Vermont State Ethics Commission

Vermont House Passes Ethics Law Change Despite State Ethics Commission Objection

The Vermont House passed a change to state ethics law on March 14, 2025, moving the measure forward in the legislative process. The Vermont State Ethics Commission publicly objected to the proposed change. The document links to external coverage on VTDigger for full details of the legislation and the Commission's stated objections.

H.1 Becomes Law Without Governor's Signature

Governor Philip B. Scott allowed Vermont H.1 to become law without his signature on June 9, 2025. The bill modifies how the State Ethics Commission accepts and refers complaints. The Governor expressed concern that the legislation weakens the Legislature's commitment to the statutory State Code of Ethics, though he chose not to veto it, stating it does not rise to that level. The Executive Branch will continue adhering to ethics standards under existing laws and the Governor's executive order.

Vermont State Ethics Commission Halts New Municipal Cases Due to Underfunding

The Vermont State Ethics Commission announced on September 17, 2025, that it will not accept new municipal ethics cases due to insufficient funding. The commission will continue limited operations but advises affected parties to contact the office directly for case status. This operational constraint affects municipalities seeking ethics guidance or wishing to file complaints with the state ethics body.