Vermont 2025-2026 Regular Session Status: Enacted

H 480 — An act relating to miscellaneous amendments to education law

Last action — House message: Governor approved bill on June 27, 2025

  1. ✓
    Introduced
  2. ✓
    In Committee
  3. ✓
    Passed House
  4. ✓
    Passed Senate
  5. ✓
    To Executive
  6. 6
    Enacted

This bill has been enacted into law. Introduced March 18, 2025. Enacted.

Signed by Governor Phil Scott (Republican) on June 16, 2025.

Odds of enactment

High chance

Based on the sponsor, cosponsors, and committee posture, this bill has a high chance of becoming law.

Upgrade to see the exact probability and what's driving it.

A statistical estimate from our own model of past outcomes — an insight, not a guarantee. Policymaking is volatile.

Prognosis

Advancing 38% · moderate confidence

  • Enacted

    Current position in the legislative process.

  • 1 sponsor

    1 primary, 0 co-sponsors signed on.

  • Failed a recorded vote

    Failed 1 recorded vote so far — a real headwind.

Based on stage, sponsorship breadth, committee status, recorded votes, and cross-state momentum — a description of the observable signals, not a prediction.

Bill Text

What changed in the latest version

232 added · 225 removed

Plain-language change summary

The bill H.480 has undergone several changes, primarily involving adjustments to the effective dates and the addition of a new section on virtual learning. Specifically, one section's implementation date was pushed back from July 1, 2024, to July 1, 2025, and another from July 1, 2025, to July 1, 2027. The inclusion of a new section on virtual learning is significant as it acknowledges the growing importance of online education options in the school system. These changes matter because they affect how and when educational initiatives will roll out, influencing school operations and funding moving forward.

