Environment

This bill makes several administrative and policy adjustments to Vermont's tax laws, affecting property owners, businesses, and taxpayers. Key changes include repealing a tax credit denial for S corporations, adjusting property transfer tax rates for non-principal residential properties, and establishing a 10 percent land use change tax when agricultural or forest land is developed. The legislation also outlines procedures for withdrawing land from use value appraisal and sets timelines for assessing fair market value when land is converted from protected uses. These provisions aim to clarify tax calculations and update administrative processes across various tax categories.

This bill prohibits the sale of baby food products containing toxic heavy metals (arsenic, cadmium, lead, or mercury) above U.S. FDA limits. It requires manufacturers to test each production batch monthly using accredited laboratories and publicly post test results on their websites for the product's shelf life plus one month. Manufacturers must also include a QR code on products linking to the test results and U.S. FDA health information. The law applies to baby food (not infant formula) sold in Vermont, effective July 1, 2026.

S.218 establishes a voluntary certification program for commercial salt applicators to reduce chloride pollution in Vermont's waters. It requires the Secretary of Natural Resources to develop training and best management practices for applying salt and alternatives, focusing on minimizing salt use while maintaining road safety, with mandatory record-keeping for application details. Certified commercial applicators and municipal employees who complete the new training curriculum would have a legal defense against liability claims for damages caused by snow or ice hazards if they followed the program's guidelines. The bill aims to protect water quality without compromising public safety during winter maintenance.

This bill requires Vermont's Agriculture and Natural Resources agencies to coordinate on agricultural water quality programs, including implementing federal Clean Water Act requirements for farms. It establishes mandatory vegetative buffer zones (25 feet from waterways, 10 feet from ditches) for most farms to reduce pollution, with exceptions for Concentrated Animal Feeding Operations (CAFOs) that follow federal rules instead. The bill also sets permit thresholds for new or expanded barns housing large livestock (e.g., 700 dairy cows or 10,000 swine), requiring state review for water quality compliance. Both agencies must annually report on performance metrics related to these programs to legislative committees. The law directly affects farms, particularly large operations, by changing pollution prevention rules and permitting processes.