Legislation

Vermont Senate Bills

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VDC’s comprehensive, detailed updated list of all Senate legislation

By Guy Page and Timothy Page

This is the Vermont Daily Chronicle Vermont Senate Bills page, listing on one page every bill introduced into the current session of the Vermont Senate. 

Vermont Senate Bills will be updated three days a week most weeks of the legislative session (January – May). The page will be posted prominently for easy access. Information will include:

  • Date of introduction
  • Topic, as distinct from the title of the bill listed on the Legislature’s website. Many readers find the bill titles vague, confusing or both. We try to present a clear, succinct, descriptive topic. 
  • Lead sponsor
  • Sponsor’s party
  • Committee of jurisdiction

All bills introduced into the 2023-24 session to date. Current through 2:00 PM, May 12, 2023. For more information see http://www.legislature.vermont.gov

Bill #IntroducedTitleLead SponsorSponsor partyCommittee
S.1575/12/2023Provides transparency and recourse for harassment, hazing, bullying in schoolsHashimDemocratEducation
S.1565/12/2023Places a moratorium on new prisons, ends suspension on school construction aidVyhovskyProg./ Dem.Institutions
S.1555/11/2023Eliminates life without parole, and consecutive sentencing for those under 25VyhovskyProg./ Dem.Judiciary
S.1545/9/2023Makes the Vermont State Plane Coordinate System VT’s sole coordinate systemHardy/ WatsonDem./ Prog.Transportation
S.1535/9/2023Creates municipal and regional civilian oversight of law enforcementVyhovskyProg./ Dem.Government Operations
S.1525/2/2023Requires that trials be public unless the court justifies closure.SearsDemocratJudiciary
S.1514/27/2023Numerous changes to health care policies, consent, insurance, etc.LyonsDemocratHealth and Welfare
S.1504/25/2023Multiple amendments to automobile insurance lawsSearsDemocratJudiciary
S.1494/25/2023Requires dram shop liability insurance for alcohol-dealing establishmentsSearsDemocratEconomic Development
S.1484/21/2023Raises funding for child care, creates noncitizen child benefitHealth and Welfare
S.1474/18/2023Bans smoking outdoors near entrancesWrennerDemocratHealth and Welfare
S.1464/13/2023Clarifies how indirect discharges of wastewater in the State are permittedNatural Resources and Energy
S.1454/5/2023Create $3 mil. disaster fundWhiteDemocratGovernment Operations
S.1444/4/2023Works to prevent, report harassment, hazing, and bullying in schoolsChittendenDemocratEducation
S.1434/4/2023Further restricts private actions of law enforcement, and enhances prisoners’ rightsRam HinsdaleDemocratJudiciary
S.1423/31/2023Establishes minimum age and education requirements for law enforcement officersHashim/ VyhovskyProg./ Dem.Government Operations
S.1413/24/2023Approves the formation of Fairfax Fire District No. 1WrennerDemocratGovernment Operations
S.1403/23/2023Creates study committee to evaluate costs, benefits of energy storageWatsonProg./ Dem.Natural Resources and Energy
S.1393/21/2023Expands the jurisdiction of the Enhanced 911 BoardGovernment Operations
S.1383/21/2023Adopts school safety and collects behavioral threat profiling dataEducation
S.1373/21/2023Extends pilot program established in 2020 Acts and Resolves No. 151Natural Resources and Energy
S.1363/17/2023Accelerates mandated greenhouse-gas emission reductionWrennerDemocratNatural Resources and Energy
S.1353/17/2023Creates VT Saves retirement programEconomic Development
S.1343/17/2023Protects libraries in Vermont State CollegesCollamoreRepublicanEducation
S.1333/16/2023Miscellaneous changes to education laws and policyEducation
S.1323/16/2023Amends policy for candidate nomination of unified school district board membersGulickDemocratEducation
S.1313/16/2023Amends high school student residency requirementChittendenDemocratEducation
S.1303/15/2023Protects employee rights and eliminates at-will terminationWrennerDemocratEconomic Development
