Vermont 2025-2026 Regular Session Status: To Executive

S 125 — An act relating to collective bargaining

Last action — Committed to Committee on Economic Development, Housing and General Affairs on motion of Senator Clarkson

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

This bill has been sent to the executive. Introduced March 18, 2025. It awaits signature.

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

Next likely step: the executive signs it into law or issues a veto.

Odds of enactment

Low chance

Based on the sponsor, cosponsors, and committee posture, this bill has a low 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

Likely to advance 62% · moderate confidence

  • To Executive

    Current position in the legislative process.

  • 1 sponsor

    1 primary, 0 co-sponsors signed on.

  • Cleared a recorded vote

    Passed 1 recorded vote so far.

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

228 added · 221 removed

Plain-language change summary

The recent amendments to Bill S 125 clarify the definition of "medical case management" and ensure injured employees have better access to these services. Notably, the updated bill emphasizes the support needed for an injured worker to qualify for medical case management, which can now include recommendations from healthcare providers or evidence of a potential benefit to recovery. This matters because it aims to enhance the care coordination for injured workers, helping them make informed choices about their treatment and improving overall recovery outcomes.

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AS PASSED BY SENATE S.125 Page 1 of 10 S.125 An act relating to workers’ compensation and collective bargaining rights It is hereby enacted by the General Assembly of the State of Vermont:
BILL AS INTRODUCED AND PASSED BY SENATE S.125 Page 1 of 10 S.125 Introduced by Committee on Economic Development, Housing and General Affairs Date:
March 18, 2025 Subject:
Labor;
Executive;
workers’ compensation;
Judiciary Employees Labor Relations Act;
collective bargaining rights Statement of purpose of bill as introduced:
This bill proposes to require workers’ compensation insurance carriers to pay for translation services, to allow workers’ compensation claimants to request medical case management services, and to increase penalties for the late payment of workers’ compensation benefits.
This bill also proposes to allow judiciary supervisors to organize and bargain collectively and to appropriate additional funding to increase staffing at the Vermont Labor Relations Board.
An act relating to workers’ compensation and collective bargaining rights It is hereby enacted by the General Assembly of the State of Vermont:
* * * (31) “Medical case management” means the planning and coordination of health care services appropriate to achieve the goal of medical rehabilitation.
BILL AS INTRODUCED AND PASSED BY SENATE S.125 Page 2 of 10 * * * (31) “Medical case management” means the planning and coordination of health care services appropriate to achieve the goal of medical rehabilitation.
VT LEG #382198 v.1 AS PASSED BY SENATE S.125 Page 2 of 10 (C) An injured employee shall be entitled to medical case management services if reasonably supported.
(C) An injured employee shall be entitled to medical case management services if reasonably supported.
Sec.
BILL AS INTRODUCED AND PASSED BY SENATE S.125 Page 3 of 10 Sec.
* * * VT LEG #382198 v.1 AS PASSED BY SENATE S.125 Page 3 of 10 (e) Within 14 days after receiving a request for preauthorization of proposed medical case management services, the insurer shall do one of the following, in writing:
* * * (e) Within 14 days after receiving a request for preauthorization of proposed medical case management services, the insurer shall do one of the following, in writing:
(1) Authorize the services and notify the injured employee, the Department, and the treating provider recommending the services, if applicable.
BILL AS INTRODUCED AND PASSED BY SENATE S.125 Page 4 of 10 (1) Authorize the services and notify the injured employee, the Department, and the treating provider recommending the services, if applicable.
The Commissioner may, in the Commissioner’s sole VT LEG #382198 v.1 AS PASSED BY SENATE S.125 Page 4 of 10 discretion, grant a 10-day extension to the insurer to authorize or deny the services, and such an extension shall not be subject to appeal.
The Commissioner may, in the Commissioner’s sole discretion, grant a 10-day extension to the insurer to authorize or deny the services, and such an extension shall not be subject to appeal.
(f) If the insurer fails to authorize or deny the services pursuant to subsection (e) of this section within 14 days after receiving a request, the injured employee or the injured employee’s treating provider, if applicable, may request that the Department issue an order authorizing services.
BILL AS INTRODUCED AND PASSED BY SENATE S.125 Page 5 of 10 (f) If the insurer fails to authorize or deny the services pursuant to subsection (e) of this section within 14 days after receiving a request, the injured employee or the injured employee’s treating provider, if applicable, may request that the Department issue an order authorizing services.
