reglab/statecodes huggingface dataset:
2023 Vermont Statutes › Title 2 - Legislature › Chapter 23 - Joint Legislative Justice Oversight Committee › § 801. Creation of Committee

§ 801. Creation of Committee
(a) There is created a Joint Legislative Justice Oversight Committee whose membership shall be appointed each biennial session of the General Assembly. The Committee shall exercise oversight over the Department of Corrections and work with and provide assistance to other legislative committees on matters related to juvenile justice and criminal justice policies.
(b) The Committee shall be composed of 10 members: five members of the House of Representatives, who shall not all be from the same party, appointed by the Speaker of the House; and five members of the Senate, who shall not all be from the same party, appointed by the Committee on Committees. In addition to one member-at-large appointed from each chamber, one appointment shall be made from each of the House and Senate Committees on Appropriations and on Judiciary, the Senate Committees on Health and Welfare and on Institutions, and the House Committees on Corrections and Institutions and on Human Services.
(c) The Committee shall elect a chair, vice chair, and clerk from among its members and shall adopt rules of procedure. The Chair shall rotate biennially between the House and the Senate members. The Committee shall keep minutes of its meetings and maintain a file thereof. A quorum shall consist of six members.
(d) When the General Assembly is in session, the Committee shall meet at the call of the Chair. The Committee may meet six times during adjournment, and may meet more often subject to approval of the Speaker of the House and the President Pro Tempore of the Senate.
(e) For attendance at a meeting when the General Assembly is not in session, members of the Committee shall be entitled to compensation for services and reimbursement of expenses as provided under subsection 23(a) of this title.
(f) The professional and clerical services of the Joint Fiscal Office, the Office of Legislative Operations, and the Office of Legislative Counsel shall be available to the Committee. (Added 2005, No. 63, § 19; amended 2007, No. 64, § 5; 2007, No. 179 (Adj. Sess.), § 20; 2015, No. 58, § E.335.1; 2019, No. 144 (Adj. Sess.), § 15.)
2023 Vermont Statutes › Title 2 - Legislature › Chapter 23 - Joint Legislative Justice Oversight Committee › § 802. Duties

§ 802. Duties
(a) In addition to the general responsibilities set forth in subsection 801(a) of this title, the Committee shall:
(1) review and make recommendations regarding the Department of Corrections’ strategic, operating, and capital plans;
(2) review and make recommendations to the House and Senate Committees on Appropriations regarding departmental budget proposals;
(3) provide general oversight on departmental policy development;
(4) encourage improved communication between the Department and other relevant components of the administrative branch and the criminal justice system;
(5) evaluate the statewide system of pretrial services, court diversion programs, community justice center services, and other relevant programs and services, and determine whether there is variation in policies, procedures, practices, and results among different areas of the State and the causes of any such variation;
(6) make recommendations to the General Assembly regarding the creation of a consistent and cost-efficient statewide juvenile justice system and criminal justice system;
(7) review and make recommendations to the General Assembly to ensure the juvenile justice and criminal justice statutes reflect principles of restorative justice; and
(8) review and make recommendations to the General Assembly regarding the timeliness of judicial proceedings.
(b) [Repealed.] (Added 2005, No. 63, § 19; amended 2013, No. 142 (Adj. Sess.), § 3; 2015, No. 58, § E.335.2.)
2023 Vermont Statutes › Title 2 - Legislature › Chapter 30 - Capitol Complex Security Advisory Committee [Repealed Effective June 30, 2024] › § 991. Capitol Complex Security Advisory Committee

§ 991. Capitol Complex Security Advisory Committee
(a) Creation. There is created an advisory committee for the purpose of:
(1) reviewing and coordinating security in the Capitol Complex; and
(2) enhancing communication, operability, and efficiency on security issues in the Capitol Complex among the Executive, Legislative, and Judicial branches.
(b) Membership.
(1) The Committee shall be composed of the following members:
(A) the Commissioner of Buildings and General Services or designee;
(B) the Commissioner of Public Safety or designee;
(C) the Commissioner of Motor Vehicles or designee;
(D) the Chief of the Capitol Police or designee;
(E) the Chairs of the House Committee on Corrections and Institutions and of the Senate Committee on Institutions;
(F) the Sergeant at Arms;
(G) the Court Administrator or designee; and
(H) the Chief of the Montpelier Police Department or designee.
(2) In the first year, the Chair of the House Committee on Corrections and Institutions shall serve as Chair of the Committee and the Chair of the Senate Committee on Institutions shall serve as Vice Chair. Annually thereafter, the offices of Chair and Vice Chair shall rotate between the Chairs of the House Committee on Corrections and Institutions and of the Senate Committee on Institutions.
(3) The Committee shall have the assistance of the staff of the Office of Legislative Counsel and the Joint Fiscal Office.
(c) Powers and duties. The Committee shall:
(1) review proposed security enhancements and security plans for the Capitol Complex, and make recommendations to the House Committee on Corrections and Institutions and the Senate Committee on Institutions;
(2) review the coordination of security plans and law enforcement services in the Capitol Complex among the Commissioner of Buildings and General Services, the Court Administrator, and the Sergeant at Arms; and
(3) annually review the memorandum of understanding coordinating the provision of security plans and law enforcement activities in the Capitol Complex, as required by 29 V.S.A. § 171(f).
(d) Meetings. The Committee may meet at any time at the call of the Co-Chairs, but no more than two times when the General Assembly is not in session.
(e) Reimbursement. For attendance at meetings during adjournment of the General Assembly, legislative members of the Committee shall be entitled to per diem compensation and reimbursement of expenses pursuant to 2 V.S.A. § 23.
(f) Definition. As used in this section, “Capitol Complex” shall have the same meaning as in 29 V.S.A. § 182. (Added 2015, No. 88 (Adj. Sess.), § 1, eff. May 6, 2016; repealed on June 30, 2024 by 2023, No. 69, § 33.)
2023 Vermont Statutes › Title 2 - Legislature › Chapter 31 - Joint Public Pension Oversight Committee › § 1001. Creation of Committee

