Vetoed by Governor Phil Scott

Vote Smart's Synopsis:

Vote to pass a bill that increases compensation and benefits for members of the Vermont General Assembly.

Highlights:

• Increases and amends compensation and benefits for members of the Vermont General Assembly, including, but not limited to (Sec. 1-7):

• Making members eligible for the State employees’ health benefit plan at no cost and allow them to participate in any flexible spending account program offered to State employees for health care expenses or dependent care expenses;

• Providing compensation to members of the General Assembly during adjournment and allow members of the General Assembly to choose whether to receive their payments for meals and lodging expenses as an allowance;

• Allowing a legislator to be reimbursed for child care, dependent care, and elder care expenses that are necessary to facilitate the member’s service in the General Assembly;

• Expanding the legislative leave of absence law to allow members to take a leave of absence from any job, not only a full-time job, in order to serve in the General Assembly; and

• Creating the Legislative Service Working Group to consider and make recommendations on issues involving legislative compensation and benefits, staffing, administrative support, and the length of the legislative session.

• Specifies that the provisions of this bill shall take effect beginning January 1, 2025 (Sec. 8).

Full Bill Text

Vote Smart's Synopsis:

Vote to pass a bill that increases compensation and benefits for members of the Vermont General Assembly.

Highlights:

• Increases and amends compensation and benefits for members of the Vermont General Assembly, including, but not limited to (Sec. 1-7):

• Making members eligible for the State employees’ health benefit plan at no cost and allow them to participate in any flexible spending account program offered to State employees for health care expenses or dependent care expenses;

• Providing compensation to members of the General Assembly during adjournment and allow members of the General Assembly to choose whether to receive their payments for meals and lodging expenses as an allowance;

• Allowing a legislator to be reimbursed for child care, dependent care, and elder care expenses that are necessary to facilitate the member’s service in the General Assembly;

• Expanding the legislative leave of absence law to allow members to take a leave of absence from any job, not only a full-time job, in order to serve in the General Assembly; and

• Creating the Legislative Service Working Group to consider and make recommendations on issues involving legislative compensation and benefits, staffing, administrative support, and the length of the legislative session.

• Specifies that the provisions of this bill shall take effect beginning January 1, 2025 (Sec. 8).

Full Bill Text