Labor & Employment Law: Vermont and Federal Legislative Update
Governor Phil Scott has vetoed the state’s proposed comprehensive privacy law. In rejecting the bill, he stated he was worried it created an “unnecessary and avoidable level of risk.” He had concerns in three areas....more
Just past midnight on May 11, 2024, the Vermont Legislature passed H.121, the Vermont Data Privacy Act (VDPA). If signed into law, the VDPA would become the most onerous state comprehensive privacy law in the country. Among...more
Closing out Week 16 of the 2023 Legislative Session - S.5, the Clean Heat Standard bill was approved by the House this past week. The bill sets up a marketplace for credits that would provide a system of carrots and...more
General Government - Governor proposes $7.7 billion budget – Governor Phil Scott unveiled his proposed $7.7 billion budget for FY2023 in a virtual budget address to the legislature last week. Scott’s proposal reflects the...more
Senate passes budget - On Friday, the Senate gave final approval to the $7.17 billion FY 2022 budget, H.439. Senate Appropriations Chair Jane Kitchel, D-Caledonia, called it “as complicated a budget as I’ve ever had to put...more
New stormwater requirements will cost property owners hundreds of millions of dollars - The House Committee on Corrections and Institutions received a primer this week on the history behind the 3-acre general permit,...more
Project based TIFs would expand rural redevelopment - The Senate Committee on Economic Development, Housing and General Affairs is considering S.33, a bill that would allow more towns to apply for project-based tax...more
Vermont's legislature adjusts to a new normal - The legislature convened remotely last week and seamlessly began its virtual session. While things are running smoothly technologically, lawmakers are operating under the...more
The Green Mountain state has taken a significant step toward legalizing recreational cannabis. On September 17, 2020, the Vermont House of Representatives adopted the Conference Committee report for S.B. 54, an act relating...more
Reopenings: Schools and the General Assembly Get Back to It. Legislative Session 2020 started out like most sequels, with a feeling of déjà vu. It was Groundhog Day with a touch of “I Am Legend” thrown in for atmosphere....more
When the legislature moved from the State House to the cloud eight weeks ago, it was anyone’s guess as to how that would work. The answer, it turns out, was about as well as one could expect. Small committees have functioned...more
Short-Term Rentals Continue to Gain Market Share - ("Booking Holdings breaks down private accommodation revenues for first time, now at 20% of total," Phocuswire, Feb 27, 2019) Alternative accommodations, including...more
This week, CMS proposes continued 90% funding for Medicaid eligibility and enrollment system development. Montana is on the verge of becoming the 29th state (plus D.C.) to expand Medicaid eligibility, and Florida Governor...more