Legislative counsel explained Senate amendments to H.639 (genetic testing/privacy) that replace 'biometric data' with 'biological samples' and add a 60‑day cure period under the Vermont Consumer Protection Act; the committee moved to not concur with the Senate and request a committee conference to resolve the changes.

H.385 establishes a coerced‑debt framework under Vermont’s Consumer Protection Act, provides creditors and debtors defined workflows and remedies, and authorizes banks to place short transaction holds to investigate suspected financial exploitation; several provisions take effect on passage while coerced‑debt remedies are phased in through 2028.

Assistant Attorney General Todd Dayla told the Vermont House Committee on Commerce & Economic Development on April 28 that the attorney general’s office supports S.71 to strengthen consumer data protections, but he warned enforcement could require additional resources and discussed possible chargeback approaches for investigatory costs.

Senators heard an extended presentation and stakeholder testimony on H.385, a two-part bill that would (1) create a consumer-protection pathway for victims of coerced debt (domestic abuse, trafficking, vulnerable adults) and (2) authorize covered financial institutions to impose short-term holds on suspicious transactions; committee members asked for more input from creditors, advocates and regulators before amendments and votes.

Witnesses told the committee H.600 would let Vermont reinstate federal appliance efficiency rules if those rules are eliminated or not published; testimony emphasized consumer protection, long‑term savings and a request to capture an electric‑motor standard currently in limbo.

A Morristown attorney told the Senate Transportation committee that a CARFAX report did not disclose a prior catastrophic power‑steering failure; she urged S.235 to require diagnostic information in vehicle‑history reporting. The committee said it will consult the DMV.

Bennington County State's Attorney Erica Marthage told the Judiciary committee that changes to the home-improvement statute have left many cases as civil contract disputes, making prosecution difficult; she recommended shifting appropriate matters to the attorney general's consumer-protection functions.

Lawmakers in the House Judiciary Committee reviewed draft H.385, which would add a subchapter to Vermont's Consumer Protection Act prohibiting coerced debt, require creditors to investigate sworn debtor claims and, if compelled, remove negative credit entries; the draft would let a debtor make a prima facie case that shifts the burden to the creditor to disprove coercion.

The Vermont House advanced H 8 98, a bill that would require telecommunications carriers to give staggered written notice before copper-to-fiber transitions, coordinate with public safety agencies, and report on backup-power uptake and 911 incidents beginning November 2026; third reading was ordered.

Witnesses told the House Commerce & Economic Development Committee on Feb. 3 that a 10% cap on resale markups would protect consumers but could make face-value platforms unsustainable unless the law exempts partnered services. Lawmakers discussed a possible higher cap for contracted partnerships and will hear more testimony Friday.

At the committee hearing, a former NBC reporter recounted the ChoicePoint breach and recent data‑broker enforcement, while a former Visa executive and others described how profiling powers dynamic pricing and profiling that can harm consumers and small businesses.

Sen. Rebecca White introduced S.207 to prohibit "surveillance pricing," arguing companies use personal data to charge different customers different prices. Legislative Council staff and committee members discussed definitions, enforcement authority for the attorney general, and exemptions such as insurance; no vote was taken and members asked for further study with state regulators.

Witnesses told the Natural Resources & Energy committee that S.202’s concept — allowing portable/‘balcony’ solar devices — has merit but needs clearer safety standards, consumer-protection rules and cost/affordability safeguards before the state should broadly endorse it.

H.512 aims to regulate ticket resales and ensure transparent pricing for consumers.

Vermont legislation authorizes civil penalties for violations of unfair commerce practices.

Vermont establishes regulations on biometric data collection and online services for minors.

Senator introduces bills addressing data privacy and hidden junk fees in hospitality.

Vermont requires kiosk operators to use blockchain analytics and implement fraud prevention policies.

Vermont implements new disclosure and receipt requirements for virtual currency kiosks.

Panel recommends banning cryptocurrency kiosks due to high fraud risk and low consumer benefits.

Bill aims to prevent wage providers from profiting by selling consumers' biometric data.

Vermont bans PFAS in cosmetics and menstrual products, expanding restrictions on consumer goods.

Vermont aims to enhance data privacy and consumer protection amid rising concerns over scams and vaping.