VermontState officials would set salt-use rules and train applicators
If lawmakers provide specific funding, state officials would set salt-use practices and training, while some trained applicators could use a limited defense to snow- and ice-hazard claims.
What it does
The Natural Resources Secretary would set rules and offer voluntary training and certification for paid salt applicators. The program depends on a specific state appropriation.
Certified applicators and certain property holders could use a defense to some snow- or ice-hazard claims when following best practices delays treatment. Gross negligence or reckless disregard would not qualify.
The Natural Resources Secretary would report on salt and sand storage sites and recommend fees for training or certification. The Legislature must approve any fee.
State officials would update training for municipal salt applicators. Municipal employees could use a defense to some snow- or ice-hazard claims if trained workers follow best practices, with exceptions for gross negligence or reckless disregard.
Argument forTraining and clearer practices could help paid applicators use less salt while keeping travel surfaces safe, which may reduce harm to water, pets, and wildlife.
Argument againstApplicators and municipalities may face extra training, recordkeeping, and reporting work, and the funded programs could be delayed if the state does not provide the required money.
More detail
The Natural Resources Secretary would set best-practice rules and offer voluntary training and certification for commercial salt applicators. It covers people paid to apply salt or salt alternatives for winter maintenance or summer dust control, but excludes state and municipal employees and transportation construction projects. The Secretary must consult with the Transportation Secretary and other states with similar programs. The program depends on a specific General Fund appropriation. Best-practice rules are due by July 1, 2027. Certification lasts two years.
Certified commercial applicators and certain property holders would have a defense to some snow- or ice-hazard damage claims. It covers certified commercial salt applicators and owners, occupants, or lessees of property they maintain. The defense applies only if snow or ice alone caused the damage and following best practices caused a failure or delay in addressing the hazard. It does not apply to damages due to gross negligence or reckless disregard of the hazard. To use the defense, the applicator or property holder must keep required records for three years. Records supporting the defense must be kept for three years.
The Natural Resources Secretary would report on salt and sand storage sites and recommend fees for commercial certification and municipal training. The facility report covers state and municipal sites storing salt, salt-and-sand mixtures, salt alternatives, or unmixed sand. Fee recommendations cover commercial certification and municipal training. Any fee charged to commercial or municipal applicators would need General Assembly approval. The implementation duties in this section depend on a specific General Fund appropriation. The facility report and fee recommendations are due by January 15, 2027.
The Natural Resources Secretary and Transportation Secretary would update training for municipal salt applicators, and municipal employees could use a defense to some snow- or ice-hazard claims. The training covers municipal employees or agents who apply salt or supervise its application; state employees are excluded. The defense applies only if the applicator completed the relevant training that calendar year, snow or ice alone caused the damage, and following the taught practices caused a failure or delay in addressing the hazard. It does not apply to damages due to gross negligence or reckless disregard of the hazard. A municipality must keep required treatment records for three years to use the defense. Implementation depends on a specific General Fund appropriation. Curriculum changes are due by November 1, 2027. The applicator must complete the training during the calendar year of the claim.
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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 15Recommitted to Committee on Natural Resources and Energy on motion of Senator BaruthLatest
- May 15Unfinished Business/Pending Question: Shall the bill pass, notwithstanding the Governor's refusal to approve the bill?
- May 14Unfinished Business/Pending Question: Shall the bill pass, notwithstanding the Governor's refusal to approve the bill?
- May 13Unfinished Business/Pending Question: Shall the bill pass, notwithstanding the Governor's refusal to approve the bill?
- May 12Unfinished Business/Pending Question: Shall the bill pass, notwithstanding the Governor's refusal to approve the bill?
