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VermontH.12025-2026 SessionHouse

An act relating to accepting and referring complaints by the State Ethics Commission

Sponsored By: Martin J LaLonde (Democratic)

Became Law

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

3 provisions identified: 0 benefits, 0 costs, 3 mixed.

Ethics files private now, some public later

Starting September 1, 2025, complaint files held by the State Ethics Commission are confidential and not open to the public, except as 3 V.S.A. § 1231 allows. Starting September 1, 2027, records that support a warning, reprimand, recommendation, or a signed resolution summary can be public. This includes certain written consultations and investigation reports the Commission says support those outcomes.

New rules for ethics and campaign complaints

Starting September 1, 2025, the Ethics Commission’s Director accepts complaints from anyone about state ethics or campaign finance. The Director does a preliminary review and sends each complaint to the right entity; if it alleges a municipal code violation, it goes to the town’s ethics liaison. Referrals note any likely unethical conduct. Complaints not sent under these rules are closed. Agencies that get a referral must write to the Commission within 60 days, before deciding, with a recommended action. The Commission’s advice is confidential and not binding.

When these ethics changes start

This act became law on June 6, 2025. The new complaint intake and referral rules start September 1, 2025. The updated public records rules start September 1, 2027. Where they conflict, these sections replace parts of the 2024 Ethics Act (No. 171).

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

  • Martin J LaLonde

    Democratic • House

Cosponsors

  • Brian J Cina

    Democrat/Progressive • House

  • Carol Ode

    Democratic • House

  • Laura H Sibilia

    Independent • House

Roll Call Votes

No roll call votes available for this bill.

Actions Timeline

  1. House message: Governor allowed to become law without signature on June 5, 2025

    6/9/2025Senate

  2. Allowed to become law without the signature of the Governor on June 5, 2025

    6/5/2025House

  3. Delivered to the Governor on May 30, 2025

    5/30/2025House

  4. House message: House concurred in Senate proposal of amendment

    5/23/2025Senate

  5. Senate proposal of amendment concurred in

    5/22/2025House

  6. Action Calendar: Senate Proposal of Amendment

    5/22/2025House

  7. Action Calendar: Senate Proposal of Amendment

    5/21/2025House

  8. Senate Message: Passed in concurrence with proposal of amendment

    5/20/2025House

  9. Read 3rd time & passed in concurrence with proposal of amendment

    5/16/2025Senate

  10. New Business/Third Reading

    5/16/2025Senate

  11. 3rd reading ordered

    5/15/2025Senate

  12. Proposal of amendment by Committee on Government Operations agreed to

    5/15/2025Senate

  13. Read 2nd time, reported favorably with proposal of amendment by Senator Collamore for Committee on Government Operations

    5/15/2025Senate

  14. Favorable report with proposal of amendment by Committee on Government Operations

    5/15/2025Senate

  15. Unfinished Business/Second Reading

    5/15/2025Senate

  16. Favorable report with proposal of amendment by Committee on Government Operations

    5/14/2025Senate

  17. New Business/Second Reading

    5/14/2025Senate

  18. Favorable report with proposal of amendment by Committee on Government Operations

    5/13/2025Senate

  19. Second Reading

    5/13/2025Senate

  20. Entered on Notice Calendar

    5/13/2025Senate

  21. Read 1st time & referred to Committee on Government Operations

    3/19/2025Senate

  22. Read third time and passed

    3/14/2025House

  23. Action Calendar: Third Reading

    3/14/2025House

  24. Third Reading ordered

    3/13/2025House

  25. Report of Committee on Government Operations and Military Affairs agreed to

    3/13/2025House

Bill Text

  • As Enacted (ACT 44)

    6/11/2025

    PDF

  • As Passed by Both Chambers

    5/30/2025

    PDF

  • As Passed by Both Chambers (Unofficial)

    5/30/2025

    PDF

  • Senate Proposal of Amendment

    5/22/2025

    PDF

  • Senate Proposal of Amendment (Unofficial)

    5/22/2025

    PDF

  • As Passed by the House

    3/18/2025

    PDF

  • As Passed by the House (Unofficial)

    3/18/2025

    PDF

  • As Introduced

    12/30/2024

    PDF

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