The following are bills recently introduced that might be of interest to Vermont employers. Text and other information about a bill’s status are available by clicking on the linked bill number. Note that official statements of purpose might not fully reflect the purpose or effect of the bill. If “SHORT FORM” is noted, the text of the bill is still pending. If you have any questions about the bills listed below, please contact us at info@aivt.org. If you are interested in other legislation introduced during this Legislature or during past sessions, you can click here.
House Bills
Subject: Taxation; income tax; capital gains Statement of purpose of bill as introduced: This bill proposes to exclude a percentage of capital gains from Vermont’s income tax if those gains are reinvested in a Vermont company.
Introduced by Representatives Scheuermann of Stowe, Strong of Albany, and Toof of St. Albans Town
Subject: Taxation; corporate income tax; apportionment; combined reporting; water’s edge; overseas business organizations; Finnigan method; throwback rule
Statement of purpose of bill as introduced: This bill proposes to amend the apportionment of a taxable corporation’s Vermont net income by increasing the sales factor over a three-year period. In 2023, the sales factor will become the only factor for apportionment (also known as single sales factor). Additionally, in 2023, the throwback rule for sales of tangible personal property will be repealed. In regard to applying state taxing jurisdiction to unitary, combined reporting groups, this bill changes Vermont’s approach from the Joyce entity-by-entity method to the Finnigan single-taxpayer method. This bill also repeals the definition of overseas business organizations and requires the income and apportionment factors of all taxable corporations that are part of a unitary group and that are incorporated in the United States to be reported on a combined return.
Introduced by Representatives Beck of St. Johnsbury, Mattos of Milton, and Ode of Burlington
Subject: Labor; employment practices; agreements not to compete
Statement of purpose of bill as introduced: This bill proposes to restrict agreements that prohibit individuals from competing with their former 8 employers following the conclusion of their employment.
Introduced by Representative Kornheiser of Brattleboro
Subject: Conservation and development; beverage container redemption; deposit amount; handling fee
Statement of purpose of bill as introduced: This bill proposes to expand the beverage container deposit-redemption system to include water bottles, wine bottles, and containers for all noncarbonated and carbonated drinks, except for milk, rice milk, soy milk, almond milk, hemp seed milk, and dairy products. The bill also would increase the deposit on all beverage containers, except those containing liquor, from five cents to ten cents. The bill would require a deposit for all containers containing liquor and would increase the handling fee for non-commingled containers from four cents to five cents per container.
Introduced by Representative McCullough of Williston
Senate Bills
Subject: Commerce and trade; agriculture
Statement of purpose of bill as introduced: This bill proposes to promote choice and competition by requiring manufacturers of electronics-enabled equipment used in agriculture, animal husbandry, and ranching to make available to farmers, ranchers, and independent repair providers, on fair and reasonable terms, the documentation, parts, and tools used to diagnose, maintain, and repair such equipment.
Introduced by Senators Pearson, Perchlik, Pollina and Sirotkin
Subject: Labor; employment practices; paid family leave
Statement of purpose of bill as introduced: This bill proposes to create a Paid Family and Medical Leave Insurance Program within the Department of Labor that may be administered by a private insurance provider. The Program will provide eligible employees with paid parental and family leave and the option to obtain paid medical leave coverage for their own illness. This bill also proposes to amend Vermont’s existing Parental and Family Leave Act to make it applicable to additional employers and to clarify certain provisions.
Introduced by Senators Sirotkin, Clarkson, Hardy and Ram
Subject: Commerce and trade; economic development
Statement of purpose of bill as introduced: This bill proposes to create a New Vermont Employee Incentive Program.
Introduced by Senators Sirotkin, Balint, Clarkson, Hooker and Lyons