§ 1001. Creation of Committee
(a) Creation. There is created the Joint Public Pension Oversight Committee for the purpose of working with and providing assistance to other legislative committees on matters related to the State’s retirement system and other postemployment benefits.
(b) Members. The Committee shall be composed of the following members, who shall be appointed each biennial session of the General Assembly:
(1) three members of the House, who shall not be from the same party, appointed by the Speaker of the House; and
(2) three members of the Senate, who shall not be from the same party, appointed by the Committee on Committees.
(c) Powers and duties. The Committee shall evaluate and make recommendations on the following:
(1) issues of public policy related to the provision of retirement benefits to the State’s public sector workforce;
(2) changes to statutory provisions regarding the provision, design, and administration of retirement benefits and the retirement systems;
(3) issues of public policy relating to health benefit design innovations, State regulatory measures, and alternative methods of providing pooled health care benefits to both active and retired school employees to lower health care costs for employees, retirees, school boards, and the State; and
(4) the appropriate annual appropriation to fund the State’s retirement obligations in accordance with actuarial recommendations, statutory amortization schedules, and funding policies.
(d) Policies. The Committee shall elect a chair, vice chair, and clerk from among its members and shall adopt rules of procedure. The Chair shall rotate biennially between the House and Senate members. The Committee shall keep minutes of its meetings.
(e) Meetings.
(1) When the General Assembly is in session, the Committee shall meet at the call of the Chair.
(2) The Committee may meet six times during adjournment and may meet more often subject to approval of the Speaker of the House and the President Pro Tempore of the Senate.
(3) A quorum shall consist of four members.
(f) Assistance. The Committee shall have assistance from the Office of Legislative Counsel, the Office of Legislative Operations, and the Joint Fiscal Office.
(g) Compensation and reimbursement. For attendance at a meeting when the General Assembly is not in session, members of the Committee shall be entitled to compensations for services and reimbursement of expenses as provided under subsection 23(a) of this title.
(h) Reports. Annually, on or before December 1 each year, the Vermont Pension Investment Commission and the Boards of Trustees for the State Employees’ Retirement System, Teachers’ Retirement System, and Municipal Employees’ Retirement, shall report to the Committee. (Added 2021, No. 75, § 11, eff. Oct. 1, 2021.)
2023 Vermont Statutes › Title 3 - Executive › Chapter 1 - Governor › § 1. Vacancy, absence from State

§ 1. Vacancy, absence from State
(a) When there is a vacancy in the Offices of Governor and Lieutenant Governor, the Speaker of the House of Representatives shall act as Governor.
(b) When the Governor is absent from the State, the Lieutenant Governor shall act for him or her, and when both the Governor and Lieutenant Governor are absent from the State, the Speaker of the House shall act as Governor. (Amended 1965, No. 9, § 1, eff. March 24, 1965.)
2023 Vermont Statutes › Title 3 - Executive › Chapter 1 - Governor › § 2. Agencies and boards in Governor’s office

§ 2. Agencies and boards in Governor’s office
The following agencies and boards are hereby attached to the Governor’s office for administrative purposes:
(1) State Claims Commission
(2) Emergency Board
(3) All agencies which involve or concern interstate relationships including:
(A) Connecticut River Flood Control Commission
(B) New England Board of Higher Education
(C) [Repealed.]
(D) Lake Champlain Bridge Commission
(E) Tri-State Regional Medical Needs Board
(F) Committee on Tri-State Institutional Matters
(G) Uniform Laws Commission
(H) New England Interstate Water Pollution Control Commission
(I) Interstate Commission on Lake Champlain Basin
(J) Northeastern Forest Fire Protection Commission
(4) All interdepartmental agencies including:
(A) Interdepartmental Mental Health Council
(B) Traffic Committee. (Added 1959, No. 329 (Adj. Sess.), § 2, eff. March 1, 1961; amended 1961, No. 205, §§ 1, 2, eff. July 11, 1961; 2009, No. 135 (Adj. Sess.), § 26(2)(A).)
2023 Vermont Statutes › Title 3 - Executive › Chapter 1 - Governor › § 4. Correspondence

§ 4. Correspondence
(a) The official correspondence of the Governor is the property of the State. Upon retiring from office, he or she shall cause such correspondence and an itemized list thereof to be deposited with the Secretary of State. The Secretary of State shall preserve these records in accordance with professional archival practices recommended by the State Archivist.
(b) In the discretion of the Secretary of State, such correspondence and list, in whole or in part, may be microfilmed or otherwise reformatted in accordance with archival principles. In the discretion of the Secretary of State the originals of those papers that are actually reformatted may be disposed of. (Amended 1995, No. 148 (Adj. Sess.), § 4(c)(2), eff. May 6, 1996; 1997, No. 75 (Adj. Sess.), § 1.)
2023 Vermont Statutes › Title 3 - Executive › Chapter 1 - Governor › § 9. Rewards

