An act relating to miscellaneous agricultural subjects
Sponsored By: Sponsor information unavailable
Signed by Governor
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Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
18 provisions identified: 6 benefits, 3 costs, 9 mixed.
Buyers get triple short-weight compensation
When a beneficial plant or soil product is short in net weight, its registrant must pay the affected party. The payment equals three times the value of the actual shortage. The registrant must have a chance for a hearing before the Agriculture Secretary. Payment is due within 30 days after notice of the Secretary's decision.
Safer plant products and clearer labels
Packaged beneficial plant and soil products must show net weight or volume, brand, purpose, use directions, registrant information, and composition. Microorganism claims must identify genus and species, viable units, use expiration, and storage conditions. The Agriculture Secretary may require evidence for ingredient claims not covered by the recognized official product definitions. Products cannot be adulterated or misbranded, including having harmful ingredients at injurious levels when used as directed. Labels must include warnings needed to protect people, animals, plants, aquatic life, soil, and water.
Forest owners' past cutting decisions validated
The law confirms that Vermont's emergency heavy-cut notification rules remained in force on and after July 1, 2018. State decisions granting or denying heavy-cut authorization from July 1, 2018 through July 1, 2025 are valid and enforceable. The Department of Forests, Parks and Recreation must publish the rule in the Vermont Code of Rules by July 1, 2026.
Towns get hazardous waste collection reimbursement
The initial hazardous product plan must repay municipalities providing free, convenient, accessible collection. Funding uses collection services provided in calendar year 2024, plus other sites or events approved by the Secretary. The first approved plan lasts no more than three years and has fewer requirements than later plans. Each initial collection program must aim for annual participation by 7% of households served, up from 5%. During the second approved plan, organizations must survey public awareness, identify communities needing more outreach, and share results with the Secretary.
Distributors avoid tonnage fees on beneficial substances
Beginning July 1, 2025, beneficial substances are exempt from Vermont's fees based on tons distributed. This lowers costs for distributors. The law does not specify the savings or guarantee lower prices for buyers.
Rutland agricultural society avoids stormwater costs
Rutland County Agricultural Society, Inc. is exempt from the specified stormwater impact fee and the three-acre permit's offset requirement. The exemption applies while the Society is registered with Vermont's Agency of Agriculture, Food and Markets. The law does not state the amount saved.
Paint buyers pay size-based collection fees
Beginning June 11, 2025, retailers charge a collection fee on architectural paint, such as house paint. Each container costs $0 extra for a half pint or less, or $0.65 for more than a half pint through one gallon. The fee is $1.35 for more than one through two gallons, and $2.45 for more than two through five gallons. Producers remit the assessment, and buyers must be told that it is included in the price. The assessment framework extends to all covered paint products; if current fees cannot cover costs, the program must propose new assessments.
Hazardous product makers fund collection planning
Covered household hazardous product manufacturers must register with a stewardship organization by November 1, 2025; paint uses a separate program. Unregistered manufacturers cannot sell covered products starting six months after the final collection-plan adequacy decision. Organizations must file registration by July 1, 2025, and renew annually beginning July 1, 2026. Renewals must identify manufacturers, brands, products, compliance contacts, compliance methods, and contacts for manufacturers seeking membership. One coordinated plan for all manufacturers is due July 1, 2026—one year later—and organizations may charge members reasonable program fees.
Stronger enforcement for plant product sellers
The Agriculture Secretary can inspect, sample, and test beneficial substances distributed in Vermont. With credentials, the Secretary can inspect nonresidential premises, vehicles, labels, and records during regular business hours—not homes. After a hearing, the Secretary can suspend or cancel registrations or refuse applications for violations. Unlawfully distributed lots can be ordered withdrawn; failure to comply within 30 days can lead to court condemnation proceedings. Administrative penalties cover product safety, labeling, registration, reporting, fee-payment, and cease-and-desist violations.
Household hazardous waste disposal deadlines change
The ban on knowingly putting covered household hazardous products in regular trash or landfills starts after July 1, 2026. That is one year later than the previous start date. Until July 1, 2027, the Secretary can waive municipal collection-event requirements through shared facilities offering equal access or joint events. The Secretary can allow one event instead of two annually if reasonable partnership efforts fail and an event's cost is unreasonable.
Free collection covers more paint products
Vermont's paint program expands to aerosol coatings, coating-related products, and specified nonindustrial coatings, with free drop-off and consumer information. Health and beauty products are excluded. Beginning July 1, 2026, the sale rules cover all covered paint products, and paint-related product producers must submit plans. Retailers may sell products ordered while the producer or brand was listed as participating; approved plans must start within six months. Beginning March 1, 2027, paint-related product producers must file annual reports covering collection, disposal, costs, independent financial audits, and education materials.
Paint fees face changed consumer safeguards
The Natural Resources Secretary no longer has an express duty to approve paint program budgets or assessments. Cost-effectiveness is also removed from the Secretary's plan-approval tests. An auditor agreed upon by the Secretary must review proposed budgets and assessments before submission. The auditor recommends whether charges are reasonable, cost-effective, and limited to program costs. Agreements among producers or stewardship groups affecting paint prices lose the specified antitrust immunity, including agreements affecting approved assessments.
State collection backup charges product makers
The Secretary must run a collection plan if no stewardship organization forms by July 1, 2025. The same backup applies if an organization fails to submit a plan or submits one that does not meet requirements. Manufacturers must pay prorated administration and oversight costs, plus a hazardous-waste reduction assessment equal to 10% of total plan cost. Manufacturer costs may be allocated using national sales adjusted to Vermont's population. The added assessment funds grants to municipalities and small businesses through the Solid Waste Management Assistance Account.
