VermontVermont law extends some housing exemptions from Act 250 permits
Vermont’s law extends some housing exemptions from Act 250 permits, exempts certain farm events, and gives some plans and state environmental justice work later dates.
What it does
Some housing projects covered by interim Act 250 exemptions remain exempt until January 1, 2028; the summary does not say which projects qualify.
Certain events connected to an on-farm business do not need an Act 250 permit. The summary does not say which events qualify.
The law repeals several provisions for Act 250 road jurisdiction and a planned Tier 2 and Tier 3 system, including related rulemaking and reporting requirements.
Regional and municipal plans expiring in 2026 or 2027 remain in effect through December 31, 2027.
State agencies have later deadlines for environmental justice reports, rules, and a mapping tool, with dates ranging from January 1, 2028, to July 1, 2030.
Argument forKeeping some housing exemptions in place and extending plans could give towns and builders more time to plan housing and development.
Argument againstSome housing projects and farm events may not get Act 250 review, which could mean less review of their effects on nearby land and communities.
More detail
The law extends some temporary Act 250 exemptions for housing. The provision concerns interim Act 250 exemptions for housing. The summary does not identify which housing projects qualify. The exemptions run until January 1, 2028.
The law exempts certain accessory events run by on-farm businesses from Act 250 permits. The exemption is for certain events connected to an on-farm business. The summary does not identify which events qualify. No start or end date is stated in the summary.
The law repeals several provisions related to Act 250 road jurisdiction and the planned Tier 2 and Tier 3 system. The listed provisions include the road jurisdiction trigger, creation of Tier 2 and Tier 3, Tier 3 rulemaking, and a Tier 2 area report. The summary lists multiple effective dates beginning July 1, 2026, but does not assign a date to each repeal.
The law extends certain regional and municipal plans that are expiring. It covers regional or municipal plans expiring in 2026 or 2027. The extension runs through December 31, 2027.
The law sets later dates for several state environmental justice tasks. The deadlines cover state agency spending reports and rules, as well as an environmental justice mapping tool. The mapping tool is due January 1, 2028; spending reports are due January 15, 2029; Natural Resources rules are due January 1, 2029; and other agencies' rules are due July 1, 2030.
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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 29Senate Message: Signed by Governor Phil Scott June 16, 2026Latest
- May 29Signed by Governor Phil Scott on June 16, 2026Became Law
- May 29Delivered to Governor on June 10, 2026To Governor
- May 28Senate Message: Report of Committee of Conference adopted
- May 27As passed by Senate and HouseMajor
- Vote recorded Roll Call, requested by Senator Watson, Passed -- Needed 15 of 30 to Pass -- Yeas = 27, Nays = 3. Result: pass.Upper
- Vote recorded Roll Call, requested by Senator Watson, Passed -- Needed 15 of 30 to Pass -- Yeas = 28, Nays = 2. Result: pass.Upper
- May 27Roll Call, Requested by Sen. Watson
- May 27Roll Call, requested by Senator Watson, Passed -- Needed 15 of 30 to Pass -- Yeas = 28, Nays = 2
- May 27Committee of Conference report adopted
- May 27Motion by Senator Baruth to reconsider previous vote agreed to
- May 27Motion by Senator Baruth to suspend Rule 73 to allow reconsideration of previous vote taken
- May 27Roll Call, Requested by Sen. Watson
- May 27Roll Call, requested by Senator Watson, Passed -- Needed 15 of 30 to Pass -- Yeas = 27, Nays = 3
- May 27Committee of Conference report adopted
- May 27Committee of Conference report submitted by Senator Watson for Committee, text
- May 27Committee of Conference report
- May 26Committee of Conference report
- May 26Entered on Notice Calendar
- May 22House message: House adopted Conference Committee report
- May 22Rules suspended and bill messaged forthwith to the Senate as moved by Rep. McCoy of Poultney
- May 22Committee of Conference report adopted (Senate bill)Major
- May 22Rules suspended and taken up for immediate consideration as moved by Rep. McCoy of Poultney