COMPUTATION * * * (f)(1)(A) When benefits have been awarded or are not in dispute as provided in subsection (e) of this section, the employer shall establish a VT LEG #382198 v.1 AS PASSED BY SENATE S.125 Page 5 of 10 weekday on which payment shall be mailed or deposited and notify the claimant and the Department of that day.
COMPUTATION * * * (f)(1)(A) When benefits have been awarded or are not in dispute as provided in subsection (e) of this section, the employer shall establish a weekday on which payment shall be mailed or deposited and notify the BILL AS INTRODUCED AND PASSED BY SENATE S.125 Page 6 of 10 claimant and the Department of that day.
VT LEG #382198 v.1 AS PASSED BY SENATE S.125 Page 6 of 10 * * * Labor Relations * * * Sec.
* * * Labor Relations * * * Sec.
§ 1011.
BILL AS INTRODUCED AND PASSED BY SENATE S.125 Page 7 of 10 § 1011.
(H) [Repealed.] VT LEG #382198 v.1 AS PASSED BY SENATE S.125 Page 7 of 10 (I) an attorney for the Supreme Court, for the Court Administrator, or for any board or commission created by the Supreme Court;
(H) [Repealed.] (I) an attorney for the Supreme Court, for the Court Administrator, or for any board or commission created by the Supreme Court;
(J) an employee paid by the State who is appointed part-time as county clerk pursuant to 4 V.S.A.
BILL AS INTRODUCED AND PASSED BY SENATE S.125 Page 8 of 10 (J) an employee paid by the State who is appointed part-time as county clerk pursuant to 4 V.S.A.
UNIT DETERMINATION, CERTIFICATION, AND REPRESENTATION * * * (c)(1) A petition may be filed with the Board, in accordance with procedures prescribed by the Board by an employee or group of employees, or any individual or employee organization purporting to act on their behalf, alleging by filing a petition or petitions bearing signatures of not less than 30 percent of the employees that they wish to form a bargaining unit and be represented for collective bargaining, or that the individual or employee organization currently certified as the bargaining agent is no longer supported by at least 51 percent of the employees in the bargaining unit, or that they are VT LEG #382198 v.1 AS PASSED BY SENATE S.125 Page 8 of 10 now included in an approved bargaining unit and wish to form a separate bargaining unit under Board criteria for purposes of collective bargaining.
UNIT DETERMINATION, CERTIFICATION, AND REPRESENTATION * * * (c)(1) A petition may be filed with the Board, in accordance with procedures prescribed by the Board by an employee or group of employees, or any individual or employee organization purporting to act on their behalf, alleging by filing a petition or petitions bearing signatures of not less than 30 percent of the employees that they wish to form a bargaining unit and be represented for collective bargaining, or that the individual or employee organization currently certified as the bargaining agent is no longer supported by at least 51 percent of the employees in the bargaining unit, or that they are now included in an approved bargaining unit and wish to form a separate bargaining unit under Board criteria for purposes of collective bargaining.
(A)(i) An employer shall, not more than seven business days after receiving a copy of the petition, file any objections to the appropriateness of the proposed bargaining unit and raise any other unit determination issues with the Board and provide a copy of the filing to the employee, group of employees, individual, or employee organization that filed the petition.
BILL AS INTRODUCED AND PASSED BY SENATE S.125 Page 9 of 10 (A)(i) An employer shall, not more than seven business days after receiving a copy of the petition, file any objections to the appropriateness of the proposed bargaining unit and raise any other unit determination issues with the Board and provide a copy of the filing to the employee, group of employees, individual, or employee organization that filed the petition.
VT LEG #382198 v.1 AS PASSED BY SENATE S.125 Page 9 of 10 * * * (d) The Board, a Board member, or a person or persons designated by the Board shall investigate the petition and do one of the following:
* * * (d) The Board, a Board member, or a person or persons designated by the Board shall investigate the petition and do one of the following:
§ 161 is amended to read:
§ 161 is amended to read:
VT LEG #382198 v.1 AS PASSED BY SENATE S.125 Page 10 of 10 (D) the wages paid to the employee;
(D) the wages paid to the employee;
(3) Each employer and subcontractor shall preserve the records described in subdivision (1) of this subsection for three years from the date of completion of the State project.
BILL AS INTRODUCED AND PASSED BY SENATE S.125 Page 10 of 10 (3) Each employer and subcontractor shall preserve the records described in subdivision (1) of this subsection for three years from the date of completion of the State project.
Sec.
6.
VERMONT LABOR RELATIONS BOARD;
APPROPRIATION fiscal year 2026, $250,000.00 is appropriated from the General Fund to the Labor Relations Board to increase staffing.
Sec.
76.
EFFECTIVE DATE This act shall take effect on July 1, 2025.
VT LEG #382198 v.1
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  • As Passed By the Senate (OfficialOpens in a new window) View text pdf
  • As Passed By the Senate (UnofficialOpens in a new window) View text pdf
  • As Passed by Both House and Senate (OfficialOpens in a new window) View text pdf
  • As Passed by Both House and Senate (UnofficialOpens in a new window) View text Current pdf
  • Introduced As IntroducedOpens in a new window pdf

