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VT H0403
Bill
Status
2/27/2025
Primary Sponsor
Heather Surprenant
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AI Summary
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Repeals the minimum wage exemption for agricultural workers, making them eligible for Vermont's standard minimum wage (currently $12.55 with annual CPI adjustments), while maintaining exemptions only for an employer's parent, spouse, or child
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Requires overtime pay at 1.5 times the regular wage rate for agricultural workers who exceed 60 hours per week, effective January 1, 2026
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Mandates the Secretary of Agriculture to survey farm employees about housing conditions during scheduled farm inspections, with multilingual forms covering topics such as cleanliness, maintenance, rent, privacy, and safety
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Requires survey results to be submitted to the Division of Fire Safety, which may inspect farm employee housing for compliance with the Vermont Residential Rental Housing Health and Safety Code
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Authorizes administrative penalties up to $1,000 per violation for farm employers who fail to comply with housing code requirements or obstruct employee housing surveys; takes effect July 1, 2025
Legislative Description
An act relating to fair labor standards and housing standards for agricultural workers
Last Action
Rep. Mihaly of Calais moved that the Committee on General and Housing be relieved of the bill and that the same be committed to the Committee on Agriculture, Food Resiliency, and Forestry, which was agreed to
2/10/2026