Supporters of the bill are hoping that H.432 will help eliminate the barriers many amputees face
Lawmakers weigh increased insurance coverage for prosthetics
New bill designed to stop chronic absenteeism in schools passes the House
A student is considered chronically absent when they miss 20 or more unexcused days of school within the last school year, or 175 school days
Page: Repeal Road Rule, Tier 3 now – don’t delay
The Senate version of act 181 reform, now under House Environment Committee review, kicks the can down the road: four years for the Road Rule, two years for Tier 3.
No ICE in schools, Act 181 reform get hearing in House today
Also, security checks on visitors every day through the rest of the session, and mental health agencies seek Medicaid increase.
Pay more up front, save later
Vermont lawmakers are advancing a major restructuring of how primary care is paid for, but the proposal is raising fundamental questions about cost, access, and how much of the system it can realistically change.
Stone: Act 181 is serfdom
When mapped to its statutory language and agency behavior, Vermont’s Act 181 emerges as far more than a conservation law. It is a comprehensive land allocation system that integrates biodiversity protection, housing distribution, agricultural land preservation, and redistributionist and reparation (aka equity) considerations into a unified framework.
Baruth amendment bans guns in bars statewide
A policy change that would modify the Burlington City charter to ban firearms in bars has been revived in the Senate Judiciary Committee—but this time, the policy extends statewide.
Vermont bill reshapes competency restoration system
Vermont lawmakers have advanced S.193, a bill that would establish a secure forensic facility for individuals caught at the intersection of the criminal justice and mental health systems—a population that has increasingly strained courts, hospitals, and correctional facilities.
Scott laughs off Dem criticism that he’s to blame for high taxes, low affordability
In an exchange with Vermont Public reporter Peter Hirchfeld at last Wednesday’s press conference in the Vermont State House, Scott responded with laughter and testy answers to accusations that he, and not the Democrat majority, are responsible for the state’s increasing financial, housing, and affordability problems.
Herron: Act 181 and our natural rights
Here’s the thing, if the thought and spirit of an organization doesn’t align with the body and letter, there is a fundamental and incompatible legal conflict between the purpose of the corporation and their governing actions.
Murder victim’s mom lists suspected mentally ill killers, urges secure forensic facility
Elijah Compagna was found not competent and deemed dangerous, yet was placed in a community-based group home in 2025. While there, he was able to lure a young woman into the home and stab her to death — in a setting not designed or staffed to manage that level of risk – just one example of a pattern of inadequate state care for the dangerously mentally ill, Carroll said.
House Education advances reform bill, draws criticism from GOP caucus
House Republicans sharply criticized the measure, arguing it falls short of addressing Vermont’s rising education costs and fails to deliver meaningful structural reform.
Two-year pilot program aims to support special education programs
S.233 could provide more resources for students with disabilities and their families
Senate approves secure facility for mentally ill suspects
Prompted by a mother of a Bennington murder victim, the Vermont Senate Wednesday approved S.193 by a 29-1 roll call vote.
A doctor baffled by vaccine reactions and other stories about COVID-19 protocols
Also, a mother and son coerced into taking shots to stay employed or at school respectively.
Milton legislator resigns/ Fight over housing/ Wetland amendment/ House OKs $82 million for homeless
Rep. Chris Taylor (R-Milton) has resigned from the Legislature due to work conflicts.
Higley: These bills and laws infringe on property rights
Concerns for aspects of Act 181 and its recent Rally at the State House has awaken rural Vermonters and landowners to the real possibilities of additional severe restrictions on their property rights.
House passes bill to regulate data centers
The bill, H.727, introduced by Rep. Laura Sibilia (D-Windham 2), seeks to regulate data centers requiring 20 or more megawatts by mandating annual reporting and requiring operators to enter into large load service equity contracts. These contracts would hold data centers accountable for paying their fair share of grid and infrastructure costs while ensuring that Vermonters aren’t subsidizing their electricity use.
Roper: VT Democrats are NOT for affordability. Are VT Republicans?
Childcare licensing bill is a real head scratcher.
Vermont’s tax-the-rich bill would miss most of Vermont’s rich
The wealthiest people in Vermont’s real estate market own places like ski chalets in Stowe and lakefront estates in Quechee. They pay their income taxes in New York and Massachusetts.
$150K ‘energy coaching’ passes Senate
Spearheaded by the Vermont Public Service Department, the program would give energy navigator services to Vermont residents. Energy navigators are trained professionals or volunteers who inform residents how to make their homes more energy efficient, such as with weatherization projects or installing heat pumps. Under the bill, they would also inform clients about rebates and incentives.
