H 104

BILL AS INTRODUCED  H.104
 2025  Page 1 of 4
1H.104
2 Introduced by Representatives Page of Newport City, Coffin of Cavendish,
3Demar of Enosburgh, Goslant of Northfield, Hango of
4Berkshire, Harrison of Chittenden, Hooper of Burlington,
5Kascenska of Burke, Keyser of Rutland City, Lipsky of Stowe,
6Morrissey of Bennington, Oliver of Sheldon, Quimby of
7Lyndon, and Wells of Brownington
8 Referred to Committee on
9 Date:
10 Subject: Human services; health care; energy; public assistance benefits;
11eligibility; veterans’ disability benefits
12 Statement of purpose of bill as introduced: This bill proposes to exclude
13 veterans’ disability benefits from an applicant’s income for the purpose of
14 making eligibility determinations for public assistance programs or benefits, to
15 the extent not already excluded.
16    An act relating to excluding veterans’ disability benefits from income-based
17    eligibility determinations for public assistance programs or benefits
  VT LEG #379259 v.1
 BILL AS INTRODUCED  H.104
 2025  Page 2 of 4
1 It is hereby enacted by the General Assembly of the State of Vermont:
2* * * Electricity and Natural Gas Efficiency Entity * * *
3 Sec. 1. 30 V.S.A. § 209(d) is amended to read:
4    (d) Energy efficiency.
5***
6(4) Contract or order of appointment. Appointment of an entity under
7 subdivision (2) of this subsection may be by contract or by an order of
8 appointment. An appointment, whether by order of appointment or by
9 contract, may only be issued after notice and opportunity for hearing. An order
10 of appointment shall be for a limited duration not to exceed 12 years, although
11 an entity may be reappointed by order or contract. An order of appointment
12 may include any conditions and requirements that the Commission deems
13 appropriate to promote the public good. An order of appointment shall require
14 that any program operated, or benefit issued by the entity, exclude a veteran’s
15 disability benefit from the calculation of the individual’s taxable income as
16 defined by 32 V.S.A. § 5811(21) or the individual’s adjusted gross income as
17 defined by 26 U.S.C. § 62, respectively, for the purpose determining eligibility.
18 For good cause, after notice and opportunity for hearing, the Commission may
19 amend or revoke an order of appointment.
20***
  VT LEG #379259 v.1
 BILL AS INTRODUCED  H.104
 2025  Page 3 of 4
1* * * Department for Children and Families * * *
2 Sec. 2. 33 V.S.A. § 125 is added to read:
3 § 125. VETERANS’ DISABILITY BENEFITS; EXCLUDED INCOME
4    Any State program or benefit administered or operated by the Department
5 shall exclude a veteran’s disability benefit from the calculation of the
6 individual’s taxable income as defined by 32 V.S.A. § 5811(21) or the
7 individual’s adjusted gross income as defined by 26 U.S.C. § 62, respectively,
8 for the purpose determining eligibility.
9* * * Department of Vermont Health Access * * *
10 Sec. 3. 33 V.S.A. § 405 is added to read:
11 § 405. VETERANS’ DISABILITY BENEFITS; EXCLUDED INCOME
12    Any State program or benefit administered or operated by the Department
13 shall exclude a veteran’s disability benefit from the calculation of the
14 individual’s taxable income as defined by 32 V.S.A. § 5811(21) or the
15 individual’s adjusted gross income as defined by 26 U.S.C. § 62, respectively,
16 for the purpose determining eligibility.
17     * * * Department of Disabilities, Aging, and Independent Living * * *
18 Sec. 4. 33 V.S.A. § 506 is added to read:
19 § 506. VETERANS’ DISABILITY BENEFITS; EXCLUDED INCOME
20    Any State program or benefit administered or operated by the Department
21 shall exclude a veteran’s disability benefit from the calculation of the
  VT LEG #379259 v.1
BILL AS INTRODUCED  H.104
2025  Page 4 of 4
1 individual’s taxable income as defined by 32 V.S.A. § 5811(21) or the
2 individual’s adjusted gross income as defined by 26 U.S.C. § 62, respectively,
3 for the purpose determining eligibility.
4* * * Effective Date * * *
5 Sec. 5. EFFECTIVE DATE
6    This act shall take effect on July 1, 2025.
  VT LEG #379259 v.1