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VermontH.5042025-2026 SessionHouseWALLET

An act relating to approval of amendments to the charter of the City of Rutland

Sponsored By: Mary E. E Howard (Democratic)

Signed by Governor

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

4 provisions identified: 0 benefits, 1 costs, 3 mixed.

Higher equipment tax limits in Rutland

Beginning June 5, 2025, Rutland’s annual fire equipment tax cap rises from $0.0175 to $0.0225 per dollar of the City grand list. A separate police equipment tax allows up to $0.018 per dollar. Previously, police equipment shared a $0.012 cap with public works and recreation equipment. The charter also lists caps of $0.85 for general City purposes, $0.06 for employee pensions, and $0.012 for public works, police, and recreation equipment. These rates are per dollar of the City grand list, not per dollar of a home's market value. School support taxes are outside the general City cap. Voters can approve higher amounts at a meeting announced for that purpose. The law sets tax limits, not the amounts actually charged.

Rutland Authority gets new board rules

Beginning June 5, 2025, Rutland’s Authority Board has nine members: the City Treasurer, one aldermanic appointee, and seven mayoral appointees. The Board of Aldermen must approve the mayor’s choices. Six mayoral appointees must live in the City throughout their terms. The seventh must own City property and live in Rutland County. The aldermanic appointee serves one year; mayoral appointees normally serve three years. Initial mayoral terms are staggered: three end in year three, two in year two, and two in year one. The board elects a Chair, Treasurer, and Clerk each year. Commissioners and Authority employees must disclose ownership interests in project property and stay out of related decisions. They can still take part in unrelated matters.

State limits govern Rutland rule penalties

Beginning June 5, 2025, Rutland’s Board of Aldermen can set penalties for violations of city ordinances, regulations, and bylaws. No penalty can exceed the maximum allowed under Vermont law, 24 V.S.A. § 1974. This replaces the former limit of one year in jail, a $500 fine, or both per violation. The act does not specify which penalties the City sets.

Rutland purchasing policy sets bidding threshold

Beginning June 5, 2025, covered City purchases require written requests to Rutland’s Purchasing Agent. Purchases under charter section 17.1 must be awarded through bids when they exceed the City’s Purchasing Policy threshold. This replaces the fixed $3,000 threshold. The law does not state the policy’s dollar threshold.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

  • Mary E. E Howard

    Democratic • House

Cosponsors

  • Chris Keyser

    Republican • House

  • Christopher Howland

    Republican • House

  • Eric Maguire

    Republican • House

Roll Call Votes

No roll call votes available for this bill.

Actions Timeline

  1. House message: Governor approved bill on June 5, 2025

    6/9/2025House

  2. Signed by Governor on June 5, 2025

    6/5/2025House

  3. Delivered to Governor on May 30, 2025

    5/30/2025House

  4. Senate Message: Passed in concurrence

    5/23/2025Senate

  5. Read 3rd time & passed in concurrence

    5/21/2025Senate

  6. New Business/Third Reading

    5/21/2025Senate

  7. Reported favorably by Senator Collamore for Committee on Government Operations, read 2nd time and 3rd reading ordered

    5/20/2025Senate

  8. Favorable report by Committee on Government Operations

    5/20/2025Senate

  9. New Business/Second Reading

    5/20/2025Senate

  10. Favorable report by Committee on Government Operations

    5/16/2025Senate

  11. Second Reading

    5/16/2025Senate

  12. Entered on Notice Calendar

    5/16/2025Senate

  13. Referred to Committee on Government Operations per Temporary Senate Rule 44A

    5/9/2025Senate

  14. Read third time and passed

    5/7/2025House

  15. Action Calendar: Third Reading

    5/7/2025House

  16. Third Reading ordered

    5/6/2025House

  17. Report of Committee on Ways and Means agreed to

    5/6/2025House

  18. Rep. Higley of Lowell recommended for the Committee on Ways and Means

    5/6/2025House

  19. Rep. Pinsonault of Dorset reported for the Committee on Government Operations and Military Affairs

    5/6/2025House

  20. Read second time

    5/6/2025House

  21. Action Calendar: Favorable with Amendment

    5/6/2025House

  22. Notice Calendar: Favorable with Amendment

    5/2/2025House

  23. Referred to Committee on Ways and Means per Rule 35(a)

    4/29/2025House

  24. Notice Calendar: Favorable

    4/29/2025House

  25. Read first time and referred to the Committee on Government Operations and Military Affairs

    4/11/2025House

Bill Text

  • As Enacted (ACT M005)Opens in a new window

    6/11/2025

    PDF

  • As Passed by Both Chambers

    5/30/2025

    PDF

  • As Passed by Both Chambers (Unofficial)

    5/30/2025

    PDF

  • As Passed by the House

    5/13/2025

    PDF

  • As Passed by the House (Unofficial)

    5/13/2025

    PDF

  • As Introduced

    4/10/2025

    PDF

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