Bill > H0395

This bill creates the Municipal Law Enforcement Assistance Program, which allows municipalities to implement a local penalty surcharge of $75.00 on civil penalties collected by the Judicial Bureau for violations occurring within their jurisdiction. Municipalities can vote to adopt this surcharge at an annual or special meeting, and if approved, the Judicial Bureau will collect the additional fee and retain up to $5.00 to cover administrative costs. The remaining funds will be remitted quarterly to the municipality exclusively for establishing, supporting, maintaining, or improving local law enforcement services. To implement the surcharge, a municipal clerk must notify the Judicial Bureau within 10 days of the vote, and the surcharge will become effective at the start of the next fiscal year quarter after 90 days' notice. If a municipality attempts to impose a surcharge without proper authorization, the Judicial Bureau will refund the surcharge to the person who paid it. The bill defines a "municipality" as a city or town and is set to take effect on July 1, 2025.

Government Affairs

https://legislature.vermont.gov/bill/status/2026/H.395