House Dems reject school choice tax credit, back wealth tax vote, route local revenue to reappraisal
The Vermont House gave preliminary approval Thursday to H.949, the education finance Yield Bill and its proposed 7% property tax increase, but not before three Republican amendments to cut taxes failed.
Legislature: Pre-K a “right”, but funding unclear
House Human Services advances pre-K framework while deferring cost decisions
House may adopt new policy to address crime and court backlogs
The amendment, sponsored by Rep. Eric Maguire (R-Rutland 5), aims to reduce case backlog by creating structure for an existing court model that integrates mental health and other services into the courtroom setting and could move from county to county.
Houghton: House Dems defend ‘sustainable’ 7% property tax bill
Yesterday, many excuses were used by Republicans as to why we are in the position we are today, but there was no mention of the ten years of a Republican administration’s failure to solve the problems we’re still facing today.
Dems praise House bills passed, GOP slams 7% property tax increase
Pay attention to THIS, House Dems say. No, pay attention to THAT, GOP says.
Senate may get tough on tobacco, softer on pot, freeze ban on dyed foods
It’s Legal Consumption week in the Vermont Senate.
Post rally, Senate ponders road rule repeal vs. extension
House to consider $9.3 billion state budget, 7% property tax hike.
House bills change hunting laws, create peer mental health support, pay inmates minimum wage
Get tough on youthful offenders, ban paraquat, address truancy and recidivism
Dobrovich: Find out how Act 181 will impact your land
Some worry that an overemphasis on environmental protection will violate existing property owners’ rights and force everyone into dense, restricted living situations—sometimes described as “concentrated animal feeding operations” (CAFO), a term usually reserved for large agricultural facilities.
Before big Act 181 reform rally, key Democrat senator supports road rule repeal
Some senators want to repeal the road rule. Others seek to delay implementation until 2030.
VT blocks Federal scholarship tax credit amid rising education costs
Lawmakers on the House Ways and Means Committee have moved to block participation in a new federal tax credit program that could direct private donations toward student scholarships.
Ryan: VNRC put out a silly piece of propaganda today.
VNRC isn’t listening to Vermont. They’re doubling down.
Health care bill that may violate constitutional rights passes House
The constitutional rights of faith-based organizations operating in Vermont may be under attack with the passage of a bill on Thursday.
$82 million homeless care bill passes committee straw poll
Act 181 reform goes to floor next week/ School reform now ‘Act 46 2.0’?/ Local highway $$ redirected to statewide reappraisal
The public safety bills nobody’s talking about — and why they matter to you
In Vermont, a person could be convicted of ten separate offenses in a year, receive short sentences or probation on each one, and none of it would register as recidivism in the state’s data.
Tagliavia: Property tax freeze bill needs attention
Vermont is one of only three states with no safety-valve restrictions on how much a property tax bill can increase in a given year. In the months ahead, the Legislature should examine how the other 47 states manage this issue, identify policies that could work here, and adapt them to Vermont’s unique circumstances. Property taxpayers deserve both immediate relief and long-term predictability.
House passes land posting, manufactured home, AI legislation
In the week after the Crossover deadline, the Vermont House has been busy passing bills. Below are all of the bills passed in the House and sent to the Senate this week.
House tax committee kills federal tax credit for independent schools
One Big Beautiful Bill gives scholarship donors $1700 federal tax credit – but Dem majority doesn’t want it
A last-minute addition to Act 181 could block family homes on rural land
A family who has lived on their land for 100 years and wants to give their child a piece of that land to build a road and home may not be able to afford these new cost burdens.
Smuggler’s Notch crackdown and kei trucks headline transport, economy bills in Senate
S.326, a miscellaneous bill introduced by the Senate Transportation Committee, makes a number of technical and minor changes to Vermont’s transportation laws. These include increasing the amount towing companies may charge and requiring life preservers during cold-weather months. Another provision would raise the penalty for getting stuck in Smuggler’s Notch from $1,000 to $10,000 for a first offense.
Vermont a school choice destination? Press conference today
Rep. Mike Tagliavia (R-Corinth) will promote H.89, the statewide school choice bill he introduced last year, at a press conference at 1 PM today, Tuesday March 17 in the Cedar Creek Room.
Reestablishing psych facility moves forward
With crossover week fully behind us, lawmakers begin the work of finalizing the bills that passed successfully from policy committees by the deadline.
Hooper: Photo of legislator rolling around committee room floor led to resignation
To illustrate the rug/dress color coordination, Hooper said, the member got down on the floor of the committee room and rolled around.