§ 9. Rewards
The Governor may offer a suitable reward, not exceeding the sum of $1,000.00 in any case, to be paid to a person or persons who, in consequence of such offer, apprehends or secures a person who has escaped from any institution in this State in which he or she was lawfully confined and, when requested by the Attorney General, may offer such a reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of any person who has committed a felony in this State. The Commissioner of Finance and Management shall issue his or her warrant for the amount of such reward in favor of the person whom the Governor certifies to be entitled to the same. (Added 1959, No. 328 (Adj. Sess.), § 8(b); amended 1983, No. 195 (Adj. Sess.), § 5(b).)
2023 Vermont Statutes › Title 3 - Executive › Chapter 1 - Governor › § 10. Authority to delegate functions

§ 10. Authority to delegate functions
When by provisions of any laws enumerated in section 13 of this title the Governor is required to approve any act, appointment, employment, or decision done or made by any other officer of the State Government or by any board, commission, or agency of the State government, as a condition to such act, appointment, employment, or decision becoming effective, the power and duty of the Governor as regards such approval may be delegated by him or her to any of the duly elected State officers or to any officer appointed by the Governor, or appointed by the Governor and with consent of the Senate or appointed with the approval of the Governor and with the consent of the Senate. (Added 1959, No. 254, § 1; amended 1973, No. 41, eff. April 3, 1973.)
2023 Vermont Statutes › Title 3 - Executive › Chapter 1 - Governor › § 11. Method of delegating; responsibility of Governor

§ 11. Method of delegating; responsibility of Governor
The delegating of duties herein authorized shall be in writing and shall specify with particularity the cases in which it is to apply. It shall become effective only when an executed duplicate copy of the delegation is filed in the Office of the Secretary of State. Such delegation may be revoked at any time by the Governor, and such revocation shall be in writing and likewise filed as the original delegation. The delegation of a particular function shall not prevent the Governor from acting in a case thereunder, and in any such instance, the delegation shall be of no effect. Nothing contained herein shall relieve the Governor of his or her responsibility for the acts of any officer designated by him or her under the authority of sections 10-13 of this title to perform any function. (Added 1959, No. 254, § 2.)
2023 Vermont Statutes › Title 3 - Executive › Chapter 1 - Governor › § 12. Scope

§ 12. Scope
Sections 10-13 of this title shall be interpreted as applying only in cases in which the Governor’s duty is approval of a prior act, appointment, employment, or decision done or made by another officer or by a board, commission, or agency, and shall not be interpreted as applying in cases in which the act, appointment, employment, or decision is required to be done or made initially by the Governor but shall not include approval of rules or regulations. (Added 1959, No. 254, § 3.)
2023 Vermont Statutes › Title 3 - Executive › Chapter 1 - Governor › § 13. Application

§ 13. Application
Sections 10-13 of this title shall apply only to the following sections: 202, 207 and 631 of this title; 4 V.S.A. § 852; 6 V.S.A. §§ 3, 4, 982, 1141 and 2922; 10 V.S.A. §§ 53, 54 and 4149; 20 V.S.A. §§ 1484, 1874(a), 1875, 2221, 2271 and 2273; 21 V.S.A. § 1104; 22 V.S.A. § 282; 23 V.S.A. § 103; 29 V.S.A. §§ 3 and 1104; and 32 V.S.A. §§ 3104 and 3105. (Added 1959, No. 254, § 4.)
2023 Vermont Statutes › Title 3 - Executive › Chapter 1 - Governor › § 14. Federal Highway Safety Act; powers of Governor and political subdivision

§ 14. Federal Highway Safety Act; powers of Governor and political subdivision
(a) The Governor shall be responsible for the administration of the State’s Highway Safety Program, and may cooperate with and contract with State and federal agencies and political subdivisions, and public and private organizations, in order to effectuate the purposes of the National Highway Safety Act of 1966 and any amendments thereto, to the end that federal monies available for such purposes may be obtained. The Governor may designate an appropriate agency of the State through which the State’s Highway Safety Program may be administered.
(b) The Governor shall provide for the receipt, allocation, and disbursement of federal monies received pursuant to this section, in accordance with such State and federal laws and regulations as may be applicable.
(c) Towns, cities, emergency medical services districts, municipalities, and other political subdivisions are authorized to administer local highway safety programs approved by the Governor as part of the State’s Highway Safety Program, and to receive funds available for the foregoing purposes subject to applicable laws and regulations and the approval of the Governor. (Added 1967, No. 25; amended 1969, No. 112, § 2, eff. April 22, 1969.)
2023 Vermont Statutes › Title 3 - Executive › Chapter 1 - Governor › § 17. Federal funding cuts; transfer of personnel

§ 17. Federal funding cuts; transfer of personnel
To enable the Governor to respond effectively to cuts in federal spending and in the interests of efficiency, he or she may, with the approval of the General Assembly or the Joint Fiscal Committee if the General Assembly is not in session, temporarily transfer positions among the departments and agencies of the Executive Branch of government; provided, however, that no transfer may be made under this section which substantially affects the functioning of a program or policy which has been approved or adopted by the General Assembly. (Added 1981, No. 91, § 22, eff. July 5, 1981.)
2023 Vermont Statutes › Title 3 - Executive › Chapter 1 - Governor › § 18. Spouse abuse programs; eligibility

