Vermont H. 743: An act relating to workers' compensation

Bill Text

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H.743 1
Introduced by Representatives Satcowitz of Randolph, Cina of Burlington, 2
Eastes of Guilford, Howard of Rutland City, Logan of 3
Burlington, McCann of Montpelier, McGill of Bridport, Morris 4
of Springfield, Pezzo of Colchester, Pouech of Hinesburg, and 5
Waszazak of Barre City 6
Referred to Committee on 7
Date: 8
Subject: Labor; employment practices; minimum wages 9
Statement of purpose of bill as introduced: This bill proposes to increase the 10
minimum wage to the livable wage as established by the basic needs budget. 11
An act relating to increasing the State minimum wage based on the livable 12
wage 13
It is hereby enacted by the General Assembly of the State of Vermont: 14
Sec. 1. LEGISLATIVE INTENT 15
Consistent with the declaration of policy on minimum wages, set forth in 16
21 V.S.A. § 381, and to address ongoing concerns about affordability, it is the 17
General Assembly’s intent to raise the State minimum wage to the livable 18
wage as reported by the Joint Fiscal Office in January 2025. Future increases 19

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to the minimum wage will continue to be determined as established by current 1
law. 2
Sec. 2. 21 V.S.A. § 383 is amended to read: 3
§ 383. DEFINITIONS 4
As used in this subchapter: 5
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(5) “Livable wage” means the average of the urban and rural hourly 7
wage required for a full-time worker who lives in shared housing and has 8
employer-assisted health insurance to pay for the basic needs budget. 9
Sec. 3. 21 V.S.A. § 384 is amended to read: 10
§ 384. EMPLOYMENT; WAGES 11
(a)(1) Beginning on January 1, 2022 2027, an employer shall not employ 12
any employee at a rate of less than $12.55, and on the livable wage of $18.60. 13
On each subsequent January 1, the minimum wage rate shall be increased by 14
five percent or the percentage increase of the Consumer Price Index, CPI-U, 15
U.S. city average, not seasonally adjusted, or successor index, as calculated by 16
the U.S. Department of Labor or successor agency, rounded to one decimal 17
point, for the 12 months preceding the previous September 1, whichever is 18
smaller, but in no event shall the minimum wage be decreased. The minimum 19
wage shall be rounded off to the nearest $0.01. 20
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Sec. 4. EFFECTIVE DATE 1
This act shall take effect on July 1, 2026. 2