- May 22Notice Calendar: Report of Committee of Conference
- May 14House message: House appointed Conference Committee members
- May 13Speaker appointed Reps. Sheldon of Middlebury, Labor of Morgan, and Chapin of East Montpelier as members of the Committee of Conference on the part of the House
- May 13Senate Message: House proposal of amendment not concurred in and Committee of Conference appointedMinor
- May 13Rules suspended & messaged to House forthwith, on motion of Senator Baruth
- May 13Committee of Conference appointed: Senators Watson, Bongartz, and Williams
- May 13House proposal of amendment not concurred in; Committee of Conference requested, on motion of Senator WatsonMinor
- May 13House proposal of amendment; textMinor
- May 13New Business/House Proposal of AmendmentMinor
- May 12House proposal of amendmentMinor
- May 12Entered on Notice Calendar
- May 8House message: House passed bill in concurrence with proposal(s) of amendment
- May 7Read third time and passed in concurrence with proposal of amendmentMajor
- May 7Rep. Boutin of Barre City asked and was granted leave to withdraw amendment
- May 7Rep. Boutin of Barre City moved to amend the House proposal of amendmentMinor
- May 7Rep. Dobrovich of Williamstown moved to amend the House proposal of amendment, which was disagreed toMinor
- May 7Point of order ruled well taken
- May 7Rep. Bartholomew of Hartland raised a Point of Order
- May 7Rep. Higley of Lowell moved to amend the House proposal of amendmentMinor
- May 7Action Calendar: Third ReadingMinor
- May 6Third Reading orderedMinor
- Vote recorded Which was agreed to on a Roll Call Passed -- Needed 72 of 143 to Pass -- Yeas = 77, Nays = 66. Result: pass.Lower
- Vote recorded Which was disagreed to on a Roll Call Failed -- Needed 71 of 142 to Pass -- Yeas = 66, Nays = 76. Result: fail.Lower
- Vote recorded Which was agreed to on a Roll Call Passed -- Needed 72 of 144 to Pass -- Yeas = 142, Nays = 2. Result: pass.Lower
- Vote recorded Which was disagreed to on a Roll Call Failed -- Needed 72 of 143 to Pass -- Yeas = 63, Nays = 80. Result: fail.Lower
- Vote recorded Which was disagreed to on a Roll Call Failed -- Needed 72 of 143 to Pass -- Yeas = 60, Nays = 83. Result: fail.Lower
- Vote recorded Which was agreed to on a Roll Call Passed -- Needed 71 of 141 to Pass -- Yeas = 141, Nays = 0. Result: pass.Lower
- May 6Which was agreed to on a Roll Call Passed -- Needed 71 of 141 to Pass -- Yeas = 141, Nays = 0
- May 6Report of Committee on Environment, as amended, agreed to
- May 6Rep. Sheldon of Middlebury demanded yeas and nays
- May 6Which was disagreed to on a Roll Call Failed -- Needed 72 of 143 to Pass -- Yeas = 60, Nays = 83
- May 6Rep. Dobrovich of Williamstown demanded yeas and nays
- May 6Rep. Dobrovich of Williamstown moved to amend the report of the Committee on Environment, as amended
- May 6Which was disagreed to on a Roll Call Failed -- Needed 71 of 142 to Pass -- Yeas = 66, Nays = 76
- May 6Rep. Charlton of Chester demanded yeas and nays
- May 6Rep. Charlton of Chester moved to amend the report of the Committee on Environment, as amended
- May 6Which was agreed to on a Roll Call Passed -- Needed 72 of 143 to Pass -- Yeas = 77, Nays = 66
- May 6Rep. Burtt of Cabot demanded yeas and nays
- May 6Rep. Burtt of Cabot moved to amend the report of the Committee on Environment, as amended
- May 6Which was agreed to on a Roll Call Passed -- Needed 72 of 144 to Pass -- Yeas = 142, Nays = 2
- May 6Rep. Burtt of Cabot demanded yeas and nays
- May 6Rep. Burtt of Cabot moved to amend the report of the Committee on Environment
- May 6Which was disagreed to on a Roll Call Failed -- Needed 72 of 143 to Pass -- Yeas = 63, Nays = 80
- May 6Rep. Burditt of West Rutland demanded yeas and nays
- May 6Rep. Burditt of West Rutland moved to amend the report of the Committee on Environment
- May 6Rep. Squirrell of Underhill recommended for the Committee on Appropriations
- May 6Rep. Canfield of Fair Haven recommended for the Committee on Ways and Means
- May 6Rep. Sheldon of Middlebury reported for the Committee on Environment
- May 6Read second timeMinor
- May 6Action Calendar: Favorable with Amendment
- May 5Notice Calendar: Favorable with Amendment
- May 1Referred to Committee on Appropriations per Rule 35(a)
- May 1Notice Calendar: Favorable with Amendment
- Apr 30Pending entry on Notice Calendar, referred to Committee on Ways and Means per Rule 35(a)
