H 503 would delay the implementation of Vermont's Advanced Clean Truck rule by five years, moving the effective date from model year 2031 to 2036. The rule would require heavy truck manufacturers and fleet operators in Vermont to gradually adopt zero-emission truck models. This bill directly affects commercial trucking businesses and manufacturers who would have been subject to the emissions standards starting in 2031. The key provision is simply extending the timeline for compliance without altering the rule's emissions requirements.
This bill changes Vermont's tax treatment for land enrolled in the Use Value Appraisal Program. Landowners who post their land (marking it off-limits to hunting, fishing, or trapping under 10 V.S.A. § 5201) will pay a 25% higher tax rate than agricultural or managed forestland enrolled in the program. The tax increase is calculated as 25% of the difference between the land's use value (taxed at agricultural/farm rates) and its market value. The change takes effect July 1, 2025, directly impacting landowners who post their land and enroll it in this tax program.
S.110 repeals Vermont's Affordable Heat Act and removes the citizen suit provision from the Global Warming Solutions Act. It changes the state's greenhouse gas reduction requirements from legally binding targets to goals while maintaining the same emission reduction targets: 26% below 2005 levels by 2025, 40% below 1990 levels by 2030, and 80% below 1990 levels by 2050. The bill also replaces the Renewable Energy Standard with a Clean Energy Standard, which may broaden the definition of eligible clean energy sources. These changes affect Vermont's regulatory approach to climate policy, impacting state agencies, energy providers, and public compliance with emissions goals.
H 272 would amend Vermont's zoning law to prevent municipalities from banning development on steep slopes. It removes a current provision (24 V.S.A. § 4411(3)(C)) that allowed towns to prohibit construction in such areas, replacing it with language permitting only regulation (like setting limits), not outright prohibition. This change directly affects local governments (municipalities) and developers seeking to build on sloped land, shifting zoning authority from local bans to regulatory standards. The bill is scheduled to take effect on July 1, 2025, and is currently under review by the Environment Committee.
H 62 repeals Vermont's Global Warming Solutions Act, specifically removing the Vermont Climate Council and replacing mandatory greenhouse gas reduction requirements with voluntary "goals." It amends state law to change emissions targets from legally binding requirements to non-binding goals, removes the requirement for state agencies to consider emissions in decisions, and repeals the Low Emission Vehicle Rules. These changes would shift climate policy from a structured, mandated approach to a more flexible framework without oversight. The bill takes effect July 1, 2025.
This bill allows qualifying Vermont towns with approved local plans to designate certain areas (Tier 1A and Tier 1B) as exempt from Act 250 land use regulations until December 31, 2029. It also shifts stormwater permitting authority from the state to certified professional engineers, who would design and permit projects themselves under state oversight. Towns meeting specific zoning and planning requirements could use these exemptions for development projects. The state would periodically review engineers' work and could revoke certification if standards aren't met.
This bill (H 16) repeals Vermont’s Affordable Heat Act, which established the Clean Heat Standard program. It removes requirements for heating fuel providers to meet emissions standards and eliminates two state positions created to administer the program (one at the Public Utility Commission, one at the Department of Public Service). The bill also deletes references to the Clean Heat Standard from tax law, ending the requirement for fuel providers to report to state agencies about compliance. This directly affects heating fuel businesses and state agencies responsible for the Clean Heat Standard program. The repeal takes effect upon passage.
This bill exempts new vehicles under 5,000 pounds (weighing 5,000 pounds or less) that are less than two years old from annual safety and emissions inspections. It also completely exempts all trailers and semi-trailers from inspection requirements. The changes would take effect on July 1, 2025, modifying Vermont's existing vehicle inspection law (23 V.S.A. § 1222) to remove these specific inspection obligations. The bill directly affects owners of new light-duty vehicles and all trailer operators by eliminating a recurring inspection requirement.
H 507 proposes amendments to the regulation of development in wetlands, particularly Class II wetlands. The bill would reduce buffer zone requirements to 25 feet and exempt certain construction from permitting in unmapped Class II wetlands located within industrial parks, designated centers, and other approved development areas. It also amends the wetland restoration ratio from 2:1 to 1:1 for adverse effects in these same areas. Additionally, the bill extends the deadline for the Secretary of Natural Resources to clarify wetlands rules regarding a net gain of wetlands and requires the Agency of Natural Resources to publish wetland guidance.
H 65 revokes Vermont's adoption of California's Clean Air Act waiver for vehicle emissions, prohibiting the state from using California's standards for new motor vehicles. The bill amends Vermont law to explicitly ban the adoption of California's emission rules (42 U.S.C. § 7507) and repeals existing Vermont Low Emission Vehicle (LEV) and Zero Emission Vehicle (ZEV) rules. This directly affects how Vermont regulates vehicle emissions, shifting away from California's standards to potentially adopt alternative state rules. The changes take effect on July 1, 2025, requiring the Secretary of Natural Resources to develop new emission control requirements without California's framework.
