Vote Smart's Synopsis:

Vote to override a veto that would prohibit an increase in the state minimum wage.

Highlights:

• Prohibits an employer from employing anyone at a rate of less than $10.96 (Sec. 1).

• Prohibits an employer, starting January 1, 2021, from employing any employee at a rate of less than $11.75 (Sec. 1).

• Prohibits an employer, starting January 1, 2022, from employing any employee at a rate of less than $12.55 (Sec. 1).

• Requires the minimum wage, on each subsequent January 1, to be increased by 5 percent or the percentage increase of the Consumer Price Index, U.S. city average, not seasonally adjusted, or successor index, as calculated by the U.S. Department of Labor or successor agency for the 12 months preceding the previous September 1, whichever is smaller (Sec. 1).

• Prohibits an employer in the hotel, motel, tourist place, and restaurant industry from employing a service or tipped employee at a basic wage rate less than one-half of the minimum wage (Sec. 1).

• Requires the Office of Legislative Council and the Joint Fiscal Office, on or before January 15, 2021, to submit a written report to the House Committee on General, Housing, and Military Affairs and the Senate Committee on Economic Development, Housing and General Affairs regarding the potential effects of altering or eliminating the basic wage rate for tipped employees in Vermont and of eliminating the subminimum wage for secondary school students during the school year (Sec. 2).

• Requires the Office of Legislative Council, on or before January 15, 2021, to submit a written report to the House Committee on General, Housing, and Military Affairs and the Senate Committee on Economic Development, Housing and General Affairs regarding the wage and hour laws for agricultural workers (Sec. 3).

Full Bill Text

Vote Smart's Synopsis:

Vote to override a veto that would prohibit an increase in the state minimum wage.

Highlights:

• Prohibits an employer from employing anyone at a rate of less than $10.96 (Sec. 1).

• Prohibits an employer, starting January 1, 2021, from employing any employee at a rate of less than $11.75 (Sec. 1).

• Prohibits an employer, starting January 1, 2022, from employing any employee at a rate of less than $12.55 (Sec. 1).

• Requires the minimum wage, on each subsequent January 1, to be increased by 5 percent or the percentage increase of the Consumer Price Index, U.S. city average, not seasonally adjusted, or successor index, as calculated by the U.S. Department of Labor or successor agency for the 12 months preceding the previous September 1, whichever is smaller (Sec. 1).

• Prohibits an employer in the hotel, motel, tourist place, and restaurant industry from employing a service or tipped employee at a basic wage rate less than one-half of the minimum wage (Sec. 1).

• Requires the Office of Legislative Council and the Joint Fiscal Office, on or before January 15, 2021, to submit a written report to the House Committee on General, Housing, and Military Affairs and the Senate Committee on Economic Development, Housing and General Affairs regarding the potential effects of altering or eliminating the basic wage rate for tipped employees in Vermont and of eliminating the subminimum wage for secondary school students during the school year (Sec. 2).

• Requires the Office of Legislative Council, on or before January 15, 2021, to submit a written report to the House Committee on General, Housing, and Military Affairs and the Senate Committee on Economic Development, Housing and General Affairs regarding the wage and hour laws for agricultural workers (Sec. 3).

Full Bill Text

Vetoed by Governor Phil Scott