S.1293/15/2023Prohibits employers from requiring background checks, random drug testsVyhovskyProg./ Dem.Economic Development
S.1283/15/2023Regulates kratom products and set age restriction for saleVyhovskyProg./ Dem.Health and Welfare
S.1273/15/2023Further deregulates cannabis and supports cannabis-associated communitiesVyhovskyProg./ Dem.Economic Development
S.1263/15/2023Provides greater community support for mental health and substance abuseLyonsDemocratHealth and Welfare
S.1253/14/2023Legalizes prostitutionWhiteDemocratJudiciary
S.1243/14/2023Creates a School Construction Aid Task ForceEducation
S.1233/14/2023Requires that lodging establishments advertise their total feesBrockRepublicanEconomic Development
S.1223/14/2023Creates model health care facility safety policiesPerchlikProg./ Dem.Health and Welfare
S.1213/3/2023Prohibits business entities from making contributions in State electionsHashimDemocratGovernment Operations
S.1203/2/2023Requires colleges to establish new sexual misconduct measuresHashimDemocratEducation
S.1193/2/2023Reduces possession of a personal use drug supply to a civil offenseVyhovskyProg./ Dem.Judiciary
S.1183/2/2023Exempts military retirement and military survivor benefit income from income taxationCollamoreRepublicanFinance
S.1173/2/2023Amends funding methods for teen parent education programsPerchlikProg./ Dem.Education
S.1163/2/2023Adds two voting faculty members to the UVM Board of TrusteesPerchlikProg./ Dem.Education
S.1153/1/2023Makes amendments to a variety of agricultural subjectsAgricultureFinance
S.1143/1/2023Decriminalizes psilocybin, creates Psychedelic Therapy Advisory Working GroupGulickDemocratHealth and Welfare
S.1133/1/2023Requires gas stations to provide notice of holds on paymentChittendenDemocratEconomic Development
S.1123/1/2023Makes misc. changes to Public Utility Commission policyBrayDemocratFinance
S.1112/28/2023Prohibits trapping, excepting licensed nuisance-wildlife trappingCampionDemocratNatural Resources
S.1102/28/2023Allows direct-to-consumer shipping of spirits and fortified winesWestmanRepublicanEconomic Development
S.1092/28/2023Medicaid coverage for doula servicesGulick/ Campion/ et al.Dem./ Rep./ Prog.Health and Welfare
S.1082/28/2023Increases the minimum wage to $15.00/hr. by January 1, 2025, eliminates exceptionsClarkson/ Cummings/ Hardy/ et al.Dem./ Prog.Economic Development
S.1072/24/2023Allows off-site tasting rooms for alcoholic beverage makersWestmanRepublicanEconomic Development
S.1062/24/2023Protects employees’ religious sensibilitiesBaruthDem./ Prog.Economic Development
S.1052/24/2023Legalizes and regulates sports bettingSears/ WestmanDem./ Rep.Economic Development
S.1042/24/2023Designates August 31 as Overdose Awareness DayRam HinsdaleDemocratGovernment Operations
S.1032/24/2023Makes even more minor or one-time discrimination unlawfulRam HinsdaleDemocratEconomic Development
S.1022/24/2023Strengthens employee protections, abolishes at-will terminationRam HinsdaleDemocratEconomic Development
S.1012/24/2023Amends multiple workers’ compensation regulationsRam HinsdaleDemocratEconomic Development
S.1002/23/2023Attempts to address severe housing shortagesEconomic Development
S.992/23/2023Makes miscellaneous changes to vehicle lawsTransportationFinance
S.982/23/2023Gives Green Mountain Care Board authority over prescription drug costsRam HinsdaleDemocratHealth and Welfare
S.972/23/2023Gives Probate Division jurisdiction over guardianship proceedings for developmentally disabledWilliamsRepublicanJudiciary
S.962/22/2023Amends rules for Executive Branch-issued privatization contractsVyhovskyProg./ DemocratGovernment Operations
S.952/22/2023Various amendments to banking and insurance lawsCummingsDemocratFinance
S.942/22/2023Amends timetables for City of Barre tax increment financing districtCummingsDemocratFinance
S.932/21/2023Repeals tax exemptions for advanced wood boilersPerchlikDem./ Prog.Finance
S.922/17/2023Provides direct cash transfers to youth exiting foster careWhiteDemocratHealth and Welfare
S.912/17/2023Changes rules of legal competency, insanity defenseLyons/ SearsDemocratJudiciary
