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VermontH.9172025-2026 SessionHouseWALLET

An act relating to military affairs

Sponsored By: Sponsor information unavailable

Signed by Governor

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

8 provisions identified: 7 benefits, 0 costs, 1 mixed.

More tuition help for Guard students

Beginning July 1, 2026, scholarship money for eligible veterans and Vermont National Guard students goes through VSAC. The Adjutant and Inspector General or Veterans’ Affairs sends funds to VSAC once you enroll. VSAC verifies your enrollment and pays your school directly. VSAC, with the Adjutant and Inspector General, sets clear rules for the Guard Tuition Benefit Program, including eligibility, applications, proration for short terms, data sharing, and what counts as good cause.

Pay guaranteed for Guard duty

Beginning July 1, 2026, the state provides pay for officers and enlisted Vermont National Guard members for authorized duty. The Adjutant and Inspector General sets the rules to run this pay system.

Stronger state job preferences for veterans

Beginning July 1, 2026, the State must make a strong effort to recruit, interview, and hire veterans with honorable discharges and certain spouses. Qualifying veterans may apply to statewide promotional job postings. On open competitive exams, passing veterans and spouses get 5 extra points. Passing service‑connected disabled veterans, unremarried surviving spouses, and spouses of totally service‑connected disabled veterans get 10 extra points.

Clear appeal rules for Guard discipline

Beginning July 1, 2026, you can appeal nonjudicial discipline to the next higher authority within 15 days. If a general officer started the action, the Adjutant and Inspector General makes the final decision. When a general officer offers nonjudicial discipline and you choose it, a three‑member panel appointed by the Adjutant and Inspector General decides the case. The Adjutant and Inspector General or a general officer may impose nonjudicial discipline and may delegate that power to a principal assistant who is a Guard member. Only the Governor can order a general court‑martial. You must file a court‑martial appeal within 30 days of a guilty finding; then you have 60 days to appeal the Adjutant and Inspector General’s written decision to the Governor. Military court costs are paid from the State General Fund under rules approved by the Governor.

Free parking meters for disabled veterans

Beginning July 1, 2026, vehicles with disabled veteran plates from any state may park at meters without paying. Cities and towns can still manage parking rules, but meter fees do not apply. The law does not set time limits.

More Guard transparency and war records

Beginning July 1, 2026, the Adjutant and Inspector General reports each year by January 15 on sexual assault and harassment complaints in the Guard. The state keeps wartime records and rosters in the Adjutant and Inspector General’s office or the State Archives for public access and preservation.

New Guard leadership and rulemaking powers

Beginning July 1, 2026, the Adjutant and Inspector General can make National Guard rules with the Governor’s approval, and those rules have the force of law. The Adjutant and Inspector General may appoint a Level III‑certified provost marshal (O‑4 or below) and an assistant (E‑8 or below). The Adjutant and Inspector General must maintain weapons, equipment, and Guard buildings and grounds. The Board of Armory Commissioners is set by law, with the Governor as Chair and the Adjutant and Inspector General as Secretary. If the Governor and Lieutenant Governor are absent, the Adjutant and Inspector General may call out the Guard for riots, invasions, disasters, emergencies, and for training.

Veterans' Fund grants and aid rules

Beginning July 1, 2026, the Vermont Veterans' Fund makes grants under a nine‑member committee’s recommendations and Military Department oversight. Aid to Veterans in Need is supervised by Veterans’ Affairs at the direction of the Adjutant and Inspector General, using AIG‑approved criteria. The Office reports yearly, and the Adjutant and Inspector General reviews spending each fiscal year. Aid goes only when other State, federal, or private help would not serve the need better. Any Veterans' Fund spending on veteran education or program support needs advance approval from the Adjutant and Inspector General.

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

  1. House message: Governor approved bill on April 27, 2026

    4/29/2026Senate

  2. Signed by Governor on April 27, 2026

    4/28/2026House

  3. Delivered to the Governor on April 21, 2026

    4/21/2026House

  4. Senate Message: Passed in concurrence

    4/17/2026House

  5. Read 3rd time & passed in concurrence

    4/16/2026Senate

  6. New Business/Third Reading

    4/16/2026Senate

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

    4/15/2026Senate

  8. Favorable report by Committee on Government Operations

    4/15/2026Senate

  9. Second Reading

    4/15/2026Senate

  10. Favorable report by Committee on Government Operations

    4/14/2026Senate

  11. Second Reading

    4/14/2026Senate

  12. Entered on Notice Calendar

    4/14/2026Senate

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

    3/24/2026Senate

  14. Read third time and passed

    3/19/2026House

  15. Action Calendar: Third Reading

    3/19/2026House

  16. Third Reading ordered

    3/18/2026House

  17. Rep. Stone of Burlington, Birong of Vergennes, Boyden of Cambridge, Coffin of Cavendish, Hango of Berkshire, Morgan, M. of Milton, Nugent of South Burlington, Pinsonault of Dorset, and Waters Evans of Charlotte moved to amend the bill, which was agreed to

    3/18/2026House

  18. Rep. Page of Newport City recommended for the Committee on Ways and Means

    3/18/2026House

  19. Rep. Stone of Burlington spoke for the Committee on Government Operations and Military Affairs

    3/18/2026House

  20. Read second time

    3/18/2026House

  21. Action Calendar: Action postponed until March 18, 2026

    3/18/2026House

  22. Rep. Waters Evans of Charlotte moved to postpone action until March 18, 2026, which was agreed to

    3/17/2026House

  23. Action Calendar: Favorable

    3/17/2026House

  24. Notice Calendar: Favorable

    3/13/2026House

  25. Committee bill read first time and referred to Committee on Ways and Means per Rule 35(a)

    2/26/2026House

Bill Text

  • As Enacted (ACT 88)

    5/8/2026

    PDF

  • As Passed by Both Chambers

    4/20/2026

    PDF

  • As Passed by Both Chambers (Unofficial)

    4/20/2026

    PDF

  • As Passed by the House

    3/23/2026

    PDF

  • As Passed by the House (Unofficial)

    3/23/2026

    PDF

  • As Introduced

    2/26/2026

    PDF

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