Bill > S0145

This bill modifies Vermont state law to allow Assistant Attorneys General to be considered "state employees" for the purposes of collective bargaining, which means they would gain the right to organize and negotiate work-related terms and conditions collectively through a union. Specifically, the bill amends a section of Vermont's legal code (3 V.S.A. § 902) by inserting "Assistant Attorneys General" into the list of employees who are included in the definition of "state employee", despite being previously exempt from this classification. Currently, many state employees have the right to form unions and engage in collective bargaining, and this bill extends that right to Assistant Attorneys General, who are lawyers working under the state's Attorney General's office. The bill is set to take effect on July 1, 2025, giving state agencies and potential unions time to prepare for the change. By allowing Assistant Attorneys General to collectively bargain, the bill aims to provide these legal professionals with more collective power to negotiate their employment conditions, potentially impacting their wages, benefits, and working environment.