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AS PASSED BY HOUSE H.480 Page 1 of 10 H.480 An act relating to miscellaneous amendments to education law It is hereby enacted by the General Assembly of the State of Vermont:
BILL AS PASSED BY THE HOUSE H.480 Page 1 of 11 H.480 Introduced by Committee on Education Date:
* * * School Safety * * * Sec.
Subject:
Education Statement of purpose of bill as introduced:
This bill proposes to make miscellaneous amendments to education law, including (1) amendments to 2023 Acts and Resolves No.
29, An act relating to school safety;
(2) amendments to the list of postsecondary schools accredited to operate in Vermont;
(3) excluding contracts for the purchase of food made from a nonprofit school food services account from the requirements of 16 V.S.A.
§ 559 (public bids);
(4) adding a section to the flexible pathways chapter in Title 16 to codify the virtual learning pathway;
(5) amendments to the BOCES grant program;
(6) a requirement for school districts to include military-related options in career development and postsecondary planning resources as part of the Flexible Pathways Initiative and a student’s personalized learning plan;
and (7) amendments to the Secretary of Education search process.
An act relating to miscellaneous amendments to education law It is hereby enacted by the General Assembly of the State of Vermont:
BILL AS PASSED BY THE HOUSE H.480 Page 2 of 11 * * * School Safety * * * Sec.
§ 1485(e).
§ 1485(e).
§ 1485(e) beginning in the 2023–2024 school year.
§ 1485(e) beginning in the 2023–2024 school year.
§ 1480) shall take effect on July 1, 2024 2025.
§ 1480) shall take effect on July 1, 2024 2025.
§ 1485) shall take effect on July 1, 2025 2027.
§ 1485) shall take effect on July 1, 2025 2027.
VT LEG #382102 v.1 AS PASSED BY HOUSE H.480 Page 2 of 10 * * * Postsecondary Schools Chartered in Vermont * * * Sec.
* * * Postsecondary Schools Chartered in Vermont * * * Sec.
§ 176(d) is amended to read:
§ 176(d) is amended to read:
* * * (4) Postsecondary schools that are accredited.
* * * BILL AS PASSED BY THE HOUSE H.480 Page 3 of 11 (4) Postsecondary schools that are accredited.
* * * VT LEG #382102 v.1 AS PASSED BY HOUSE H.480 Page 3 of 10 * * * Nutrition Contracts and Public Bids * * * Sec.
* * * * * * Nutrition Contracts and Public Bids * * * Sec.
§ 559 is amended to read:
§ 559 is amended to read:
(1) The provisions of this section shall not apply to contracts for the purchase of books or other materials of instruction.
BILL AS PASSED BY THE HOUSE H.480 Page 4 of 11 (1) The provisions of this section shall not apply to contracts for the purchase of books or other materials of instruction.
Notwithstanding the monetary amount in subsection (a) of this section for which a school board is required to advertise publicly or invite three or more bids or requests for proposal, a school board is required to publicly advertise or invite three or more bids or requests for proposal for purchases made from the nonprofit school food service account for purchases in excess of the federal VT LEG #382102 v.1 AS PASSED BY HOUSE H.480 Page 4 of 10 simplified acquisition threshold when purchasing food or in excess of $25,000.00 when purchasing nonfood items, unless a municipality sets a lower threshold for purchases from the nonprofit school food service account.
Notwithstanding the monetary amount in subsection (a) of this section for which a school board is required to advertise publicly or invite three or more bids or requests for proposal, a school board is required to publicly advertise or invite three or more bids or requests for proposal for purchases made from the nonprofit school food service account for purchases in excess of the federal simplified acquisition threshold when purchasing food or in excess of $25,000.00 when purchasing nonfood items, unless a municipality sets a lower threshold for purchases from the nonprofit school food service account.
* * * * * * Virtual Learning * * * Sec.
* * * BILL AS PASSED BY THE HOUSE H.480 Page 5 of 11 * * * Virtual Learning * * * Sec.
§ 948 is added to read:
§ 948 is added to read:
§ 948.
§ 948.
VT LEG #382102 v.1 AS PASSED BY HOUSE H.480 Page 5 of 10 (c) A school district shall count a student enrolled in virtual learning in the school district’s average daily membership, as defined in section 4001 of this title, if the student meets all of the criteria in subsection (b) of this section.
(c) A school district shall count a student enrolled in virtual learning in the school district’s average daily membership, as defined in section 4001 of this title, if the student meets all of the criteria in subsection (b) of this section.
§ 942(13) is amended to read:
§ 942(13) is amended to read:
“Virtual learning” also means online learning in which communication between the teacher and student does not occur concurrently and the student works according to his or her own schedule an intentionally designed learning environment for online teaching and learning using online design principles and teachers trained in the delivery of online instruction.
“Virtual BILL AS PASSED BY THE HOUSE H.480 Page 6 of 11 learning” also means online learning in which communication between the teacher and student does not occur concurrently and the student works according to his or her own schedule an intentionally designed learning environment for online teaching and learning using online design principles and teachers trained in the delivery of online instruction.