§ 18. Spouse abuse programs; eligibility
(a) There is hereby created the Spouse Abuse Program.
(b) The Vermont Center for Crime Victim Services shall be authorized to award grants for the Spouse Abuse Program. Awards shall be made by the Center to spouse abuse programs established for the purpose of providing shelter, protection, or support for battered or abused spouses. The Center shall, insofar as possible, award grants to provide reasonable geographic distribution of funds around the State.
(c) [Repealed.]
(d) In order to receive funds under this section, each participating program shall:
(1) Receive some funding from one or more local, municipal, or county source, public or private. Contributions in kind, whether material, commodities, transportation, or office space, may be evaluated and counted as part of this requirement.
(2) Reapply annually for continued funding as necessary.
(e) Duties and functions of the Center.
(1) The Center shall adopt rules under chapter 25 of this title pursuant to which interested local programs may apply for funding. Any local agency or organization may apply to participate.
(2) The Center shall establish minimum standards for eligibility for State funds awarded through the provisions of this section. (Added 1981, No. 123 (Adj. Sess.), § 2; amended 1995, No. 178 (Adj. Sess.), § 57a; 2011, No. 139 (Adj. Sess.), § 1, eff. May 14, 2012; 2015, No. 97 (Adj. Sess.), § 71.)
2023 Vermont Statutes › Title 3 - Executive › Chapter 1 - Governor › § 21. Sexual Assault Victims Program

§ 21. Sexual Assault Victims Program
(a) The Sexual Assault Victims Program is hereby established.
(b) The Vermont Center for Crime Victim Services is authorized to award grants for a sexual assault victims program. Awards shall be made by the Center to a sexual assault victims program established for the purpose of providing emergency services, counseling, and support for victims of sexual assault. The Center shall, insofar as possible, award grants to provide reasonable geographic distribution of funds around the State.
(c) [Repealed.]
(d) In order to receive funds under this section, each participating program shall:
(1) Receive some funding from one or more local, municipal, or county source, public or private. Contributions in kind, whether material, commodities, transportation, volunteer services, or office space, may be evaluated and counted as part of this requirement.
(2) Reapply annually for continued funding as necessary.
(e) Duties and functions of the Center.
(1) The Center shall adopt rules under chapter 25 of this title pursuant to which interested local programs may apply for funding. Any local agency or organization may apply to participate.
(2) The Center shall establish minimum standards for eligibility for State funds awarded through the provisions of this section. (Added 1987, No. 257 (Adj. Sess.), § 1; amended 1995, No. 178 (Adj. Sess.), § 57a; 2011, No. 139 (Adj. Sess.), § 51, eff. May 14, 2012; 2015, No. 97 (Adj. Sess.), § 72.)
2023 Vermont Statutes › Title 3 - Executive › Chapter 5 - Secretary of State › § 102a. Facsimile signature of Secretary of State

§ 102a. Facsimile signature of Secretary of State
A facsimile of the signature of the Secretary of State imprinted by or at his or her direction upon any certification issued under Title 11 or 11A, upon any attestation required of the Secretary by law or upon any certification of official documents or records of which the Secretary is custodian shall have the same validity as the Secretary of State’s written signature. (Added 1993, No. 108 (Adj. Sess.), § 22, eff. Feb. 16, 1994.)
2023 Vermont Statutes › Title 3 - Executive › Chapter 5 - Secretary of State › § 103. Documents required to be filed

§ 103. Documents required to be filed
(a) All deeds, contracts of sale, leases, and other documents or copies of same conveying land or an interest therein to the State, except for transportation rights-of-way, leases, and conveyances, shall be filed in the Office of the Secretary of State.
(b) All deeds, contracts of sale, leases, and other documents conveying land or an interest in land from the State as grantor, except for transportation rights-of-way, leases, and conveyances, shall be made out in duplicate by the authorized agent of the State. The original shall be delivered to the grantee and the duplicate copy, so marked, shall be filed in the Office of the Secretary of State.
(c) The Secretary of State shall also record the State Treasurer’s bonds and other documents required to be recorded in the Secretary of State’s office and give copies of the same upon tender of the Secretary of State’s legal fees. (Amended 2009, No. 123 (Adj. Sess.), § 31.)
2023 Vermont Statutes › Title 3 - Executive › Chapter 5 - Secretary of State › § 104. Preparation and publication of acts and resolutions

§ 104. Preparation and publication of acts and resolutions
After an act or resolution has been passed by both Houses of the General Assembly, signed by the presiding officers of both Houses and by the Governor, it shall be delivered to the custody of the Secretary of State. The Secretary shall cause the act or resolution to be reproduced in form suitable to be submitted to the printer designated in 29 V.S.A. § 1115. Before submission to the printer, the Secretary shall correct obvious typographical errors and assign a public law number to each act or resolution. The Secretary shall cause a suitable index and reference tables to be prepared. (Amended 1969, No. 90, § 2.)
2023 Vermont Statutes › Title 3 - Executive › Chapter 5 - Secretary of State › § 106. Acts and resolutions of the General Assembly

§ 106. Acts and resolutions of the General Assembly
After the original acts and resolutions of the General Assembly are delivered to the Secretary pursuant to section 104 of this title, the Secretary shall cause a copy of the acts and resolutions to be prepared and printed and the original acts and resolutions to be preserved as State archival records pursuant to 3 V.S.A. § 117. (Added 1969, No. 90, § 3; amended 1995, No. 148 (Adj. Sess.), § 4(c)(2), eff. May 6, 1996; 2009, No. 91 (Adj. Sess.), § 1, eff. May 6, 2010; 2021, No. 53, § 1.)
2023 Vermont Statutes › Title 3 - Executive › Chapter 5 - Secretary of State › § 107. Legislative clerk

