H 319

 BILL AS PASSED BY THE HOUSE  H.319
 2025  Page 1 of 77
1H.319
2 Introduced by Representative Sheldon of Middlebury
3 Referred to Committee on
4 Date:
5 Subject: Conservation and development; solid waste; flood safety; wetlands;
6dams
7 Statement of purpose of bill as introduced: This bill proposes to amend
8 multiple environmental subjects. The bill would extend by a year the date by
9 which an assessment of the end-of-life management of certain battery types
10 shall be conducted and requires the battery stewardship organization in the
11 State to complete the assessment instead of the Agency of Natural Resources.
12 The bill also clarifies when a fuel dealer can deliver to a category one tank that
13 does not have a valid permit or otherwise may result in a release to the
14 environment. The bill would provide that information submitted to the
15 Department of Environmental Conservation under the Healthy Homes
16 Initiative shall be considered confidential. In addition, the bill would extend
17 multiple deadline dates for reporting or rulemaking for specific flood safety,
18 river corridor, wetlands, and dam programs.
19    An act relating to miscellaneous environmental subjects
 BILL AS PASSED BY THE HOUSE  H.319
 2025  Page 2 of 77
1 It is hereby enacted by the General Assembly of the State of Vermont:
2* * * Battery Extended Producer Responsibility * * *
3 Sec. 1. 2024 Acts and Resolves No. 152, Sec. 3 is amended to read:
4    Sec. 3. ANR BATTERY ASSESSMENT
5    (a) On or before July 1, 2026, the Secretary of Natural Resources 2027, the
6 stewardship organization formed pursuant to 10 V.S.A. chapter 168 shall
7 complete an assessment of the opportunities, challenges, and feasibility of
8 establishing mandatory end-of-life management programs for the following
9 battery types:
10(1) batteries used in hybrid and electric vehicles;
11(2) battery energy storage systems; and
12(3) batteries that are not easily removable from the products they power.
13    (b) The assessment required by this section shall include:
14(1) a summary of the work and progress other states have made in
15 establishing end-of-life management programs for the three battery types listed
16 under subsection (a) of this section; and
17(2) policy recommendations on whether mandatory end-of-life
18 management programs are necessary for the battery types listed under
19 subsection (a) of this section.
 BILL AS PASSED BY THE HOUSE  H.319
 2025  Page 3 of 77
1    (c) The assessment required by this section shall be provided to the
2 Secretary of Natural Resources, the House Committee on Environment and
3 Energy, and the Senate Committee on Natural Resources and Energy.
4* * * Fuel Storage Tanks * * *
5 Sec. 2. 10 V.S.A. § 1927(d) is amended to read:
6    (d) No person shall deliver a regulated substance to a category one tank
7 that is visibly designated by the Agency as not having a valid permit or not
8 meeting standards adopted by the Secretary related to corrosion protection,
9 spill prevention, leak detection, financial responsibility, or overfill protection
10 that may result in the tank releasing a regulated substance to the environment.
11   * * * Household Hazardous Waste Extended Producer Responsibility * * *
12 Sec. 3. 10 V.S.A. § 7181 is amended to read:
13 § 7181. DEFINITIONS
14    As used in this chapter:
15***
16(4)(A) “Covered household hazardous product” means a consumer
17 product offered for retail sale that is contained in the receptacle in which the
18 product is offered for retail sale, if the product has any of the following
19 characteristics:
20(i) the product or a component of the product is a hazardous waste
21 under subchapter 2 of the Vermont Hazardous Waste Management
 BILL AS PASSED BY THE HOUSE  H.319
 2025  Page 4 of 77
1 Regulations, regardless of the status of the generator of the hazardous waste;
2 or
3(ii) the product is a gas cylinder.
4(B) “Covered household hazardous product” does not mean any of
5 the following:
6***
7(iv) architectural paint paint-related products as that term is
8 defined in section 6672 of this title;
9***
10 Sec. 4. 10 V.S.A. § 7182 is amended to read:
11 § 7182. SALE OF COVERED HOUSEHOLD HAZARDOUS PRODUCTS;
12STEWARDSHIP ORGANIZATION REGISTRATION;
13MANUFACTURER REGISTRATION
14      (a) Sale prohibited.
15(1) A manufacturer of a covered household hazardous product shall not
16 sell, offer for sale, or deliver to a retailer for subsequent sale a covered
17 household hazardous product without registering with the stewardship
18 organization pursuant to subsection (c) of this section.
19(2) Beginning six months after a final decision on the adequacy of a
20 collection plan by the Secretary, a manufacturer of a covered household
21 hazardous product shall not sell, offer for sale, or deliver to a retailer for
 BILL AS PASSED BY THE HOUSE  H.319
 2025  Page 5 of 77
1 subsequent sale a covered household hazardous product unless all the
2 following have been met:
3(1)(A) The manufacturer is participating in a stewardship
4 organization implementing an approved collection plan.
5(2)(B) The name of the manufacturer, the manufacturer’s brand, and
6 the name of the covered household hazardous product are submitted to the
7 Agency of Natural Resources by a stewardship organization and listed on the
8 stewardship organization’s website as covered by an approved collection plan.
9(3)(C) The stewardship organization in which the manufacturer
10 participates has submitted an annual report consistent with the requirements of
11 section 7185 of this title.
12(4)(D) The stewardship organization in which the manufacturer
13 participates has conducted a plan audit consistent with the requirements of
14 subsection 7185(b) of this title.
15    (b) Stewardship organization registration requirements.
16(1) On or before July 1, 2025 and annually thereafter, a stewardship
17 organization shall file a registration form with the Secretary. The Secretary
18 shall provide the registration form to the stewardship organization. The
19 registration form shall include:
20(A) a list of the manufacturers participating in the stewardship
21 organization;
 BILL AS PASSED BY THE HOUSE  H.319
 2025  Page 6 of 77
1(B) a list of the brands of each manufacturer participating in the
2 stewardship organization;
3(C) a list of the covered household hazardous products of each
4 manufacturer participating in the stewardship organization;
5(D) the name, address, and contact information of a person
6 responsible for ensuring compliance with this chapter;
7(E) a description of how the stewardship organization meets the
8 requirements of subsection 7184(b) of this title, including any reasonable
9 requirements for participation in the stewardship organization; and
10(F)(B) the name, address, and contact information of a person for a
11 nonmember manufacturer to contact regarding how to participate in the
12 stewardship organization to satisfy the requirements of this chapter.
13(2) A renewal of a registration without changes may be accomplished
14 through notifying the Agency of Natural Resources on a form provided by the
15 Agency Beginning July 1, 2026 and annually thereafter, a stewardship
16 organization shall renew its registration with the Secretary. A renewal
17 registration shall include the following:
18(A) a list of the manufacturers participating in the stewardship
19 organization;
20(B) a list of the brands of each manufacturer participating in the
21 stewardship organization;
 BILL AS PASSED BY THE HOUSE  H.319
 2025  Page 7 of 77
1(C) a list of the covered household hazardous products of each
2 manufacturer participating in the stewardship organization;
3(D) the name, address, and contact information of a person
4 responsible for ensuring compliance with this chapter;
5(E) a description of how the stewardship organization meets the
6 requirements of subsection 7184(b) of this title, including any reasonable
7 requirements for participation in the stewardship organization; and
8(F) the name, address, and contact information of a person for a
9 nonmember manufacturer to contact regarding how to participate in the
10 stewardship organization to satisfy the requirements of this chapter.
11    (c) Manufacturer registration. On or before November 1, 2025, a
12 manufacturer of a covered household hazardous product shall register with the
13 stewardship organization in a manner proscribed by the stewardship
14 organization.
15 Sec. 5. 10 V.S.A. § 7183 is amended to read:
16 § 7183. COLLECTION PLANS
17    (a) Collection plan required. Prior to July 1, 2025 On or before July 1,
18 2026, any stewardship organization registered with the Secretary as
19 representing manufacturers of covered household hazardous products shall
20 coordinate and submit to the Secretary for review one collection plan for all
21 manufacturers.
 BILL AS PASSED BY THE HOUSE  H.319
 2025  Page 8 of 77
1    (b) Collection plan; minimum requirements. Each collection plan shall
2 include, at a minimum, all of the following requirements:
3(1) Initial plan. The initial plan shall last for a period not to exceed
4 three years and contain, at a minimum, the following requirements:
5(A) List of participants. A list of the manufacturers, brands, and
6 products participating in the collection plan and a methodology for adding and
7 removing manufacturers and notifying the Agency of new participants.
8(2)(B) Free statewide collection of covered household hazardous
9 products. The collection program shall provide for reimburse municipalities
10 when a municipality provides for free, convenient, and accessible statewide
11 opportunities for the collection from covered entities of covered household
12 hazardous products, including orphan covered products. A stewardship
13 organization shall accept all covered household hazardous products collected
14 from a covered entity and shall not refuse the collection of a covered
15 household hazardous product, including orphan covered household products,
16 based on the brand or manufacturer of the covered household hazardous
17 product unless specifically exempt from this requirement. The collection
18 program shall also provide for the payment of collection, processing, and end-
19 of-life management of the covered household hazardous products. Collection
20 costs include facility costs, equipment costs, labor, supplies, maintenance,
21 events costs, and event contractor costs, including collection event set-up fees,
 BILL AS PASSED BY THE HOUSE  H.319
 2025  Page 9 of 77
1 environmental service fees, insurance fees, and shipping containers and
2 materials.
3(3) Convenient collection location. The stewardship organization shall
4 develop a collection program that allows all municipal household hazardous
5 waste collection programs to opt to be a part of the collection plan, including
6 collection events and facilities offered by solid waste planning entities. The
7 plan shall make efforts to site points of collection equitably across all regions
8 of the State to allow for convenient and reasonable access of all Vermonters to
9 collection facilities or collection events.
10(4) Public education and outreach. The collection plan shall include an
11 education and outreach program that shall include a website and may include
12 media advertising, retail displays, articles and publications, and other public
13 educational efforts. Outreach and education shall be suitable for the State’s
14 diverse ethnic populations, through translated and culturally appropriate
15 materials, including in-language and targeted outreach. Public education and
16 outreach should include content to increase meaningful participation by
17 environmental justice focus populations as required by 3 V.S.A. chapter 72.
18 During the first year of program implementation and two years after adoption
19 of the collection plan, each stewardship organization shall carry out a survey
20 of public awareness regarding the requirements of the program established
21 under this chapter that can identify communities that have disparities in
 BILL AS PASSED BY THE HOUSE  H.319
 2025  Page 10 of 77
1 awareness and need more outreach. Each stewardship organization shall share
2 the results of the public awareness surveys with the Secretary. If multiple
3 stewardship organizations are implementing plans approved by the Secretary,
4 the stewardship organizations shall coordinate in carrying out their education
5 and outreach responsibilities under this subdivision and shall include in their
6 annual reports to the Secretary a summary of their coordinated education and
7 outreach efforts. The education and outreach program and website shall notify
8 the public of the following:
9(A) that there is a free collection program for covered household
10 hazardous products;
11(B) the location and hours of operation of collection points and how
12 a covered entity can access this collection program;
13(C) the special handling considerations associated with covered
14 household hazardous products; and
15(D) source reduction information for consumers to reduce leftover
16 covered household products.