APPROPRIATION (a) There is established the Boards of Cooperative Education Services Start-up Grant Program, to be administered by the Agency of Education, from funds appropriated for this purpose, to award grants to enable the formation of boards of cooperative education services (BOCES) formed pursuant to 16 V.S.A.
APPROPRIATION (a) There is established the Boards of Cooperative Education Services Start-up Grant Program, to be administered by the Agency of Education, from funds appropriated for this purpose, to award grants to enable the formation of boards of cooperative education services (BOCES) formed pursuant to 16 V.S.A.
BOCES Supervisory unions shall be eligible for a single $10,000.00 grant after the Secretary of Education approves VT LEG #382102 v.1 AS PASSED BY HOUSE H.480 Page 6 of 10 the applicant’s initial articles of agreement pursuant to 16 V.S.A.
BOCES Supervisory unions shall be eligible for a single $10,000.00 grant after the Secretary of Education approves the applicant’s initial articles of agreement pursuant to 16 V.S.A.
§ 603(b) two or more boards vote to explore the advisability of forming a board of cooperative education services pursuant to 16 V.S.A.
§ 603(b) two or more boards vote to explore the advisability of forming a board of cooperative education services pursuant to 16 V.S.A.
§ 603(a).
§ 603(a).
Grants may be used for start-up and formation costs and may include reimbursement to member supervisory unions for costs incurred during the exploration and formation of the BOCES and articles of agreement, including the development of proposed articles of agreement.
Grants may be used for start-up and formation costs and may include reimbursement to member supervisory unions for costs incurred during the exploration and formation of the BOCES and articles of agreement, including the development BILL AS PASSED BY THE HOUSE H.480 Page 7 of 11 of proposed articles of agreement.
§ 4025 to the contrary, the sum of $70,000.00 is appropriated from the Education Fund to the Agency of Education in fiscal year 2025 to fund the Boards of Cooperative Education Services Start-up Grant Program created in subsection (a) of this section.
§ 4025 to the contrary, the sum of $70,000.00 is appropriated from the Education Fund to the Agency of Education in fiscal year 2025 to fund the Boards of Cooperative Education Services Start-up Grant Program created in subsection (a) of this section.
§ 941 is amended to read:
§ 941 is amended to read:
VT LEG #382102 v.1 AS PASSED BY HOUSE H.480 Page 7 of 10 (1) to encourage and support the creativity of school districts as they develop and expand high-quality educational experiences that are an integral part of secondary education in the evolving 21st Century century classroom;
(1) to encourage and support the creativity of school districts as they develop and expand high-quality educational experiences that are an integral part of secondary education in the evolving 21st Century century classroom;
(b) The Secretary shall develop, publish, and regularly update guidance, in the form of technical assistance, sharing of best practices and model documents, legal interpretations, and other support designed to assist school districts:
BILL AS PASSED BY THE HOUSE H.480 Page 8 of 11 (b) The Secretary shall develop, publish, and regularly update guidance, in the form of technical assistance, sharing of best practices and model documents, legal interpretations, and other support designed to assist school districts:
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VT LEG #382102 v.1 AS PASSED BY HOUSE H.480 Page 8 of 10 (B) includes participation by families and other engaged adults;
(B) includes participation by families and other engaged adults;
(B) are an integral component of a student’s personalized learning plan;
BILL AS PASSED BY THE HOUSE H.480 Page 9 of 11 (B) are an integral component of a student’s personalized learning plan;
and VT LEG #382102 v.1 AS PASSED BY HOUSE H.480 Page 9 of 10 (v) [Repealed.] (vi) adult education and secondary credential opportunities as set forth in section 945 of this title;
and (v) [Repealed.] (vi) adult education and secondary credential opportunities as set forth in section 945 of this title;
(c) Nothing in this subchapter shall be construed as discouraging or limiting the authority of any school district to develop or continue to provide educational opportunities for its students that are otherwise permitted, including the provision of Advanced Placement courses.
BILL AS PASSED BY THE HOUSE H.480 Page 10 of 11 (c) Nothing in this subchapter shall be construed as discouraging or limiting the authority of any school district to develop or continue to provide educational opportunities for its students that are otherwise permitted, including the provision of Advanced Placement courses.
§ 2702 is amended to read:
§ 2702 is amended to read:
SECRETARY OF EDUCATION (a) With the advice and consent of the Senate, the Governor shall appoint a Secretary of Education from among no not fewer than three candidates VT LEG #382102 v.1 AS PASSED BY HOUSE H.480 Page 10 of 10 proposed by the State Board of Education.
SECRETARY OF EDUCATION (a) With the advice and consent of the Senate, the Governor shall appoint a Secretary of Education from among no not fewer than three candidates proposed by the State Board of Education.
(c) At the time of appointment, the Secretary shall have expertise in education management and policy and demonstrated leadership and management abilities.
BILL AS PASSED BY THE HOUSE H.480 Page 11 of 11 (c) At the time of appointment, the Secretary shall have expertise in education management and policy and demonstrated leadership and management abilities.
VT LEG #382102 v.1
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Amendments

