Vermont transparency legislation
Transparency legislation proposed in Vermont.
2011
Here is a list of transparency legislation for Vermont in 2011:
 | House Bill 102 | Current Status: (Referred to Commerce and Economic Development Committee) | 
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House Bill 102 was introduced to the House by Representative William Lippert, Jr. which would require the Deputy Director of the Department of Public Service to publish an monthly report containing average prices for petroleum products gathered by the Director from sellers. This report would be considered a public record. [1]
| House Bill 106 | Current Status: (Referred to Government Operations Committee) |
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House Bill 106 was introduced to the House by Representative William Lippert, Jr. which would make electronic recording devices used by law enforcement officers to record activities in the line of duty a media which could be requested using open records law. [2]
| House Bill 107 | Current Status: (Referred to Judiciary Committee) |
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House Bill 107 was introduced to the House by Representative William Lippert, Jr. which would video recordings of roadside stops recorded by dash cameras used by law enforcement officers a public record capable of being searched. The fee for a video recording would be no more than $4.00. [3]
| House Bill 111 | Current Status: (Referred to Government Operations Committee) |
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House Bill 111 was introduced to the House by Representative William Lippert, Jr. which would prohibit state agencies from preventing public record searches by entering into personal service contracts. The bill would also require that all information produced or acquired would be public record unless it was otherwise exempt. [4]
| House Bill 168 | Current Status: (Referred to Government Operations Committee) |
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House Bill 168 was introduced to the House by Representative Jeff Wilson which would allow agencies to post notice for meetings on a website or via electronic mail provided a copy is also posted in or near the municipal clerk of court's office. [5]
 | House Bill 232 | Current Status: (Referred to Government Operations Committee) |
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House Bill 232 was introduced to the House by Representative Margaret Andrews which would allow a public body to go into executive session to review applications or award funds to municipal programs for the poor or indignant. [6]
| House Bill 248 | Current Status: (Referred to Government Operations Committee) |
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House Bill 248 was introduced to the House by Representative Carolyn Partridge which would require public agencies to post notice of special and regular meetings on their website, if they have one, 24 hours before the meeting. [7]
| House Bill 454 | Current Status: (Referred to Rules Committee) | 
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House Bill 454 was introduced to the House which would modify the laws governing vital records. The majority of the bill creates regulations for the issuance of certified copies of vital records, but the bill also includes a number of statutes involving public records searches. [8]
| House Bill 73 | Current Status: (Signed into Law by Governor) | 
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House Bill 73 was introduced to the House by Representative Donna Sweaney which would modifies the time period for records requests, aims to include greater sections of the government under public records requests and creates a committee charged with increasing transparency. The original form of this bill required that courts award attorney and legal fees to a requester if an agency was found to be violating the law, this section was edited to once again say "may" leaving it at the courts discretion which has been historically in favor of public agencies. [9]
| Senate Bill 16 | Current Status: (Referred to Judiciary Committee) | 
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Senate Bill 16 was introduced to the Senate by Senator Richard Sears which would allow court diversions that would make court affidavits and information related to the charges confidential until the case is adjudicated. [10]
| Senate Bill 3 | Current Status: (Referred to Government Operations Committee) | 
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Senate Bill 3 was introduced to the Senate by Senator Richard Sears which would video recordings of roadside stops recorded by dash cameras used by law enforcement officers a public record capable of being searched. The fee for a video recording would be no more than $4.00. [11]
| Senate Bill 67 | Current Status: (Referred to Government Operations Committee) |
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Senate Bill 67 was introduced to the Senate by Senator Jeanette White which would modernize open meetings laws to allow electronic meetings, provide additional reasons for executive sessions, and allow for persons with disabilities to have equal access to meetings. The final section of the bill provides punishment for violators and requires courts to levy a fee for reasonable attorney and court costs against the violating agency. [12]
| Senate Bill 82 | Current Status: (Referred to Government Operations Committee) |
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Senate Bill 82 was introduced to the Senate by Senator Margaret Flory which would modify the laws governing vital records. The majority of the bill creates regulations for the issuance of certified copies of vital records, but the bill also includes a number of statutes involving public records searches. [13]
 | Senate Bill 87 | Current Status: (Referred to Government Operations Committee) |
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Senate Bill 87 was introduced to the Senate by Senator Margaret Flory which would make records of internal investigations of law enforcement officers confidential unless ordered to be released by a superior court. This would not apply to state police or peace officers. [14]
2010
Here is a list of transparency legislation for Vermont in 2010:
| House Bill 331 | Current Status: (Awaiting concurrence) | 
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An amendment to House Bill 331 was introduced by Senator Jeanette White to create a new exemption within the Vermont Public Records Law which would protect University donors who request anonymity. It would not only protect identities, but also "marital, familial, financial, tax, estate planning, or gift planning information". It, however, would not protect any donors who perform business with the organization within 3 years on either side of the donation. [1]
References
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State of Vermont Montpelier (capital) |
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| Transparency |
Public Records Law | Transparency Checklist | Government corruption reports | Transparency Legislation | Open Records procedures | Transparency Advocates | Transparency blogs | State budget | Taxpayer-funded lobbying associations | |
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State |
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| Government |
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| Judiciary |
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| Ballot Measures |
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