Lawmaker to resign over sexual harassment finding
All but three House Democrats signed a letter calling on Hooper, a Vietnam veteran and lawmaker representing North Burlington since 2019, to resign his seat in the Legislature
North: House of cards in flames
As cross-over day in the VT Legislature came and went on Friday and more electric buses burst into flames, so did many of our hopes for any real progress this legislative session toward solving Vermont’s affordability crisis. To make any significant change we need more legislators who are serious about addressing this crisis.
Road rule can kicked down the road
The road rule would be delayed, and rural properties affected by develop regulation would be taxed accordingly.
Road rule ‘not going anywhere,’ key senator says
The road rule is the sticking point in Act 250 reform legislation. The current law, Act 181, strictly limits rural development on parcels with 800 ft. or more of on-property or adjacent road.
Full slate of House bills on Crossover Friday
It’s Friday of Crossover Week, and the Vermont House has a very full agenda of legislation up for action today.
EXCLUSIVE: House Rep resigns from committee after sex harrassment probe
Krowinski commended the complainant, who is not named in the letter, for “an extraordinarily courageous action.”
Purple paint property posting proposal pulled
Heffernan left the Senate chamber shortly after Pro Tem Phil Baruth announced the vote on Prop 4.
Vermont among 12 states explicitly allowing teacher strikes
Twelve states explicitly allow teacher strikes, including Alaska, California, Colorado, Hawaii, Illinois, Louisiana, Minnesota, Montana, Ohio, Oregon, Pennsylvania and Vermont. In a few states, such as South Carolina, Utah and Wyoming, the legality of strikes is not clearly defined in statutes or case law.
Vax bill passes House, Burtt amendment rejected by roll call
The Vermont House Tuesday morning gave preliminary approval to H.545, the vaccine bill rejecting the federal vaccine guidelines proposed by AHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy. It also voted against the bill’s proposed [Rep. Greg of Cabot] Burtt amendment, requiring more parental information about child vaccination.
Lawmakers target AI in health care and mental health services
Lawmakers are weighing two bills – H.814 and H.816 – that would create a new set of protections from neurotechnology in Vermont and regulate usage of artificial intelligence in mental health services, respectively.
VT Senate examines new Investment Income Tax
The discussion centered on S.282, legislation that would introduce several tax changes affecting upper-income taxpayers. The bill’s centerpiece is a 4% “wealth proceeds tax” on investment income, modeled on the federal 3.8% Net Investment Income Tax.
Vax parental consent rejected; rodenticide bill watered down; purple paint posting a priority
Vermont’s lawmakers are all back from their Town Meeting break and bracing for Crossover Week, when bills (with a few exceptions) must be voted out of committee in order to proceed to passage this year. Here are just a handful of developments as of this morning.
Environment committee members cry foul after chair shuts down vote on land conservation bill
According to members of the committee and available footage, a motion was seemingly made and the committee adjourned without addressing it. However, the Chair of the committee denies breaking any rules.
Contractor registry, ratepayer disconnection, free ID for pre-trial inmates face Crossover scrutiny
This week is the last opportunity for new bills to pass between chambers, so this means that time is limited and committees often work long hours with few breaks. However, this excludes “must-pass” bills, like the budgets, which are given extra time.
Lawsuit claims Act 73 narrows tuition school choice
The lawsuit, filed in Vermont Superior Court, argues the new law significantly narrows that option and violates the Vermont Constitution by arbitrarily limiting which schools families can choose.
AI data center construction could be prohibited until 2030
S.205 would ban centers over 100 megawatts while their energy use and water consumption is studied
In an age of online learning, could driving follow suit?
Students and experts offer testimony on a bill that would allow for online driver education
Galfetti property tax freeze gets cold shoulder in tax committee
With an estimated 12 percent increase to property tax rates looming and school budget votes knocking on our doors, a Vermont House committee briefly discussed a bill to freeze property taxes.
Immigrant students could get more protections under new bill
Increased ICE presence has caused a ripple effect across the entire state, according to Winooski Superintendent Wilmer Chavarria.
Bill making homeless teens more independent moves through committee
This week, the House Committee on Human Services has heard testimony on H.657, a bill that changes or establishes multiple practices within the Department of Children and Families (DCF), including overseeing a qualified minor’s social security income, defining the proper use of restraints and transportation for minors, restricting the use of solitary confinement on minors, the use of pregnancy calendars or tracking pregnant individuals, and reforming unaccompanied homelessness for minors.
Committee to vote on fossil fuel sales reporting bill
Vermonters are “stuck using fossil fuels, the polluting fuels of the past,” committee chair says.
