VermontVermont law limits Act 250 review on forestry parcels
Starting July 1, 2026, forestry parcels remain exempt except where land is proposed for a use that needs an Act 250 permit.
What it does
The law puts the existing practice for logging and forestry exemptions into statute. A change to a use that would not qualify for an Act 250 exemption does not count as forestry.
When permit-required work is proposed on part of a parcel devoted to logging or forestry, Act 250 review covers only the area needed for that work; the rest remains exempt.
Log and pulp concentration yards are excluded from the “wood products manufacturer” definition, restoring their prior status as exempt from Act 250.
Argument forLimiting review to the area needed for permit-required work could let forestry continue on the rest of the parcel.
Argument againstA forestry parcel owner who proposes permit-required work may still need an Act 250 permit for that area, which could add steps to the project.
More detail
The law treats logging and forestry as exempt from Act 250, with limits on what counts as forestry. This concerns logging and forestry under Vermont's land use and development law, known as Act 250. Forestry does not include changing land to a use that would not be exempt from Act 250. The act takes effect July 1, 2026.
Act 250 review is limited to the area needed for permit-required work on a forestry parcel. This applies when a parcel is devoted to logging or forestry and a proposed activity on part of it would require an Act 250 permit. The rest of the parcel remains exempt from Act 250. The act takes effect July 1, 2026.
Log and pulp concentration yards are excluded from the definition of “wood products manufacturer.” This concerns log and pulp concentration yards under Act 250. The act takes effect July 1, 2026.
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Where it stands
- Introduced
- Passed 1st Chamber
- Passed 2nd Chamber
- To Governor
- Became Law
Looking ahead
No hearings or votes scheduled.
History
- 2026
- May 29House message: Governor approved bill on June 17, 2026Latest
- May 29Signed by Governor Phil Scott on June 17, 2026Became Law
- May 29Delivered to Governor on June 11, 2026To Governor
- May 27House message: House concurred in Senate proposal of amendmentMinor
- May 22Senate proposal of amendment concurred inMinor
- May 22Rules suspended and taken up for immediate consideration as moved by Rep. McCoy of Poultney
- May 22Notice Calendar: Senate Proposal of AmendmentMinor
- May 21Senate Message: Passed in concurrence with proposal of amendmentMinor
- May 21Rules suspended & messaged to House forthwith, on motion of Senator Baruth
- May 21Read 3rd time & passed in concurrence with proposal of amendmentPassed 2nd Chamber
- May 21New Business/Third ReadingMinor
- May 203rd reading ordered
- May 20Proposal of amendment by Committee on Finance agreed toMinor
- May 20Proposal of amendment by Committee on Natural Resources and Energy agreed toMinor
- May 20Reported favorably by Senator Hardy for Committee on Finance with proposal of amendmentMinor
- May 20Read 2nd time, reported favorably with proposal of amendment by Senator Hardy for Committee on Natural Resources and EnergyMinor
- May 20Favorable report by Committee on FinanceMinor
- May 20Favorable report with proposal of amendment by Committee on Natural Resources and EnergyMinor
- May 20Unfinished Business/Second ReadingMinor
- May 19Favorable report with proposal of amendment by Committee on FinanceMinor
- May 19Favorable report with proposal of amendment by Committee on Natural Resources and EnergyMinor
- May 19New Business/Second ReadingMinor
- May 15Favorable report with proposal of amendment by Committee on FinanceMinor
- May 15Favorable report with proposal of amendment by Committee on Natural Resources and EnergyMinor
- May 15Second ReadingMinor
- May 15Entered on Notice Calendar
- May 5Referred to Committee on Finance per Senate Rule 31
- May 5Favorable report with proposal of amendment by Committee on Natural Resources and EnergyMinor
- May 5Second ReadingMinor
- May 5Entered on Notice Calendar
- Mar 26Read 1st time & referred to Committee on Natural Resources and EnergyMinor
- Mar 24Read third time and passedPassed 1st Chamber
- Mar 24Action Calendar: Third ReadingMinor
- Mar 20Third Reading orderedMinor
- Mar 20Rep. Kimbell of Woodstock recommended for the Committee on Ways and Means
- Mar 20Rep. Lipsky of Stowe spoke for the Committee on Agriculture, Food Resiliency, and Forestry
- Mar 20Read second timeMinor
- Mar 20Action Calendar: Favorable
- Mar 19Notice Calendar: Favorable
- Mar 13Committee bill read first time and referred to Committee on Ways and Means per Rule 35(a)Introduced
Environment & Energy