S 213 Vermont Senate · 2025-2026 Regular Session

An act relating to the use of advanced metering infrastructure devices

S.213 requires Vermont public water systems to notify customers before installing smart meters and allow them to opt out. Customers can choose not to have wireless smart meters installed (though systems may charge for alternative meters), and can request removal of existing meters without fees. The bill applies to all public water systems serving 15+ connections or 25+ people annually. It also mandates cybersecurity measures for systems using smart meters by July 2027.

Issues: ✓ Technology

Bill status passed 3 of 5 stages cleared

Introduction

Jan 2026

Committee Review

Mar 2026

Senate Passage

Mar 2026

House Passage

Governor

Introduced Jan 7, 2026 Last action Mar 17, 2026

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What changed between versions

As Passed By the Senate (UnofficialOpens in a new window) → As Passed By the Senate (OfficialOpens in a new window) · 8 edits · Mar 12, 2026

MODERATE

The official Senate version of S.213 narrows the bill's scope from a broad 'advanced metering infrastructure devices' framework to specifically 'smart meters by public water systems.' It removes the electric company smart meter provisions (30 V.S.A. 2811) and the general authority section (10 V.S.A. 1672), adds new definitions for smart meters specific to water systems, tightens the opt-out provision to cover only wireless smart meters, and introduces a new cybersecurity compliance requirement with a July 1, 2027 deadline for public water systems using smart meters.

SCOPE

The bill title changed from 'An act relating to the use of advanced metering infrastructure devices' to 'An act relating to the use of smart meters by public water systems,' narrowing focus exclusively to public water systems and dropping electric company provisions.

Section 4 amending 30 V.S.A. 2811 (smart meters for electric companies, including customer rights, reporting requirements, and health report provisions) was removed from the operative text of the bill.

Section 2 amending 10 V.S.A. 1672 (Authority of the Agency of Natural Resources, including the Cybersecurity Advisory Council guidance provision in subsection (h)) was removed from the operative text.

DEFINITION

Three new definitions were added to 10 V.S.A. 1671: 'Smart meter' (a wired or wireless smart meter), 'Wired smart meter' (an AMI device using a fixed wire for two-way communication with a public water system), and 'Wireless smart meter' (an AMI device using radio or other wireless means for two-way communication with a public water system).

ELIGIBILITY

Section 1675(j) was narrowed: the opt-out right now applies specifically to 'wireless smart meters' rather than the broader category of 'advanced metering infrastructure devices,' meaning users can only refuse wireless smart meters under this provision.

REQUIREMENT

New subsection (k) added to 10 V.S.A. 1675: as a condition of a public water system permit, the Secretary must require any public water system using smart meters to demonstrate it has implemented and is administering cybersecurity measures to protect its computer infrastructure and data from unauthorized access that could result in theft, damage, or disruption of service.

A new section (Sec. 3) requires the Secretary of Natural Resources to develop cybersecurity measures that all public water systems permitted under chapter 56 must implement if using smart meters, with a minimum standard consistent with Vermont Rural Water Association recommendations.

TIMELINE

Public water systems are given until July 1, 2027 to demonstrate compliance with the new cybersecurity requirements of 10 V.S.A. 1675(k).

As IntroducedOpens in a new window → As Passed By the Senate (UnofficialOpens in a new window) · 7 edits · Mar 12, 2026

MODERATE

The Senate expanded the bill's scope from public water systems only to also cover electric companies, replaced the term 'smart meters' with the broader 'advanced metering infrastructure device,' removed a mandatory cybersecurity compliance deadline for water systems, and added reporting requirements on smart meter savings, cybersecurity breaches, and potential health effects of wireless radiation.

SCOPE

The bill title changed from 'use of smart meters by public water systems' to 'use of advanced metering infrastructure devices,' removing the limitation to water systems and broadening the terminology.

A new section (Sec. 4) amends 30 V.S.A. 2811 to extend customer rights protections to electric companies installing AMI devices, including prior written notice, opt-out with cost of alternative device, and free removal of previously installed devices.

REQUIREMENT

The introduced version required the Secretary of Natural Resources to develop cybersecurity measures that all public water systems using smart meters must implement, with a compliance deadline of July 1, 2027. This mandatory requirement was removed entirely in the Senate version.

New reporting requirements under 30 V.S.A. 2811(c) require the Commissioner of Public Service to publish reports on savings realized through smart meters and any breaches to a company's cybersecurity infrastructure, submitted to legislative committees.

A new health report requirement (30 V.S.A. 2811(d)) directs the Commissioner of Health and Commissioner of Public Service to jointly submit a report on radio frequency radiation and health effects of wireless smart meters, including postdeployment RF level testing and recommendations for evidence-based surveillance.

ENFORCEMENT

A new subsection (h) in 10 V.S.A. 1672 gives the Cybersecurity Advisory Council authority to develop nonbinding guidance for public water systems on cybersecurity practices, including information relevant to metering systems and customer data.

DEFINITION

Definitions for 'smart meter,' 'wired smart meter,' and 'wireless smart meter' were replaced with broader definitions for 'advanced metering infrastructure device' and 'advanced metering infrastructure (AMI),' which encompass both wired and wireless devices in a single term.

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Full legislative history

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Committee

Mar 17, 2026

Introduced

Read first time and referred to the Committee on Energy and Digital Infrastructure

lower

Mar 12, 2026

Upper · Passed

Title amended as recommended by Committee on Natural Resources and Energy

upper

Mar 11, 2026

Upper · Passed

Recommendation of amendment by Committee on Natural Resources and Energy agreed to

upper

Mar 11, 2026

Upper · Passed

Read 2nd time, reported favorably with recommendation of amendment by Senator Hardy for Committee on Natural Resources and Energy

upper

Mar 11, 2026

Upper · Passed

Favorable report with recommendation of amendment by Committee on Natural Resources and Energy

upper

Mar 10, 2026

Upper · Passed

Favorable report with recommendation of amendment by Committee on Natural Resources and Energy

upper

Jan 7, 2026

Introduced

Read 1st time & referred to Committee on Natural Resources and Energy

upper

2 primary · 0 co-sponsors