Dunlap: Husband has Alzheimer’s, Act 181 is stealing the value of our land
The following testimony from Retta Dunlap, Woodbury, VT was submitted to Senate Natural Resources Committee.
Fire chiefs need more volunteers
To help recruit and retain members, many volunteer departments now provide a minimum-wage stipend for time spent responding to calls.
Bongartz pitches school merger ‘soft landing’
In the Senate Education Committee on Tuesday, Committee Chair Senator Seth Bongartz (D-Bennington) introduced a new plan to revise Vermont’s education system. The main goal of the system, said Bongartz, is to increase governance efficiency and enable a higher quality educational delivery, in a way that moderates the growth rate of state spending on education.
Draft Act 181 maps raise questions about landowner rights
At Friday’s meeting of the Senate Natural Resources & Energy Committee, lawmakers received an update on the ongoing development of Act 181 “Tier 3” areas under Vermont’s evolving land-use framework — a category that could shape where and how Act 250 applies in certain parts of the state.
Will Vermont’s proposed $20 fast-food wage help workers or hurt local businesses?
The proposed legislation would create a nearly 40% wage differential between employees at covered national chains and those working at restaurants that don’t meet the 60-location threshold.
Anti-ICE bills slide thru Senate, face tougher sledding in House
Both bills now move over to the Vermont House and the lower-chamber’s Judiciary Committee, which at present is split 5-5 Democrat/Republican.
Vermont mandates AI labels on election deepfakes—but research shows they might backfire
A nearly identical law in California has already been struck down by a federal court as unconstitutional and the federal government is actively working to preempt state-level AI rules.
Yoga while your e-car charges? Pilot $$ proposed
Lawmaker introduces transportation bill to incentivise gas stations to install electric vehicle chargers to foster community building and socializing.
Adjusted budget spends more on nursing homes, prisons, police overtime
Vermont lawmakers are moving forward with a mid-year adjustment to the state’s fiscal year 2026 budget, adding tens of millions in updated spending and revenue changes while reserving nearly $75 million for next year amid uncertainty around federal funding and property tax pressures.
Testimony spotlights hurdles — and hope — in Vermont’s high-risk pretrial program
The House Committee on Judiciary on Thursday discussed pretrial supervision as a way to reduce criminal court backlogs, recidivism, and catch and release policies.
Bill relieves domestic abuse victims of coerced debt
Bill to include current use in land conservation goals may get hearing in House Environment Committee.
Recovery Day at the State House
Advocates for substance abuse recovery, and Vermonters in recovery themselves, traveled to Montpelier and met with legislators to promote pro-recovery legislation and funding for Vermont’s recovery residences. “Recovery Residences” are a step above regulated rehabilitation treatment facilities which stabilize individuals, usually for around two weeks. On the other hand, stays at recovery residences last six to eighteen months, and they boast a high success rate.
Coalition urges legislature to extend Act 181 timelines to avoid confusion, housing delays, and local disruption
Speakers warned that Act 181 is moving faster than the maps and rules needed to implement it clearly and fairly, creating uncertainty for towns, housing projects, and working landowners across Vermont. The coalition is urging legislative leaders to take up H.730 to extend timelines and prevent further misalignment.
Senate ponders volunteer protection bill
How often do you volunteer, and should you be sued for it? The Vermont Senate Judiciary Committee heard testimony on Tuesday for S.151, a bill introduced in 2025 by Senator Allison Clarkson (D-Windsor) that aims to protect volunteers from frivolous lawsuits and increase volunteerism.
Galfetti: Boondoggles, vacations and wasted time
We must do better in Montpelier and be laser-focused on the affordability crisis Vermonters sent us here to address, not set tax dollars on fire trying to light the way for foolhardy initiatives.
In committee this week: Gender equity in Olympic skiing, getting tough on court no-shows
Data center restrictions/ Arrest warrant for court no-shows/ Chronic student absenteeism/ Eliminating “women’s” sports
Despathy: Shields up, rights down: VT vaccine overhaul
These are several of the currently unanswered questions related to H.545, which have raised constitutionality concerns as well as consumer protection issues for Vermonters. A lawsuit has been filed against a key supporter for H.545, the American Academy of Pediatrics. The lawsuit alleges “Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act (“RICO”), against the American Academy of Pediatrics for its central role in an enterprise that has defrauded American families about the safety of the childhood vaccine schedule for several decades.”
Soulia: Lawsuits yes, IDs no in election bill
Vermont Democrats have introduced yet another sweeping elections bill — and once again, it comes with a familiar progressive feature: more lawsuits, more enforcement power, and more ways for municipalities to get dragged into court.
