Commerce and Economic Development Committee

The House Committee on Commerce and Economic Development considers matters relating to workforce development and training programs, business development and formations, financial institutions, property and casualty, life, and captive insurance, securities, unemployment and workers’ compensation insurance, consumer protection, and other similar policies.

H.211 (An act relating to data brokers and personal information), an update to Act 171 of 2018 (the nation's first data-broker law), limits data brokers’ ability to sell Vermonters’ data by updating enforcement and penalties that can be levied on brokers. It also calls for a study to create an opt-out and deletion mechanism for consumers, similar to the California Delete Act.

H.385 (An act relating to remedies and protections for victims of coerced debt) prohibits coerced debt, and provides protections and remedies for its victims. Coerced debt is incurred due to deception, fraud, or manipulation by the debtor.

H.512 (An act relating to the regulation of the event ticketing market) enhances consumer protection in the event-ticket reselling market by preventing predatory and deceptive practices, requiring ticket resellers to clearly identify themselves, capping the mark-up of resold tickets to 10% above the original ticket price (including taxes and fees), and prohibiting the sale of speculative tickets. 

H.205 (An act relating to agreements not to compete) restricts the use of non-compete agreements at the end of employment except in certain situations where high-level employees have access to a company’s proprietary information. This bill also balances the rights of employers and employees by defining and limiting exemptions for stay-or-pay provisions in employment contracts, which could include repayment for education, sign-on bonuses, or relocation expenses.

H.674 (An act relating to the creation of the Vermont Sister State Program) establishes a Sister State Program for Vermont, run by the Agency of Commerce and Community Development, which will enhance trade, educational opportunities, and cultural exchange with chosen nations and sub-nations.

The committee is also reviewing an Agency of Education proposal on Career and Technical Education restructuring.