Environment

introduced · Vermont · House Feb 24, 2026

H 911: An act relating to prohibiting PFAS chemicals in pesticides and pesticide packaging

This Vermont bill (H 911) bans the sale and use of pesticides containing PFAS chemicals and prohibits pesticide packaging made with PFAS. It directly affects pesticide manufacturers, sellers, and users within Vermont. The law specifically prohibits both PFAS in the pesticide product itself and PFAS in the packaging materials used for pesticides. Violations would be enforced under Vermont state regulations.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBans PFAS chemicals in pesticides and packaging, directly reducing environmental pollution from persistent toxic chemicals and strengthening protective regulations.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Drinking Water

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passed · Vermont · Senate Mar 24, 2026

S 219: An act relating to an energy navigator program report

This bill directs Efficiency Vermont to study creating a statewide community-based energy navigator program. It would provide in-person and remote energy coaching to residential consumers - especially low- and moderate-income households - to help them navigate efficiency options, access grants/rebates, prioritize savings, and connect with contractors. Efficiency Vermont must submit a detailed report by January 2027, including program design, costs, and implementation plans. The bill appropriates $15,000 for the study and $150,000 to support the Climate Economy Action Center’s collaboration on the program. It does not create the program directly but mandates a study to inform future implementation.

Topics ✓ EnergySupports EnergyFunds study for community energy navigator program to increase residential energy efficiency, especially for low-income households.90% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentDirects study for energy efficiency program targeting residential consumers, promoting reduced energy use and access to efficiency incentives, aligning with environmental conservation goals.95% confidence

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introduced · Vermont · Senate Jan 21, 2026

S 289: An act relating to reimbursing the Department of Fish and Wildlife for lost license fee revenue

This bill requires the state to reimburse the Department of Fish and Wildlife for lost license fee revenue starting July 1, 2026, due to legally mandated free, discounted, or exempt hunting, fishing, trapping, or combination licenses. It mandates annual accounting of lost revenue by the department and payment from the General Fund by June 30 each year, equal to the exact amount of revenue lost. The reimbursement ensures the department maintains its funding level despite required fee exemptions, directly affecting the state treasury and the department’s budget. The bill takes effect on July 1, 2026, and applies to all statutorily required license exemptions.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesReimburses Department of Fish and Wildlife for lost license revenue, maintaining budget level via General Fund payments, ensuring continued funding for essential programs.95% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentReimburses Fish and Wildlife for lost license fees, maintaining funding for conservation programs and ensuring continued environmental protection efforts without revenue loss.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Fees & Licensing State Budget Wildlife

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introduced · Vermont · Senate Jan 22, 2026

S 293: An act relating to brownfields redevelopment of the Upper Valley Regional Landfill

This bill appropriates $143,000 from the General Fund to the Agency of Natural Resources for a grant to the Green Mountain Economic Development Corporation (GMEDC). The funds will cover GMEDC's costs to reinitiate brownfields redevelopment at the Upper Valley Regional Landfill in Post Mills, Thetford, specifically for a probate proceeding to appoint GMEDC as administrator. This facilitates transferring the landfill site to new ownership for redevelopment. The grant is for fiscal year 2027 and directly affects GMEDC and the landfill site's future use.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill appropriates $143,000 from General Fund for brownfields redevelopment grant, directly funding government spending on economic development project.90% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill funds brownfields redevelopment at contaminated landfill, facilitating cleanup and repurposing to reduce pollution and prevent further environmental harm.95% confidence

Sub-Topics State Budget Waste Management

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passed both · Vermont · House Jan 30, 2026

HCR 184: House concurrent resolution celebrating the restoration of a wild turkey population in Vermont

This concurrent resolution (HCR 184) celebrates the successful restoration of wild turkeys in Vermont, commemorating the 1969 effort led by wildlife biologist Bill Drake. It specifically honors the release of 17 turkeys (5 toms, 12 hens) in Pawlet, which established the population now thriving statewide. The resolution recognizes this as a conservation milestone made possible through federal wildlife funding and local landowner cooperation, and directs the Secretary of State to send a copy to the Pawlet Historical Society. As a ceremonial resolution, it has no legislative effect and does not alter laws or directly affect any individuals or groups.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentCommends successful wildlife restoration via federal funding and landowner cooperation, a conservation milestone directly tied to environmental protection efforts.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Conservation Wildlife

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introduced · Vermont · House Jan 8, 2026

