week or more in order to ensure that late arrivals of 2025 contributions and procrastinators are accounted for. This week, the online giving link will be updated for 2026, with $11/month and $132/year.
Please note: if you are not yet a Sustaining Subscriber, please subscribe immediately online. Or send a check to VDC, P.O. Box 1547, Montpelier VT 05601 and email us at news@vermontdailychronicle.com that a check is coming.
VDC readers who are not Sustaining Subscribers still have several outlets for expressing their opinions. VDC remains free to read to all subscribers, including those who subscribe with pseudonyms or anonymously, and on our Facebook and X pages. Commenting on all news and commentary is free on the VDC Facebook and X pages. Also, all readers using their full names are invited to submit letters to the editor and commentaries for consideration, at no cost.
If you have any questions, please email me at news@vermontdailychronicle.com. Thank you for your attention to this matter,
Guy Page, Publisher
Molon labe.
To all VDC commenters –
As stated since late 2025, in 2026 all commenters must be Sustaining Subscribers.
Most regular commenters already are Sustaining Subscribers. To you we say THANK YOU!, you are the reason why 2025 was another record year for views on http://www.vermontdailychronicle.com: 2.6 million. Again, thank you so much.
A Sustaining Subscriber is someone who from November 1 – January 1 made an annual contribution of $108, either by check or online, or who became an online $9/monthly contributor before January 1.
Also, since January 2025 we have been (albeit gradually) enforcing our policy of requiring full names for all commenters. The latter is meant to promote transparency and genuine discourse. The former is an economic decision intended to enhance the longterm sustainability of VDC.
Both of these policies will take full effect this coming week. As non-subscribers and commenters not using their full names (first initial, full last name not preferred but will be accepted) will not be permitted to comment, full stop. We have allowed a week or more in order to ensure that late arrivals of 2025 contributions and procrastinators are accounted for. This week, the online giving link will be updated for 2026, with $11/month and $132/year.
Please note: if you are not yet a Sustaining Subscriber, please subscribe immediately online. Or send a check to VDC, P.O. Box 1547, Montpelier VT 05601 and email us at news@vermontdailychronicle.com that a check is coming.
VDC readers who are not Sustaining Subscribers still have several outlets for expressing their opinions. VDC remains free to read to all subscribers, including those who subscribe with pseudonyms or anonymously, and on our Facebook and X pages. Commenting on all news and commentary is free on the VDC Facebook and X pages. Also, all readers using their full names are invited to submit letters to the editor and commentaries for consideration, at no cost.
If you have any questions, please email me at news@vermontdailychronicle.com. Thank you for your attention to this matter,
Guy Page, Publisher
Once again all three of my brilliant Windsor county reps are on board to ignore the constitution and screw law abiding gun owners- no doubt caving to the Woodstock lefty loudmouths (their faithful voters). This will again fail to go anywhere.. but they’ll get what they want by simply supporting this nonsense and the screaming purple hairs will keep voting for them.. keeping them in power to screw us another day..
To all VDC commenters –
As stated since late 2025, in 2026 all commenters must be Sustaining Subscribers.
Most regular commenters already are Sustaining Subscribers. To you we say THANK YOU!, you are the reason why 2025 was another record year for views on http://www.vermontdailychronicle.com: 2.6 million. Again, thank you so much.
A Sustaining Subscriber is someone who from November 1 – January 1 made an annual contribution of $108, either by check or online, or who became an online $9/monthly contributor before January 1.
Also, since January 2025 we have been (albeit gradually) enforcing our policy of requiring full names for all commenters. The latter is meant to promote transparency and genuine discourse. The former is an economic decision intended to enhance the longterm sustainability of VDC.
Both of these policies will take full effect this coming week. As non-subscribers and commenters not using their full names (first initial, full last name not preferred but will be accepted) will not be permitted to comment, full stop. We have allowed a week or more in order to ensure that late arrivals of 2025 contributions and procrastinators are accounted for. This week, the online giving link will be updated for 2026, with $11/month and $132/year.
Please note: if you are not yet a Sustaining Subscriber, please subscribe immediately online. Or send a check to VDC, P.O. Box 1547, Montpelier VT 05601 and email us at news@vermontdailychronicle.com that a check is coming.
VDC readers who are not Sustaining Subscribers still have several outlets for expressing their opinions. VDC remains free to read to all subscribers, including those who subscribe with pseudonyms or anonymously, and on our Facebook and X pages. Commenting on all news and commentary is free on the VDC Facebook and X pages. Also, all readers using their full names are invited to submit letters to the editor and commentaries for consideration, at no cost.
If you have any questions, please email me at news@vermontdailychronicle.com. Thank you for your attention to this matter,
Guy Page, Publisher
This is laughable!
More than half of all Vermonters own a firearm. Safe to say most of those firearms are semi automatic . Where are they going to jail all of these offenders?
I say bring it on. This could be very helpful in conservatives attempts to attaining a majority in the state house.