An act relating to use of expanded polystyrene foam in waters of the State

This bill requires that any expanded polystyrene foam used for flotation in buoys, docks, or floating structures on Vermont waters must be fully encapsulated in a protective barrier that prevents it from breaking apart in the water. It also prohibits the sale, distribution, or use of open-cell polystyrene foam products in or on the state's waters and declares unencapsulated foam devices a public health nuisance. The legislation includes a ban on selling unencapsulated or open-cell foam flotation devices and sets a deadline of April 1, 2026, for prohibiting the use of existing unencapsulated devices. Additionally, the bill appropriates $50,000 to the Department of Environmental Conservation to help fund grants for lakeshore residents and businesses to replace older unencapsulated flotation equipment.