An act relating to technical corrections for the 2025 legislative session
Sponsored By: Sponsor information unavailable
Signed by Governor
Your PRIA Score
Personalized for You
How does this bill affect your finances?
Sign up for a PRIA Policy Scan to see your personalized alignment score for this bill and every other piece of legislation we track. We analyze your financial profile against policy provisions to show you exactly what matters to your wallet.
Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
31 provisions identified: 16 benefits, 3 costs, 12 mixed.
Stricter rules and fines for heavy trucks
Starting May 13, 2025, overweight permits must list which highways you may use and any width or wheel rules. Towns may charge compensation for extra road wear from overweight trips and must spend it on local roads and bridges. Fines scale by each 1,000 pounds overweight, from $15 up to $150 per 1,000 lbs, with 5–15% higher penalties for repeat offenses within a year. The Transportation Secretary must weigh alternate‑route length, extra travel time, and harm to neighbors’ quiet enjoyment and property values. Truck brake rules also apply: certain 1980–1986 trucks that had brakes removed had to be retrofitted within one year of May 16, 1990, and vehicles made after July 1, 1992 need brakes on all wheels.
Keep retirement membership during military duty
If you are in the Vermont Employees’ Retirement System and enter approved military or naval service, your membership continues if you do not withdraw your contributions. That military time does not count as State service for benefits unless another law allows it.
28-day medication supply when leaving prison
Beginning May 13, 2025, if you took a prescribed medicine while incarcerated and it is still available and right for you at release, the Department of Corrections must give you at least a 28‑day supply when possible. The Department must also give you a valid prescription so you can keep taking the medicine after the supply runs out.
Social Security coverage for local employees
Political subdivisions that employ teachers must submit plans to the State to extend Social Security (Title II) coverage to their employees. Plans must follow State agency rules. The State can end a plan for serious noncompliance.
Medicaid reserve for unpaid claims
Beginning May 13, 2025, the State keeps a special reserve for Medicaid costs that are incurred but not yet reported. Each year, the reserve matches the amount shown in the State’s Annual Financial Report from two years earlier for these costs. This helps keep Medicaid payments stable under the Global Commitment waiver.
CDL fees and stricter endorsement checks
Starting May 13, 2025, a Vermont CDL costs $108 for four years or $72 for two years; a commercial learner’s permit is $18. If you surrender a valid Vermont Class D license, your CDL fee drops by one‑quarter of $108 per full year left (4‑year term) or one‑half of $72 per full year (2‑year term). To keep a hazmat endorsement, you must pass the hazmat test and a federal security threat check. If TSA serves an adverse decision, the hazmat endorsement is revoked or denied within 15 days. School bus endorsement applicants must know state and federal rules for safely crossing highway‑rail grade crossings.
Paid state internships with work commitment
The Vermont Internship Program creates paid positions to help fill State jobs. During the initial probation, interns are treated like classified State employees and paid at the minimum rate for similar jobs. Each intern must have an individual development plan approved by the Human Resources Commissioner. Agencies must try to place interns into a vacant State job after completion. If the State paid your tuition, fees, or other costs and you do not work for the State for a time equal to your program term, you must repay those costs unless the Commissioner waives it.
Penalty relief and unemployment rating transfer
The Treasurer can set rules to waive penalties if a covered employer did not know about a compliance failure and used reasonable care. If you acquire a business, you are the successor employer. The state moves the predecessor’s unemployment experience to you and sets your rate using the combined history.
Youth substance cases move to diversion
Diversion programs must accept cases from the Youth Substance Awareness Safety Program. Confidentiality starts when a notice of violation is issued and stays unless the person fails to register for or complete the program.
30-day notice for project scoping meetings
Applicants must give at least 30 days’ notice before a project scoping meeting. Notice must be mailed to the property owner (if different), the municipality, local and regional planning commissions, any affected State agency, and all adjoining landowners and residents. For boundary projects, the adjacent municipality and its planning commission must also be notified. The applicant must publish the notice and file an affidavit listing who was told.
Adoption leave covers kids up to 16
Parental leave is available during pregnancy, after birth, and within one year after the first placement of a child age 16 or younger for adoption.
Public-sector grievance and unit changes
The Labor Relations Board hears final grievance appeals from eligible employees, including unrepresented workers, and contracts with binding arbitration must acknowledge arbitration. Certain retired University of Vermont employees can appeal pay or benefits earned while working. Classified management employees found to be supervisors move into the supervisory bargaining unit without a new election.