17(5) Compliance with appropriate environmental standards. In
18 implementing a collection plan, a stewardship organization shall comply with
19 all applicable laws related to the collection, transportation, and disposal of
20 hazardous waste. A stewardship organization shall comply with any special
 BILL AS PASSED BY THE HOUSE  H.319
 2025  Page 11 of 77
1 handling or disposal standards established by the Secretary for covered
2 household hazardous products or for the collection plan of the manufacturer.
3(6) Method of disposition. The collection plan shall describe how
4 covered household hazardous products will be managed in the most
5 environmentally and economically sound manner, including following the
6 waste-management hierarchy. The management of covered household
7 hazardous products under the collection plan shall use management activities
8 in the following priority order: source reduction, reuse, recycling, energy
9 recovery, and disposal. Collected covered household hazardous products shall
10 be recycled when technically and economically feasible.
11(7) Performance goals. A collection plan shall include:
12(A) A performance goal for covered household hazardous products
13 determined by the number of total participants at collection events and
14 facilities listed in the collection plan during a program year divided by the
15 total number of households. The number of households shall include seasonal
16 households. The calculation methodology for the number of households shall
17 be included in the plan.
18(B) At a minimum, the collection performance goal for the first
19 approved plan shall be an annual participation rate of five percent of the
20 households for every collection program based on the number of households
21 the collection program serves. After the initial approved program plan, the
 BILL AS PASSED BY THE HOUSE  H.319
 2025  Page 12 of 77
1 stewardship organization shall propose performance goals for subsequent
2 program plans. The Secretary shall approve the performance goals for the
3 plan at least every five years. The stewardship organization shall use the
4 results of the most recent waste composition study required under 6604 of this
5 title and other relevant factors to propose the performance goals of the
6 collection plan. If a stewardship organization does not meet its performance
7 goals, the Secretary may require the stewardship organization to revise the
8 collection plan to provide for one or more of the following: additional public
9 education and outreach, additional collection events, or additional hours of
10 operation for collection sites. A stewardship organization is not authorized to
11 reduce or cease collection, education and outreach, or other activities
12 implemented under an approved plan on the basis of achievement of program
13 performance goals.
14(8)(C) Collection plan funding. The collection plan shall describe how
15 the stewardship organization will fund the implementation of the collection
16 plan and collection activities under the plan, including the costs for education
17 and outreach, collection, processing, and end-of-life management of the
18 covered household hazardous product all municipal collection offered to the
19 public in a base program year. A base program year shall be based on the
20 services provided in calendar year 2024 and any other collection facilities or
21 events approved by the Secretary. Collection costs include facility costs,
 BILL AS PASSED BY THE HOUSE  H.319
 2025  Page 13 of 77
1 equipment costs, labor, supplies, maintenance, events costs, and event
2 contractor costs, including collection event set-up fees, environmental service
3 fees, insurance fees, and shipping containers and materials. The collection
4 plan shall include how municipalities will be compensated for all costs
5 attributed to collection of covered household hazardous products. The
6 Secretary shall resolve disputes relating to compensation.
7(2) Subsequent plans. After the expiration of the initial plan approved
8 by the Secretary, the collection plan shall include, at a minimum, the
9 following:
10(A) List of participants. A list of the manufacturers, brands, and
11 products participating in the collection plan and a methodology for adding and
12 removing manufacturers and notifying the Agency of new participants.
13(B) Free statewide collection of covered household hazardous
14 products. The collection program shall provide for free, convenient, and
15 accessible statewide opportunities for the collection from covered entities of
16 covered household hazardous products, including orphan covered products. A
17 stewardship organization shall accept all covered household hazardous
18 products collected from a covered entity and shall not refuse the collection of a
19 covered household hazardous product, including orphan covered household
20 products, based on the brand or manufacturer of the covered household
21 hazardous product unless specifically exempt from this requirement. The
 BILL AS PASSED BY THE HOUSE  H.319
 2025  Page 14 of 77
1 collection program shall also provide for the payment of collection,
2 processing, and end-of-life management of the covered household hazardous
3 products. Collection costs include facility costs, equipment costs, labor,
4 supplies, maintenance, events costs, and event contractor costs, including
5 collection event set-up fees, environmental service fees, insurance fees, and
6 shipping containers and materials.
7(C) Convenient collection location. The stewardship organization
8 shall develop a collection program that allows all municipal household
9 hazardous waste collection programs to opt to be a part of the collection plan,
10 including collection events and facilities offered by solid waste planning
11 entities. The plan shall make efforts to site points of collection equitably
12 across all regions of the State to allow for convenient and reasonable access of
13 all Vermonters to collection facilities or collection events.
14(D) Public education and outreach. The collection plan shall include
15 an education and outreach program that shall include a website and may
16 include media advertising, retail displays, articles and publications, and other
17 public educational efforts. Outreach and education shall be suitable for the
18 State’s diverse ethnic populations, through translated and culturally
19 appropriate materials, including in-language and targeted outreach. Public
20 education and outreach should include content to increase meaningful
21 participation by environmental justice focus populations as required by 3
 BILL AS PASSED BY THE HOUSE  H.319
 2025  Page 15 of 77
1 V.S.A. chapter 72. During the second approved plan, each stewardship
2 organization shall carry out a survey of public awareness regarding the
3 requirements of the program established under this chapter that can identify
4 communities that have disparities in awareness and need more outreach. Each
5 stewardship organization shall share the results of the public awareness
6 surveys with the Secretary. If multiple stewardship organizations are
7 implementing plans approved by the Secretary, the stewardship organizations
8 shall coordinate in carrying out their education and outreach responsibilities
9 under this subdivision (D) and shall include in their annual reports to the
10 Secretary a summary of their coordinated education and outreach efforts. The
11 education and outreach program and website shall notify the public of the
12 following:
13(i) that there is a free collection program for covered household
14 hazardous products;
15(ii) the location and hours of operation of collection points and
16 how a covered entity can access this collection program;
17(iii) the special handling considerations associated with covered
18 household hazardous products; and
19(iv) source reduction information for consumers to reduce leftover
20 covered household products.
 BILL AS PASSED BY THE HOUSE  H.319
 2025  Page 16 of 77
1(E) Compliance with appropriate environmental standards. In
2 implementing a collection plan, a stewardship organization shall comply with
3 all applicable laws related to the collection, transportation, and disposal of
4 hazardous waste. A stewardship organization shall comply with any special
5 handling or disposal standards established by the Secretary for covered
6 household hazardous products or for the collection plan of the manufacturer.
7(F) Method of disposition. The collection plan shall describe how
8 covered household hazardous products will be managed in the most
9 environmentally and economically sound manner, including following the
10 waste-management hierarchy. The management of covered household
11 hazardous products under the collection plan shall use management activities
12 in the following priority order: source reduction, reuse, recycling, energy
13 recovery, and disposal. Collected covered household hazardous products shall
14 be recycled when technically and economically feasible.
15(G) Performance goals. A collection plan shall include:
16(i) A performance goal for covered household hazardous products
17 determined by the number of total participants at collection events and
18 facilities listed in the collection plan during a program year divided by the
19 total number of households. The number of households shall include seasonal
20 households. The calculation methodology for the number of households shall
21 be included in the plan.
 BILL AS PASSED BY THE HOUSE  H.319
 2025  Page 17 of 77
1(ii) At a minimum, the collection performance goal for the initial
2 plan approved pursuant to subdivision (b)(2) of this section shall be an annual
3 participation rate of five percent of the households for every collection
4 program based on the number of households the collection program serves.
5 After the initial approved program plan, the stewardship organization shall
6 propose performance goals for subsequent program plans. The Secretary shall
7 approve the performance goals for the plan at least every five years. The
8 stewardship organization shall use the results of the most recent waste
9 composition study required under 6604 of this title and other relevant factors
10 to propose the performance goals of the collection plan. If a stewardship
11 organization does not meet its performance goals, the Secretary may require
12 the stewardship organization to revise the collection plan to provide for one or
13 more of the following: additional public education and outreach, additional
14 collection events, or additional hours of operation for collection sites. A
15 stewardship organization is not authorized to reduce or cease collection,
16 education and outreach, or other activities implemented under an approved
17 plan on the basis of achievement of program performance goals.
18(H) Collection plan funding. The collection plan shall describe how the
19 stewardship organization will fund the implementation of the collection plan
20 and collection activities under the plan, including the costs for education and
21 outreach, collection, processing, and end-of-life management of the covered
 BILL AS PASSED BY THE HOUSE  H.319
 2025  Page 18 of 77
1 household hazardous product. Collection costs include facility costs,
2 equipment costs, labor, supplies, maintenance, events costs, and event
3 contractor costs, including collection event set-up fees, environmental service
4 fees, insurance fees, and shipping containers and materials. The collection
5 plan shall include how municipalities will be compensated for all costs
6 attributed to collection of covered household hazardous products. The
7 Secretary shall resolve disputes relating to compensation.
8    (c) Term of collection plan. A collection plan approved by the Secretary
9 under section 7187 of this title shall have a term not to exceed five years,
10 provided that the stewardship organization remains in compliance with the
11 requirements of this chapter and the terms of the approved collection plan.
12    (d) Collection plan implementation. Stewardship organizations shall
13 implement the collection plan on or before six months after the date of a final
14 decision by the Secretary on the adequacy of the collection plan.
15 Sec. 6. 10 V.S.A. § 7184 is amended to read:
16 § 7184. STEWARDSHIP ORGANIZATIONS
17    (a) Participation in a stewardship organization. A manufacturer shall meet
18 the requirements of this chapter by participating in a stewardship organization
19 that undertakes the responsibilities under sections 7182, 7183, and 7185 of this
20 title.
 BILL AS PASSED BY THE HOUSE  H.319
 2025  Page 19 of 77
1    (b) Qualifications for a stewardship organization. To qualify as a
2 stewardship organization under this chapter, an organization shall:
3(1) commit to assume the responsibilities, obligations, and liabilities of
4 all manufacturers participating in the stewardship organization;
5(2) not create unreasonable barriers for participation in the stewardship
6 organization; and
7(3) maintain a public website that lists all manufacturers and
8 manufacturers’ brands and products covered by the stewardship organization’s
9 approved collection plan.
10    (c) A stewardship organization is authorized to charge its members
11 reasonable fees for the organization, administration, and implementation of the
12 programs required by this chapter.
13 Sec. 7. 10 V.S.A. § 7187 is amended to read:
14 § 7187. AGENCY RESPONSIBILITIES
15    (a) Review and approve collection plans. The Secretary shall review and
16 approve or deny collection plans submitted under section 7183 of this title
17 according to the public notice and comment requirements of section 7714 of
18 this title.
19***
20    (g) Agency collection plan. If no stewardship organization is formed on or
21 before July 1, 2025 or the stewardship organization fails to submit a plan or
 BILL AS PASSED BY THE HOUSE  H.319
 2025  Page 20 of 77
1 submits a plan that does not meet the requirements of this chapter, the
2 Secretary shall adopt and administer a plan that meets the requirements of
3 section 7183 of this title. If the Secretary administers the plan adopted under
4 section 7183, the Secretary shall charge each manufacturer the prorated costs
5 of plan administration, the Agency’s oversight costs, and a hazardous waste
6 reduction assessment of 10 percent of the plan’s total cost to be deposited in
7 the Solid Waste Management Assistance Account of the Waste Management
8 Assistance Fund, for the purpose of providing grants to municipalities and
9 small businesses to prevent pollution and reduce the generation of hazardous
10 waste in the State. When determining a manufacturer’s assessment under this
11 section, the Agency may allocate costs to a manufacturer of covered household
12 hazardous products based on the sales of covered household hazardous
13 products nationally prorated to the population of Vermont.
