The civic record
Read. Follow. Verify.Vermont bill establishes civil penalties and private lawsuits for properties used for illegal drugs
Last action · February 28, 2025: Read first time and referred to the Committee on JudiciarySponsor: David Durfee
Track this bill to get notified when it advances a stage. One tap to stop, anytime.
What This Bill Would Do
This bill establishes new civil penalties of up to $50 per day, private lawsuits for damages, and government-led injunctions against anyone keeping or maintaining a property used for illegal drug activity. It also sets criminal penalties of up to two years in prison or a $15,000 fine for knowingly permitting drug sales in a dwelling, and takes effect upon passage.
Property owners face new financial liabilities, daily civil fines, and court-ordered occupancy restrictions if illegal drug activity occurs on their premises, while harmed individuals gain the right to sue for damages.
Who It Would Affect
Groups the bill's text would affect if enacted, as described in the record. Being affected is not a position for or against it.
Property owners
Property owners face daily civil fines, potential lawsuits, and court-ordered occupancy restrictions if their premises are used for illegal drug activity.
Municipalities
Local governments gain the explicit authority to bring civil enforcement actions in the Superior Court to restrain common nuisances.
Key Facts
You don't have to trust us. Each fact below is taken straight from the official document - click any one to see the exact passage, highlighted in the original.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is considered a common nuisance under this bill?
Can property owners be fined for daily violations?
Who can enforce these nuisance rules besides the state?
What else do you want to know?
News Coverage
Follow the record
Votes, people, money & the original sourceWhere This Stands
Currently in committee. The next step in the legislative lifecycle is Floor Vote.
Procedural history
1 action- Feb 28, 2025HouseIntroducedRead first time and referred to the Committee on Judiciary
Version history
Only one version on file - nothing to compare yet. As later stages (committee substitute, engrossed, enrolled) are captured, the redline appears here.
View official text →Lobbying Activity
No state lobbying filings in our records match this bill. Federal lobbying reports (LDA) cover Congress, so they are not listed on state bills.
Full breakdown
Who this bill affects and the strongest case for and against it, written only from the bill’s own text.
Sponsors
Connected Entities
Sources
legislature.vermont.gov
Analysis Score
0–100- Significance75How much this matters to a regular citizen
- Controversy60Intensity of disagreement among stakeholders
- Entertainment10Compellingness for a non-policy-wonk reader
- Buzz25Current news / social attention level
Publisher tools