Amendments

2 amendments

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

Action History

  1. Committed to Committee on Economic Development, Housing and General Affairs on motion of Senator Clarkson

  2. Governor vetoed bill

  3. Senate Message: Vetoed by Governor June 9, 2025

  4. Governor vetoed bill

  5. Vetoed by Governor & placed on notice calendar for June 13, 2025

  6. Governor vetoed bill on June 9, 2025

  7. Delivered to Governor on June 3, 2025

  8. Senate Message: House proposal of amendment concurred in

  9. As passed by Senate and House

  10. Title amended

  11. House proposal of amendment concurred in

  12. House proposal of amendment; text

  13. Unfinished Business/House Proposal of Amendment

  14. New Business/House Proposal of Amendment

  15. House proposal of amendment

  16. Entered on Notice Calendar

  17. House message: House concurred in Senate proposal of amendment with proposal of amendment

  18. Read third time and passed in concurrence with proposal of amendment

  19. Action Calendar: Third Reading

  20. Third Reading ordered

  21. Which was agreed to on a Roll Call Passed -- Needed 66 of 132 to Pass -- Yeas = 81, Nays = 51

  22. Report of Committee on General and Housing agreed to

  23. Rep. Harrison of Chittenden demanded yeas and nays

  24. Rep. Greer of Bennington asked and was granted leave to withdraw amendment

  25. Rep. Greer of Bennington moved to amend the report of the Committee on General and Housing

  26. Rep. Dodge of Essex reported for the Committee on General and Housing

  27. Read second time

  28. Action Calendar: Action postponed until 5/13/2025

  29. Action Calendar: Action postponed until May 13, 2025

  30. Rep. Mihaly of Calais moved to postpone action until 5/13/2025, which was agreed to

  31. Action Calendar: Favorable with Amendment

  32. Notice Calendar: Favorable with Amendment

  33. Rep. Marcotte of Coventry moved that the Committee on Commerce and Economic Development be relieved of the bill and that the same be committed to the Committee on General and Housing, which was agreed to

