Transportation (Pedestrian Safety)

This bill requires Vermont law enforcement officers to issue a citation for careless driving when a motor vehicle operator causes the death of a pedestrian or bicyclist (a "vulnerable user") in a traffic accident. Officers must issue a citation if the accident wasn't witnessed by them but resulted in death, or if the accident was witnessed but the operator couldn't reasonably have avoided it. The bill applies directly to drivers involved in such fatal collisions with pedestrians or cyclists. It creates a clear standard for when citations are mandatory, aiming to hold drivers accountable for preventable accidents.

This bill allows Vermont municipalities to set speed limits below 25 mph in downtowns, village centers, and "thickly settled districts" (areas with closely spaced buildings over a quarter-mile stretch). It prohibits parking within a specific distance of crosswalks but permits vehicle unloading or bicycle/scooter parking nearby. The bill also restricts using center turn lanes to pass vehicles and requires studies on improving bike/pedestrian infrastructure and converting state highways to lower-speed "class 1 town highways." These changes directly affect local governments, drivers, pedestrians, and cyclists in communities with designated village centers or dense development areas.

This bill, S.75, funds and expands Vermont’s transportation programs to reduce emissions and improve equity. It allocates $10 million for new electric vehicle incentives, $3 million for mileage-based rebates, $1 million for vehicle replacement programs, and $150,000 for e-bike incentives in fiscal year 2026. The bill also imposes a $0.30 fee on taxable retail deliveries (like online orders) and provides $1.28 million to maintain public transit service levels. Key provisions require agencies to prioritize emissions reductions in project planning, expand electric vehicle charging access, and support "complete streets" infrastructure. These changes directly affect Vermont residents, businesses, transit agencies, and local municipalities through new funding streams and fee structures.

H 488 adopts Vermont's Fiscal Year 2026 Transportation Program, allocating over $150 million for transportation projects aimed at reducing emissions and saving households money. Key provisions include $2.4 million for new park-and-ride spaces (60 total), $21.9 million for bike/pedestrian infrastructure across 40+ towns, $6.5 million for environmental and trail projects, $52.7 million for public transit services like Go! Vermont, and $61.9 million for rail service. The bill directly affects Vermont residents through improved infrastructure and aligns with state climate goals outlined in the Comprehensive Energy Plan. It was signed into law by the governor on June 2, 2025.