14 Sec. 8. 10 V.S.A. § 6621a is amended to read:
15 § 6621a. LANDFILL DISPOSAL REQUIREMENTS
16    (a) In accordance with the following schedule, no person shall knowingly
17 dispose of the following materials in solid waste or in landfills:
18***
19(12) Covered household hazardous products after July 1, 2025 2026.
20***
21 Sec. 9. SOLID WASTE PLAN; FLEXIBILITY
 BILL AS PASSED BY THE HOUSE  H.319
 2025  Page 21 of 77
1    (a) Notwithstanding the municipal household hazardous waste (HHW)
2 collection requirements under the State Solid Waste Plan adopted pursuant to
3 10 V.S.A. § 6604, the Secretary of Natural Resources may grant a variance
4 from the requirement to conduct at least two household hazardous waste
5 collection events in that municipality. The variance shall allow a municipality
6 to meet its obligations, as follows:
7(1) the municipality has partnered with another municipality to allow its
8 residents the ability to access a permanent HHW facility in the same manner as
9 the municipality that operates the permanent HHW facility;
10(2) the municipality has partnered with a nearby municipality to offer
11 collection events to members in both municipalities;
12(3) the municipality has demonstrated that it has made reasonable
13 efforts to provide alternate collection opportunities identified under
14 subdivisions (1) and (2) of this subsection and was unable and that the cost of
15 a collection event is unreasonable. In such circumstances the Secretary of
16 Natural Resources may reduce the required collection events to one per year.
17    (b) This section shall be repealed on July 1, 2027.
18* * * Paint Extended Producer Responsibility * * *
19 Sec. 10. 10 V.S.A. chapter 159, subchapter 4 is amended to read:
20Subchapter 4. Paint Stewardship Program
21 § 6671. PURPOSE
 BILL AS PASSED BY THE HOUSE  H.319
 2025  Page 22 of 77
1    The purpose of this subchapter is to establish an environmentally sound,
2 cost-effective Paint Stewardship Program in the State that will undertake
3 responsibility for the development and implementation of strategies to reduce
4 the generation of postconsumer paint; promote the reuse of postconsumer
5 paint; and collect, transport, and process postconsumer paint, including reuse,
6 recycling, energy recovery, and disposal. The Paint Stewardship Program will
7 follow the waste management hierarchy for managing and reducing
8 postconsumer paint in the order as follows: reduce consumer generation of
9 postconsumer paint, reuse, recycle, provide for energy recovery, and dispose.
10 The Paint Stewardship Program will provide more opportunities for consumers
11 to manage properly their postconsumer paint, provide fiscal relief for local
12 government in managing postconsumer paint, keep paint out of the waste
13 stream, and conserve natural resources.
14 § 6672. DEFINITIONS
15    As used in this subchapter:
16(1) “Aerosol coating product” means a pressurized coating product
17 containing pigments or resins dispensed by means of a propellant and
18 packaged and sold in a disposable aerosol container for handheld application,
19 or for use in specialized equipment for ground traffic or marking applications.
20(2) “Architectural paint” means interior and exterior architectural
21 coatings, including interior or exterior water- and oil-based coatings, primers,
 BILL AS PASSED BY THE HOUSE  H.319
 2025  Page 23 of 77
1 sealers, or wood coatings, that are sold in containers of five gallons or less.
2 “Architectural paint” does not mean industrial coatings, original equipment
3 coatings, or specialty coatings.
4(3) “Coating-related product” means a product used as a paint additive,
5 paint thinner, paint colorant, paint remover, surface sealant, surface
6 preparation, surface adhesive, and sold for home improvement.
7(2)(4) “Distributor” means a company that has a contractual relationship
8 with one or more producers to market and sell architectural paint to retailers in
9 Vermont.
10(3)(5) “Energy recovery” means recovery in which all or a part of the
11 solid waste materials are processed in order to use the heat content or other
12 forms of energy of or from the material.
13(4)(6) “Environmentally sound management practices” means policies
14 to be implemented by a producer or a stewardship organization to ensure
15 compliance with all applicable laws and also addressing such issues as
16 adequate record keeping, tracking and documenting the fate of materials
17 within the State and beyond, and adequate environmental liability coverage for
18 professional services and for the operations of the contractors working on
19 behalf of the producer organization.
20(5)(7) “Municipality” means a city, town, or a village.
21(6) “Paint stewardship assessment” means a one-time charge that is:
 BILL AS PASSED BY THE HOUSE  H.319
 2025  Page 24 of 77
1(A) added to the purchase price of architectural paint sold in
2 Vermont;
3(B) passed from the producer to the wholesale purchaser to the
4 retailer and then to a retail consumer; and
5(C) necessary to cover the cost of collecting, transporting, and
6 processing the postconsumer paint managed through the statewide Program.
7(8) “Nonindustrial coating” means arts and crafts paint, automotive
8 refinish paint, driveway sealer, faux finish or glaze, furniture oil, furniture
9 paint, lime wash, lime paint, marine paint, antifouling paint, road and traffic
10 marking paint, two-component paint, wood preservative, fire retardant paint,
11 dry fog paint, chalkboard paint, and conductive paint, sold in containers of five
12 gallons or less for commercial and homeowner use, but does not include
13 coatings purchased for industrial or original equipment manufacturer use.
14(9)(A) “Paint product” includes:
15(i) architectural coatings;
16(ii) aerosol coating products;
17(iii) coating-related products; and
18(iv) nonindustrial coatings.
19(B) “Paint product” does not include a health and beauty product.
20(7)(10) “Postconsumer paint” means architectural a paint product and its
21 containers not used and no longer wanted by a purchaser.
 BILL AS PASSED BY THE HOUSE  H.319
 2025  Page 25 of 77
1(8)(11) “Producer” means a manufacturer of architectural paint products
2 who sells, offers for sale, or distributes that paint in Vermont under the
3 producer’s own name or brand.
4(9)(12) “Recycling” means any process by which discarded products,
5 components, and by-products are transformed into new usable or marketable
6 materials in a manner in which the original products may lose their identity but
7 does not include energy recovery or energy generation by means of
8 combusting discarded products, components, and by-products with or without
9 other waste products.
10(10)(13) “Retailer” means any person that offers architectural paint for
11 sale at retail in Vermont.
12(11)(14) “Reuse” means the return of a product into the economic
13 stream for use in the same kind of application as originally intended, without a
14 change in the product’s identity.
15(12)(15) “Secretary” means the Secretary of Natural Resources.
16(13)(16) “Sell” or “sale” means any transfer of title for consideration,
17 including remote sales conducted through sales outlets, catalogues, or the
18 Internet or any other similar electronic means.
19(14)(17) “Stewardship organization” means a nonprofit corporation or
20 nonprofit organization created by a producer or group of producers to
21 implement the Paint Stewardship Program required under this subchapter.
 BILL AS PASSED BY THE HOUSE  H.319
 2025  Page 26 of 77
1 § 6673. PAINT PRODUCT STEWARDSHIP PROGRAM
2    (a) A producer or a stewardship organization representing producers shall
3 submit a plan for the establishment of a Paint Product Stewardship Program to
4 the Secretary for approval by December 1, 2013. The plan shall address the
5 following:
6(1) Provide a list of participating producers and brands covered by the
7 Program.
8(2) Provide specific information on the architectural paint products
9 covered under the Program, such as interior or exterior water- and oil-based
10 coatings, primers, sealers, or wood coatings.
11(3) Describe how the Program proposed under the plan will collect,
12 transport, recycle, and process postconsumer paint products for end-of-life
13 management, including recycling, energy recovery, and disposal, using
14 environmentally sound management practices.
15(4) Describe the Program and how it will provide for convenient and
16 available statewide collection of postconsumer architectural paint products in
17 urban and rural areas of the State. The producer or stewardship organization
18 shall use the existing household hazardous waste collection infrastructure when
19 selecting collection points for postconsumer architectural paint products. A
20 paint retailer shall be authorized as a paint collection point of postconsumer
21 architectural paint for a Paint Product Stewardship Program if the paint retailer
 BILL AS PASSED BY THE HOUSE  H.319
 2025  Page 27 of 77
1 volunteers to act as a paint collection point and complies with all applicable
2 laws, rules, and regulations.
3(5) Provide geographic information modeling to determine the number
4 and distribution of sites for collection of postconsumer architectural paint
5 based on the following criteria:
6(A) at least 90 percent of Vermont residents shall have a permanent
7 collection site within a 15-mile radius; and
8(B) one additional permanent site will be established for every
9 10,000 residents of a municipality and additional sites shall be distributed to
10 provide convenient and reasonably equitable access for residents within each
11 municipality, unless otherwise approved by the Secretary.
12(6) Establish goals to reduce the generation of postconsumer paint
13 products, to promote the reuse of postconsumer paint products, and for the
14 proper management of postconsumer paint products as practical based on
15 current household hazardous waste program information. The goals may be
16 revised by the producer or stewardship organization based on the information
17 collected for the annual report.
18(7) Describe how postconsumer paint products will be managed in the
19 most environmentally and economically sound manner, including following
20 the waste-management hierarchy. The management of paint under the
 BILL AS PASSED BY THE HOUSE  H.319
 2025  Page 28 of 77
1 Program shall use management activities that promote source reduction, reuse,
2 recycling, energy recovery, and disposal.
3(8) Describe education and outreach efforts to inform consumers of
4 collection opportunities for postconsumer paint products and to promote the
5 source reduction and recycling of architectural paint products for each of the
6 following: consumers, contractors, and retailers.
7    (b) The producer or stewardship organization shall submit a budget for the
8 Program proposed under subsection (a) of this section, and for any amendment
9 to the plan that would affect the Program’s costs. The budget shall include a
10 funding mechanism under which each architectural paint producer remits to a
11 stewardship organization payment of a paint stewardship assessment for each
12 container of architectural paint it sells in this State. Prior to submitting the
13 proposed budget and assessment to the Secretary, the producer or stewardship
14 organization shall provide the budget and assessment to a third-party auditor
15 agreed upon by the Secretary. The third-party auditor shall provide a
16 recommendation as to whether the proposed budget and assessment is cost-
17 effective, reasonable, and limited to covering the cost of the Program. The
18 paint stewardship assessment shall be added to the cost of all architectural
19 paint sold in Vermont. To ensure that the funding mechanism is equitable and
20 sustainable, a uniform paint stewardship assessment shall be established for all
21 architectural paint sold. The paint stewardship assessment shall be approved
 BILL AS PASSED BY THE HOUSE  H.319
 2025  Page 29 of 77
1 by the Secretary and shall be sufficient to recover, but not exceed, the costs of
2 the Paint Stewardship Program. [Repealed.]
