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VermontS.602025-2026 SessionSenateWALLET

An act relating to establishing the Farm and Forestry Operations Security Special Fund to provide payments for farm and forestry operation losses due to weather conditions

Sponsored By: Ruth E Hardy (Democratic)

Signed by Governor

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

3 provisions identified: 2 benefits, 1 costs, 0 mixed.

Cash help for farm and forestry weather losses

Beginning July 1, 2026, Vermont pays eligible farms and forestry operations for weather losses. Covered events include floods, drought, freezes, extreme heat, fires, hail, high winds, and similar severe conditions. You can get up to 50% of unreimbursed or uninsured losses, capped at $150,000 per year and also capped by 5% of the Fund’s starting balance. Eligible costs include wages, lost crop, livestock, or timber income; debt payments; replanting and feed; and repairs to infrastructure, equipment, roads, and access. Apply any time with a short form; complete applications are reviewed in order each quarter, the Review Board decides within 15 days, the Secretary pays within 15 days, and translation help is provided.

New relief fund and review board for farms

Beginning July 1, 2026, Vermont creates the Farm and Forestry Operations Security Special Fund. The Agency of Agriculture runs it; money can come from state transfers, federal aid, and private donations, and balances carry forward each year. A Review Board with farm and forestry members advises award decisions and reports each year to lawmakers. Private members may receive a per diem and expenses from the Fund.

Help begins after lawmakers fund it

The law takes effect July 1, 2026. Payments and operations start only after the legislature appropriates money in fiscal year 2027 or later. Without that appropriation, the program and awards do not proceed.

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Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

  • Ruth E Hardy

    Democratic • Senate

Cosponsors

  • Joseph "Joe" D Major

    Democratic • Senate

  • Robert Plunkett

    Democratic • Senate

  • Steven Heffernan

    Republican • Senate

Roll Call Votes

No roll call votes available for this bill.

Actions Timeline

  1. Signed by Governor on March 26, 2026

    3/27/2026Senate

  2. Delivered to Governor on March 20, 2026

    3/20/2026Senate

  3. Senate Message: House proposal of amendment concurred in

    3/12/2026House

  4. As passed by Senate and House

    3/11/2026Senate

  5. Title amended

    3/11/2026Senate

  6. House proposal of amendment concurred in

    3/11/2026Senate

  7. Reported favorably by Senator Collamore for Committee on Agriculture

    3/11/2026Senate

  8. House proposal of amendment; text

    3/11/2026Senate

  9. Favorable report by Committee on Agriculture

    3/11/2026Senate

  10. House proposal of amendment

    3/11/2026Senate

  11. Favorable report by Committee on Agriculture

    3/10/2026Senate

  12. House proposal of amendment

    3/10/2026Senate

  13. Entered on Notice Calendar

    3/10/2026Senate

  14. Recommitted to Committee on Agriculture on motion of Senator Ingalls

    1/22/2026Senate

  15. House proposal of amendment; text

    1/22/2026Senate

  16. House proposal of amendment

    1/22/2026Senate

  17. House proposal of amendment

    1/21/2026Senate

  18. House message: House passed bill in concurrence with proposal(s) of amendment

    1/20/2026Senate

  19. Read third time and passed in concurrence with proposal of amendment

    1/16/2026House

  20. Action Calendar: Third Reading

    1/16/2026House

  21. Third Reading ordered

    1/15/2026House

  22. Report of Committee on Agriculture, Food Resiliency, and Forestry, as amended, agreed to

    1/15/2026House

  23. Report of Committee on Agriculture, Food Resiliency, and Forestry amended as recommended by Committee on Appropriations

    1/15/2026House

  24. Rep. Stevens of Waterbury recommended for the Committee on Appropriations

    1/15/2026House

  25. Rep. Bos-Lun of Westminster reported for the Committee on Agriculture, Food Resiliency, and Forestry

    1/15/2026House

Bill Text

  • As Enacted (ACT 78)

    3/30/2026

    PDF

  • As Passed by Both Chambers

    3/17/2026

    PDF

  • As Passed by Both Chambers (Unofficial)

    3/17/2026

    PDF

  • House Proposal of Amendment

    1/20/2026

    PDF

  • House Proposal of Amendment (Unofficial)

    1/20/2026

    PDF

  • As Passed by the Senate

    3/26/2025

    PDF

  • As Passed by the Senate (Unofficial)

    3/26/2025

    PDF

  • As Introduced

    2/10/2025

    PDF

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