VSARA
Secretary of State Office
1078 U.S. Rte. 2, Middlesex
Montpelier, Vt.
05633-7701
Contact Information
Notices for Week of: NOVEMBER 24, 2005 *

PROPOSED STATE RULES


By law, public notice of proposed rules must be given by publication in newspapers of record. The purpose of these notices is to give the public a chance to respond to the proposals. The public notices for administrative rules are now also available online at http://vermont-archives.org/aparules/ovnotices.htm The law requires an agency to hold a public hearing on a proposed rule, if requested to do so in writing by 25 persons or an association having at least 25 members.

To make special arrangements for individuals with disabilities or special needs please call or write the contact person listed below as soon as possible

To obtain further information concerning any scheduled hearing(s), obtain copies of proposed rule(s) or submit comments regarding proposed rule(s), please call or write the contact person listed below. You may also submit comments in writing to the Legislative Committee on Administrative Rules, State House, Montpelier, Vermont 05602 (828-2231).


Vermont Minimum Wage Rules

Vermont Proposed Rule: 05P054 

AGENCY: Labor & Industry 

CONCISE SUMMARY: In June of 2005, The General Assembly passed Act 82, raising the Vermont minimum wage from $7.00 per hour to $7.25 per hour effective January 1, 2006.  Act 82 also provides a formula for minimum wage increases in subsequent years.  This amended rule will reflect the new minimum wage, as well as providing necessary details concerning the specific employment covered, minimum wage variations for service and tipped employees, allowable wage deductions and overtime.  The rule also allows the use of electronic wage statements in certain circumstances. 

TYPE OF PERSONS AFFECTED: Employees, employers, and labor and employer groups such as the Vermont Labor Relations Board, Vermont Legal Aid and labor attorneys.  Government agencies that may be impacted include the Department of Labor and the Department of Economic Development. 

COST BENEFIT ANALYSIS: Raising the minimum wage will have a widespread economic impact on employers, employees and consumers alike.  However, this rule amendment merely implements statutory mandates; the other provisions of the rule are not materially altered. 

SCHEDULED HEARINGS: Monday, December 12, 2005, 5:00 p.m., Department of Labor, 5 Green Mountain Drive, Montpelier 

DEADLINE FOR PUBLIC COMMENT: December 20, 2005 

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION, CONTACT: Kelly Connelley, Coordinator, Wage & Hour Division, Department of Labor, 5 Green Mountain Drive, P.O. Box 488, Montpelier, VT  05601-0488 (802) 828-5896 

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Offender Grievance System

Vermont Proposed Rule: 05P055 

AGENCY: Human Services, Dept. of Corrections 

CONCISE SUMMARY: This rule outlines the components that the Department of Corrections must consider in designing its grievance system.  Well designed grievance systems can reduce unnecessary tension within facilities, promote respectful conflict resolution at the earliest level of a problem, and reduce unnecessary complaints and litigation.  The proposed components include, but are not limited to, education for both offenders and staff, allowances for standard and emergency grievances, guidelines for dismissing inappropriate grievances, establishment of timelines and roles for staff investigating and hearing grievances. 

TYPE OF PERSONS AFFECTED: Offenders; their families; all DOC staff, volunteers and contractors; Prisoners' Rights Office; VT Protection & Advocacy; offender advocates; VSEA; attorneys and the Judiciary  

COST BENEFIT ANALYSIS: The time involved in investigating and responding to grievances is costly and time consuming for staff at all levels of the operations.  Delays also lead to increased tension for offenders. Respectful and successful resolution of offender complaints can prevent minor and easily solved problems from becoming larger, more labor intensive issues or grounds for litigation. Timely and fair process can create a positive environment by reducing complaints, litigation and other costs associated with unresolved conflict. Additionally, review of grievance trends can provide opportunities for early intervention to improve on systemic challenges. 

SCHEDULED HEARINGS: December 12, 2005, Skylight Conference Room, Waterbury State Complex, 5-7pm; December 13, 2005, Holiday Inn Express, 18 Charlestown Road, Springfield, 2-4 pm.

DEADLINE FOR PUBLIC COMMENT: December 20, 2005 

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION, CONTACT: Suzanne Santarcangelo, 103 South Main Street, Waterbury, VT  05671-1001 (802) 241-2442 

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Standards for billing, credit and collections, and customer information for telecommunications carriers (7.600)

Vermont Proposed Rule: 05P052 

AGENCY: Public Service Board 

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION, CONTACT: Gregg Faber, Vermont Public Service Board, Chittenden Bank Building, 112 State Street, Montpelier, VT  05602-2701 (802)828-2358. 

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Nondominant Telecommunications Carriers (7.500)

Vermont Proposed Rule: 05P053 

AGENCY: Public Service Board 

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION, CONTACT: Gregg Faber, Vermont Public Service Board, Chittenden Bank Building, 112 State Street, Montpelier, VT  05602-2701 (802)828-2358.

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* Please note that due to the holiday this notice may appear in the newspapers on an alternate date according to the schedule of each individual newspaper.


Return to the 2005 date selection page for more weekly notices or choose from the links in the left sidebar for notices from a different year.

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If you have general questions about the rulemaking process, please contact
Louise Corliss by e-mail at or by phone 802-828-2863
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