§ 107. Legislative clerk
The Secretary of State shall designate members of his or her staff as legislative clerks. The duties of legislative clerks shall be:
(1) to prepare a copy of the acts and resolutions for printing;
(2) to keep a register of lobbyists;
(3) to prepare and distribute certified copies of resolutions as directed by the General Assembly;
(4) to prepare index and tables of laws for the acts and resolves;
(5) to prepare a legislative directory containing appropriate matter by December 1 of each odd numbered year; and
(6) such other legislative duties as the Secretary shall assign. (Added 1969, No. 90, § 4; amended 1995, No. 148 (Adj. Sess.), § 4(c)(2), eff. May 6, 1996; 2021, No. 53, § 2.)
2023 Vermont Statutes › Title 3 - Executive › Chapter 5 - Secretary of State › § 108. Compilations, indices, bulletins, and circulars

§ 108. Compilations, indices, bulletins, and circulars
The Secretary shall cause to be prepared and printed such compilations of the different chapters of the Vermont Statutes Annotated, and amendments thereto or laws affecting the subject matter thereof, as may be necessary for the purpose of distribution, exchange, or for the use of the respective State officers, commissioners, departments, and citizens of the State. The Secretary may cause such compilations to be provided with the proper indices. He or she shall also cause bulletins or circulars to be prepared and printed relating to statistical and other matters of public nature on file or recorded in his or her office, and may employ necessary assistance for the preparation of such compilations, indices, bulletins, and circulars. The expense of such preparation and publication of such compilations, indices, bulletins, and circulars shall be paid by the State, and the Commissioner of Finance and Management shall issue his or her warrants for such expenses when the accounts therefor have been duly approved by the Secretary. All accounts for printing shall also be approved by the Commissioner of Buildings and General Services before the Commissioner of Finance and Management issues such warrants. (Amended 1961, No. 30, eff. March 17, 1961; 1983, No. 195 (Adj. Sess.), § 5(b); 1995, No. 148 (Adj. Sess.), § 4(c)(2), eff. May 6, 1996.)
2023 Vermont Statutes › Title 3 - Executive › Chapter 5 - Secretary of State › § 109. Laws and journals

§ 109. Laws and journals
The Secretary shall procure one copy of the printed journal of each House of the General Assembly at each session thereof, one copy of the laws passed at such session, one copy of this and all subsequent revisions of the laws, immediately after the same are printed and published, and deposit the same in his or her office, which, with such laws and journals and revisions of the laws as are now in his or her office, shall be kept therein and shall not be taken therefrom unless by authority of law.
2023 Vermont Statutes › Title 3 - Executive › Chapter 5 - Secretary of State › § 110. Surveyor General’s papers

§ 110. Surveyor General’s papers
All books, papers and records of the Surveyor General which are in the possession of the State or may come into its possession shall be in the custody of the Secretary of State, and copies thereof duly certified by such officer shall be evidence in court and have the same force as the original.
2023 Vermont Statutes › Title 3 - Executive › Chapter 5 - Secretary of State › § 111. Township charters

§ 111. Township charters
(a) The Secretary shall procure from the proper sources authenticated copies of such original charters of townships in this State as were not granted by the General Assembly.
(b) Copies of original charters of townships deposited in the Secretary of State’s office shall be valid records of such charters, and such record or copies thereof duly certified by the Secretary of State shall be competent evidence of such original charters in Court.
2023 Vermont Statutes › Title 3 - Executive › Chapter 5 - Secretary of State › § 113. Record by photostatic or photographic method

§ 113. Record by photostatic or photographic method
The Secretary of State may record by photostatic or photographic method any instrument, paper, or document required by law to be recorded by him or her, and he or she may give photostatic or photographic copies of the same, required by law to be filed or recorded with him or her, upon tender of his or her legal fees. Such copies, duly certified by him or her, shall be competent evidence in court and have the same force as the originals thereof would have had, if produced in court. (Amended 2019, No. 131 (Adj. Sess.), § 3.)
2023 Vermont Statutes › Title 3 - Executive › Chapter 5 - Secretary of State › § 116a. State boards and commissions registry

§ 116a. State boards and commissions registry
(a)(1) The Vermont State Archives and Records Administration shall maintain and make available on its website a registry of State boards and commissions and shall update that registry when changes are made that affect the information provided in the registry.
(2)(A) The registry shall include the names of the members of each State board and commission, their term length and expiration, and their appointing authority.
(B) Each State board and commission shall be responsible for providing to the Vermont State Archives and Records Administration this registry information and any updates to it in a manner prescribed by the State Archivist.
(3) The registry shall track the dates of the initial creation of State boards and commissions created by State law and of any amendments to those laws for the purpose of the intended five-year expiration of those State boards and commissions described in subsection (b) of this section.
(b)(1) It is the intent of the General Assembly that, except for State boards and commissions required by interstate compact and except as otherwise provided by law, a State board or commission created by State law shall cease to exist after five years from the date of its initial creation, five years from the last date that the statutory or session law containing the State board or commission was amended, or on January 1, 2025, whichever date is latest.
(2)(A) In each biennial session beginning in the year 2025, the Office of Legislative Counsel, in consultation with the Vermont State Archives and Records Administration and based on the registry’s date tracking described in subdivision (a)(3) of this section, shall prepare for the General Assembly’s review a list of the State boards and commissions subject to expiration under this subsection.
(B) A State board or commission shall only expire pursuant to legislative enactment.
(c) As used in this section, “State board or commission” means a professional or occupational licensing board or commission, advisory board or commission, appeals board, promotional board, interstate board, supervisory board or council, or any other similar entity that:
(1) is created by State law;
(2) is established as or is attached to an Executive Branch entity;
(3) has statewide jurisdiction or carries out a State function; and
(4) is not composed of members appointed exclusively by regional, county, or municipal entities. (Added 2018, No. 2 (Sp. Sess.), § 12, eff. Jan. 1, 2019; amended 2019, No. 61, § 1; 2023, No. 53, § 3, eff. June 8, 2023.)
2023 Vermont Statutes › Title 3 - Executive › Chapter 5 - Secretary of State › § 118. Collection and disposition of revenue