S.902/17/2023Prohibits the use of no-knock warrants without threat of serious harmRam HinsdaleDemocratJudiciary
S.892/16/2023Establishes a forensic facility, allows involuntary psych treatmentBarurth/ Lyons/ SearsDemocratJudiciary
S.882/16/2023Allows South Hero to adopt a local option taxMazzaDemocratGovernment Operations
S.872/16/2023Requires State-developed Holocaust education in public schoolsLyonsDemocratEducation
S.862/16/2023Changes the term “cider” to “hard cider” in Title 7WestmanRepublicanEconomic Development
S.852/16/2023Allows Probation and Parole officers to carry firearms while on dutyCollamoreRepublicanInstitutions
S.842/15/2023Raising insurers’ allocation for primary careHardyDemocratHealth and Welfare
S.832/14/2023Allows State education property tax to be used for infrastructureRam HinsdaleDemocratFinance
S.822/14/2023Studies the impacts of PFAS leaching from landfillsLyonsDemocratNatural Resources
S.812/14/2023Creates program to reduce Chloride water contaminationMcCormackDemocratNatural Resources
S.802/14/2023Various environmental, conservation law changesBrayDemocratNatural Resources
S.792/10/2023Limits hospital liens on patientsVyhovskyProg./ DemocratJudiciary
S.782/10/2023Establishes establishes rights for temporary State employeesVyhovskyProg./ DemocratGovernment Operations
S.772/10/2023Charges GPS navigation providers for drivers violating Smugglers’ Notch winter closureChittendenDemocratTransportation
S.762/9/2023Audiology, Speech Pathology Interstate CompactRam HinsdaleDemocratHealth and Welfare
S.752/9/2023Enpowers towns to create civilian oversight of law enforcementSearsDemocratGovernment Operations
S.742/9/2023Implements Green Mountain Care over timeBrayDemocratHealth and Welfare
S.732/8/2023Makes cancers eligible for firemens’ workers comp. coverageBaruthDemocratEconomic Development
S.722/8/2023Lifts the potency limits on cannabis productsSears/ Ram HinsdaleDemocratJudiciary
S.712/8/2023Spends $850,000 on further deregulation of cannibisSears/ Ram HinsdaleDemocratEconomic Development
S.702/8/2023Allows “safer drug consumption programs” to operate legallyHardyDemocratJudiciary
S.692/8/2023Creates property tax surcharge on second homesHardyDemocratFinance
S.682/8/2023Expands tax deduction for student loan paymentsLyonsDemocratFinance
S.672/8/2023Applies sales tax to candy, amends definitionPerchlikDem./ Prog.Finance
S.662/7/2023New requirements for tuition to independent schoolsHardyDemocratEducation
S.652/7/2023Requires commercial insurance to cover epinephrine auto-injectorsVyhovsky/ LyonsDem./ Prog.Finance
S.642/7/2023Regulates loud exhaust, idling, child restraints. Bike lanes requiredWhiteDemocratTransportation
S.632/7/2023Medicaid cover three rounds of in-vitro fertilizationHardyDemocratFinance
S.622/7/2023Provides personal leave due domestic and sexual violenceRam HinsdaleDemocratEconomic Development
S.612/7/2023Expands the income eligibility for Medicare Savings ProgramsCummingsDemocratHealth and Welfare
S.602/7/2023Authorizes municipal adoption of local option taxesChittenden/ Ram HinsdaleDemocratFinance
S.592/3/2023Replaces State-owned heating systemsPerchlikDem./ Prog.Institutions
S.582/2/2023Increasing the penalties for repeat drug traffickingSearsDemocratJudiciary
S.572/2/2023Allows towns and cities to regulate (but not prohibit) firearm useClarksonDemocratGovernment Operations
S.562/1/2023Public preschool and other childcare, education changesLyons/ HardyDemocratHealth and Welfare
S.552/1/2023Allows public bodies to meet onlineClarksonDemocratGovernment Operations
S.542/1/2023Maintains separation of insurance markets in VT Health ConnectCummingsDemocratFinance
S.532/1/2023Creates a Vermont Climate Corps work programRam HinsdaleDemocratEconomic Development
S.521/31/2023Ensures State health insurance eligibility regardless immigration statusHardyDemocratHealth and Welfare
S.511/31/2023Amends authority to investigate claims of abuse of vulnerable adultsLyonsDemocratHealth and Welfare
