Vermont H 917: An act relating to expanding workers’ compensation coverage for firefighters with cancer

Bill Text

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2026

VT LEG #389271 v.1
No. 88. An act relating to military affairs.
(H.917)
It is hereby enacted by the General Assembly of the State of Vermont:
* * * Adjutant General * * *
Sec. 1. 2 V.S.A. § 10 is amended to read:
§ 10. ELECTION OF STATE AND JUDICIAL OFFICERS
* * *
(c) At 10 o’clock and 30 minutes, forenoon, on the seventh Thursday of the
second year of the biennial session, the Senate and House of Representatives
shall meet in joint assembly and proceed therein to elect the State officers,
whose election by the Constitution and laws devolves in the first instance upon
them in joint assembly, including the legislative trustees of the Vermont State
Colleges Corporation and the Adjutant and Inspector General. In case election
of all such officers shall not be made on that day, they shall meet in joint
assembly at 10 o’clock and 30 minutes, forenoon, on each succeeding day,
Saturdays and Sundays excepted, and proceed in such election, until all such
officers are elected.
Sec. 2. 16 V.S.A. § 2539 is amended to read:
§ 2539. APPLICATION, AWARD, RENEWAL
* * *
(b) On being notified of an eligible applicant’s matriculation at an
institution as specified in subsection 2538(a) of this title, the Adjutant and

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Inspector General or the Office of Veterans’ Affairs shall provide funds from
the special fund established in section 2541 of this title to the Vermont Student
Assistance Corporation, which, upon verifying enrollment, shall disburse the
scholarship award to the institution.
* * *
Sec. 3. 16 V.S.A. § 2857 is amended to read:
§ 2857. VERMONT NATIONAL GUARD TUITION BENEFIT PROGRAM
* * *
(e) Termination of tuition benefit.
(1) The Office of the Vermont Adjutant and Inspector General may
terminate the tuition benefit provided an individual under the Program if:
* * *
(3) If an individual is dismissed for academic or disciplinary reasons
from any postsecondary educational institution before receiving tuition
benefits under the Program, the Office of the Adjutant and Inspector General
may make a determination regarding the individual’s eligibility to receive
tuition benefits under the Program.
(f) Adoption of policies, procedures, and guidelines.
(1) VSAC, in consultation with the Office of the Adjutant and Inspector
General, shall adopt policies, procedures, and guidelines necessary to
implement the provisions of this section, which shall include eligibility,
application, and acceptance requirements, proration of service requirements for

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academic semesters or attendance periods shorter than one year, data sharing
guidelines, and the criteria for determining “good cause” as used in
subdivisions (d)(2) and (e)(1)(C) of this section.
* * *
Sec. 4. 20 V.S.A. § 361 is amended to read:
§ 361. MILITARY DEPARTMENT; NATIONAL GUARD
(a) The Military Department, created by 3 V.S.A. § 212, shall be
administered by the Adjutant and Inspector General and shall include the
National Guard and all military components of the State.
* * *
(c) The Adjutant and Inspector General shall adopt all necessary rules for
the government of the National Guard pursuant to this chapter.
Sec. 5. 20 V.S.A. § 363 is amended to read:
§ 363. OFFICERS GENERALLY
(a)(1) The General Assembly shall biennially elect an Adjutant and
Inspector General for a term of two years, in accordance with 2 V.S.A. § 10(c).
(2) An Adjutant and Inspector General appointed to fill a vacancy
occurring during a term shall serve the remainder of the unexpired term.
(3) In order to be eligible for election to serve as Adjutant and Inspector
General, an individual shall:
* * *

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(b) The Adjutant and Inspector General shall be granted the rank of a major
general within the State.
(c)(1) The Adjutant General may appoint a Deputy with the approval of the
Governor. The Adjutant General may also appoint an Assistant Adjutant
General for Army, an Assistant Adjutant General for Air, an Assistant Adjutant
General for Joint Operations, a Command Sergeant Major, and a Command
Chief Master Sergeant, without pay, with the approval of the Governor.
(2) The Adjutant and Inspector General may remove the appointed
assistant adjutant generals and sergeants and shall be responsible for their acts.
* * *
(4) The Deputy, assistants, and sergeants shall perform duties as the
Adjutant and Inspector General shall direct.
(d)(1) In the absence or disability of the Adjutant and Inspector General,
the Deputy shall perform the duties of that office.
(2) In case a vacancy occurs in the office of Adjutant and Inspector
General, the Deputy shall assume and discharge the duties of the office until
the vacancy is filled.
* * *
(f) All other officers of the National Guard shall be chosen in accordance
with rules adopted by the Adjutant and Inspector General consistent with the
laws of this State and the United States.

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VT LEG #3892