This bill expands the jurisdiction of Vermont's Act 250 environmental review process to include development projects and subdivisions in high-elevation areas. It requires environmental review for commercial, industrial, or residential construction above 1,500 feet if located within 100 feet of a stream, and for subdivisions above 2,000 feet. The legislation also redefines what constitutes a "stream" for these purposes to include water currents above 1,500 feet elevation or those flowing at less than 1.5 cubic feet per second. These changes affect developers, landowners, and local planning officials in Vermont's mountainous regions who wish to build or divide land in these elevated locations. The bill takes effect on July 1, 2023.
This bill directs the Vermont Association of Planning and Development Agencies to conduct a study on improving coordination between municipal, regional, and state planning efforts. The study must examine how to align policies and investments across government levels to address climate change, housing, transportation, and other local issues while ensuring consistency with existing state laws like Act 250. The report is due by December 15, 2023, and will include recommendations for implementation strategies, training needs, and accountability measures after consulting with various state agencies and community organizations. Funding for the study will come from existing regional planning grants for fiscal years 2023 and 2024.
This bill creates a state grant program to support mental health providers who work alongside municipal police departments in Vermont. The program would provide funding to cover half of the costs for mental health services delivered by designated agencies in partnership with local police forces. To qualify, municipalities must commit to covering the remaining 50 percent of costs from their own budgets and must have a population of at least 2,500 residents. The Department of Mental Health would administer the program, with grants awarded to agencies that submit applications detailing their collaboration plans, including provider duties, training, and insurance arrangements. An initial $800,000 appropriation is included for fiscal year 2024 to fund these grants.
This bill directs Vermont's Legislative Apportionment Board to study and recommend changes to the state's redistricting process. The Board must examine how to make the process less partisan and ensure legislative districts better follow the "one person, one vote" principle by comparing Vermont's current system with other states' approaches. The study requires public input through at least two hearings and must be completed by January 15, 2024, with findings and recommendations submitted to government operations committees. The Board will receive administrative and legal support from the Secretary of State's office and members may receive compensation for up to 10 meetings. This procedural measure does not change district boundaries itself but aims to improve how future reapportionment plans are developed.
This bill allows municipal boards of abatement in Vermont to waive very small tax amounts when needed to balance municipal financial accounts. It directly affects towns and their finance departments by authorizing them to abate de minimis taxes, water charges, sewer charges, interest, or collection fees under specific circumstances. The key provision adds a new category to existing abatement rules, permitting the waiver of minor tax discrepancies that arise when reconciling municipal accounts according to standard accounting practices. This change takes effect on July 1, 2023, and applies to all municipalities in the state.
This bill updates Vermont's rules for handling abandoned motor vehicles by clarifying definitions and adjusting procedures for towing and paperwork. It expands the definition of "motor vehicle" to include any powered vehicle with registration plates, identification numbers, or titles, and sets specific criteria for what counts as abandoned based on how long a vehicle has been left without owner consent. The law increases the time towing companies have to complete required paperwork from 30 to 90 days and raises the state reimbursement rate for towing abandoned vehicles from public property from $40 to $125. Additionally, the bill establishes a $16,000 annual funding limit for towing services on public property, with no single company eligible for more than half of that amount. These changes take effect on July 1, 2023, and primarily affect towing operators, property owners, and state agencies involved in vehicle removal.
This bill directs Vermont's Agency of Transportation to conduct a feasibility study on expanding passenger and freight rail service along two specific routes: one connecting Montreal, Quebec to East Northfield, Massachusetts via Newport, Vermont, and another linking Montreal to Boston via Island Pond, Vermont and Portland, Maine. The study will examine the practicality of these routes, including estimated costs, potential ridership, infrastructure improvements needed at rail yards, and operational requirements, while also considering seasonal and non-daily service options. The agency must complete the study and submit a written report with findings and an implementation plan to the House and Senate Transportation Committees by January 15, 2024. The legislation directly affects state transportation officials, rail operators in Vermont, Maine, and Quebec, and stakeholders interested in regional rail development.
This bill requires commercial health insurance plans in Vermont to cover epinephrine auto-injectors without any out-of-pocket costs for patients. The law applies to individual and group health policies, hospital service corporations, and health maintenance organizations, but excludes limited benefit plans for specific diseases. Under the new rules, insured individuals would not face deductibles, coinsurance, co-payments, or other cost-sharing requirements when their healthcare provider prescribes these auto-injectors. The legislation takes effect on July 1, 2023.
This bill prohibits the sale of cannabis and tobacco products in Vermont that use single-use filters, aiming to reduce environmental pollution from discarded cigarette butts and filter tips. The law bans any cannabis or tobacco product utilizing a single-use filter made of any material, including cellulose acetate, fibrous plastic, or biodegradable options, as well as attachable devices designed to facilitate filtration. Retailers and manufacturers would be restricted from selling these filtered products, while the ban takes effect on July 1, 2023. The legislation is based on findings that cigarette filters contribute significantly to litter and environmental contamination, and that they do not improve product safety.
This bill increases daily compensation for jurors serving in Vermont Superior Court from $30 to $50 per day. The change applies to both grand and petit jurors, as well as talesman, unless they receive equivalent pay from their employers. It also maintains reimbursement for travel expenses at the rate allowed for state employees. The legislation takes effect on July 1, 2023.
This bill designates all golf courses in Vermont as protected green space areas, which would limit development on the land and subject it to state regulations for management and maintenance. It also includes the parking lots and buildings associated with golf course operations within this protected designation. The legislation allows for removal of this protection only through a formal process involving public notice and a hearing approved by the state commissioner. Additionally, the bill appropriates $1 million from the state's general fund to purchase golf course land for conversion into state parks. The law would take effect on July 1, 2023.
This bill exempts certain aircraft hangars from Vermont's Act 250 land use regulations. It directly affects owners and operators of hangars at state-owned airports by removing the permit requirements for new construction. The key provision allows hangars up to 120 feet by 120 feet to be built without a permit if they meet state stormwater management rules and Federal Aviation Administration standards. The changes take effect on July 1, 2023.