S.501/31/2023Protects patient access to, payment for health careCummingsDemocratFinance
S.491/31/2023Enhances genetic and consumer health information privacyLyonsDemocratEconomic Development
S.481/31/2023Regulating sale of catalytic convertersChittendenDemocratEconomic Development
S.471/27/2023Transport of individuals to psychiatric careLyons/ SearsDemocratHealth and Welfare
S.461/27/2023Ensure rights to independent auto repairGulickDemocratEconomic Development
S.451/27/2023Establishes elective income tax on pass-through businessesChittendenDem./ Rep.Finance
S.441/27/2023Manufacturers pay for household hazardous products collectionBrayDemocratNatural Resources
S.431/26/2023Legal representation in the child protection systemRam HinsdaleDemocratJudiciary
S.421/26/2023Prohibits State retirement systems from investing in fossil fuelsRam HinsdaleDemocratGovernment Operations
S.411/26/2023Eliminates life without paroleRam HinsdaleDemocratJudiciary
S.401/26/2023Regulates firearm usage, storage, and purchaseClarkson/ HardyDemocratJudiciary
S.391/26/2023Legislators’ pay and benefitsClarkson/ HardyDemocratGovernment Operations
S.381/26/2023Municipal planning permitsMcCormackDemocratNatural Resources
S.371/25/2023Access to abortion and gender-reassignmentLyons/ Hardy/ Clarkson/ Ram HinsdaleDemocratHealth and Welfare
S.361/25/2023Permits arrest without a warrantSears/ LyonsDemocratJudiciary
S.351/25/2023Hartford’s infrastructure financingWhiteDemocratFinance
S.341/25/2023Kindergarten enrollment ageChittendenDemocratEducation
S.331/25/2023Miscellaneous judiciary proceduresSearsDemocratJudiciary
S.321/25/2023Ranked-choice voting for presidential primary electionsRam Hinsdale/ HardyDemocratGovernment Operations
S.311/24/2023Open carry and self-defense with firearmsRam HinsdaleDemocratJudiciary
S.301/24/2023Sister State ProgramHardyDemocratEconomic Development
S.291/24/2023Military protection ordersRam HinsdaleDemocratJudiciary
S.281/24/2023Restrict litigation against abuse survivorsWhiteDemocratJudiciary
S.271/24/2023Reducing usage of cash bailsRam HinsdaleDemocratJudiciary
S.261/20/2023Removing residency requirement from assisted suicideLyonsDemocratHealth and Welfare
S.251/20/2023Banning certain harmful chemicals from cosmetic, health productsLyonsDemocratHealth and Welfare
S.241/19/2023Implementing the Clean Fuels ProgramWhiteDemocratNatural Resources
S.231/19/2023Prohibiting certain forms of discriminationHardyDemocratEconomic Development
S.221/18/2023Posting of land, hunting/ fishingPerchlikDem./ Prog.Natural Resources
S.211/18/2023Safety zonesPerchlikDem./ Prog.Natural Resources
S.201/18/2023Basic Needs Budget and minimum wage calculationRam HinsdaleDemocratEconomic Development
S.191/18/2023Tobacco prohibitionsRam Hinsdale/ LyonsDemocratEconomic Development
S.181/18/2023Flavored-tobacco banLyonsDemocratEconomic Development
S.171/17/2023Sheriff reformsSears/ HardyDemocratJudicial
S.161/12/2023Exceptions for clergySearsDemocratJudicial
S.151/12/2023Presumptive probationSearsDemocratJudicial
S.141/12/2023Justice expenditure reportingSearsDemocratJudicial
S.131/11/2023Referral of cases to community justice centersHashimDemocratJudicial
S.121/11/2023Union electionsRam HinsdaleDemocratEconomic Development
S.111/10/2023Persons prohibited from firearmsBaruthDemocratJudicial
S.101/10/2023Water filling stations in schoolsChittendenDemocratEducation
S.91/10/2023State Auditor examining State contractor recordsBrayDemocratGovernment Operations
S.81/6/2023Counsel for the legally insaneHashimDemocratJudiciary
S.71/6/2023Public defender expanded accessHashimDemocratJudiciary
S.61/6/2023Police interrogation of juvenilesSearsDemocratJudiciary
S.51/6/2023Affordable Heat Act mandateBrayDemocratNatural Resources
S.41/6/2023Violent crime reduction for juveniles through gun controlSearsDemocratJudiciary
S.31/6/2023Prohibits paramilitary training campsBaruthDemocratJudiciary
S.21/6/2023Payment, case management for developmental disability servicesLyonsDemocratHealth and Welfare
S.11/6/2023Act 250 and aircraft hangarsSearsDemocratNatural Resources

