May 17, 2024 •
Vermont Legislature Adjourns Sine Die
The Vermont General Assembly adjourned sine die on Saturday, May 10. During the session, lawmakers passed House Bill 875, which overhauls the Vermont ethics laws. The bill grants the Ethics Commission the power to perform investigations and hearings. Additionally, the […]
The Vermont General Assembly adjourned sine die on Saturday, May 10.
During the session, lawmakers passed House Bill 875, which overhauls the Vermont ethics laws.
The bill grants the Ethics Commission the power to perform investigations and hearings.
Additionally, the bill creates a uniform Municipal Code of Ethics and repeals redundant municipal ethics laws.
If approved by the governor, sections of the bill will take effect on passage; January 1, 2025; or January 1, 2026.
January 9, 2024 •
Vermont Financial Disclosure Requirements Updated
Immediately following transparency complaints in early 2023, the state Senate moved to make financial disclosures of members available online. Now, the Senate has gone further and voted to mandate public disclosure of additional information about personal finances and potential conflicts […]
Immediately following transparency complaints in early 2023, the state Senate moved to make financial disclosures of members available online.
Now, the Senate has gone further and voted to mandate public disclosure of additional information about personal finances and potential conflicts of interest.
Senators, along with their spouses and domestic partners, will now be required to file a more comprehensive form similar to those required of candidates for state office.
The form asks about employment; investment or other income greater than $5,000; board service; greater than 10% ownership of a company; leases or contracts with the state; and lobbying activities.
June 23, 2023 •
Vermont Veto Session Adjourns
Vermont legislature held a veto session on Tuesday, June 20. During the day-long session, lawmakers successfully overrode five gubernatorial vetoes. The bills now passed include House Bill 217, which institutes a new payroll tax to raise revenue for child care, […]
Vermont legislature held a veto session on Tuesday, June 20.
During the day-long session, lawmakers successfully overrode five gubernatorial vetoes.
The bills now passed include House Bill 217, which institutes a new payroll tax to raise revenue for child care, and House Bill 305 relating to the Secretary of State’s Office of Professional Regulation.
Notably, lawmakers also overrode the Governor’s veto on the 2024 state budget thanks to a 105-42 vote in the House and a 25-5 vote in the Senate.
The three bills that were vetoed but did not come up for a vote during the override session are eligible to be overridden when the legislature reconvenes in January 2024.
May 17, 2023 •
Vermont Legislature Adjourns Sine Die
The Vermont Legislature adjourned on Friday, May 12 after passing bills including an $8.4 billion state budget, expanded child care, and housing issues. Gov. Scott is expected to veto the budget, which will cause legislators to return to the statehouse […]
The Vermont Legislature adjourned on Friday, May 12 after passing bills including an $8.4 billion state budget, expanded child care, and housing issues. Gov. Scott is expected to veto the budget, which will cause legislators to return to the statehouse and find a compromise. The Legislature is scheduled to return from June 20 to June 22 for a veto session.
February 21, 2023 •
Vermont Raises Contribution Limits
The Vermont state’s Elections Division increased contribution limits. Under the revised limits, contributions of up to $1,120 per election cycle may be made to state representative candidates, and contributions of up to $1,680 per election cycle may be made to […]
The Vermont state’s Elections Division increased contribution limits.
Under the revised limits, contributions of up to $1,120 per election cycle may be made to state representative candidates, and contributions of up to $1,680 per election cycle may be made to state senate candidates.
Individuals and PACs may contribute up to $4,480 to statewide candidates and PACs per election cycle.
The adjusted limits represent a 6.4% increase for the entire 2024 election cycle.
May 13, 2022 •
Vermont Legislature Adjourns Sine Die
The Vermont General Assembly adjourned sine die on Thursday, May 12. Lawmakers passed Vermont’s first statewide ethics code with new gift limits and a revolving door provision applicable to legislative employees. Bills related to campaign finance were introduced, but not […]
The Vermont General Assembly adjourned sine die on Thursday, May 12.
Lawmakers passed Vermont’s first statewide ethics code with new gift limits and a revolving door provision applicable to legislative employees.
Bills related to campaign finance were introduced, but not passed.
This does not affect lobbyist reporting.
May 4, 2022 •
Vermont Governor Signs Ethics Code
Vermont Gov. Phil Scott signed Senate Bill 171 establishing a statewide ethics code. The bill prohibits public officials and employees from accepting or soliciting gifts not expressly permitted by the code. Permitted gifts include food and beverage where the cost […]
Vermont Gov. Phil Scott signed Senate Bill 171 establishing a statewide ethics code.
The bill prohibits public officials and employees from accepting or soliciting gifts not expressly permitted by the code.
Permitted gifts include food and beverage where the cost does not exceed $100 and unsolicited de minimis gifts with a value of $50 or less.
