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Read. Follow. Verify.Vermont House Bill 734 establishes financial transparency and reporting requirements for political advocacy nonprofits
Last action · January 21, 2026: Read first time and referred to the Committee on Government Operations and Military AffairsSponsor: Michael Boutin
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What This Bill Would Do
Vermont H.734 requires nonprofit s spending over $10,000 annually on state-focused issue advocacy or to file quarterly reports disclosing large donors, expenditures, and affiliated entities. The bill creates a new legal category called "advocacy organizations" and mandates biannual financial audits for those earning over $1 million per year.
Nonprofit entities engaging in public policy debates or election advocacy in Vermont must publicly disclose major financial contributors who give over $1,000 and include specific disclaimers on public communications.
- Michael Boutin serves as a member of the Vermont House of Representatives representing Barre City. context
- The Vermont General Assembly is the state's bicameral legislature responsible for enacting state laws. context
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.
Advocacy organizations and 501(c) nonprofits
Must comply with quarterly reporting of major donors and expenditures, include required disclaimers on public communications, and conduct biannual audits if revenues exceed $1 million.
Secretary of State
Must design and make available reporting forms, and receive quarterly reports and financial audits from advocacy organizations.
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 triggers the new quarterly reporting requirements for a nonprofit?
What information must be included in the quarterly reports filed with the Secretary of State?
Are financial audits required for all advocacy organizations under H.734?
What else do you want to know?
News Coverage
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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- Jan 21, 2026HouseIntroducedRead first time and referred to the Committee on Government Operations and Military Affairs
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
Discoveries
Patterns POLISCOPE noticed across the record. These are observations to investigate, not conclusions.
Expansion of Lobbying Definitions
The bill creates specialized reporting categories for 501(c) nonprofits engaging in issue advocacy above a $10,000 floor, moving beyond traditional political action committee regulations.
Connected Entities
Sources
legislature.vermont.gov
Analysis Score
0–100- Significance65How much this matters to a regular citizen
- Controversy60Intensity of disagreement among stakeholders
- Entertainment10Compellingness for a non-policy-wonk reader
- Buzz40Current news / social attention level
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