3    (c) Beginning no later than July 1, 2014, or three Six months after approval
4 of the plan for a Paint Product Stewardship Program required under subsection
5 (a) of this section, whichever occurs later, a producer of architectural paint
6 products sold at retail or a stewardship organization of which a producer is a
7 member shall implement the approved plan for a Paint Product Stewardship
8 Program.
9    (d) A producer or a stewardship organization of which a producer is a
10 member shall promote a Paint Product Stewardship Program and provide
11 consumers with educational and informational materials describing collection
12 opportunities for postconsumer paint products Statewide and promotion of
13 waste prevention, reuse, and recycling. The educational and informational
14 program shall make consumers aware that the funding for the operation of the
15 Paint Product Stewardship Program has been added to the purchase price of all
16 architectural paint products sold in the State.
17    (e) A plan approved under this section shall provide for collection of
18 postconsumer architectural paint at no cost to the person from whom the
19 architectural paint product is collected.
 BILL AS PASSED BY THE HOUSE  H.319
 2025  Page 30 of 77
1    (f) When a plan or amendment to an approved plan is submitted under this
2 section, the Secretary shall make the proposed plan or amendment available
3 for public review and comment for at least 30 days.
4    (g) A producer or paint stewardship organization shall submit to the
5 Secretary for review, in the same manner as required under subsection 6675(a)
6 of this title, an amendment to an approved plan when there is:
7(1) a change to a paint stewardship assessment under the plan;
8(2) an addition to or removal of a category of products covered under
9 the Program; or
10(3)(2) a revision of the product stewardship organization’s goals.
11    (h) A plan approved by the Secretary under section 6675 of this title shall
12 have a term not to exceed five years, provided that the producer remains in
13 compliance with the requirements of this chapter and the terms of the
14 approved plan.
15    (i) In addition to the requirements specified in subsection (a) of this
16 section, a stewardship organization shall notify the Secretary in writing within
17 30 days of before any change to:
18(1) the number of collection sites for postconsumer architectural paint
19 products identified under this section as part of the plan;
20(2) the producers identified under this section as part of the plan;
 BILL AS PASSED BY THE HOUSE  H.319
 2025  Page 31 of 77
1(3) the brands of architectural paint products identified under this
2 section as part of the plan; and
3(4) the processors that manage postconsumer architectural paint
4 products identified under this section as part of the plan.
5    (j) Upon submission of a plan to the Secretary under this section, a
6 producer or a stewardship organization shall pay the fee required by 3 V.S.A.
7 § 2822(j)(31). Thereafter, the producer or stewardship organization shall pay
8 the fee required by 3 V.S.A. § 2822(j)(31) annually by July 1 of each year.
9 § 6674. RETAILER RESPONSIBILITY
10    (a) A producer or retailer may not sell or offer for sale architectural a paint
11 product to any person in Vermont unless the producer of that architectural
12 paint brand or a stewardship program of which the producer of that
13 architectural paint brand is a member that the producer is a member of is
14 implementing an approved plan for a Paint Product Stewardship Program as
15 required by section 6673 of this title. A retailer complies with the
16 requirements of this section if, on the date the architectural paint product was
17 ordered from the producer or its agent, the producer or paint brand is listed on
18 the Agency of Natural Resources’ website as a producer or brand participating
19 in an approved plan for a Paint Product Stewardship Program.
20    (b) At the time of sale to a consumer, a producer, a stewardship
21 organization, or a retailer selling or offering architectural paint products for
 BILL AS PASSED BY THE HOUSE  H.319
 2025  Page 32 of 77
1 sale shall provide the consumer with information regarding available
2 management options for postconsumer paint products collected through the
3 Paint Product Stewardship Program or a brand of paint being sold under the
4 Program.
5 § 6675. AGENCY RESPONSIBILITY
6    (a)(1) Within 90 days of after receipt of a plan submitted under section
7 6673 of this title, the Secretary shall review the plan and make a determination
8 whether or not to approve the plan. The Secretary shall issue a letter of
9 approval for a submitted plan if:
10(A) the submitted plan provides for the establishment of a Paint
11 Product Stewardship Program that meets the requirements of subsection
12 6673(a) of this subchapter; and
13(B) the Secretary determines that the plan:
14(i) achieves convenient collection for consumers;
15(ii) educates the public on proper paint product management; and
16(iii) manages waste paint products in a manner that is
17 environmentally safe and promotes reuse and recycling; and
18(iv) is cost-effective.
19(2) If the Secretary does not approve a submitted plan, the Secretary
20 shall issue to the paint product stewardship organization a letter listing the
21 reasons for the disapproval of the plan. If the Secretary disapproves a plan, a
 BILL AS PASSED BY THE HOUSE  H.319
 2025  Page 33 of 77
1 paint product stewardship organization intending to sell or continue to sell
2 architectural paint in the State shall submit a new plan within 60 days of after
3 receipt of the letter of disapproval.
4    (b)(1) The Secretary shall review and approve the stewardship assessment
5 proposed by a producer pursuant to subsection 6673(b) of this title. The
6 Secretary shall only approve the Program budget and any assessment if the
7 applicant has demonstrated that the costs of the Program and any proposed
8 assessment are reasonable and the assessment does not exceed the costs of
9 implementing an approved plan.
10(2) If an amended plan is submitted under subsection 6673(g) of this
11 title that proposes to change the cost of the Program or proposes to change the
12 paint stewardship assessment under the plan, the disapproval of any proposed
13 new assessment or the failure of an approved new assessment to cover the total
14 costs of the Program shall not relieve a producer or stewardship organization
15 of its obligation to continue to implement the approved plan under the
16 originally approved assessment.
17    (c) Facilities solely collecting paint products for the Paint Product
18 Stewardship Program that would not otherwise be subject to solid waste
19 certification requirements shall not be required to obtain a solid waste
20 certification. Persons solely transporting paint for the Paint Product
21 Stewardship Program that would not otherwise be subject to solid waste hauler
 BILL AS PASSED BY THE HOUSE  H.319
 2025  Page 34 of 77
1 permitting requirements shall not be required to obtain a solid waste hauler’s
2 permit.
3 § 6676. ANTICOMPETITIVE CONDUCT
4    (a) A producer or an organization of producers that manages postconsumer
5 paint, including collection, transport, recycling, and processing of
6 postconsumer paint, as required by this subchapter may engage in
7 anticompetitive conduct to the extent necessary to implement the plan
8 approved by the Secretary and is immune from liability for the conduct
9 relating to antitrust, restraint of trade, unfair trade practices, and other
10 regulation of trade or commerce.
11    (b) The activity authorized and the immunity afforded under subsection (a)
12 of this section shall not apply to any agreement among producers or paint
13 stewardship organizations:
14(1) establishing or affecting the price of paint, except for the paint
15 stewardship assessment approved under subsection 6675(b) of this title;
16(2) setting or limiting the output or production of paint;
17(3) setting or limiting the volume of paint sold in a geographic area;
18(4) restricting the geographic area where paint will be sold; or
19(5) restricting the customers to whom paint will be sold or the volume of
20 paint that will be sold A manufacturer or representative organization
21 implementing or participating in a stewardship program as required by this
 BILL AS PASSED BY THE HOUSE  H.319
 2025  Page 35 of 77
1 subchapter shall not be liable for any claim of a violation of antitrust, restraint
2 of trade, unfair trade practice, or other anticompetitive conduct arising from
3 conduct undertaken in accordance with the program.
4 § 6677. PRODUCER REPORTING REQUIREMENTS
5    No later than October 15, 2015, and annually thereafter, Annually, on or
6 before October 15, a producer or a stewardship program of which the producer
7 is a member shall submit to the Secretary a report describing the Paint Product
8 Stewardship Program that the producer or Stewardship Program is
9 implementing as required by section 6673 of this title. At a minimum, the
10 report shall include:
11(1) a description of the methods the producer or Stewardship Program
12 used to reduce, reuse, collect, transport, recycle, and process postconsumer
13 paint products statewide in Vermont;
14(2) the volume and type of postconsumer paint products collected by the
15 producer or Stewardship Program at each collection center in all regions of
16 Vermont;
17(3) the volume of postconsumer paint products collected by the
18 producer or Stewardship Program in Vermont by method of disposition,
19 including reuse, recycling, energy recovery, and disposal;
20(4) an independent financial audit of the Paint Product Stewardship
21 Program implemented by the producer or the Stewardship Program;
 BILL AS PASSED BY THE HOUSE  H.319
 2025  Page 36 of 77
1(5) the prior year’s actual direct and indirect costs for each Program
2 element and the administrative and overhead costs of administering the
3 approved Program; and
4(6) samples of the educational materials that the producer or
5 stewardship program provided to consumers of architectural paint..
6***
7 § 6680. UNIVERSAL WASTE DESIGNATION FOR POSTCONSUMER
8PAINT
9    (a) The requirements of Subchapter 9 of the Vermont Hazardous Waste
10 Management Rules, which allow certain categories of hazardous waste to be
11 managed as universal waste, shall apply to postconsumer paint products until
12 the postconsumer paint is discarded, provided that:
13(1) the postconsumer paint product is collected as a part of a
14 stewardship plan approved under this subchapter; and
15(2) the collected postconsumer paint product is or includes a paint
16 product that is a hazardous waste as defined and regulated by the Vermont
17 Hazardous Waste Management Rules.
18    (b) When postconsumer paint product is regulated as universal waste under
19 subsection (a) of this section, small and large quantity handlers of the
20 postconsumer paint shall manage the postconsumer paint products in a manner
21 that prevents releases of any universal waste or component of the universal
 BILL AS PASSED BY THE HOUSE  H.319
 2025  Page 37 of 77
1 waste to the environment. Postconsumer paint products regulated as universal
2 waste shall, at a minimum, be contained in one or more of the following:
3(1) a container that remains closed, structurally sound, and compatible
4 with the postconsumer paint products and that lacks evidence of leakage,
5 spillage, or damage that could cause leakage under reasonably foreseeable
6 conditions; or
7(2) a container that does not meet the requirements of subdivision (1) of
8 this subsection, provided that the unacceptable container is overpacked in a
9 container that meets the requirements of subdivision (1).
10    (c) Containers holding postconsumer paint products that is are regulated as
11 universal waste shall be clearly labeled to clearly identify the contents of the
12 container, such as “Paint-Related Waste,” “Universal Waste Paint,” “Used
13 Paint,” or “Waste Paint.”
14    (d) Unless otherwise provided by statute, the definitions of the Vermont
15 Hazardous Waste Management Rules shall apply to this section.
16 § 6681. PAINT CONSUMER FEES
17    A retailer shall charge the following fees on paint and remit the fees to the
18 approved stewardship organization for the administration of program approved
19 by the Secretary:
20    (1) Half pint or smaller:  No fee.
21    (2) Greater than a half pint to one gallon:  $0.65.
 BILL AS PASSED BY THE HOUSE  H.319
 2025  Page 38 of 77
1    (3) Greater than one gallon to two gallons:  $1.35.
2    (4) Greater than two gallons to five gallons:  $2.45.
3 Sec. 11. IMPLEMENTATION
4    (a) The requirements for the sale of paint products under 10 V.S.A. § 6673
5 shall apply to architectural coatings beginning on July 1, 2013 and all paint
6 products beginning July 1, 2026.
7    (b) The requirement under 10 V.S.A. § 6673 for an architectural coatings
8 producer to submit a stewardship plan to the Secretary of Natural Resources
9 currently applies to producers of architectural coatings as required beginning
10 on July 1, 2013 and shall also apply to producers of paint related products
11 beginning on July 1, 2026.