The bill also prohibits former legislative employees from being paid to appear before the General Assembly or its committees for one year following the termination of their service.
The bill will take effect on July 1.
April 27, 2022 •
Vermont Legislature Passes Ethics Code
The Vermont Legislature passed Senate Bill 171 and delivered it to Gov. Phil Scott today. The bill establishes a statewide ethics code covering all individuals elected or appointed to serve as public officers as well as all state employees. The […]
The Vermont Legislature passed Senate Bill 171 and delivered it to Gov. Phil Scott today.
The bill establishes a statewide ethics code covering all individuals elected or appointed to serve as public officers as well as all state employees.
The ethics code includes conflict of interest, gift, and revolving door provisions.
If signed by Scott, the ethics code will go into effect on July 1.
November 23, 2021 •
Vermont Legislature Adjourns Special Session
The Legislature met in a one-day special session on November 22 to approve a bill allowing municipalities to impose their own mask mandates. Legislative leadership agreed to the special session after Gov. Scott made it clear he would not impose […]
The Legislature met in a one-day special session on November 22 to approve a bill allowing municipalities to impose their own mask mandates.
Legislative leadership agreed to the special session after Gov. Scott made it clear he would not impose statewide masking requirements.
This session marked the Legislature’s first return to the Statehouse since the pandemic began.
November 17, 2021 •
Vermont Legislature to Meet in Special Session
Gov. Phil Scott will reconvene the Vermont Legislature for a special session on November 22 to address mask mandates. The special session will aim to pass legislation allowing municipalities to implement their own time-limited mask mandates. It is not yet […]
Gov. Phil Scott will reconvene the Vermont Legislature for a special session on November 22 to address mask mandates.
The special session will aim to pass legislation allowing municipalities to implement their own time-limited mask mandates.
It is not yet clear when the session will end. This does not affect lobbyist reporting.
November 5, 2021 •
Vermont Lobby Systems Administrator Passed Away
Elizabeth “Liz” Harrington, the Lobby Systems Administrator for the Vermont Secretary of State’s Office, passed away on October 28. A funeral mass will be held at Saint Augustine’s Church in Montpelier on November 13 at 11:00 a.m. and professional colleagues […]
Elizabeth “Liz” Harrington, the Lobby Systems Administrator for the Vermont Secretary of State’s Office, passed away on October 28.
A funeral mass will be held at Saint Augustine’s Church in Montpelier on November 13 at 11:00 a.m. and professional colleagues can send condolences to Liz’s family courtesy of the Secretary of State’s Office at the following address:
Vermont SOS-Elections, Attn: Family of Liz Harrington, 128 State Street, Montpelier, VT 05633.
May 24, 2021 •
Vermont Legislature Adjourns Sine Die
The Vermont General Assembly adjourned sine die on May 21. Due to COVID-19 restrictions, the 2021 legislative session was conducted remotely. During the session, lawmakers failed to pass proposed ethics bills including House Bill 64 prohibiting gifts to legislators from […]
The Vermont General Assembly adjourned sine die on May 21.
Due to COVID-19 restrictions, the 2021 legislative session was conducted remotely.
During the session, lawmakers failed to pass proposed ethics bills including House Bill 64 prohibiting gifts to legislators from lobbying entities.
Lawmakers are expecting to lift all COVID-19 restrictions by the summer and resume an in-person legislative session for 2022.
January 6, 2021 •
Vermont Legislature to Convene in Largely Remote Session
Both the Vermont House and Senate are scheduled to begin their 2021 sessions Wednesday, January 6. Due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, a majority of lawmakers will be attending remotely to swear in new members of both chambers and to […]
Both the Vermont House and Senate are scheduled to begin their 2021 sessions Wednesday, January 6.
Due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, a majority of lawmakers will be attending remotely to swear in new members of both chambers and to elect the speaker of the House and the president pro tem of the Senate.
Gov. Phil Scott will remotely give his inaugural address on Thursday, January 7.
November 4, 2020 •
Vermont Governor Phil Scott Wins Reelection
Incumbent Gov. Phil Scott won reelection for a third term as Governor of Vermont and defeated a challenge from current Lieutenant Governor David Zuckerman. Gov. Scott has one of the highest governor approval ratings in the country and won the […]
Incumbent Gov. Phil Scott won reelection for a third term as Governor of Vermont and defeated a challenge from current Lieutenant Governor David Zuckerman.
Gov. Scott has one of the highest governor approval ratings in the country and won the reelection by receiving nearly 69% of the vote.
State and Federal Communications, Inc. provides research and consulting services for government relations professionals on lobbying laws, procurement lobbying laws, political contribution laws in the United States and Canada. Learn more by visiting stateandfed.com.