2 amendments

Click Show changes on an amendment above to see how it modifies the bill.

Action History

  1. House message: Governor approved bill on June 27, 2025

  2. Signed by Governor on June 27, 2025

  3. Delivered to the Governor on June 23, 2025

  4. House message: House concurred in Senate proposal of amendment

  5. Rep. McCoy of Poultney moved to deliver the bill to the Governor forthwith, which was agreed to

  6. Senate proposal of amendment concurred in

  7. Rep. McCann of Montpelier asked and was granted leave to withdraw amendment

  8. Rep. McCann of Montpelier and Waszazak of Barre City moved to concur in the Senate proposal of amendment with a further amendment thereto

  9. Action Calendar: Unfinished Business

  10. Action Calendar: Unfinished Business

  11. Action Calendar: Unfinished Business

  12. Action Calendar: Unfinished Business

  13. Action Calendar: Unfinished Business

  14. Action Calendar: Unfinished Business

  15. Action Calendar: Unfinished Business

  16. Action Calendar: Action postponed until 5/30/2025

  17. Rep. Brady of Williston moved to postpone action until 5/30/2025, which was agreed to

  18. Action Calendar: Senate Proposal of Amendment

  19. Notice Calendar: Senate Proposal of Amendment

  20. Senate Message: Passed in concurrence with proposal of amendment

  21. Rules suspended & messaged to House forthwith, on motion of Senator Baruth

  22. Read 3rd time & passed in concurrence with proposal of amendment

  23. New Business/Third Reading

  24. 3rd reading ordered

  25. Proposal of amendment agreed to

  26. Proposal of amendment by Senator(s) Collamore, Hardy, Heffernan, Weeks, and Williams; text

  27. Proposal of amendment by Committee on Education, as amended, agreed to

  28. Proposal of amendment by Committee on Education amended as moved by Senator(s) Ram Hinsdale and Williams

  29. Reported favorably by Senator Watson for Committee on Appropriations

  30. Read 2nd time, reported favorably with proposal of amendment by Senator Weeks for Committee on Education

  31. Proposal of amendment to be offered by Senator(s) Hardy

  32. Proposal of amendment to be offered by Senator(s) Ram Hinsdale

  33. Favorable report by Committee on Appropriations

  34. Favorable report with proposal of amendment by Committee on Education

  35. New Business/Second Reading

  36. Proposal of amendment to be offered by Senator(s) Hardy

  37. Proposal of amendment to be offered by Senator(s) Ram Hinsdale

  38. Favorable report by Committee on Appropriations

  39. Favorable report with proposal of amendment by Committee on Education

  40. Second Reading

  41. Entered on Notice Calendar

  42. Referred to Committee on Appropriations per Senate Rule 31

  43. Favorable report with proposal of amendment by Committee on Education

  44. Second Reading

  45. Entered on Notice Calendar

  46. Read 1st time & referred to Committee on Education

  47. Read third time and passed

  48. Action Calendar: Third Reading

  49. Third Reading ordered

  50. Which was disagreed to on a Roll Call Failed -- Needed 70 of 140 to Pass -- Yeas = 49, Nays = 91

  51. Rep. Boutin of Barre City demanded yeas and nays

  52. Rep. Boutin of Barre City moved to amend the bill

  53. Rep. Conlon of Cornwall spoke for the Committee on Education

  54. Read second time

  55. Action Calendar: Committee bill for second reading

  56. Notice Calendar: Committee bill for second reading

  57. Committee bill read the first time and placed on Notice Calendar of 3/19/2025

Sponsors

  • House Committee on Education · Primary

Sponsorship breakdown

Export CSV (upgrade) →

1 sponsors · 0 co-sponsors · 189 not signed on · 87 voted No

Sponsors (1)

  • House Committee on Education

Co-sponsors (0)

None.

Not signed on (189)

189 members have not signed on to this bill.

Show all 189 →

"Not signed on" means a member has not sponsored or co-sponsored this bill — it does not imply opposition. Members flagged Voted No have a recorded No vote on this bill.

Whip count is in markup. Polling the chamber and every recorded vote this session. Only the first open is slow. It’s instant for you after this. Calling the roll · Tallying · Engrossing

Votes

Which was disagreed to on a Roll Call Failed -- Needed 70 of 140 to Pass -- Yeas = 49, Nays = 91