12    (c) The requirement under 10 V.S.A. § 6677 that an architectural coatings
13 producer annually report to the Secretary of Natural Resources currently
14 applies to producers of architectural coatings as required beginning on July 1,
15 2013 and shall also apply to producers of paint related products beginning on
16 March 1, 2027.
17* * * Healthy Homes Initiative * * *
18 Sec. 12. 2024 Acts and Resolves No. 78, Sec. B.1103 is amended to read:
19    Sec. B.1103 CLIMATE AND ENVIRONMENT – FISCAL YEAR 2024
20ONE-TIME APPROPRIATIONS
21***
 BILL AS PASSED BY THE HOUSE  H.319
 2025  Page 39 of 77
1    (j)(1) In fiscal year 2024, the amount of $6,100,000 American Rescue Plan
2 Act (ARPA) – Coronavirus State Fiscal Recovery Funds is appropriated to the
3 Department of Environmental Conservation for the Healthy Homes Initiative.
4 Funds shall be used to make repairs or improvements to drinking water,
5 wastewater, or stormwater systems for Vermonters who have low to moderate
6 income or who live in manufactured housing communities, or both.
7(2) All information submitted to or compiled by the Department of
8 Environmental Conservation related to the issuance of individual funding
9 awards under the Healthy Homes Initiative shall be considered confidential
10 unless the person providing the information designates that it is not
11 confidential. This shall include all personal information of applicants that
12 request or receive funding. Notwithstanding 1 V.S.A. § 214, this subdivision
13 shall take effect on passage and shall apply retroactively to July 1, 2023.
14***
15* * * Flood Safety * * *
16 Sec. 13. 2024 Act and Resolves No. 121, Sec. 3 is amended to read:
17    Sec. 3. DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL CONSERVATION;
18RIVER CORRIDOR BASE MAP; INFILL MAPPING;
19EDUCATION AND OUTREACH
20    (a) On or before January 1, 2026 2027, the Department of Environmental
21 Conservation, in consultation with the Agency of Commerce and Community
 BILL AS PASSED BY THE HOUSE  H.319
 2025  Page 40 of 77
1 Development and the regional planning commissions, shall amend by
2 procedure the statewide River Corridor Base Map to identify areas suitable for
3 development that are located within existing settlements and that will not cause
4 or contribute to increases in fluvial erosion hazards.
5    (b) Beginning on January 1, 2025 and ending on January 1, 2027 2028, the
6 Department of Environmental Conservation shall conduct an education and
7 outreach program to consult with and collect input from municipalities,
8 environmental justice focus populations, the Environmental Justice Advisory
9 Council, businesses, property owners, farmers, and other members of the
10 public regarding how State permitting of development in mapped river
11 corridors will be implemented, including potential restrictions on the use of
12 land within mapped river corridors. The Department shall develop educational
13 materials for the public as part of its charge under this section. The
14 Department shall collect input from the public regarding the permitting of
15 development in mapped river corridors as proposed by this act. On or before
16 January 15, 2027 2028 and until permitting of development in mapped river
17 corridors begins under 10 V.S.A. § 754, the Department shall submit to the
18 Senate Committee on Natural Resources and Energy, the House Committee on
19 Environment and Energy, and the Environmental Justice Advisory Council a
20 report that shall include:
21(1) a summary of the public input it received regarding State permitting
 BILL AS PASSED BY THE HOUSE  H.319
 2025  Page 41 of 77
1 of development in mapped river corridors during the public education and
2 outreach required under this section;
3(2) recommendations, based on the public input collected, for changes
4 to the requirements for State permitting of development in mapped river
5 corridors;
6(3) an analysis and summary of State permitting of development in
7 mapped river corridors on environmental justice populations; and
8(4) a summary of the Department’s progress in adopting the rules
9 required under 10 V.S.A. § 754 for the regulation of development in mapped
10 river corridors.
11 Sec. 14. 10 V.S.A. § 754 is amended to read:
12 § 754. MAPPED RIVER CORRIDOR RULES
13    (a) Rulemaking authority.
14(1) On or before July 1, 2027 July 15, 2028, the Secretary shall adopt
15 rules pursuant to 3 V.S.A. chapter 25 that establish requirements for issuing
16 and enforcing permits for:
17(A) all development within a mapped river corridor in the State; and
18(B) for development exempt from municipal regulation in flood
19 hazard areas.
20(2) The Secretary shall not adopt rules under this subsection that
21 regulate agricultural activities without the consent of the Secretary of
 BILL AS PASSED BY THE HOUSE  H.319
 2025  Page 42 of 77
1 Agriculture, Food and Markets, provided that the Secretary of Agriculture,
2 Food and Markets shall not withhold consent under this subdivision when lack
3 of such consent would result in the State’s noncompliance with the National
4 Flood Insurance Program.
5(3) The Secretary shall seek the guidance of the Federal Emergency
6 Management Agency in developing and drafting the rules required by this
7 section in order to ensure that the rules are sufficient to meet eligibility
8 requirements for the National Flood Insurance Program.
9***
10    (e) Permit requirement. Beginning on January 1, 2028 July 1, 2029, a
11 person shall not commence or conduct development exempt from municipal
12 regulation in a flood hazard area or commence or conduct any development in
13 a mapped river corridor without a permit issued under the rules required under
14 subsection (a) of this section by the Secretary or by a State agency delegated
15 permitting authority under subsection (f) of this section. When an application
16 is filed under this section, the Secretary or delegated State agency shall
17 proceed in accordance with chapter 170 of this title.
18***
19 Sec. 15. 2024 Acts and Resolves 121, Sec. 10 is amended to read:
20    Sec. 10. STUDY COMMITTEE ON STATE ADMINISTRATION OF
21THE NATIONAL FLOOD INSURANCE PROGRAM
 BILL AS PASSED BY THE HOUSE  H.319
 2025  Page 43 of 77
1***
2    (e) Report. On or before August 15, 2025 2026, the Study Committee
3 shall submit a written report to the General Assembly with its findings and any
4 recommendations for legislative action. Any recommendation for legislative
5 action shall be as draft legislation.
6***
7 Sec. 16. 2024 Acts and Resolves 121, Sec. 11(a) is amended to read:
8    (a) The Secretary of Natural Resources shall initiate rulemaking, including
9 pre-rulemaking, for the rules required in Sec. 5 of this act, 10 V.S.A. § 754
10 (river corridor development), not later than July 1, 2025. The rules shall be
11 adopted on or before July 1, 2027 2028.
12 Sec. 17. 2024 Acts and Resolves No. 121, Sec. 29(b) is amended to read:
13    (b) All other sections shall take effect July 1, 2024, except that:
14(1) Secs. 6a, 7, 8, 8a, and 9 (conforming amendments to municipal river
15 corridor planning) shall take effect on January 1, 2028, except that in Sec. 9,
16 24 V.S.A. § 4424(a)(2)(B)(i) (municipal compliance with the State Flood
17 Hazard Area Standards) shall take effect on January 1, 2026 2028;
18***
19* * * Wetlands * * *
20 Sec. 18. 10 V.S.A. § 918 is amended to read:
21 § 918. NET GAIN OF WETLANDS; STATE GOAL; RULEMAKING
 BILL AS PASSED BY THE HOUSE  H.319
 2025  Page 44 of 77
1    (a) On or before July 1 December 1, 2025, the Secretary of Natural
2 Resources shall amend the Vermont Wetlands Rules pursuant to 3 V.S.A.
3 chapter 25 to clarify that the goal of wetlands regulation and management in
4 the State is the net gain of wetlands to be achieved through protection of
5 existing wetlands and restoration of wetlands that were previously adversely
6 affected. This condition shall not apply to wetland, river, and flood plain
7 restoration projects, including dam removals.
8***
9    (c) At a minimum, the Wetlands Rules shall be revised to:
10(1) Require an applicant for a wetland permit that authorizes adverse
11 impacts to more than 5,000 square feet of wetlands to compensate for those
12 impacts through restoration, enhancement, or creation of wetland resources.
13(2) Incorporate the net gain rule into requirements for permits issued
14 after September 1 December 1, 2025.
15***
16* * * Dams * * *
17 Sec. 19. 2024 Acts and Resolves No. 121, Sec. 22 is amended to read:
18    Sec. 22. STUDY COMMITTEE ON DAM EMERGENCY OPERATIONS
19PLANNING
20    (a) Creation. There is created the Study Committee on Dam Emergency
21 Operations Planning to review and recommend how to improve regional
 BILL AS PASSED BY THE HOUSE  H.319
 2025  Page 45 of 77
1 emergency action planning for hazards caused by dam failure, including how
2 to shift responsibility for emergency planning from individual municipalities
3 to regional authorities, how to improve regional implementation of dam
4 emergency response plans, and how to fund dam emergency action planning at
5 the regional level.
6***
7    (e) Report. On or before December 15, 2024 2025, the Study Committee
8 shall submit a written report to the General Assembly with its findings and any
9 recommendations for legislative action. Any recommendation for legislative
10 action shall be submitted as draft legislation.
11    (f) Meetings.
12(1) The Secretary of Natural Resources or designee shall call the first
13 meeting of the Study Committee.
14(2) The Committee shall select a chair from among its members at the
15 first meeting.
16(3) A majority of the membership of the Study Committee shall
17 constitute a quorum.
18(4) The Study Committee shall cease to exist on March 1, 2025 2026.
19***
20 Sec. 20. 2024 Acts and Resolves No. 121, Sec. 24(f) is amended to read:
21    (f) On or before January 15 September 1, 2025, the Agency of Natural
BILL AS PASSED BY THE HOUSE  H.319
2025  Page 46 of 77
1 Resources shall complete its analysis of the capital and ongoing operations and
2 maintenance costs of the Green River Dam, as authorized in 2022 Acts and
3 Resolves No. 83, Sec. 46, and shall submit the results of the analysis to the
4 House Committees on Environment and Energy and on Appropriations and the
5 Senate Committees on Natural Resources and Energy and on Appropriations.
6* * * Effective Date * * *
7 Sec. 21. EFFECTIVE DATE
8    This act shall take effect on passage.
             * * * Battery Extended Producer Responsibility * * *
Sec. 1. 2024 Acts and Resolves No. 152, Sec. 3 is amended to read:
   Sec. 3. ANR BATTERY ASSESSMENT
   (a) On or before July 1, 2026, the Secretary of Natural Resources 2027, the
stewardship organization formed pursuant to 10 V.S.A. chapter 168 shall
complete an assessment of the opportunities, challenges, and feasibility of
establishing mandatory end-of-life management programs for the following
battery types:
      (1) batteries used in hybrid and electric vehicles;
      (2) battery energy storage systems; and
      (3) batteries that are not easily removable from the products they power.
   (b) The assessment required by this section shall include:
BILL AS PASSED BY THE HOUSE  H.319
2025  Page 47 of 77
     (1) a summary of the work and progress other states have made in
establishing end-of-life management programs for the three battery types listed
under subsection (a) of this section; and
     (2)   policy recommendations on whether mandatory end-of-life
management programs are necessary for the battery types listed under
subsection (a) of this section.
   (c)     The assessment required by this section shall be provided to the
Secretary of Natural Resources, the House Committee on Environment and
Energy, and the Senate Committee on Natural Resources and Energy.
