H 926

 BILL AS INTRODUCED  H.926
 2026  Page 1 of 1
1H.926
2SHORT FORM
3 Introduced by Representatives Cole of Hartford and Christie of Hartford
4 Referred to Committee on
5 Date:
6 Subject: Criminal procedure; sentencing
7 Statement of purpose of bill as introduced: This bill proposes to prohibit the
8 Judiciary from applying interest to an unpaid fine or fee while a criminal
9 defendant is incarcerated and for 90 days after the defendant is released,
10 including by means of a collections agency. The bill also proposes to grant the
11 court the ability to waive or adjust a surcharge when the defendant
12 demonstrates an inability to pay. These processes would reflect Vermont’s
13 policy that, because the purpose of the justice system is to deter criminal
14 behavior and encourage compliance with the law, imposing interest or
15 surcharges in excess of what a defendant can reasonably pay undermines that
16 purpose.
17    An act relating to taking account of a defendant’s ability to pay for purposes
18    of criminal fines, fees, and surcharges
19 It is hereby enacted by the General Assembly of the State of Vermont:
20(TEXT OMITTED IN SHORT-FORM BILLS)
                                                                    VT LEG #387554 v.1