Roper: Sibilia spills the beans: Enacting Clean Heat Standard still a “high priority”
Well, Rep. Laura Sibilia (I-Dover), the Ranking Member on James’ committee and perhaps the biggest booster of the Clean Heat Standard, spilled the beans, let the cat out of the bag, dropped the dime on the real agenda in an interview for Climate Dispatch.
Holt: Let Vermonters be heard on term limits, spending, and J.R.H.1
Across the political spectrum, Americans agree on very little. But there is one reform that draws rare, overwhelming consensus: term limits for members of Congress.
House Speaker gobsmacked by 50 x 50 conservation end-around
Vermont is committed by law to having 50% of total land area conserved by 2050, thanks to a bill introduced and shepherded into law several years ago by House Environment Chair Amy Sheldon. The law closely follows a U.N. based 50 x 50 initiative.
Soulia: VT emergency housing reform bill scrapped for a bill nobody has seen
The bill creates a five-tier continuum of care ranging from high-barrier shelters with mandatory case management to permanent supportive housing, including repurposed hotels and motels.
Phil Scott gives non-endorsement of property tax freeze
Knowing that 20 lawmakers and Lt. Gov. John Rodgers support (in concept anyway) a three year property tax freeze, VDC asked Gov. Phil Scott at his press conference what he thinks. Answer: eh, not so much. But he likes the idea of a spending cap.
Goose-farming internet personality testifies on hunting-posting bill
Sportsmen may soon have a new system of land posting to learn before deer season this fall.
Local option fuel tax proposed
Bills of note in committees this week, ranging from taxes to Legislative health benefits.
Soulia: H.767: A moratorium on mandates Vermonters can’t afford
The bill targets the Global Warming Solutions Act, the Clean Heat Standard, the Renewable Energy Standard, Act 59 (the 30×30 and 50×50 conservation goals), and Act 181 (the Land Use Review Board and future land use mapping overhaul). If passed, all five would be frozen in place for eight years while a comprehensive study evaluates their cumulative impacts on housing, energy costs, and property rights.
Bill would exempt seniors from property taxes
The bill proposes to exempt from the homestead property tax long-term residents who are 65 years of age or older. It would phase in the exemption over a four-year period, with eligible persons fully exempt from the homestead property tax beginning fiscal year 2030.
Farmers push back against town control
To grow or not to grow, that is the question that the Senate Agriculture Committee is taking on with its newest bill that challenges a ruling of the Vermont Supreme Court that opened the door to allow towns to regulate agriculture, even gardens and backyard chickens.
Proposed VT constitutional amendment enshrines some civil rights – why not others?
The 2024 Vermont Senate rushed a proposed amendment to the Vermont Constitution guaranteeing equal protection for ‘race, ethnicity, sex, religion, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, or national origin,” a parents’ rights advocate told a Senate committee Thursday.
State to modernize healthcare with ‘One big beautiful bill’ $$
“Instead of throwing more money at the problem, we need to address the root causes and fix the system,” Governor Scott stated during the briefing.
Bill includes value of farmland in solar permitting
“The value of a great corn crop on a good year would net a farmer $400 an acre. I’ve heard values on solar rent paid to the farmer up to $2,000 per acre,” Nelson said.
‘Return home’ homeless likely can return to VT, receive benefits
Can the state of Vermont impose residency requirements for its welfare programs? This was the topic of debate last week in the House Committee on Human Services when Representative Brenda Steady (R-Milton) asked if fraud could result from the “return home” provisions in H.594.
Energy committee chairs sponsor fossil fuels legislation
A pair of bills sponsored by the chairs of energy committees in both House and Senate would further regulate and tax the sale of fossil fuels in Vermont.
Bring back the catamount, build housing off-site, create new State Wildlands, ban rodent poison, & more in House committees this week
H. 276, State Wildlands, is scheduled for testimony in the House Environment Committee on Wednesday afternoon at the Vermont Statehouse. Sponsored by committee chair Rep. Amy Sheldon, the bill would create a new Wildlands designation within Vermont’s Ecological Reserves, permanently protecting certain lands from conversion, promoting natural processes and old-growth forest conditions, and permanently designating many state parks as Wildlands.
Soulia: VT bill would create taxpayer-funded right to immigration defense
The bill, introduced by Rep. Leonora Dodge (D – Chittenden-23), proposes creating a new Legal Representation in Federal Immigration Proceedings Program within Vermont’s Office of Defender General. As written, the legislation declares it to be the public policy of the State of Vermont that covered individuals “should have the right to ongoing legal representation” in federal immigration cases.
