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Bill

H 111

An act relating to waived registration fees for volunteer firefighter motor vehicles

2025-2026 Regular Session Introduced by Lisa Hango and 1 co-sponsor

Vermont bill waives motor vehicle registration fees for volunteer firefighters to reduce their personal expenses and support emergency service recruitment and retention.

Read first time and referred to the Committee on Transportation
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Bill Summary · H 111

Legislative bill overview

H 111 proposes to waive vehicle registration fees for motor vehicles owned and operated by volunteer firefighters in Vermont. The bill would exempt qualifying volunteer firefighters from paying standard state registration fees, reducing their out-of-pocket costs for vehicle operation.

Why is this important

Volunteer firefighters often operate personal vehicles for emergency response and departmental duties without compensation, and registration fees represent an additional financial burden on individuals already providing unpaid public service. This waiver could incentivize volunteer recruitment and retention in rural and underserved areas where volunteer fire services are critical infrastructure.

Potential points of contention

  • Revenue impact: Waiving registration fees reduces state transportation funding, requiring clarification on how the state will offset lost revenue or whether other transportation programs will be affected
  • Definition and eligibility: The bill's language on what constitutes a "volunteer firefighter" and which vehicles qualify (personal use vs. department-owned) remains unclear and could create enforcement challenges
  • Equity concerns: Other public service volunteers (EMS, search and rescue, emergency management) might seek similar waivers, potentially expanding costs beyond current projections

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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