§ 118. Collection and disposition of revenue
(a) There is hereby created a Secretary of State Services Fund. The Fund shall be used to provide appropriations for the operations of the Office of the Secretary of State, with the exception of those operations provided for in chapter 5, subchapter 3 of this title. The Fund shall be administered as a special fund pursuant to 32 V.S.A. chapter 7, subchapter 5. At the end of each fiscal year, the unobligated balance in this Fund shall be transferred to the General Fund.
(b) All revenues collected by the Secretary of State shall be deposited into the Secretary of State Services Fund except for the following revenues:
(1) any revenues collected by the Office of Professional Regulation set forth in chapter 5, subchapter 3 of this title; and
(2) any revenues collected pursuant to subsection 117(k) of this title. (Added 2013, No. 1, § 78.)
2023 Vermont Statutes › Title 3 - Executive › Chapter 5 - Secretary of State › § 121. Definitions

§ 121. Definitions
As used in this subchapter:
(1) “Director” means the Director of the Office of Professional Regulation.
(2) “Licensing board” or “board” refers to the boards, commissions, and professions listed in section 122 of this subchapter and, in the case of disciplinary matters or denials of licensure, either an administrative law officer appointed under subsection 129(j) of this subchapter or the Director in advisor professions. Notwithstanding statutory language to the contrary, this subchapter shall apply to all those boards.
(3)(A) “License” includes any certification, registration, permit, commission, or other official authorization to undertake a regulated activity.
(B) “Licensee” includes any person to whom a license has been issued by a board or the Director.
(4) “Office” means the Office of Professional Regulation. (Added 1989, No. 250 (Adj. Sess.), § 1; amended 1997, No. 40, § 1; 2001, No. 132 (Adj. Sess.), § 1; 2005, No. 148 (Adj. Sess.), § 1; 2019, No. 30, § 1.)
2023 Vermont Statutes › Title 3 - Executive › Chapter 5 - Secretary of State › § 122. Office of Professional Regulation

§ 122. Office of Professional Regulation
The Office of Professional Regulation is created within the Office of the Secretary of State. The Office shall have a director who shall be qualified by education and professional experience to perform the duties of the position. The Director of the Office of Professional Regulation shall be a classified position with the Office of the Secretary of State. The following boards or professions are attached to the Office of Professional Regulation:
(1) Board of Architects
(2) Barbers and Cosmetologists
(3) Board of Chiropractic
(4) Board of Allied Mental Health Practitioners
(5) Board of Dental Examiners
(6) Funeral Service
(7) Board of Professional Engineering
(8) Board of Land Surveyors
(9) [Repealed.]
(10) Board of Nursing
(11) Nursing Home Administrators
(12) Opticians
(13) Board of Optometry
(14) Board of Osteopathic Physicians and Surgeons
(15) Board of Pharmacy
(16) Physical Therapists
(17) Radiologic Technology
(18) Private Investigative and Security Services
(19) Board of Public Accountancy
(20) Board of Veterinary Medicine
(21) Motor Vehicle Racing
(22) Boxing
(23) Board of Psychological Examiners
(24) Real Estate Commission
(25) Clinical Social Workers
(26) Acupuncturists
(27) Tattooists and Body Piercers
(28) Audiologists and Hearing Aid Dispensers
(29) Real Estate Appraisers
(30) Auctioneers
(31) Occupational Therapists
(32) Dietitians
(33) Respiratory Care Practitioners
(34) Psychoanalysts
(35) Foresters
(36) [Repealed.]
(37) Naturopathic Physicians
(38) Athletic Trainers
(39) Midwifery
(40) Electrology
(41) Speech-Language Pathologists
(42) Landscape Architects
(43) Property Inspectors
(44) Applied Behavior Analysts
(45) Alcohol and Drug Abuse Counselors
(46) Potable Water Supply and Wastewater System Designers
(47) Pollution Abatement Facility Operators
(48) Notaries Public
(49) Massage Therapists, Bodyworkers, and Touch Professionals
(50) Well Drillers
(51) Residential Contractors (Added 1989, No. 250 (Adj. Sess.), § 1; amended 1989, No. 264 (Adj. Sess.), § 2; 1991, No. 167 (Adj. Sess.), § 61; 1991, No. 236 (Adj. Sess.), § 3; 1993, No. 102, § 2; 1993, No. 103, § 2; 1993, No. 222 (Adj. Sess.), § 18; 1995, No. 79 (Adj. Sess.), § 2; 1995, No. 171 (Adj. Sess.), § 4; 1997, No. 40, § 76; 1997, No. 108 (Adj. Sess.), § 3, eff. Jan. 1, 1999; 1999, No. 133 (Adj. Sess.), § 52; 2001, No. 132 (Adj. Sess.), § 2; 2001, No. 151 (Adj. Sess.), § 49, eff. July 1, 2003; 2011, No. 116 (Adj. Sess.), § 1; 2013, No. 136 (Adj. Sess.), § 1; 2013, No. 138 (Adj. Sess.), § 1; 2015, No. 38, § 45, eff. July 1, 2016; 2015, No. 156 (Adj. Sess.), § 2, eff. Sept. 1, 2016; 2015, No. 156 (Adj. Sess.), § 10, eff. Jan. 1, 2017; 2015, No. 166 (Adj. Sess.), § 1; 2019, No. 30, § 2; 2019, No. 178 (Adj. Sess.), § 1, eff. Oct. 1, 2020; 2019, No. 178 (Adj. Sess.), § 28, eff. April 1, 2021; 2021, No. 69, § 1, eff. June 8, 2021; 2021, No. 182 (Adj. Sess.), § 13, eff. July 1, 2022.)
2023 Vermont Statutes › Title 3 - Executive › Chapter 5 - Secretary of State › § 124. Professional Regulatory Fee Fund