Short-term family leave up to 24 hours
You can take up to 4 hours of short‑term family leave in any 30‑day period, and up to 24 hours in 12 months. The leave is unpaid. Employers may require at least two‑hour blocks. Use it for school activities, routine medical or dental visits for a child, to accompany a spouse, parent, or parent‑in‑law to routine care, or to respond to medical emergencies for those family members.
State councils: meetings and per diem
Starting May 13, 2025, the Advisory Council must meet at least four times each state fiscal year; subcommittee meetings do not count. Legislative members get pay and expenses as allowed by law, and members who are not State employees get expense reimbursement and a per diem. Starting May 13, 2025, compensation set by the Commissioner can be paid in installments or as a lump sum and can come from a revolving fund, a Department general fund, or another approved source.
More open meetings and state planning
Commission hearings are public meetings under the State open meetings law. The Agency of Transportation must answer in writing to concerns raised at Transportation Board hearings. State agencies must keep planning so their actions match the State Energy Plan and fit state land‑use goals and local and regional plans. The Health IT Plan guides certificate‑of‑need reviews for health IT and State IT purchase reviews. The police Code of Conduct now bans untruthfulness in investigations, tribunals, and official exams.
Tougher penalties to protect kids and roads
Eluding police that causes someone’s death carries 1 to 15 years in prison, a fine up to $10,000, or both. Using tobacco or cannabis in a vehicle with a child present brings penalties: a civil fine up to $100 with no points, and for a misdemeanor, fines up to $500 (first), $750 (second), and $1,000 (third or later).
Stronger ethics rules for retirement board
The Retirement Board must adopt administrative rules. With approval from the Board and Commission, the Treasurer adopts standards of conduct. Trustees and employees may not ask for or receive gifts from investment vendors. Safekeeping agreements must allow audits to protect the funds.
Treasurer sets rules for Baby Bonds
The Treasurer can adopt rules to run the Vermont Baby Bond Trust. Rules can cover how beneficiaries are tracked and how claims are made. This step helps implement the program.
More support for community service agencies
The Director can give financial help to designated community services agencies for planning, running programs, and helping people in poverty. The Director can adopt rules. Agency boards must have an executive committee of no more than seven members, and at least one‑third of members must represent poor residents.
Rental Housing Board advises and educates
The Rental Housing Advisory Board advises the Governor, the Legislature, and State agencies on rental housing laws and programs. The Board can recommend incentives to help landlords make repairs. It also shares information and educational materials with towns, landlords, tenants, and community partners.
When vehicles or boats get taken
If your vehicle is immobilized, you must pay all towing and impound costs before release. If you do not pay within 30 days after the order ends, the State may sell the vehicle at public auction. Sale money pays towing and impound costs first, then liens, and any leftover goes to you. The DMV can suspend or revoke a boat’s registration and take back its number and certificate if the boat was stolen and you lack title, is unseaworthy, is used without required equipment after notice, or you committed fraud.
Sick time accrual cap for some
Employers may limit earned sick time accrual to 40 hours per workweek for full‑time employees who are exempt from federal overtime rules (29 U.S.C. § 213(a)(1)).
E-bikes count as bicycles, no license
Motor‑assisted bicycles are treated as bicycles. No vehicle registration, inspection, or driver’s license is required. You may not ride a motor‑assisted bicycle on sidewalks. Towns can set local rules that do not conflict with state law.
Snowmobile education and safer riding rules
Beginning May 13, 2025, if you were born after July 1, 1983, you must carry a snowmobile education certificate to ride on land or water. You do not need it when riding on land your family owns, leases, or farms, or if you own the land. Courses must provide at least six hours, and you must show the certificate on demand (an electronic copy is allowed). You may not operate with 0.08% blood alcohol content or if alcohol or drugs make you unsafe. To cross a plowed highway, stop, yield, cross near 90 degrees at a clear spot, and be 16 or older (ages 12–15 only with direct adult supervision).
Health coverage rules for leased employees
If you are a leased employee, health benefits must come from a State‑authorized insurance policy or a single‑employer ERISA plan. This limits other plan setups and aims to keep coverage under regulated plans.
Licensing applications and appeal rights updated
A board or the Director can mark your application incomplete if a check bounces or a required attestation is missing. If they plan to deny a license for past misconduct or an open investigation, they must send written notice by certified mail with reasons. You have 30 days to ask for review and a hearing, and they must issue a written decision.
Unemployment week starts after registration
Your week of unemployment starts only after you register at an employment office. The Vermont Employment Security Board can set a different rule. This changes when your benefits start to count.