  34. Read first time and referred to the Committee on Commerce and Economic Development

  35. Read 3rd time & passed

  36. Pending third reading, bill amended as moved by Senator(s) Ram Hinsdale, Chittenden, and Clarkson

  37. Pending third reading, motion to amend to be offered by Senator(s) Ram Hinsdale, Chittenden, and Clarkson

  38. New Business/Third Reading

  39. 3rd reading ordered

  40. Recommendation of amendment by Committee on Appropriations agreed to

  41. Reported favorably by Senator Watson for Committee on Appropriations with recommendation of amendment

  42. Read 2nd time

  43. Favorable report with recommendation of amendment by Committee on Appropriations

  44. Committee Bill for Second Reading

  45. New Business/Second Reading

  46. Favorable report with recommendation of amendment by Committee on Appropriations

  47. Committee Bill for Second Reading

  48. Entered on Notice Calendar

  49. Referred to Committee on Appropriations per Senate Rule 31

  50. Rules suspended on motion of Senator Baruth

  51. Committee bill read first time & placed on Notice Calendar per Senate Rule 48

Sponsors

  • Housing and General Affairs Senate Committee on Economic Development · Primary

Sponsorship breakdown

Export CSV (upgrade) →

1 sponsors · 0 co-sponsors · 189 not signed on · 50 voted No

Sponsors (1)

  • Senate Committee on Economic Development, Housing and General Affairs

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 agreed to on a Roll Call Passed -- Needed 66 of 132 to Pass -- Yeas = 81, Nays = 51