                     * * * Fuel Storage Tanks * * *
Sec. 2. 10 V.S.A. § 1927(d) is amended to read:
   (d) No person shall deliver a regulated substance to a category one tank
that is visibly designated by the Agency as not having a valid permit or not
meeting standards adopted by the Secretary related to corrosion protection,
spill prevention, leak detection, financial responsibility, or overfill protection
that may result in the tank releasing a regulated substance to the environment.
  * * * Household Hazardous Waste Extended Producer Responsibility * * *
Sec. 3. 10 V.S.A. § 7181 is amended to read:
§ 7181. DEFINITIONS
   As used in this chapter:
                                  ***
BILL AS PASSED BY THE HOUSE  H.319
2025  Page 48 of 77
   (4)(A)      “Covered household hazardous product” means a consumer
product offered for retail sale that is contained in the receptacle in which the
product is offered for retail sale, if the product has any of the following
characteristics:
            (i) the product or a component of the product is a hazardous waste
under subchapter 2 of the Vermont Hazardous Waste Management
Regulations, regardless of the status of the generator of the hazardous waste;
or
            (ii) the product is a gas cylinder.
          (B) “Covered household hazardous product” does not mean any of
the following:
                                      ***
            (iv) architectural paint as that term is defined in section 6672 of
this title;
                                      ***
Sec. 4. 10 V.S.A. § 7182 is amended to read:
§ 7182. SALE OF COVERED HOUSEHOLD HAZARDOUS PRODUCTS;
          STEWARDSHIP ORGANIZATION REGISTRATION;
          MANUFACTURER REGISTRATION
 (a) Sale prohibited.
BILL AS PASSED BY THE HOUSE  H.319
2025  Page 49 of 77
  (1) A manufacturer of a covered household hazardous product shall not
sell, offer for sale, or deliver to a retailer for subsequent sale a covered
household hazardous product without registering with the stewardship
organization pursuant to subsection (c) of this section.
  (2) Beginning six months after a final decision on the adequacy of a
collection plan by the Secretary, a manufacturer of a covered household
hazardous product shall not sell, offer for sale, or deliver to a retailer for
subsequent sale a covered household hazardous product unless all the
following have been met:
     (1)(A)      The manufacturer is participating in a stewardship
organization implementing an approved collection plan.
     (2)(B) The name of the manufacturer, the manufacturer’s brand, and
the name of the covered household hazardous product are submitted to the
Agency of Natural Resources by a stewardship organization and listed on the
stewardship organization’s website as covered by an approved collection plan.
     (3)(C)    The stewardship organization in which the manufacturer
participates has submitted an annual report consistent with the requirements of
section 7185 of this title.
     (4)(D)    The stewardship organization in which the manufacturer
participates has conducted a plan audit consistent with the requirements of
subsection 7185(b) of this title.
BILL AS PASSED BY THE HOUSE  H.319
2025  Page 50 of 77
   (b) Stewardship organization registration requirements.
  (1) On or before July 1, 2025 and annually thereafter, a stewardship
organization shall file a registration form with the Secretary. The Secretary
shall provide the registration form to the stewardship organization. The
registration form shall include:
     (A)    a list of the manufacturers participating in the stewardship
organization;
     (B) a list of the brands of each manufacturer participating in the
stewardship organization;
     (C)    a list of the covered household hazardous products of each
manufacturer participating in the stewardship organization;
     (D)    the name, address, and contact information of a person
responsible for ensuring compliance with this chapter;
     (E) a description of how the stewardship organization meets the
requirements of subsection 7184(b) of this title, including any reasonable
requirements for participation in the stewardship organization; and
     (F)(B) the name, address, and contact information of a person for a
nonmember manufacturer to contact regarding how to participate in the
stewardship organization to satisfy the requirements of this chapter.
  (2) A renewal of a registration without changes may be accomplished
through notifying the Agency of Natural Resources on a form provided by the
BILL AS PASSED BY THE HOUSE  H.319
2025  Page 51 of 77
Agency Beginning July 1, 2026 and annually thereafter, a stewardship
organization shall renew its registration with the Secretary.  A renewal
registration shall include the following:
     (A)    a list of the manufacturers participating in the stewardship
organization;
     (B) a list of the brands of each manufacturer participating in the
stewardship organization;
     (C)    a list of the covered household hazardous products of each
manufacturer participating in the stewardship organization;
     (D)    the name, address, and contact information of a person
responsible for ensuring compliance with this chapter;
     (E) a description of how the stewardship organization meets the
requirements of subsection 7184(b) of this title, including any reasonable
requirements for participation in the stewardship organization; and
     (F) the name, address, and contact information of a person for a
nonmember manufacturer to contact regarding how to participate in the
stewardship organization to satisfy the requirements of this chapter.
   (c)   Manufacturer registration.     On or before November 1, 2025, a
manufacturer of a covered household hazardous product shall register with the
stewardship organization in a manner proscribed by the stewardship
organization.
BILL AS PASSED BY THE HOUSE  H.319
2025  Page 52 of 77
Sec. 5. 10 V.S.A. § 7183 is amended to read:
§ 7183. COLLECTION PLANS
   (a) Collection plan required. Prior to July 1, 2025 On or before July 1,
2026, any stewardship organization registered with the Secretary as
representing manufacturers of covered household hazardous products shall
coordinate and submit to the Secretary for review one collection plan for all
manufacturers.
   (b) Collection plan; minimum requirements. Each collection plan shall
include, at a minimum, all of the following requirements:
  (1) Initial plan. The initial plan shall last for a period not to exceed
three years and contain, at a minimum, the following requirements:
     (A) List of participants. A list of the manufacturers, brands, and
products participating in the collection plan and a methodology for adding
and removing manufacturers and notifying the Agency of new participants.
     (2)(B)   Free statewide collection of covered household hazardous
products. The collection program shall provide reimburse municipalities when
a municipality provides for free, convenient, and accessible statewide
opportunities for the collection from covered entities of covered household
hazardous products, including orphan covered products.  A stewardship
organization shall accept all covered household hazardous products collected
from a covered entity and shall not refuse the collection of a covered household
BILL AS PASSED BY THE HOUSE  H.319
2025  Page 53 of 77
hazardous product, including orphan covered household products, based on
the brand or manufacturer of the covered household hazardous product unless
specifically exempt from this requirement. The collection program shall also
provide for the payment of collection, processing, and end-of-life management
of the covered household hazardous products. Collection costs include facility
costs, equipment costs, labor, supplies, maintenance, events costs, and event
contractor costs, including collection event set-up fees, environmental service
fees, insurance fees, and shipping containers and materials.
  (3) Convenient collection location. The stewardship organization shall
develop a collection program that allows all municipal household hazardous
waste collection programs to opt to be a part of the collection plan, including
collection events and facilities offered by solid waste planning entities. The
plan shall make efforts to site points of collection equitably across all regions
of the State to allow for convenient and reasonable access of all Vermonters to
collection facilities or collection events.
  (4) Public education and outreach. The collection plan shall include an
education and outreach program that shall include a website and may include
media advertising, retail displays, articles and publications, and other public
educational efforts. Outreach and education shall be suitable for the State’s
diverse ethnic populations, through translated and culturally appropriate
materials, including in-language and targeted outreach. Public education and
BILL AS PASSED BY THE HOUSE  H.319
2025  Page 54 of 77
outreach should include content to increase meaningful participation by
environmental justice focus populations as required by 3 V.S.A. chapter 72.
During the first year of program implementation and two years after adoption
of the collection plan, each stewardship organization shall carry out a survey
of public awareness regarding the requirements of the program established
under this chapter that can identify communities that have disparities in
awareness and need more outreach.        Each stewardship organization shall
share the results of the public awareness surveys with the Secretary. If multiple
stewardship organizations are implementing plans approved by the Secretary,
the stewardship organizations shall coordinate in carrying out their education
and outreach responsibilities under this subdivision and shall include in their
annual reports to the Secretary a summary of their coordinated education and
outreach efforts. The education and outreach program and website shall notify
the public of the following:
     (A) that there is a free collection program for covered household
hazardous products;
     (B) the location and hours of operation of collection points and how
a covered entity can access this collection program;
     (C)   the special handling considerations associated with covered
household hazardous products; and
BILL AS PASSED BY THE HOUSE  H.319
2025  Page 55 of 77
       (D) source reduction information for consumers to reduce leftover
covered household products.
 (5)       Compliance with appropriate environmental standards. In
implementing a collection plan, a stewardship organization shall comply with
all applicable laws related to the collection, transportation, and disposal of
hazardous waste. A stewardship organization shall comply with any special
handling or disposal standards established by the Secretary for covered
household hazardous products or for the collection plan of the manufacturer.
 (6) Method of disposition.     The collection plan shall describe how
covered household hazardous products will be managed in the most
environmentally and economically sound manner, including following the
waste-management hierarchy.        The management of covered household
hazardous products under the collection plan shall use management activities
in the following priority order: source reduction, reuse, recycling, energy
recovery, and disposal. Collected covered household hazardous products shall
be recycled when technically and economically feasible.
 (7) Performance goals. A collection plan shall include:
       (A) A performance goal for covered household hazardous products
determined by the number of total participants at collection events and
facilities listed in the collection plan during a program year divided by the
total number of households. The number of households shall include seasonal
BILL AS PASSED BY THE HOUSE  H.319
2025  Page 56 of 77
households. The calculation methodology for the number of households shall
be included in the plan.
     (B)   At a minimum, the collection performance goal for the first
approved plan shall be an annual participation rate of five percent of the
households for every collection program based on the number of households
the collection program serves. After the initial approved program plan, the
stewardship organization shall propose performance goals for subsequent
program plans. The Secretary shall approve the performance goals for the
plan at least every five years. The stewardship organization shall use the
results of the most recent waste composition study required under 6604 of this
title and other relevant factors to propose the performance goals of the
collection plan. If a stewardship organization does not meet its performance
goals, the Secretary may require the stewardship organization to revise the
collection plan to provide for one or more of the following: additional public
education and outreach, additional collection events, or additional hours of
operation for collection sites. A stewardship organization is not authorized to
reduce or cease collection, education and outreach, or other activities
implemented under an approved plan on the basis of achievement of program
performance goals.
  (8)(C) Collection plan funding. The collection plan shall describe how
the stewardship organization will fund the implementation of the collection
BILL AS PASSED BY THE HOUSE  H.319
2025  Page 57 of 77
plan and collection activities under the plan, including the costs for education
and outreach, collection, processing, and end-of-life management of the
covered household hazardous product all municipal collection offered to the
public in a base program year. A base program year shall be based on the
services provided in calendar year 2024 and any other collection facilities or
events approved by the Secretary.      Collection costs include facility costs,
equipment costs, labor, supplies, maintenance, events costs, and event
contractor costs, including collection event set-up fees, environmental service
fees, insurance fees, and shipping containers and materials. The collection
plan shall include how municipalities will be compensated for all costs
attributed to collection of covered household hazardous products.  The
Secretary shall resolve disputes relating to compensation.
  (2) Subsequent plans. After the expiration of the initial plan approved
by the Secretary, the collection plan shall include, at a minimum, the
following:
     (A) List of participants. A list of the manufacturers, brands, and
products participating in the collection plan and a methodology for adding
and removing manufacturers and notifying the Agency of new participants.