§ 124. Professional Regulatory Fee Fund
(a) Except as otherwise provided in subsection (b) of this section, it is the policy of this State that:
(1) the cost of regulating a profession attached to the Office of Professional Regulation should be borne by the profession; and
(2) one profession should not subsidize the cost of regulating another profession.
(b) Professions regulated by the Director in consultation with advisor appointees shall share the cost of regulating those professions.
(c) A Professional Regulatory Fee Fund is created. All revenues received by the office shall be deposited into the Fund, credited to the appropriate board or to the professions regulated by the Director as a group, as appropriate, shall be used to offset up to two years of the costs incurred by that board or that group and shall not be used for any purpose other than professional regulation.
(d) To ensure that revenues derived by the Office are adequate to offset the cost of regulation, the Secretary of State shall review fees from time to time, and present proposed fee changes to the General Assembly. (Added 1989, No. 250 (Adj. Sess.), § 1; amended 1991, No. 167 (Adj. Sess.), § 62; 1997, No. 59, § 44, eff. June 30, 1997; 1999, No. 52, § 1; 2007, No. 163 (Adj. Sess.), § 2.)
2023 Vermont Statutes › Title 3 - Executive › Chapter 5 - Secretary of State › § 126. Agent for process; nonresident licensees

§ 126. Agent for process; nonresident licensees
Whenever a person practicing a profession attached to the Office resides outside the borders of the State and fails to appoint an agent for process, the Secretary of State shall be an agent of that person, upon whom any process, notice, or demand may be served. In the event any process, notice, or demand is served on the Secretary of State, the Secretary shall immediately cause one of the copies thereof to be forwarded by certified mail, addressed to the person at its registered Office. (Added 1989, No. 250 (Adj. Sess.), § 1.)
2023 Vermont Statutes › Title 3 - Executive › Chapter 5 - Secretary of State › § 128. Disciplinary action to be reported to the Office

§ 128. Disciplinary action to be reported to the Office
(a)(1) Any hospital, clinic, community mental health center, or other health care institution in which a licensee performs professional services shall report to the Office, along with supporting information and evidence, any disciplinary action taken by it or its staff that limits or conditions the licensee’s privilege to practice or leads to suspension or expulsion from the institution.
(2) The report shall be made within 10 days of the date the disciplinary action was taken, regardless of whether the action is the subject of a pending appeal, and in the case of a licensee who is employed by, or under contract with, a community mental health center, a copy of the report shall also be sent to the Commissioners of Mental Health and of Disabilities, Aging, and Independent Living.
(3) This section shall not apply to cases of resignation, separation from service, or changes in privileges that are unrelated to:
(A) a disciplinary or adverse action;
(B) an adverse action report to the National Practitioner Data Bank;
(C) an unexpected adverse outcome in the care or treatment of a patient;
(D) misconduct or allegations of misconduct;
(E) the initiation or process of an action to limit, condition, or suspend a licensee’s privilege to practice in an institution;
(F) an action to expel the licensee from an institution; or
(G) any other action that could lead to an outcome described in subdivisions (A) through (F) of this subdivision (3).
(b) Within 30 days of any judgment or settlements involving a claim of professional negligence by a licensee, any insurer of the licensee shall report such information to the Office, regardless of whether the action is the subject of a pending appeal.
(c) Information provided to the Office under this section shall be confidential unless the Office decides to treat the report as a complaint, in which case the provisions of section 131 of this title shall apply.
(d) A person who acts in good faith in accord with the provisions of this section shall not be liable for damages in any civil action.
(e) A person who violates this section shall be subject to a civil penalty of not more than $1,000.00. (Added 1989, No. 250 (Adj. Sess.), § 1; 1995, No. 126 (Adj. Sess.), § 1; amended 2001, No. 129 (Adj. Sess.), § 1, eff. June 13, 2002; 2011, No. 66, § 1, eff. June 1, 2011; 2013, No. 96 (Adj. Sess.), § 5; 2013, No. 138 (Adj. Sess.), § 3; 2017, No. 48, § 2; 2017, No. 144 (Adj. Sess.), § 4.)
2023 Vermont Statutes › Title 3 - Executive › Chapter 5 - Secretary of State › § 129b. Board member and advisor appointments