Passed 81 Yea · 51 Nay · 18 Other
Party YeaNayPresentNot Voting
Democrat 672012
Republican/Democrat 2100
Republican 54304
Unaffiliated 4101
Independent 1400
Progressive/Democrat 2001
Total 8151018
% of votes cast 54%34%0%12%
How each member voted (150)
Member Party Vote
Casey — Yea
Hooper — Yea
White — Yea
White — Yea
Casey — Nay
Hooper — Not Voting
Abbey Duke Democrat Yea
Alice M. M Emmons Democrat Yea
Alyssa Black Democrat Yea
Amy D Sheldon Democrat Not Voting
Angela Arsenault Democrat Not Voting
Barbara Rachelson Democrat Yea
Bram Kleppner Democrat Yea
Brian Minier Democrat Not Voting
Bridget M Burkhardt Democrat Yea
Carol Ode Democrat Yea
Charles A Kimbell Democrat Nay
Chea Waters Evans Democrat Yea
Christopher Morrow Democrat Yea
Daisy Berbeco Democrat Yea
Daniel A Noyes Democrat Yea
Dara Torre Democrat Yea
David K Durfee Democrat Yea
David W Yacovone Democrat Yea
Doug Bishop Democrat Yea
Edward "Teddy" Waszazak Democrat Not Voting
Edye Graning Democrat Not Voting
Ela Chapin Democrat Yea
Elizabeth L Burrows Democrat Yea
Emilie K Kornheiser Democrat Yea
Emilie Krasnow Democrat Not Voting
Emily Carris Duncan Democrat Yea
Emily J Long Democrat Yea
Erin Brady Democrat Yea
Esme Cole Democrat Yea
Gayle S Pezzo Democrat Yea
Golrang "Rey" Garofano Democrat Yea
Heather Surprenant Democrat Not Voting
Herb Olson Democrat Yea
Ian Goodnow Democrat Yea
James W Masland Democrat Yea
Jill L Krowinski Democrat Not Voting
John K O'Brien Democrat Not Voting
John L Bartholomew Democrat Yea
Jonathan Cooper Democrat Yea
Jubilee McGill Democrat Yea
Karen N Dolan Democrat Yea
Kate Lalley Democrat Nay
Kate McCann Democrat Yea
Kate Nugent Democrat Yea
Kathleen C James Democrat Yea
Kevin "Coach" B Christie Democrat Not Voting
Kristi C Morris Democrat Yea
Larry Satcowitz Democrat Yea
Leanne Harple Democrat Yea
Leonora Dodge Democrat Yea
Leslie Goldman Democrat Yea
Lori Houghton Democrat Yea
Lucy Boyden Democrat Yea
Marc B Mihaly Democrat Yea
Mari K Cordes Democrat Yea
Martin J LaLonde Democrat Yea
Mary E. E Howard Democrat Yea
Mary-Katherine A Stone Democrat Yea
Matthew J Birong Democrat Yea
Michael Mrowicki Democrat Yea
Michael Nigro Democrat Not Voting
Michelle Bos-Lun Democrat Yea
Mollie S. S Burke Democrat Yea
Monique Priestley Democrat Yea
Peter C Conlon Democrat Yea
Phil Pouech Democrat Yea
R. Scott Campbell Democrat Not Voting
Rebecca Holcombe Democrat Yea
Robert Hunter Democrat Yea
Robin P Scheu Democrat Yea
Sarah "Sarita" C Austin Democrat Yea
Saudia LaMont Democrat Yea
Shawn Sweeney Democrat Yea
Theresa A Wood Democrat Yea
Thomas S Stevens Democrat Yea
Tiffany Bluemle Democrat Yea
Timothy R. R Corcoran II Democrat Yea
Trevor J Squirrell Democrat Yea
Wendy A Critchlow Democrat Yea
William "Will" Greer Democrat Yea
Zon Eastes Democrat Yea
Anne B. B Donahue Independent Nay
Jed Lipsky Independent Nay
Joseph Parsons Independent Nay
Laura H Sibilia Independent Nay
Troy Headrick Independent Yea
Brian J Cina Progressive/Democrat Not Voting
Chloe Tomlinson Progressive/Democrat Yea
Kate Logan Progressive/Democrat Yea
Allen "Penny" R Demar Republican Nay
Anthony "Tony" Micklus Republican Nay
Beth M Quimby Republican Nay
Brenda Steady Republican Nay
Carolyn W Branagan Republican Nay
Casey J Toof Republican Nay
Chris A Taylor Republican Not Voting
Chris Brown Republican Yea
Chris Keyser Republican Nay
Christopher "Chris" A Pritchard Republican Nay
Christopher Howland Republican Nay
David "Dave" Bosch Republican Nay
Deborah "Debbie" C Dolgin Republican Yea
Debra L Powers Republican Nay
Eileen G Dickinson Republican Not Voting
Eric Maguire Republican Nay
Francis M McFaun Republican Yea
Gina M Galfetti Republican Yea
Gregory "Greg" Burtt Republican Nay
James A Gregoire Republican Nay
Jim F Harrison Republican Nay
John Kascenska Republican Nay
Joseph "Joe" Luneau Republican Nay
Joshua Dobrovich Republican Nay
Kenneth "Ken" L Wells Republican Nay
Kenneth W Goslant Republican Nay
Kevin C Winter Republican Nay
Larry Labor Republican Nay
Leland J Morgan Republican Nay
Lisa A Hango Republican Nay
Mark A Higley Republican Nay
Martha A Feltus Republican Nay
Mary A. A Morrissey Republican Nay
Matt E Walker Republican Not Voting
Michael "Mike" Southworth Republican Nay
Michael "Mike" Tagliavia Republican Nay
Michael Boutin Republican Yea
Michael J Marcotte Republican Nay
Michael R Morgan Republican Nay
Patricia A McCoy Republican Nay
Richard J Bailey Republican Nay
Richard M Nelson Republican Nay
Rob North Republican Nay
Sandra "Sandy" H Pinsonault Republican Nay
Thomas "Tom" F Charlton Republican Nay
Thomas B Burditt Republican Not Voting
Todd Nielsen Republican Nay
VL L Coffin IV Republican Nay
Wayne A Laroche Republican Nay
William P Canfield Republican Nay
Woodman H Page Republican Nay
Zachary J Harvey Republican Nay
Alicia Malay Republican/Democrat Nay
Ashley R Bartley Republican/Democrat Yea
Thomas Oliver Republican/Democrat Yea

Official roll call →

Subjects

labor
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Frequently asked questions

Who sponsors S 125?
S 125 is sponsored by Senate Committee on Economic Development, Housing and General Affairs.
What is the current status of S 125?
This bill has been sent to the executive. Introduced March 18, 2025. It awaits signature.
Where can I track S 125?
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