     (B)    Free statewide collection of covered household hazardous
products.    The collection program shall provide for free, convenient, and
accessible statewide opportunities for the collection from covered entities of
BILL AS PASSED BY THE HOUSE  H.319
2025  Page 58 of 77
covered household hazardous products, including orphan covered products. A
stewardship organization shall accept all covered household hazardous
products collected from a covered entity and shall not refuse the collection of a
covered household hazardous product, including orphan covered household
products, based on the brand or manufacturer of the covered household
hazardous product unless specifically exempt from this requirement.  The
collection program shall also provide for the payment of collection,
processing, and end-of-life management of the covered household hazardous
products.   Collection costs include facility costs, equipment costs, labor,
supplies, maintenance, events costs, and event contractor costs, including
collection event set-up fees, environmental service fees, insurance fees, and
shipping containers and materials.
     (C) Convenient collection location. The stewardship organization
shall develop a collection program that allows all municipal household
hazardous waste collection programs to opt to be a part of the collection plan,
including collection events and facilities offered by solid waste planning
entities. The plan shall make efforts to site points of collection equitably
across all regions of the State to allow for convenient and reasonable access of
all Vermonters to collection facilities or collection events.
     (D) Public education and outreach. The collection plan shall include
an education and outreach program that shall include a website and may
BILL AS PASSED BY THE HOUSE  H.319
2025  Page 59 of 77
include media advertising, retail displays, articles and publications, and other
public educational efforts. Outreach and education shall be suitable for the
State’s diverse ethnic populations, through translated and culturally
appropriate materials, including in-language and targeted outreach. Public
education and outreach should include content to increase meaningful
participation by environmental justice focus populations as required by 3
V.S.A. chapter 72.     During the second approved plan, each stewardship
organization shall carry out a survey of public awareness regarding the
requirements of the program established under this chapter that can identify
communities that have disparities in awareness and need more outreach. Each
stewardship organization shall share the results of the public awareness
surveys with the Secretary.      If multiple stewardship organizations are
implementing plans approved by the Secretary, the stewardship organizations
shall coordinate in carrying out their education and outreach responsibilities
under this subdivision (D) and shall include in their annual reports to the
Secretary a summary of their coordinated education and outreach efforts. The
education and outreach program and website shall notify the public of the
following:
         (i) that there is a free collection program for covered household
hazardous products;
BILL AS PASSED BY THE HOUSE  H.319
2025  Page 60 of 77
       (ii) the location and hours of operation of collection points and
how a covered entity can access this collection program;
       (iii) the special handling considerations associated with covered
household hazardous products; and
       (iv) source reduction information for consumers to reduce leftover
covered household products.
 (E)    Compliance with appropriate environmental standards.  In
implementing a collection plan, a stewardship organization shall comply with
all applicable laws related to the collection, transportation, and disposal of
hazardous waste. A stewardship organization shall comply with any special
handling or disposal standards established by the Secretary for covered
household hazardous products or for the collection plan of the manufacturer.
 (F) Method of disposition.      The collection plan shall describe how
covered household hazardous products will be managed in the most
environmentally and economically sound manner, including following the
waste-management hierarchy.       The management of covered household
hazardous products under the collection plan shall use management activities
in the following priority order: source reduction, reuse, recycling, energy
recovery, and disposal. Collected covered household hazardous products shall
be recycled when technically and economically feasible.
 (G) Performance goals. A collection plan shall include:
BILL AS PASSED BY THE HOUSE  H.319
2025  Page 61 of 77
        (i) A performance goal for covered household hazardous products
determined by the number of total participants at collection events and
facilities listed in the collection plan during a program year divided by the
total number of households. The number of households shall include seasonal
households. The calculation methodology for the number of households shall
be included in the plan.
        (ii) At a minimum, the collection performance goal for the initial
plan approved pursuant to subdivision (1) of this subsection (b) shall be an
annual participation rate of five percent of the households for every collection
program based on the number of households the collection program serves.
After the initial approved program plan, the stewardship organization shall
propose performance goals for subsequent program plans. The Secretary shall
approve the performance goals for the plan at least every five years. The
stewardship organization shall use the results of the most recent waste
composition study required under 6604 of this title and other relevant factors
to propose the performance goals of the collection plan. If a stewardship
organization does not meet its performance goals, the Secretary may require
the stewardship organization to revise the collection plan to provide for one or
more of the following: additional public education and outreach, additional
collection events, or additional hours of operation for collection sites.     A
stewardship organization is not authorized to reduce or cease collection,
BILL AS PASSED BY THE HOUSE  H.319
2025  Page 62 of 77
education and outreach, or other activities implemented under an approved
plan on the basis of achievement of program performance goals.
     (H) Collection plan funding. The collection plan shall describe how the
stewardship organization will fund the implementation of the collection plan
and collection activities under the plan, including the costs for education and
outreach, collection, processing, and end-of-life management of the covered
household hazardous product.  Collection costs include facility costs,
equipment costs, labor, supplies, maintenance, events costs, and event
contractor costs, including collection event set-up fees, environmental service
fees, insurance fees, and shipping containers and materials. The collection
plan shall include how municipalities will be compensated for all costs
attributed to collection of covered household hazardous products.  The
Secretary shall resolve disputes relating to compensation.
   (c) Term of collection plan. A collection plan approved by the Secretary
under section 7187 of this title shall have a term not to exceed five years,
provided that the stewardship organization remains in compliance with the
requirements of this chapter and the terms of the approved collection plan.
   (d)     Collection plan implementation.     Stewardship organizations shall
implement the collection plan on or before six months after the date of a final
decision by the Secretary on the adequacy of the collection plan.
Sec. 6. 10 V.S.A. § 7184 is amended to read:
BILL AS PASSED BY THE HOUSE  H.319
2025  Page 63 of 77
§ 7184. STEWARDSHIP ORGANIZATIONS
   (a) Participation in a stewardship organization. A manufacturer shall meet
the requirements of this chapter by participating in a stewardship organization
that undertakes the responsibilities under sections 7182, 7183, and 7185 of this
title.
   (b)  Qualifications for a stewardship organization.    To qualify as a
stewardship organization under this chapter, an organization shall:
     (1) commit to assume the responsibilities, obligations, and liabilities of
all manufacturers participating in the stewardship organization;
     (2) not create unreasonable barriers for participation in the stewardship
organization; and
     (3)      maintain a public website that lists all manufacturers and
manufacturers’ brands and products covered by the stewardship organization’s
approved collection plan.
   (c)     A stewardship organization is authorized to charge its members
reasonable fees for the organization, administration, and implementation of
the programs required by this chapter.
Sec. 7. 10 V.S.A. § 7187 is amended to read:
§ 7187. AGENCY RESPONSIBILITIES
   (a)     Review and approve collection plans. The Secretary shall review and
approve or deny collection plans submitted under section 7183 of this title
BILL AS PASSED BY THE HOUSE  H.319
2025  Page 64 of 77
according to the public notice and comment requirements of section 7714 of
this title.
                                ***
   (g) Agency collection plan. If no stewardship organization is formed on or
before July 1, 2025 or the stewardship organization fails to submit a plan or
submits a plan that does not meet the requirements of this chapter, the
Secretary shall adopt and administer a plan that meets the requirements of
section 7183 of this title. If the Secretary administers the plan adopted under
section 7183, the Secretary shall charge each manufacturer the prorated costs
of plan administration, the Agency’s oversight costs, and a hazardous waste
reduction assessment of 10 percent of the plan’s total cost to be deposited in
the Solid Waste Management Assistance Account of the Waste Management
Assistance Fund, for the purpose of providing grants to municipalities and
small businesses to prevent pollution and reduce the generation of hazardous
waste in the State. When determining a manufacturer’s assessment under this
section, the Agency may allocate costs to a manufacturer of covered household
hazardous products based on the sales of covered household hazardous
products nationally prorated to the population of Vermont.
Sec. 8. 10 V.S.A. § 6621a is amended to read:
§ 6621a. LANDFILL DISPOSAL REQUIREMENTS
BILL AS PASSED BY THE HOUSE  H.319
2025  Page 65 of 77
   (a) In accordance with the following schedule, no person shall knowingly
dispose of the following materials in solid waste or in landfills:
                                   ***
     (12) Covered household hazardous products after July 1, 2025 2026.
                                   ***
Sec. 9. SOLID WASTE PLAN; FLEXIBILITY
   (a)     Notwithstanding the municipal household hazardous waste (HHW)
collection requirements under the State Solid Waste Plan adopted pursuant to
10 V.S.A. § 6604, the Secretary of Natural Resources may grant a variance
from the requirement to conduct at least two household hazardous waste
collection events in that municipality. The variance shall allow a municipality
to meet its obligations, as follows:
     (1) the municipality has partnered with another municipality to allow its
residents the ability to access a permanent HHW facility in the same manner
as the municipality that operates the permanent HHW facility;
     (2) the municipality has partnered with a nearby municipality to offer
collection events to members in both municipalities; or
     (3)   the municipality has demonstrated that it has made reasonable
efforts to provide alternate collection opportunities identified under
subdivisions (1) and (2) of this subsection and was unable and that the cost of
BILL AS PASSED BY THE HOUSE  H.319
2025  Page 66 of 77
a collection event is unreasonable. In such circumstances the Secretary of
Natural Resources may reduce the required collection events to one per year.
   (b) This section shall be repealed on July 1, 2027.
                  * * * Healthy Homes Initiative * * *
Sec. 10. 2024 Acts and Resolves No. 78, Sec. B.1103 is amended to read:
   Sec. B.1103 CLIMATE AND ENVIRONMENT – FISCAL YEAR 2024
             ONE-TIME APPROPRIATIONS
                                  ***
   (j)(1) In fiscal year 2024, the amount of $6,100,000 American Rescue Plan
Act (ARPA) – Coronavirus State Fiscal Recovery Funds is appropriated to the
Department of Environmental Conservation for the Healthy Homes Initiative.
Funds shall be used to make repairs or improvements to drinking water,
wastewater, or stormwater systems for Vermonters who have low to moderate
income or who live in manufactured housing communities, or both.
  (2) All information submitted to or compiled by the Department of
Environmental Conservation related to the issuance of individual funding
awards under the Healthy Homes Initiative shall be considered confidential
unless the person providing the information designates that it is not
confidential. This shall include all personal information of applicants that
request or receive funding. Notwithstanding 1 V.S.A. § 214, this subdivision
shall take effect on passage and shall apply retroactively to July 1, 2023.
BILL AS PASSED BY THE HOUSE  H.319
2025  Page 67 of 77
                                  ***
                        * * * Flood Safety * * *
Sec. 11. 2024 Act and Resolves No. 121, Sec. 3 is amended to read:
   Sec. 3. DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL CONSERVATION;
       RIVER CORRIDOR BASE MAP; INFILL MAPPING;
       EDUCATION AND OUTREACH
   (a) On or before January 1, 2026 2027, the Department of Environmental
Conservation, in consultation with the Agency of Commerce and Community
Development and the regional planning commissions, shall amend by
procedure the statewide River Corridor Base Map to identify areas suitable for
development that are located within existing settlements and that will not cause
or contribute to increases in fluvial erosion hazards.
   (b) Beginning on January 1, 2025 and ending on January 1, 2027 2028,
the Department of Environmental Conservation shall conduct an education
and outreach program to consult with and collect input from municipalities,
environmental justice focus populations, the Environmental Justice Advisory
Council, businesses, property owners, farmers, and other members of the
public regarding how State permitting of development in mapped river
corridors will be implemented, including potential restrictions on the use of
land within mapped river corridors.  The Department shall develop
educational materials for the public as part of its charge under this section.