New reporting rules for leasing companies
Employee leasing companies must register with the Department of Labor. They must file each leasing agreement within 10 days of signing and give notice within 10 days when it ends. They must send payroll records for each client. By December 31 each year, they must file a client list with name, address, State employer account number, and FEIN.
Limits on new town center size
Beginning May 13, 2025, a town seeking a new town center district must submit a community investment agreement signed by town officials, local businesses or property owners, and community groups. Most districts cannot exceed 125 acres. Towns with more than 15,000 people can go up to 175 acres to redevelop mostly developed land.
New limits and rules for state operations
Governor‑approval rules apply only to approvals of acts or appointments by others, not to approving agency rules. Two more statutes are added to the governor‑delegation rules. Starting May 13, 2025, any non‑municipal entity that pays most operating costs with state appropriations must get approval from the State Treasurer and Governor before taking on more than $1,000,000 in debt in a fiscal year. The Fish and Wildlife Board and the Land Use Review Board keep their rulemaking and hearing powers. Agencies may use temporary volunteers with Human Resources approval, but not to replace paid jobs. The Lake Champlain Bridge Commission and the Tri‑State Regional Medical Needs Board are repealed.
Motor fuel definition clarified for law
“Gasoline or other motor fuel” includes aviation gasoline. It does not include kerosene, clear or undyed diesel, railroad fuel, aircraft jet fuel, or natural gas in any form. This sets which fuels are covered for related statutes.
Free Policy Watch
You just read the policy. Now see what it costs you.
Pick a topic. PRIA runs your household against live legislation and sends you a free personalized readout.
Pick a topic to get started
Sponsors & Cosponsors
Sponsors
There is no primary sponsor on record.
Cosponsors
There are no cosponsors for this bill.
Roll Call Votes
No roll call votes available for this bill.
Actions Timeline
House message: Governor approved bill on May 13, 2025
5/14/2025SenateSigned by Governor on May 13, 2025
5/13/2025HouseDelivered to the Governor on May 7, 2025
5/7/2025HouseHouse message: House concurred in Senate proposal of amendment
5/1/2025SenateSenate proposal of amendment concurred in
4/30/2025HouseAction Calendar: Action postponed until 4/30/2025
4/30/2025HouseRep. Hooper of Burlington moved to postpone action until 4/30/2025, which was agreed to
4/29/2025HouseAction Calendar: Unfinished Business
4/29/2025HouseAction Calendar: Senate Proposal of Amendment
4/28/2025HouseNotice Calendar: Senate Proposal of Amendment
4/25/2025HouseSenate Message: Passed in concurrence with proposal of amendment
4/24/2025HouseRead 3rd time & passed in concurrence with proposal of amendment
4/23/2025SenateNew Business/Third Reading
4/23/2025Senate3rd reading ordered
4/22/2025SenateProposal of amendment by Committee on Government Operations agreed to
4/22/2025SenateRead 2nd time, reported favorably with proposal of amendment by Senator Clarkson for Committee on Government Operations
4/22/2025SenateFavorable report with proposal of amendment by Committee on Government Operations
4/22/2025SenateUnfinished Business/Second Reading
4/22/2025SenateFavorable report with proposal of amendment by Committee on Government Operations
4/18/2025SenateUnfinished Business/Second Reading
4/18/2025SenateFavorable report with proposal of amendment by Committee on Government Operations
4/17/2025SenateNew Business/Second Reading
4/17/2025SenateFavorable report with proposal of amendment by Committee on Government Operations
4/16/2025SenateSecond Reading
4/16/2025SenateEntered on Notice Calendar
4/16/2025Senate
Bill Text
As Enacted (ACT 18)
5/21/2025
As Passed by Both Chambers
5/6/2025
As Passed by Both Chambers (Unofficial)
5/6/2025
Senate Proposal of Amendment
4/25/2025
Senate Proposal of Amendment (Unofficial)
4/25/2025
As Passed by the House
3/20/2025
As Passed by the House (Unofficial)
3/20/2025
As Introduced
3/11/2025
Related Bills
H.519 — An act relating to Vermont State Employees' Retirement System Group G membership
S.163 — An act relating to the role of advanced practice providers in hospital care
H.927 — An act relating to technical corrections for the 2026 legislative session
H.723 — An act relating to posting of land
H.626 — An act relating to sexual extortion, voyeurism, and disclosure of sexually explicit images without consent
H.917 — An act relating to military affairs
Take It Personal
Get Your Personalized Policy View
Take the PRIA Score to see how policy affects your household, then upgrade to PRIA Full Coverage for year-round monitoring.
Already have an account? Sign in