- May 8Governor Phil Scott vetoed billMajor
- May 7Senate Message: Vetoed by Governor Phil Scott May 6, 2026Major
- May 7Text of Governor's message
- May 7Governor Phil Scott vetoed bill on May 6, 2026Major
- Apr 30Delivered to Governor on April 30, 2026To Governor
- Apr 17As passed by Senate and HouseMajor
- Apr 17House message: House passed bill in concurrence
- Apr 15Which was agreed to on a Roll Call Passed -- Needed 70 of 139 to Pass -- Yeas = 85, Nays = 54
- Vote recorded Which was agreed to on a Roll Call Passed -- Needed 70 of 139 to Pass -- Yeas = 85, Nays = 54. Result: pass.Lower
- Apr 15Passed in concurrencePassed 2nd Chamber
- Apr 15Rep. McCoy of Poultney demanded yeas and nays
- Apr 15Read third timeMinor
- Apr 15Rep. Boutin of Barre City, Priestley of Bradford, Galfetti of Barre Town, and Soucy of Barre Town moved to amend the bill, which was disagreed to
- Apr 15Action Calendar: Action postponed until April 15, 2026
- Apr 14Rep. Chapin of East Montpelier moved to postpone action until April 15, 2026, which was agreed to
- Apr 14Action Calendar: Third ReadingMinor
- Apr 10Third Reading orderedMinor
- Apr 10Rep. Squirrell of Underhill recommended for the Committee on Appropriations
- Apr 10Rep. Kimbell of Woodstock recommended for the Committee on Ways and Means
- Apr 10Rep. Chapin of East Montpelier reported for the Committee on Environment
- Apr 10Read second timeMinor
- Apr 10Action Calendar: Favorable
- Apr 9Notice Calendar: Favorable
- Apr 3Referred to Committee on Appropriations per Rule 35(a)
- Apr 3Notice Calendar: Favorable
- Apr 1Pending entry on Notice Calendar, referred to Committee on Ways and Means per Rule 35(a)
- Feb 19Read first time and referred to the Committee on EnvironmentMinor
- Feb 18Read 3rd time & passedPassed 1st Chamber
- Feb 18Pending third reading, bill amended as moved by Senator(s) Watson and HardyMinor
- Feb 18Proposal of amendment to be offered by Senator(s) WatsonMinor
- Feb 18New Business/Third ReadingMinor
- Feb 17Roll Call, Requested by Sen. Ram Hinsdale
- Vote recorded 3rd reading ordered on roll call Passed -- Needed 15 of 30 to Pass -- Yeas = 29, Nays = 1. Result: pass.Upper
- Feb 173rd reading ordered on roll call Passed -- Needed 15 of 30 to Pass -- Yeas = 29, Nays = 1
- Feb 17Reported favorably by Senator Watson for Committee on AppropriationsMinor
- Feb 17Reported favorably by Senator Hardy for Committee on FinanceMinor
- Feb 17Reported favorably by Senator Watson for Committee on Natural Resources and EnergyMinor
- Feb 17Read 2nd timeMinor
- Feb 17Favorable report by Committee on AppropriationsMinor
- Feb 17Favorable report by Committee on FinanceMinor
- Feb 17Favorable report by Committee on Natural Resources and EnergyMinor
- Feb 17Unfinished Business/Second ReadingMinor
- Feb 13Favorable report by Committee on AppropriationsMinor
- Feb 13Favorable report by Committee on FinanceMinor
- Feb 13Favorable report by Committee on Natural Resources and EnergyMinor
- Feb 13New Business/Second ReadingMinor
- Feb 12Favorable report by Committee on AppropriationsMinor
- Feb 12Favorable report by Committee on FinanceMinor
- Feb 12Favorable report by Committee on Natural Resources and EnergyMinor
- Feb 12Second ReadingMinor
- Feb 12Entered on Notice Calendar
- Feb 6Referred to Committee on Appropriations per Senate Rule 31
- Feb 6Favorable report by Committee on FinanceMinor
- Feb 6Favorable report by Committee on Natural Resources and EnergyMinor
- Feb 6Entered on Notice Calendar
- Jan 23Referred to Committee on Finance per Senate Rule 31
- Jan 23Favorable report by Committee on Natural Resources and EnergyMinor
- Jan 7Read 1st time & referred to Committee on Natural Resources and EnergyIntroduced
Environment & EnergyPublic Safety