An act relating to marriage license fees
H.6 would repeal the sunset on a 2023 law that increased Vermont marriage license fees. Under the 2023 change, the total fee rose from $60 to $80, with the town clerkâs retained share increasing from $10 to $15 and the amount directed to the Domestic and Sexual Violence Special Fund increasing from $35 to $50. This bill does not create a new fee structure; instead, it makes the higher fee permanent by deleting the scheduled expiration of that increase.
The bill amends the prior act by striking the section that would have caused the fee increase to expire and by deleting the effective-date language tied to the sunset. If enacted, the higher marriage license fee would remain in place beyond July 1, 2025, and the distribution of the fee between town clerks and the special fund would continue as established in 2023. The bill takes effect upon passage.
H.6 would amend 2023 Acts and Resolves No. 19, changing Vermont law so that the marriage license fee increase does not sunset. The practical effect is to preserve the current $80 marriage license fee, along with the existing allocation of revenue to town clerks and the Domestic and Sexual Violence Special Fund, rather than reverting to the prior $60 fee structure. The bill affects applicants for marriage licenses, municipal clerks who retain a portion of the fee, and the special fund that receives the larger share.
No committee transcripts or recorded votes were provided, so there is no direct evidence of debate or formal support/opposition in the materials supplied. Based on the bill text alone, the proposal appears administrative and revenue-related, with a clear policy purpose of maintaining an existing fee arrangement rather than introducing a new program. The absence of recorded controversy suggests the bill may be straightforward, though that cannot be confirmed from the available context.
The main policy issue is whether the 2023 marriage license fee increase should remain temporary or become permanent. Supporters would likely emphasize continued funding for the Domestic and Sexual Violence Special Fund and the stability of the current fee structure, while opponents might object to making the higher fee permanent or to the cost imposed on couples seeking marriage licenses. No specific legislators, committees, or stakeholder positions are identified in the provided record.