Towns get payments for paint collection
Paint plans must pay municipalities to collect, process, and manage certain aerosol coatings, coating-related products, and nonindustrial coatings. These products must be in the containers used for retail sale. Covered costs include facilities, equipment, labor, supplies, maintenance, events, contractors, setup, environmental services, insurance, and shipping containers. Beginning June 11, 2025, handlers of program-collected paint containing hazardous waste must follow universal-waste rules before disposal. They must prevent releases, use proper containers or protective outer containers, and clearly label contents.
Pesticide sellers pay extra disposal fee
Pesticide registrants pay a $200 annual fee per product, plus an additional $50 for unwanted-pesticide collection. The registration year runs December 1 through November 30. Of the base fee, $185 goes to the pesticide special fund and $15 to the Agricultural Water Quality Special Fund. The extra $50 goes to the pesticide fund until a Vermont producer-responsibility program fully funds obsolete and unwanted pesticide collection. By December 15, 2025, agriculture and environmental officials must recommend sustainable funding, including a producer-funded option, to reimburse municipal collection and disposal costs.
Plant product sellers face registration fees
Beginning July 1, 2025, rules cover scientifically supported beneficial plant and soil products, including amendments, biostimulants, and inoculants—not fertilizers or pesticides. Before distribution, the business named on the label must register each brand, grade, or formulation; fees are $85 per grade or formulation. Registrations expire December 31, and changes creating a different product require new registration under a distinct brand. Distributors must report prior-year amounts and product forms by January 15 and authorize checks of their books; beneficial substances have no tonnage fee. The law preserves specified exchanges among importers, manufacturers, and mixers, and permits unrestricted shipments to manufacturers or mixers with registered brands.
Power plant faces new efficiency deadlines
The qualifying renewable plant must improve overall efficiency at least 50% compared with the 12 months before July 1, 2022. By October 1, 2025, its owner must submit a signed heat-use construction contract and an engineer's certification of expected compliance. By October 1, 2026, the owner must certify that main components are manufactured and construction plans are complete. The Department must assess achievement by September 1, 2027; missed submissions end utilities' purchase duty November 1, 2026, while an unfavorable efficiency recommendation ends it November 1, 2027. Annual reporting starts after November 1, 2028, with any shortfall requiring a plan to restore efficiency within one year.
Utilities get renewable plant pricing deadline
By November 1, 2028, the Commission must determine the qualifying renewable plant's price for November 1, 2028 through November 1, 2032. The price uses the avoided cost of Vermont's combined electric utility system. This is a utility purchasing rule, not a stated increase or decrease in household electricity rates.
Sponsors & Cosponsors
Sponsors
There is no primary sponsor on record.
Cosponsors
There are no cosponsors for this bill.
Roll Call Votes
No roll call votes available for this bill.
Actions Timeline
House message: Governor approved bill on June 11, 2025
6/13/2025HouseSigned by Governor on June 11, 2025
6/11/2025HouseDelivered to Governor on June 5, 2025
6/5/2025HouseSenate Message: House proposal of amendment to Senate proposal of amendment concurred in
5/30/2025SenateRules suspended & messaged to House forthwith, on motion of Senator Baruth
5/30/2025SenateHouse proposal of amendment to Senate proposal of amendment concurred in
5/30/2025SenateHouse proposal of amendment to Senate proposal of amendment, text
5/30/2025SenateRules suspended & taken up for immediate consideration, on motion of Senator Baruth
5/30/2025SenateHouse message: House concurred in Senate proposal of amendment with proposal of amendment
5/30/2025HouseRules suspended and bill messaged forthwith to the Senate as moved by Rep. McCoy of Poultney
5/30/2025HouseSenate proposal of amendment concurred in with further amendment thereto, as offered by Rep. Nelson of Derby
5/30/2025HouseAction Calendar: Senate Proposal of Amendment
5/30/2025HouseNotice Calendar: Senate Proposal of Amendment
5/29/2025HouseSenate Message: Passed in concurrence with proposal of amendment
5/28/2025SenateRules suspended & messaged to House forthwith, on motion of Senator Baruth
5/28/2025SenateRead 3rd time & passed in concurrence with proposal of amendment
5/28/2025SenateSenator Brennan requested & granted leave to withdraw proposal of amendment
5/28/2025SenateProposal of amendment by Senator(s) Brennan; text
5/28/2025SenateRules suspended & bill placed on all remaining stages of passage, on motion of Senator Baruth
5/28/2025Senate3rd reading ordered
5/28/2025SenateProposal of amendment by Committee on Agriculture, as amended, agreed to
5/28/2025SenateProposal of amendment by Committee on Agriculture amended as moved by Senator(s) Watson
5/28/2025SenateProposal of amendment by Committee on Agriculture amended as recommended by Committee on Finance
5/28/2025SenateReported favorably by Senator Mattos for Committee on Finance with proposal of amendment
5/28/2025SenateRead 2nd time, reported favorably with proposal of amendment by Senator Ingalls for Committee on Agriculture
5/28/2025Senate
Bill Text
As Enacted (ACT 59)Opens in a new window
6/18/2025
As Passed by Both Chambers
6/2/2025
As Passed by Both Chambers (Unofficial)
6/2/2025
Senate Proposal of Amendment
5/29/2025
Senate Proposal of Amendment (Unofficial)
5/29/2025
As Passed by the House
3/28/2025
As Passed by the House (Unofficial)
3/28/2025
As Introduced
3/17/2025
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