S 45 Vermont Senate · 2025-2026 Regular Session

An act relating to protection from nuisance suits for agricultural activities

S.45 protects Vermont farmers from nuisance lawsuits by establishing that agricultural activities are presumed not to be nuisances if conducted responsibly. It directly affects farmers (who gain legal protection) and neighbors (who must first attempt mediation before suing). Key provisions include requiring activities to follow state regulations and "generally accepted practices," mandating mediation before filing suit, and limiting protection if negligence or health impacts occur. The law aims to prevent lawsuits from forcing farms off agricultural land while preserving local farming operations.
Bill status signed all 5 stages cleared
Introduction
Feb 2025
Committee Review
May 2025
Senate Passage
May 2025
House Passage
May 2025
Signed into Law
Jun 2025
Introduced Feb 4, 2025 Signed Jun 13, 2025
Floor votes · Senate Mar 18, 2025

How they voted

265
Passed
Total votes 31
Mar 18, 2025
D Democratic17
12 Yea 5 Nay
70% Yea
R Republican14
14 Yea
100% Yea
Vote distribution
All Yea All Nay Mixed No data
Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions
50
Key actions
21
Committee
14
Amendments
6
Jun 13, 2025
Signed into law
Senate Message: Signed by Governor June 12, 2025
executive
Jun 13, 2025
Signed into law
Signed by Governor on June 12, 2025
executive
May 30, 2025
Lower · Passed
Senate Message: Report of Committee of Conference adopted
lower
May 30, 2025
Upper · Passed
As passed by Senate and House
upper
May 30, 2025
Upper · Passed
Committee of Conference report adopted
upper
May 30, 2025
Upper · Passed
Committee of Conference report submitted by Senator Norris for Committee, text
upper
May 30, 2025
Upper · Passed
House message: House adopted Conference Committee report
upper
May 30, 2025
Lower · Passed
Committee of Conference report adopted (Senate bill)
lower
May 30, 2025
Upper · Passed
House message: House appointed Conference Committee members
upper
May 30, 2025
Lower · Passed
Speaker appointed Reps. Durfee of Shaftsbury, LaLonde of South Burlington, and Morgan, L. of Milton as members of the Committee of Conference on the part of the House
lower
May 29, 2025
Introduced
Senate Message: House proposal of amendment not concurred in and Committee of Conference appointed
lower
May 29, 2025
Upper · Passed
Rules suspended & messaged to House forthwith, on motion of Senator Baruth
upper
May 29, 2025
Upper · Passed
Committee of Conference appointed: Senators Norris, Plunkett, and Ingalls
upper
May 29, 2025
Introduced
House proposal of amendment not concurred in; Committee of Conference requested, on motion of Senator Hashim
upper
May 29, 2025
Introduced
House proposal of amendment; text
upper
May 29, 2025
Introduced
House proposal of amendment
upper
May 28, 2025
Upper · Passed
House message: House passed bill in concurrence with proposal(s) of amendment
upper
May 28, 2025
Introduced
Read third time and passed in concurrence with proposal of amendment
lower
May 28, 2025
Lower · Passed
Report of Committee on Agriculture, Food Resiliency, and Forestry agreed to
lower
May 28, 2025
Lower · Passed
Rep. Durfee of Shaftsbury reported for the Committee on Agriculture, Food Resiliency, and Forestry
lower
May 28, 2025
Introduced
Notice Calendar: Favorable with Amendment
lower
May 22, 2025
Lower · Passed
Rep. LaLonde of South Burlington moved that the Committee on Judiciary be relieved of the bill and that the same be committed to the Committee on Agriculture, Food Resiliency, and Forestry, which was agreed to
lower
Mar 21, 2025
Introduced
Read first time and referred to the Committee on Judiciary
lower
Mar 18, 2025
Upper · Passed
Reported favorably by Senator Norris for Committee on Judiciary
upper
Mar 18, 2025
Upper · Passed
Favorable report by Committee on Judiciary
upper
Mar 18, 2025
Senate · Passed
Senate Vote: pass (26-5)
senate
Mar 14, 2025
Upper · Passed
Favorable report by Committee on Judiciary
upper
Mar 13, 2025
Upper · Passed
Favorable report by Committee on Judiciary
upper
Feb 4, 2025
Introduced
Read 1st time & referred to Committee on Judiciary
upper
22 primary · 0 co-sponsors

Sponsors