Failed 49 Yea · 91 Nay · 10 Other
Party YeaNayPresentNot Voting
Republican 42703
Republican/Democrat 3000
Unaffiliated 2400
Independent 2300
Democrat 07506
Progressive/Democrat 0201
Total 4991010
% of votes cast 33%61%0%7%
How each member voted (150)
Member Party Vote
Casey — Yea
Hooper — Yea
Casey — Nay
Hooper — Nay
White — Nay
White — Nay
Abbey Duke Democrat Nay
Alice M. M Emmons Democrat Nay
Alyssa Black Democrat Nay
Amy D Sheldon Democrat Nay
Angela Arsenault Democrat Nay
Barbara Rachelson Democrat Nay
Bram Kleppner Democrat Nay
Brian Minier Democrat Nay
Bridget M Burkhardt Democrat Nay
Carol Ode Democrat Nay
Charles A Kimbell Democrat Nay
Chea Waters Evans Democrat Nay
Christopher Morrow Democrat Nay
Daisy Berbeco Democrat Nay
Daniel A Noyes Democrat Nay
Dara Torre Democrat Nay
David K Durfee Democrat Nay
David W Yacovone Democrat Nay
Doug Bishop Democrat Nay
Edward "Teddy" Waszazak Democrat Nay
Edye Graning Democrat Nay
Ela Chapin Democrat Nay
Elizabeth L Burrows Democrat Not Voting
Emilie K Kornheiser Democrat Nay
Emilie Krasnow Democrat Nay
Emily Carris Duncan Democrat Nay
Emily J Long Democrat Nay
Erin Brady Democrat Nay
Esme Cole Democrat Nay
Gayle S Pezzo Democrat Nay
Golrang "Rey" Garofano Democrat Nay
Heather Surprenant Democrat Nay
Herb Olson Democrat Not Voting
Ian Goodnow Democrat Nay
James W Masland Democrat Nay
Jill L Krowinski Democrat Not Voting
John K O'Brien Democrat Nay
John L Bartholomew Democrat Nay
Jonathan Cooper Democrat Nay
Jubilee McGill Democrat Nay
Karen N Dolan Democrat Nay
Kate Lalley Democrat Nay
Kate McCann Democrat Nay
Kate Nugent Democrat Nay
Kathleen C James Democrat Nay
Kevin "Coach" B Christie Democrat Not Voting
Kristi C Morris Democrat Not Voting
Larry Satcowitz Democrat Nay
Leanne Harple Democrat Nay
Leonora Dodge Democrat Nay
Leslie Goldman Democrat Nay
Lori Houghton Democrat Nay
Lucy Boyden Democrat Nay
Marc B Mihaly Democrat Nay
Mari K Cordes Democrat Nay
Martin J LaLonde Democrat Nay
Mary E. E Howard Democrat Nay
Mary-Katherine A Stone Democrat Nay
Matthew J Birong Democrat Nay
Michael Mrowicki Democrat Nay
Michael Nigro Democrat Nay
Michelle Bos-Lun Democrat Nay
Mollie S. S Burke Democrat Nay
Monique Priestley Democrat Nay
Peter C Conlon Democrat Nay
Phil Pouech Democrat Nay
R. Scott Campbell Democrat Nay
Rebecca Holcombe Democrat Nay
Robert Hunter Democrat Nay
Robin P Scheu Democrat Nay
Sarah "Sarita" C Austin Democrat Nay
Saudia LaMont Democrat Not Voting
Shawn Sweeney Democrat Nay
Theresa A Wood Democrat Nay
Thomas S Stevens Democrat Nay
Tiffany Bluemle Democrat Nay
Timothy R. R Corcoran II Democrat Nay
Trevor J Squirrell Democrat Nay
Wendy A Critchlow Democrat Nay
William "Will" Greer Democrat Nay
Zon Eastes Democrat Nay
Anne B. B Donahue Independent Yea
Jed Lipsky Independent Nay
Joseph Parsons Independent Yea
Laura H Sibilia Independent Nay
Troy Headrick Independent Nay
Brian J Cina Progressive/Democrat Nay
Chloe Tomlinson Progressive/Democrat Nay
Kate Logan Progressive/Democrat Not Voting
Allen "Penny" R Demar Republican Yea
Anthony "Tony" Micklus Republican Yea
Beth M Quimby Republican Yea
Brenda Steady Republican Yea
Carolyn W Branagan Republican Nay
Casey J Toof Republican Yea
Chris A Taylor Republican Nay
Chris Brown Republican Nay
Chris Keyser Republican Yea
Christopher "Chris" A Pritchard Republican Yea
Christopher Howland Republican Yea
David "Dave" Bosch Republican Yea
Deborah "Debbie" C Dolgin Republican Yea
Debra L Powers Republican Yea
Eileen G Dickinson Republican Yea
Eric Maguire Republican Not Voting
Francis M McFaun Republican Yea
Gina M Galfetti Republican Yea
Gregory "Greg" Burtt Republican Not Voting
James A Gregoire Republican Yea
Jim F Harrison Republican Yea
John Kascenska Republican Yea
Joseph "Joe" Luneau Republican Nay
Joshua Dobrovich Republican Nay
Kenneth "Ken" L Wells Republican Yea
Kenneth W Goslant Republican Yea
Kevin C Winter Republican Yea
Larry Labor Republican Yea
Leland J Morgan Republican Nay
Lisa A Hango Republican Yea
Mark A Higley Republican Yea
Martha A Feltus Republican Yea
Mary A. A Morrissey Republican Yea
Matt E Walker Republican Yea
Michael "Mike" Southworth Republican Yea
Michael "Mike" Tagliavia Republican Nay
Michael Boutin Republican Yea
Michael J Marcotte Republican Yea
Michael R Morgan Republican Yea
Patricia A McCoy Republican Yea
Richard J Bailey Republican Yea
Richard M Nelson Republican Yea
Rob North Republican Yea
Sandra "Sandy" H Pinsonault Republican Yea
Thomas "Tom" F Charlton Republican Yea
Thomas B Burditt Republican Yea
Todd Nielsen Republican Not Voting
VL L Coffin IV Republican Yea
Wayne A Laroche Republican Yea
William P Canfield Republican Yea
Woodman H Page Republican Yea
Zachary J Harvey Republican Yea
Alicia Malay Republican/Democrat Yea
Ashley R Bartley Republican/Democrat Yea
Thomas Oliver Republican/Democrat Yea

Official roll call →

Subjects

education
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Frequently asked questions

Who sponsors H 480?
H 480 is sponsored by House Committee on Education.
What is the current status of H 480?
This bill has been enacted into law. Introduced March 18, 2025. Enacted.
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