§ 129b. Board member and advisor appointments
(a) Notwithstanding any provision of law to the contrary relating to terms of office and appointments for members of boards attached to the Office of Professional Regulation, all board members appointed by the Governor shall be appointed for staggered five-year terms and shall serve at the pleasure of the Governor. Appointments under this section shall not be subject to the advice and consent of the Senate. The Governor may remove any member of a board as provided in section 2004 of this title. Vacancies created other than by expiration of a term shall be filled in the same manner that the initial appointment was made for the unexpired portion of the term. Terms shall begin on January 1 of the year of appointment and run through December 31 of the last year of the term. The Governor may request nominations from any source but shall not be bound to select board members from among the persons nominated. As provided in section 2004 of this title, board members shall hold office and serve until a successor has been appointed.
(b) Board members shall not serve more than two consecutive terms. Members appointed to fill a vacancy created before the end of a term shall not be deemed to have served a term for purposes of this section.
(c) Boards shall meet annually, in September or the first meeting scheduled thereafter, to elect a chair, vice chair, and secretary.
(d) Meetings may be called by the chair or shall be called upon the request of any other two board members.
(e) Meetings shall be warned and conducted in accordance with 1 V.S.A. chapter 5, the Open Meeting Law.
(f) Notwithstanding any provisions of law to the contrary, board members and advisors for all professions attached to the Office of Professional Regulation shall be entitled to compensation, at a rate provided in 32 V.S.A. § 1010 , for performance of official duties and other duties directly related to the efficient conduct of necessary business of a board or the Office.
(g) For advisor professions:
(1) Advisors shall be appointed by the Secretary of State and shall serve at the pleasure of the Secretary of State. Advisor appointments shall be subject to the same conditions as those for board members under this section.
(2) The Office shall warn and conduct an open meeting including advisors, program staff, and interested members of the public:
(A) at least once per year for each profession with 500 or fewer active licensees; and
(B) at least twice per year for each profession with more than 500 active licensees. (Added 1997, No. 40, § 6; amended 1997, No. 145 (Adj. Sess.), §§ 3, 5; 2005, No. 27, § 6; 2007, No. 29, § 2; 2019, No. 30, § 5.)
2023 Vermont Statutes › Title 3 - Executive › Chapter 5 - Secretary of State › § 130. Provisional licensure

§ 130. Provisional licensure
(a) The Director may issue a 90-day provisional license to an individual who has completed an application for full licensure and:
(1) whose eligibility for licensure is contingent upon acceptable verification of licensure from another jurisdiction;
(2) whose eligibility for licensure is contingent upon completion of a background check; or
(3) who is an active-duty member of the U.S. Armed Forces assigned to duty in Vermont or the spouse of such a member.
(b) A provisional license shall be based on a voluntary agreement between the applicant and the Office to expedite the applicant’s entry into the workforce, in which the applicant agrees to forgo the procedural rights associated with traditional licensure in exchange for a provisional license pending final determination of the license application.
(c) A provisional license shall only be issued to an applicant who can attest to material facts consistent with the requirements of full licensure, including the applicant’s standing in other U.S. jurisdictions, criminal history, and disciplinary history. An individual to whom a provisional license is issued shall expressly agree that the Office may summarily withdraw the provisional license upon discovery of any inconsistency or inaccuracy in the application materials.
(d) An individual aggrieved by a denial or summary withdrawal of a provisional license issued under this section shall have as an exclusive remedy the right to have the individual’s application for conventional licensure determined according to the usual process.
(e) The Director may extend a provisional license beyond the initial 90-day period if the reason for issuing the license, as set forth in subdivisions (a)(1)–(3) of this section, has not been resolved. (Added 2021, No. 107 (Adj. Sess.), § 2, eff. May 9, 2022.)
2023 Vermont Statutes › Title 3 - Executive › Chapter 5 - Secretary of State › § 130a. Appeals

§ 130a. Appeals
(a)(1) A party aggrieved by a final decision of a board or administrative law officer may, within 30 days of the decision, appeal that decision by filing a notice of appeal with the Director who shall assign the case to an appellate officer.
(2)(A) The review shall be conducted on the basis of the record created before the board or administrative law officer.
(B) In cases of alleged irregularities in procedure before the board or administrative law officer, not shown in the record, proof on that issue may be taken by the appellate officer.
(b) The appellate officer shall not substitute his or her judgment for that of the board or administrative law officer as to the weight of the evidence on questions of fact. The appellate officer may affirm the decision, or may reverse and remand the matter with recommendations if substantial rights of the appellant have been prejudiced because the board’s or administrative law officer’s finding, inferences, conclusions, or decisions are:
(1) in violation of constitutional or statutory provisions;
(2) in excess of the statutory authority of the board or administrative law officer;
(3) made upon unlawful procedure;
(4) affected by other error of law;
(5) clearly erroneous in view of the evidence on the record as a whole;
(6) arbitrary or capricious; or
(7) characterized by abuse of discretion or clearly unwarranted exercise of discretion.
(c) A party aggrieved by a decision of the appellate officer may appeal to the Supreme Court, which shall review the matter on the basis of the records created before the board or administrative law officer and the appellate officer. (Added 1993, No. 108 (Adj. Sess.), § 23, eff. Feb. 16, 1994; amended 2015, No. 167 (Adj. Sess.), § 5; 2017, No. 48, § 5.)