- Mar 31Read first time and referred to the Committee on EnvironmentMinor
- Mar 27Rules suspended & messaged to House forthwith, on motion of Senator Baruth
- Mar 27Read 3rd time & passedPassed 2nd Chamber
- Mar 27Pending third reading, bill amended as moved by Senator(s) MattosMinor
- Mar 27Senator Mattos requested & granted leave to withdraw amendment
- Mar 27Motion by Senator Mattos to reconsider vote taken yesterday on the amendment offered by Sen. Mattos agreed to
- Mar 26Title amended as recommended by Committee on Natural Resources and Energy
- Mar 26Read 3rd time & passedPassed 1st Chamber
- Mar 26Pending third reading, motion to amend bill disagreed to on division 13-17Minor
- Mar 26Pending third reading, motion to amend bill offered by Senator(s) HeffernanMinor
- Mar 26Pending third reading, bill amended as moved by Senator(s) MattosMinor
- Mar 26Pending third reading, bill amended as moved by Senator(s) Ram HinsdaleMinor
- Mar 26Motion by Senator(s) Ram Hinsdale to substitute amendment offered by Sen. Benson agreed to
- Mar 26Consideration resumed
- Mar 26Consideration postponed to later in the legislative day
- Mar 26Pending third reading, motion to amend bill offered by Senator(s) BensonMinor
- Mar 26Recommendation of amendment to be offered by Senator(s) Mattos
- Mar 26Recommendation of amendment to be offered by Senator(s) Benson
- Mar 26New Business/Third ReadingMinor
- Mar 253rd reading ordered on roll call Passed -- Needed 15 of 30 to Pass -- Yeas = 18, Nays = 12
- Vote recorded 3rd reading ordered on roll call Passed -- Needed 15 of 30 to Pass -- Yeas = 18, Nays = 12. Result: pass.Upper
- Vote recorded Recommendation of amendment, as amended, agreed to on roll call requested by Senator Ingalls, Passed -- Needed 15 of 30 to Pass -- Yeas = 18, Nays = 12. Result: pass.Upper
- Vote recorded Roll Call, requested by Senator Ingalls, Failed -- Needed 15 of 30 to Pass -- Yeas = 13, Nays = 17. Result: fail.Upper
- Mar 25Roll Call, Requested by Sen. Ram Hinsdale
- Mar 25Roll Call, Requested by Sen. Ingalls
- Mar 25Recommendation of amendment, as amended, agreed to on roll call requested by Senator Ingalls, Passed -- Needed 15 of 30 to Pass -- Yeas = 18, Nays = 12
- Mar 25Roll Call, Requested by Sen. Ingalls
- Mar 25Roll Call, requested by Senator Ingalls, Failed -- Needed 15 of 30 to Pass -- Yeas = 13, Nays = 17
- Mar 25Recommendation of amendment disagreed to
- Mar 25Recommendation of amendment by Senator(s) Heffernan and Ingalls, text
- Mar 25Recommendation of amendment by Committee on Natural Resources and Energy amended as recommended by Committee on Appropriations
- Mar 25Reported favorably by Senator Watson for Committee on Appropriations with recommendation of amendmentMinor
- Mar 25Reported favorably by Senator Beck for Committee on FinanceMinor
- Mar 25Reported favorably by Senator Watson for Committee on Natural Resources and Energy with recommendation of amendmentMinor
- Mar 25Read 2nd timeMinor
- Mar 25Favorable report by Committee on AppropriationsMinor
- Mar 25Favorable report by Committee on FinanceMinor
- Mar 25Favorable report with recommendation of amendment by Committee on Natural Resources and EnergyMinor
- Mar 25Committee Bill for Second ReadingMinor
- Mar 24Favorable report with recommendation of amendment by Committee on AppropriationsMinor
- Mar 24Favorable report by Committee on FinanceMinor
- Mar 24Favorable report with recommendation of amendment by Committee on Natural Resources and EnergyMinor
- Mar 24Committee Bill for Second ReadingMinor
- Mar 24Entered on Notice Calendar
- Mar 18Referred to Committee on Appropriations per Senate Rule 31
- Mar 18Favorable report by Committee on FinanceMinor
- Mar 18Favorable report with recommendation of amendment by Committee on Natural Resources and EnergyMinor
- Mar 18Second ReadingMinor
- Mar 18Entered on Notice Calendar
- Mar 17Referred to Committee on Finance per Senate Rule 31
- Mar 17Favorable report with recommendation of amendment by Committee on Natural Resources and EnergyMinor
- Mar 17Committee Bill for Second ReadingMinor
- Mar 17Entered on Notice Calendar
- Feb 3Committed to Committee on Natural Resources and Energy on motion of Senator Watson
- Feb 3Committee Bill for Second ReadingMinor
- Feb 3Entered on Notice Calendar
- Jan 30Committee bill read first time & placed on Notice Calendar per Senate Rule 48Introduced
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