An act relating to marriage license fees

2025-2026 Regular Session Introduced by Martin LaLonde

Repeals the sunset and keeps the higher marriage license fees: $80 total, $15 to town clerks, and $50 to the Domestic and Sexual Violence Special Fund.

Read first time and referred to the Committee on Ways and Means

Summary of Bill H.6 (2025-2026, Vermont)

Purpose and Intent

The bill seeks to repeal the sunset provision related to a 2023 increase in marriage license fees.

Specifically, it aims to maintain the higher fee structure established by 2023 Acts and Resolves No. 19 rather than allowing the sunset to take effect.

Key Provisions and Changes

Repeal of sunset: Sec. 5 of 2023 Acts and Resolves No. 19, which previously set a sunset for the increased marriage license fees, would be repealed so the higher fee remains in place.

Fee structure originally modified in 2023:

Marriage license fee increased from $60 to $80.
Town clerk’s portion of the fee increased from $10 to $15.
Amount directed to the Domestic and Sexual Violence Special Fund (per 13 V.S.A. § 5360) increased from $35 to $50.

Effective dates:

The bill as introduced notes Sec. 5 (which related to the sunset and the July 1, 2025 effective date for certain provisions) would be deleted, with no new sunset timing specified in the bill itself.
The act’s operative language indicates that the current higher fee levels would continue (there is an effective date noted “This act shall take effect on passage.”).

Who/What Would Be Affected

Parties paying marriage license fees in Vermont (couples seeking marriage licenses) would continue to pay the higher fee of $80.

Town clerks would continue to retain $15 from each fee rather than reverting to a lower amount.

The Domestic and Sexual Violence Special Fund would continue to receive $50 per license, rather than a reduced amount.

State and local government administrative processes surrounding marriage licenses would maintain the status quo established in 2023.

Procedural and Timeline Aspects

Introduction and referral: Introduced by Rep. Martin LaLonde (South Burlington) and referred to the House Committee on Ways and Means.

First reading: January 9, 2025.

Expected timeline: As an introduced bill, it would proceed through committee consideration, potential amendments, and floor action. The notable timing element is the prior 2023 sunset related to the $80/$15/$50 allocations; this bill intends to remove that sunset, effectively extending the higher fee structure indefinitely unless further legislation changes it.

Effective date: The bill states “This act shall take effect on passage.”

Practical Implications

Continuation of higher revenue from marriage licenses:

Increased total license fee: $80 (up from $60).
Increased allocation to the Domestic and Sexual Violence Special Fund: $50 (up from $35).
Increased town clerk retention: $15 (up from $10).

No change proposed to the fundamental use of the funds; the larger portion remains directed to the Special Fund, supporting related programs.

If you’d like, I can compare this bill to the pre-2023 baseline and outline the financial impact for a typical county or town clerk office.