The bill H.395, introduced by Representative Greer, aims to establish the Municipal Law Enforcement Assistance Program, which will allow municipalities in Vermont to implement a local penalty surcharge on civil penalties collected by the Judicial Bureau for violations occurring within their jurisdiction. The program will be managed by the Judicial Bureau, which will collect the surcharge and remit the funds to the respective municipalities. Municipalities can vote to adopt a surcharge of $75.00, which will be applied only to civil penalties assessed for violations committed within the municipality that has approved the surcharge.

Additionally, the bill mandates that any funds received from the surcharge must be used exclusively for the establishment, support, maintenance, or improvement of law enforcement services within the municipality. The Judicial Bureau is also required to refund any surcharges collected in municipalities that have not authorized the surcharge. The act is set to take effect on July 1, 2025.