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VermontS.592025-2026 SessionSenate

An act relating to amendments to Vermont’s Open Meeting Law

Sponsored By: Ruth E Hardy (Democratic)

Signed by Governor

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

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

Hybrid access to State meetings

Beginning June 9, 2025, State public bodies (not advisory bodies) must hold hybrid meetings. They must offer a physical location and an online platform, with phone-in access. The body must post how to join in the agenda or notice. They must record meetings and post the audio‑video file for at least 30 days after the minutes are approved and posted. These rules do not apply to site inspections or field visits.

Rulemaking hearings must be recorded

Beginning June 9, 2025, any public body must record public hearings held for comments on proposed rules. The public can get copies of these recordings as provided under Vermont’s public records law.

Stronger meeting notice and agendas

Beginning June 9, 2025, special meetings must be announced at least 24 hours ahead. Municipal special meeting notices must be posted in or near the clerk’s office and in two other public places. Agendas must be posted 48 hours before regular meetings and 24 hours before special meetings, and municipal agendas follow the same posting rule. Agendas must give enough detail. If an executive session is planned, the agenda must say “proposed executive session” and state the topic. Any agenda change must be the first act of business at the meeting.

Towns must record meetings online

Beginning June 9, 2025, municipal public bodies, except advisory bodies, must record meetings in audio or video. They must post the recording in an online location for at least 30 days after the minutes are approved and posted. This does not apply to site inspections or field visits.

New rules on disrupting meetings

Beginning June 9, 2025, it is an offense to disturb a lawful assembly or meeting, including meetings of public bodies, without lawful authority. The offense applies when a person intends to cause public inconvenience or annoyance, or acts recklessly and creates that risk. “Disturb” means conduct that seriously impairs the meeting, like making it end early or repeated, sustained disruption after being told to stop.

New undue hardship standard

Beginning June 9, 2025, “undue hardship” means compliance would cause significant difficulty or expense to a government unit. Officials must consider the entity’s size, staffing, budget and resources, and the costs of compliance. This standard guides State and local bodies when they assess what they must do.

Tighter executive session rules, new topics

Beginning June 9, 2025, public bodies must vote in public to enter or end an executive session. State bodies need two‑thirds of members present; local bodies need a majority. The motion must state the business, and the vote result must be in the minutes. No binding action may be taken in executive session, except to secure real estate options when the law allows. New private topics are allowed: security, cybersecurity, or emergency response plans that, if shared, could risk public safety; and, for State bodies acting as the lender, confidential interest‑rate information on publicly financed loans.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

  • Ruth E Hardy

    Democratic • Senate

Cosponsors

There are no cosponsors for this bill.

Roll Call Votes

No roll call votes available for this bill.

Actions Timeline

  1. Senate Message: Signed by Governor June 9, 2025

    6/13/2025House

  2. Signed by Governor on June 9, 2025

    6/11/2025Senate

  3. Delivered to Governor on June 3, 2025

    6/3/2025Senate

  4. Senate Message: House proposal of amendment concurred in

    5/28/2025House

  5. Rules suspended & messaged to House forthwith, on motion of Senator Baruth

    5/27/2025Senate

  6. As passed by Senate and House

    5/27/2025Senate

  7. House proposal of amendment concurred in

    5/27/2025Senate

  8. House proposal of amendment; text

    5/27/2025Senate

  9. New Business/House Proposal of Amendment

    5/27/2025Senate

  10. House proposal of amendment

    5/23/2025Senate

  11. Entered on Notice Calendar

    5/23/2025Senate

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

    5/22/2025Senate

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

    5/21/2025House

  14. Action Calendar: Third Reading

    5/21/2025House

  15. Third Reading ordered

    5/20/2025House

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

    5/20/2025House

  17. Rep. Waters Evans of Charlotte reported for the Committee on Government Operations and Military Affairs

    5/20/2025House

  18. Read second time

    5/20/2025House

  19. Action Calendar: Unfinished Business

    5/20/2025House

  20. Action Calendar: Favorable with Amendment

    5/19/2025House

  21. Notice Calendar: Favorable with Amendment

    5/16/2025House

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

    3/25/2025House

  23. Read 3rd time & passed

    3/20/2025Senate

  24. Pending third reading, bill amended as moved by Senator(s) Hart, Collamore, Vyhovsky, and White

    3/20/2025Senate

  25. New Business/Third Reading

    3/20/2025Senate

Bill Text

  • As Enacted (ACT 51)

    6/12/2025

    PDF

  • As Passed by Both Chambers

    5/30/2025

    PDF

  • As Passed by Both Chambers (Unofficial)

    5/30/2025

    PDF

  • House Proposal of Amendment

    5/23/2025

    PDF

  • House Proposal of Amendment (Unofficial)

    5/23/2025

    PDF

  • As Passed by the Senate

    3/21/2025

    PDF

  • As Passed by the Senate (Unofficial)

    3/21/2025

    PDF

  • As Introduced

    2/10/2025

    PDF

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