Vermont H 81: An act relating to requiring legislative approval prior to entering into certain immigration agreements

Bill Text

BILL AS INTRODUCED H.81
2025 Page 1 of 4

VT LEG #379794 v.1
H.81 1
Introduced by Representatives Headrick of Burlington, Dodge of Essex, 2
Arsenault of Williston, Berbeco of Winooski, Bluemle of 3
Burlington, Burrows of West Windsor, Chapin of East 4
Montpelier, Cina of Burlington, Graning of Jericho, Hooper of 5
Burlington, Howard of Rutland City, Logan of Burlington, 6
McCann of Montpelier, McGill of Bridport, Minier of South 7
Burlington, Priestley of Bradford, Tomlinson of Winooski, and 8
Waszazak of Barre City 9
Referred to Committee on 10
Date: 11
Subject: Internal security and public safety; protection of personally 12
identifying information; immigration agreements 13
Statement of purpose of bill as introduced: This bill proposes to require the 14
Governor to get approval of the General Assembly before entering into certain 15
immigration agreements. 16
An act relating to requiring legislative approval prior to entering into certain 17
immigration agreements 18

BILL AS INTRODUCED H.81
2025 Page 2 of 4

VT LEG #379794 v.1
It is hereby enacted by the General Assembly of the State of Vermont: 1
Sec. 1. 20 V.S.A. § 4652 is amended to read: 2
§ 4652. AUTHORIZATION TO ENTER INTO AGREEMENTS 3
PURSUANT TO 8 U.S.C. § 1357(g) AND 19 U.S.C. § 1401(i) 4
(a) Notwithstanding any other provision of law, only the Governor, in 5
consultation with the Vermont Attorney General upon approval from the 6
General Assembly as set forth in subsection (b) of this section, is authorized to 7
enter into, modify, or extend an agreement pursuant to 8 U.S.C. § 1357(g) or 8
19 U.S.C. § 1401(i). 9
(b) Notwithstanding subsection (a) of this section, a State, county, or 10
municipal law enforcement agency is authorized to enter into an agreement 11
pursuant to 8 U.S.C. § 1357(g) or 19 U.S.C. § 1401(i) when necessary to 12
address threats to the public safety or welfare of Vermont residents arising out 13
of a declaration of a State or national emergency. 14
(1) The Governor shall not enter into an agreement pursuant to 8 U.S.C. 15
§ 1357(g) or 19 U.S.C. § 1401(i) without prior approval from the General 16
Assembly. 17
(2) Not fewer than 60 days before the General Assembly may vote on a 18
proposed agreement pursuant to subdivision (1) of this subsection, the 19
Governor shall: 20
(A) provide the General Assembly with: 21

BILL AS INTRODUCED H.81
2025 Page 3 of 4

VT LEG #379794 v.1
(i) the full text of the proposed agreement; and 1
(ii) an analysis of the potential fiscal, social, and legal impacts of 2
the agreement; and 3
(B) hold one or more public hearings in order to inform and gather 4
input from Vermonters, including immigrant advocacy organizations, on the 5
proposed agreement. 6
(3) No agreement pursuant to 8 U.S.C. § 1357(g) or 19 U.S.C. § 1401(i) 7
shall be entered into if the General Assembly is not in session. 8
(4) No State, county, or municipal law enforcement agency or officer 9
shall engage in any duty or action pursuant to an 8 U.S.C. § 1357(g) or 10
19 U.S.C. § 1401(i) agreement unless the General Assembly approves of such 11
agreement as set forth in subdivision (1) of this subsection. 12
(c) On or before December 1 of each year, the Governor shall submit a 13
letter to the House Committee on Government Operations and Military Affairs 14
and the Senate Committee on Government Operations addressing the following 15
matters: 16
(1) providing details on any informal and formal discussions and 17
negotiations involving agreements pursuant to 8 U.S.C. § 1357(g) or 19 U.S.C. 18
§ 1401(i); and 19

BILL AS INTRODUCED H.81
2025 Page 4 of 4

VT LEG #379794 v.1
(2) confirming that no agreement pursuant to 8 U.S.C. § 1357(g) or 1
19 U.S.C. § 1401(i) has been entered into without approval from the General 2
Assembly. 3
Sec. 2. EFFECTIVE DATE 4
This act shall take effect on passage. 5