H 609: An act relating to thermal energy networks

H.609 establishes a regulatory framework for thermal energy networks - pipelines that transfer heat between buildings to reduce emissions from heating and cooling. It clarifies that the Public Utility Commission (PUC) will oversee non-municipal operators of these networks, while allowing municipalities or fire districts to directly build, operate, and set rates for such networks without needing a PUC "certificate of public good." The bill defines key terms like "thermal energy exchange" (noncombustible fluid systems for heat transfer) and excludes cooperatives, landlords, or self-served entities from PUC jurisdiction. Fire districts can now fund these networks through local taxes, similar to existing fire protection or water infrastructure funding. This bill directly affects communities, fire districts, and private operators seeking to deploy district heating systems for emissions reduction.

Topics ✓ EnergySupports EnergyBill establishes regulatory framework for thermal energy networks to reduce emissions, promoting clean energy infrastructure and lowering fossil fuel dependence through heat transfer systems.95% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill establishes regulatory framework for thermal networks to reduce heating/cooling emissions, directly advancing environmental protection.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Utility Regulation Climate Change

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signed · Vermont · Senate May 29, 2026

S 223: An act relating to water quality of the waters of Vermont

This bill creates a Water Quality, Lake Classification, and Antidegradation Study Group to review Vermont’s current water quality rules and classification systems. The group, composed of legislators, state agency staff, environmental advocates, business representatives, and lake association members, will assess whether existing frameworks adequately protect water quality under federal law and identify needed changes. It must submit a report to the legislature by January 15, 2027, recommending potential policy or regulatory updates. The bill does not enact new rules but directs a review process focused on lakes, rivers, and ponds across Vermont.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentCreates study group to review and recommend improvements to Vermont's water quality protections, ensuring compliance with federal standards and addressing potential gaps in current regulations.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Water Quality

introduced · Vermont · House Jan 7, 2026

H 600: An act relating to appliance efficiency

This bill (H 600) updates Vermont’s appliance efficiency standards to align with recent federal regulations. It sets new minimum efficiency requirements for products sold in Vermont, including residential furnaces (requiring 90% AFUE for natural gas/propane models), boilers, power supplies, and lighting. Specific exemptions are included, such as for small incandescent lamps (under 50W BR30/BR40 types) and pre-2008 power supplies. The law mandates manufacturers comply with these federal benchmarks, adopting standards from 10 C.F.R. sections as of 2017.

Topics ✓ EnergySupports EnergyBill mandates higher appliance efficiency standards (e.g., 90% AFUE furnaces), directly promoting energy conservation and reducing consumption per federal alignment.95% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentUpdates appliance efficiency standards to reduce energy consumption, aligning with federal environmental benchmarks and requiring higher efficiency for major appliances.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Energy Efficiency Oil & Gas

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introduced · Vermont · Senate Jan 23, 2026

S 303: An act relating to administration of the three-acre stormwater discharge permit

This bill revises Vermont's three-acre stormwater discharge permit program. It requires the Agency of Natural Resources (ANR) to verify each parcel's impervious surface area through on-site visits (not just GIS data) and rank parcels by their impact on water quality. Parcels in the top 10% for water quality impact will need permits, while others will follow a new priority schedule based on severity. The bill also clarifies that failing to obtain a permit when required does not create a legal "cloud on title" affecting property sales or financing. ANR must hold public hearings in each county to explain these changes.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill strengthens stormwater regulations by requiring on-site verification of impervious surfaces and mandating permits for top 10% water quality impact parcels, enhancing pollution control.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Water Quality

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introduced · Vermont · House Jan 7, 2026

H 601: An act relating to the Clean Energy Standard

This bill changes Vermont's Renewable Energy Standard to a Clean Energy Standard by including zero-emission energy sources, such as nuclear power, in the calculation of compliance. It updates reporting requirements under Section 202b of Vermont law to require the Commissioner of Public Service to assess how nuclear energy contributes to clean energy goals. The change directly affects Vermont electricity providers, who must now report nuclear energy as part of their clean energy compliance. The bill also requires annual reports to track progress toward clean energy targets, including cost-benefit analyses and equity considerations for different communities.

Topics ✓ EnergySupports EnergyExpands clean energy standard to include nuclear, strengthening compliance with zero-emission sources95% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill expands Clean Energy Standard to include nuclear (zero-emission), promoting broader clean energy compliance and advancing environmental goals by counting nuclear as part of clean energy requirements.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Nuclear Renewable Energy

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