An act relating to the timelines for remediating contaminated properties

This bill establishes late fees for property owners or responsible parties who miss deadlines for cleaning up contaminated sites. Specifically, it imposes a $500 fee for failing to meet standard remediation timelines (e.g., 30 days to submit a work plan, 90 days to complete investigations) and a reduced $250 fee for those in the new certification program. It also creates a state certification program for environmental professionals handling contamination investigations and cleanup, setting eligibility rules and requirements. The fees collected fund Vermont’s Environmental Contingency Fund. The bill directly affects businesses and property owners liable for hazardous material releases.