In the Toolbox to Follow and Influence the Vermont Legislature, VDC also publishes:

Vermont House Bills, compiled with a similar format.

2023 VDC Vermont Legislative Directory, listing on one page the pertinent party, committee, town, district and email contact information for all 180 legislators. 

How to Watch the Legislature at Home, a guide to accessing House, Senate and committee meetings via livestream and recorded Zoom links.

This Week in Committee, published late Monday or early Tuesday every week the Legislature is in session, providing livestream links to committees and a brief overview of the hot topics and bills of the week.

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Categories: Legislation, Vermont Senate Bills

4 replies »

  1. Guy, I really appreciate this information. I was wondering if S3 would apply to hunter safety courses. As written, it does not apply to hunter safety courses. All of my children took hunter safety courses and I often recommend them to friends. I don’t think there are any paramilitary training camps in Vermont so I don”t think this is a bill that the Senate should waste time on. The people of Vermont have so many problems now like unfunded pensions, the high cost of health care. I don’t want tax dollars being spent on a problem that does not exists now. I am not fooled by S5. Instead of creating a convoluted plan, to reach the goals of the GWSA the Vermont Legislature should abolish the GWSA. The goals were never attainable and we all knew it. Despite what the backers say I know S5 will hurt most Vermonters and will not solve any problems.

    • This bill (S3) appears to prohibit anyone, on any private property in Vermont, from practicing archery, or using rifles, shotguns, or pistols, or skeet and trap shooting, using black powder in any way, or any other similar sport shooting. See 10 V.S.A. § 5227.

      You can own them. But you can’t use them.

      OTOH: “… the right of the people to keep and bear Arms, shall not be infringed.” makes a distinction between ‘keeping’ (owning or having) a weapon, and bearing (using) a weapon.

      Keeping clearly means possessing.

      Bearing clearly means using.

      And neither right shall be infringed.

      Guess we’ll see Mr. Baruth in court.

  2. As prefaced in the explanation of this list of senate bills, the title does not tell the whole story. S-11 about referrals of cases to Criminal Justice Centers sounds all fine and dandy until you read that they want an option to refer cases of sexual assault and domestic violence to the justice centers. In addition they want the justice center staff and volunteers to receive initial and annual training on dealing with these types of referred cases. Having some history with CJ Centers, we don’t normally deal with felony cases. These types of cases are more complex and require much more follow-up for an offender to satisfy repair to the victim and the community. When an offender does complete their agreement for repair of harm, the case is not brought up for prosecution. That means that the original offense is not on the offender’s record. Do we really want such offenses not appearing on a person’s record? Just food for thought here.
    Also with volunteers on a CJ panel, aren’t we requiring a lot of them to attend mandatory annual training after the initial training session? These are volunteers involved here, not paid staff members. Another food for thought.

  3. Come a long way from well armed militias. Ask Ukraine if well armed and trained militias are necessary.