An act relating to the structure of the Natural Resources Board

This bill proposes renaming the Natural Resources Board to the Environmental Review Board and expanding its role to include hearing appeals from District Commissions and district coordinators under Vermont's Act 250 program. The bill creates a five-member board with one full-time chair and four part-time members, all appointed by the Governor with Senate confirmation, while establishing a new Nominating Committee to review candidates based on expertise in environmental science, land use planning, and related fields. The Environmental Division of the Superior Court would continue handling other environmental permit and zoning appeals, while the renamed board would retain its existing duties and gain additional authority to oversee Act 250 program staff and develop program policy.