BILL AS PASSED BY THE HOUSE  H.319
2025  Page 68 of 77
The Department shall collect input from the public regarding the permitting of
development in mapped river corridors as proposed by this act. On or before
January 15, 2027 2028 and until permitting of development in mapped river
corridors begins under 10 V.S.A. § 754, the Department shall submit to the
Senate Committee on Natural Resources and Energy, the House Committee on
Environment and Energy, and the Environmental Justice Advisory Council a
report that shall include:
  (1) a summary of the public input it received regarding State permitting
of development in mapped river corridors during the public education and
outreach required under this section;
  (2) recommendations, based on the public input collected, for changes
to the requirements for State permitting of development in mapped river
corridors;
  (3) an analysis and summary of State permitting of development in
mapped river corridors on environmental justice populations; and
  (4)    a summary of the Department’s progress in adopting the rules
required under 10 V.S.A. § 754 for the regulation of development in mapped
river corridors.
Sec. 12. 10 V.S.A. § 754 is amended to read:
§ 754. MAPPED RIVER CORRIDOR RULES
   (a) Rulemaking authority.
BILL AS PASSED BY THE HOUSE  H.319
2025  Page 69 of 77
 (1) On or before July 1, 2027 July 15, 2028, the Secretary shall adopt
rules pursuant to 3 V.S.A. chapter 25 that establish requirements for issuing
and enforcing permits for:
       (A) all development within a mapped river corridor in the State; and
       (B)   for development exempt from municipal regulation in flood
hazard areas.
 (2)     The Secretary shall not adopt rules under this subsection that
regulate agricultural activities without the consent of the Secretary of
Agriculture, Food and Markets, provided that the Secretary of Agriculture,
Food and Markets shall not withhold consent under this subdivision when lack
of such consent would result in the State’s noncompliance with the National
Flood Insurance Program.
 (3) The Secretary shall seek the guidance of the Federal Emergency
Management Agency in developing and drafting the rules required by this
section in order to ensure that the rules are sufficient to meet eligibility
requirements for the National Flood Insurance Program.
                                  ***
  (e) Permit requirement. Beginning on January 1, 2028 July 1, 2029, a
person shall not commence or conduct development exempt from municipal
regulation in a flood hazard area or commence or conduct any development in
a mapped river corridor without a permit issued under the rules required
BILL AS PASSED BY THE HOUSE  H.319
2025  Page 70 of 77
under subsection (a) of this section by the Secretary or by a State agency
delegated permitting authority under subsection (f) of this section. When an
application is filed under this section, the Secretary or delegated State agency
shall proceed in accordance with chapter 170 of this title.
                                    ***
Sec. 13. 2024 Acts and Resolves 121, Sec. 10 is amended to read:
   Sec. 10. STUDY COMMITTEE ON STATE ADMINISTRATION OF
         THE NATIONAL FLOOD INSURANCE PROGRAM
                                    ***
   (e) Report. On or before August 15, 2025 2026, the Study Committee shall
submit a written report to the General Assembly with its findings and any
recommendations for legislative action. Any recommendation for legislative
action shall be as draft legislation.
                                    ***
Sec. 14. 2024 Acts and Resolves 121, Sec. 11(a) is amended to read:
   (a) The Secretary of Natural Resources shall initiate rulemaking, including
pre-rulemaking, for the rules required in Sec. 5 of this act, 10 V.S.A. § 754
(river corridor development), not later than July 1, 2025. The rules shall be
adopted on or before July 1, 2027 2028.
Sec. 15. 2024 Acts and Resolves No. 121, Sec. 29(b) is amended to read:
   (b) All other sections shall take effect July 1, 2024, except that:
BILL AS PASSED BY THE HOUSE  H.319
2025  Page 71 of 77
    (1) Secs. 6a, 7, 8, 8a, and 9 (conforming amendments to municipal river
corridor planning) shall take effect on January 1, 2028, except that in Sec. 9,
24 V.S.A. § 4424(a)(2)(B)(i) (municipal compliance with the State Flood
Hazard Area Standards) shall take effect on January 1, 2026 2028;
                                  ***
                          * * * Wetlands * * *
Sec. 16. 10 V.S.A. § 918 is amended to read:
§ 918. NET GAIN OF WETLANDS; STATE GOAL; RULEMAKING
  (a)     On or before July 1 December 1, 2025, the Secretary of Natural
Resources shall amend the Vermont Wetlands Rules pursuant to 3 V.S.A.
chapter 25 to clarify that the goal of wetlands regulation and management in
the State is the net gain of wetlands to be achieved through protection of
existing wetlands and restoration of wetlands that were previously adversely
affected. This condition shall not apply to wetland, river, and flood plain
restoration projects, including dam removals.
                                  ***
  (c) At a minimum, the Wetlands Rules shall be revised to:
    (1) Require an applicant for a wetland permit that authorizes adverse
impacts to more than 5,000 square feet of wetlands to compensate for those
impacts through restoration, enhancement, or creation of wetland resources.
BILL AS PASSED BY THE HOUSE  H.319
2025  Page 72 of 77
  (2) Incorporate the net gain rule into requirements for permits issued
after September 1 December 1, 2025.
                                  ***
                            * * * Dams * * *
Sec. 17. 2024 Acts and Resolves No. 121, Sec. 22 is amended to read:
   Sec. 22. STUDY COMMITTEE ON DAM EMERGENCY OPERATIONS
         PLANNING
   (a) Creation. There is created the Study Committee on Dam Emergency
Operations Planning to review and recommend how to improve regional
emergency action planning for hazards caused by dam failure, including how
to shift responsibility for emergency planning from individual municipalities to
regional authorities, how to improve regional implementation of dam
emergency response plans, and how to fund dam emergency action planning at
the regional level.
                                  ***
   (e) Report. On or before December 15, 2024 2025, the Study Committee
shall submit a written report to the General Assembly with its findings and any
recommendations for legislative action. Any recommendation for legislative
action shall be submitted as draft legislation.
   (f) Meetings.
  (1) The Secretary of Natural Resources or designee shall call the first
BILL AS PASSED BY THE HOUSE  H.319
2025  Page 73 of 77
meeting of the Study Committee.
  (2) The Committee shall select a chair from among its members at the
first meeting.
  (3)   A majority of the membership of the Study Committee shall
constitute a quorum.
  (4) The Study Committee shall cease to exist on March 1, 2025 2026.
                                 ***
Sec. 18. 2024 Acts and Resolves No. 121, Sec. 24(f) is amended to read:
   (f) On or before January 15 September 1, 2025, the Agency of Natural
Resources shall complete its analysis of the capital and ongoing operations
and maintenance costs of the Green River Dam, as authorized in 2022 Acts
and Resolves No. 83, Sec. 46, and shall submit the results of the analysis to the
House Committees on Environment and Energy and on Appropriations and the
Senate Committees on Natural Resources and Energy and on Appropriations.
             * * * Resilience Implementation Strategy * * *
Sec. 19. 10 V.S.A. § 599a is amended to read:
§ 599a. REPORTS; RULEMAKING
   (a) On or before January 15, 2025, the Agency, in consultation with the
State Treasurer, shall submit a report to the General Assembly detailing the
feasibility and progress of carrying out the requirements of this chapter,
BILL AS PASSED BY THE HOUSE  H.319
2025  Page 74 of 77
including any recommendations for improving the administration of the
Program.
   (b) The Agency shall adopt rules necessary to implement the requirements
of this chapter, including:
  (1)  adopting methodologies using available science and publicly
available data to identify responsible parties and determine their applicable
share of covered greenhouse gas emissions; and
  (2) requirements for registering entities that are responsible parties and
issuing notices of cost recovery demands under the Program; and
  (3) the Resilience Implementation Strategy, which shall include:
        (A) practices utilizing nature-based solutions intended to stabilize
floodplains, riparian zones, lake shoreland, wetlands, and similar lands;
        (B)     practices to adapt infrastructure to the impacts of climate
change;
        (C) practices needed to build out early warning mechanisms and
support fast, effective response to climate-related threats;
        (D) practices that support economic and environmental sustainability
in the face of changing climate conditions; and
        (E)      criteria and procedures for prioritizing climate change
adaptation projects eligible to receive monies from the Climate Superfund Cost
Recovery Program.
BILL AS PASSED BY THE HOUSE  H.319
2025  Page 75 of 77
   (c) On or before September 15, 2025, the Secretary shall submit to the
House Committee on Environment and the Senate Committee on Natural
Resources and Energy a report summarizing the Agency of Natural Resources’
adoption of the Resilience Implementation Strategy.        The Strategy shall
include:
  (1)   practices utilizing nature-based solutions intended to stabilize
floodplains, riparian zones, lake shoreland, wetlands, and similar lands;
  (2) practices to adapt infrastructure to the impacts of climate change;
  (3) practices needed to build out early warning mechanisms and support
fast, effective response to climate-related threats;
  (4) practices that support economic and environmental sustainability in
the face of changing climate conditions; and
  (5) criteria and procedures for prioritizing climate change adaptation
projects eligible to receive monies from the Climate Superfund Cost Recovery
Program.
   (c)(d) In adopting the Strategy, the Agency shall:
  (1) consult with the Environmental Justice Advisory Council;
  (2) in consultation with other State agencies and departments, including
the Department of Public Safety’s Division of Vermont Emergency
Management, assess the adaptation needs and vulnerabilities of various areas
BILL AS PASSED BY THE HOUSE  H.319
2025  Page 76 of 77
vital to the State’s economy, normal functioning, and the health and well-being
of Vermonters;
  (3)   identify major potential, proposed, and ongoing climate change
adaptation projects throughout the State;
  (4) identify opportunities for alignment with existing federal, State, and
local funding streams;
  (5) consult with stakeholders, including local governments, businesses,
environmental advocates, relevant subject area experts, and representatives of
environmental justice focus populations;
  (6) consider components of the Vermont Climate Action Plan required
under section 592 of this title that are related to adaptation or resilience, as
defined in section 590 of this title; and
  (7) conduct public engagement in areas and communities that have the
most significant exposure to the impacts of climate change, including
disadvantaged, low-income, and rural communities and areas.
   (d)(e)   Nothing in this section shall be construed to limit the existing
authority of a State agency, department, or entity to regulate greenhouse gas
emissions or establish strategies or adopt rules to mitigate climate risk and
build resilience to climate change.
Sec. 20. 2024 Acts and Resolves No. 122, Sec. 3(a) is amended to read:
BILL AS PASSED BY THE HOUSE  H.319
2025  Page 77 of 77
  (a) On or before July 1, 2025, the Agency of Natural Resources pursuant to
3 V.S.A. § 837 shall file with the Interagency Committee on Administrative
Rules the proposed rule for the adoption of the Resilience Implementation
Strategy required pursuant to 10 V.S.A § 599a(b)(3). On or before January 1,
2026, the Agency of Natural Resources shall adopt the final rule establishing
the Resilience Implementation Strategy required pursuant to 10 V.S.A
§ 599a(b)(3). [Repealed.]
                        * * * Effective Date * * *
Sec. 21. EFFECTIVE DATE
  This act shall take effect on passage.