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VermontS.2552025-2026 SessionSenateWALLET

An act relating to establishing a pilot Law Enforcement Governance Council in Windham County

Sponsored By: Wendy K Harrison (Democratic)

Signed by Governor

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

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

Windham towns gain shared policing council

The law creates a pilot policing council after at least five eligible Windham County municipalities vote to join. Joining requires a majority vote of each municipality’s legislative body. Operations begin July 1, 2026, or when the fifth municipality votes to join, whichever is later. Each member municipality has one selectboard representative and one vote. The council elects officers annually, meets at least quarterly, and follows open meeting rules. The Sheriff’s Department provides policing and related services, including dispatch and animal control, as determined by the council. Annual service agreements must set service levels, performance standards, reporting rules, and how resources are shared. Services must be coordinated with state and local police and emergency services. Existing Sheriff and State Police duties, municipal agencies, and mutual aid agreements remain unchanged. A municipality can leave by majority vote of its legislative body, effective at the end of the next fiscal year. Starting in 2027, January 31 reports must cover finances, services, participation, satisfaction, challenges, and improvements. Reports go to designated legislative committees, Windham County legislators, and member municipalities. Reviews due September 30, 2030, and December 31, 2033, must assess costs, service quality, governance, and whether to continue, change, or expand the model. The council develops these reviews with the Sheriff and county Assistant Judges, including whether the model should be used statewide.

Member towns pay population-based policing tax

The county treasurer collects a special county tax assessment to fund the council’s approved budget. Only member municipalities pay, with shares based on population; the law sets no total cost or household payment. Collections begin July 1, 2026, or when the fifth municipality votes to join, whichever is later. Nonmember municipalities are not charged for council services and continue receiving State Police services. The council approves the next fiscal year’s budget and submits it to the county Assistant Judges by December 1. The Assistant Judges include it in the county budget and can set different tax rates for members and nonmembers. Council money must stay in separate accounts and be used only for approved council purposes. An independent certified public accountant must audit it annually. The treasurer and council must provide quarterly financial reports to member municipalities and the Assistant Judges.

Windham policing pilot ends by 2034

The council ends June 30, 2034, or immediately if only one member municipality remains. Council operations stop, and service agreements end according to their terms. Remaining money returns by population share to current and former member municipalities that belonged during that fiscal year.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

  • Wendy K Harrison

    Democratic • Senate

Cosponsors

  • Nader A Hashim

    Democratic • Senate

Roll Call Votes

No roll call votes available for this bill.

Actions Timeline

  1. Senate Message: Signed by Governor May 19, 2026

    5/20/2026Senate

  2. Signed by Governor on May 19, 2026

    5/20/2026Senate

  3. Delivered to Governor on May 13, 2026

    5/13/2026Senate

  4. Senate Message: House proposal of amendment concurred in

    5/6/2026Senate

  5. As passed by Senate and House

    5/5/2026Senate

  6. House proposal of amendment concurred in

    5/5/2026Senate

  7. House proposal of amendment; text

    5/5/2026Senate

  8. Unfinished Business/House Proposal of Amendment

    5/5/2026Senate

  9. House proposal of amendment

    5/1/2026Senate

  10. House proposal of amendment

    4/30/2026Senate

  11. Entered on Notice Calendar

    4/30/2026Senate

  12. House message: House passed bill in concurrence with proposal(s) of amendment

    4/30/2026House

  13. Read third time and passed in concurrence with proposal of amendment

    4/28/2026House

  14. Action Calendar: Third Reading

    4/28/2026House

  15. Third Reading ordered

    4/24/2026House

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

    4/24/2026House

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

    4/24/2026House

  18. Rep. Morgan, M. of Milton reported for the Committee on Government Operations and Military Affairs

    4/24/2026House

  19. Read second time

    4/24/2026House

  20. Action Calendar: Favorable with Amendment

    4/24/2026House

  21. Notice Calendar: Favorable with Amendment

    4/23/2026House

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

    4/15/2026House

  23. Notice Calendar: Favorable with Amendment

    4/15/2026House

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

    3/11/2026House

  25. Read 3rd time & passed

    2/27/2026Senate

Bill Text

  • As Enacted (ACT 104)Opens in a new window

    5/28/2026

    PDF

  • As Passed by Both Chambers

    5/7/2026

    PDF

  • As Passed by Both Chambers (Unofficial)

    5/7/2026

    PDF

  • House Proposal of Amendment

    4/28/2026

    PDF

  • House Proposal of Amendment (Unofficial)

    4/28/2026

    PDF

  • As Passed by the Senate

    3/11/2026

    PDF

  • As Passed by the Senate (Unofficial)

    3/11/2026

    PDF

  • As Introduced

    1/14/2026

    PDF

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