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VermontH.5422025-2026 SessionHouse

An act relating to testing of schools in Vermont for polychlorinated biphenyls

Sponsored By: Peter C Conlon (Democratic)

Signed by Governor

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

5 provisions identified: 2 benefits, 1 costs, 2 mixed.

New state grants help schools clean up

Beginning June 15, 2026, Vermont replaces the earlier 2023 school PCB grant authority with a dedicated fund and grant program. The Secretary of Natural Resources administers grants for school districts, limited to available money. Eligible investigations must be part of a facilities master plan or follow voluntary, state-standard indoor air testing reported to the Secretary. Priorities include PCB management plans, mitigation above the immediate action level, and approved cleanup plans when levels remain above that threshold after mitigation. Grants also support cleanup plans included in school construction projects. Required investigation, cleanup, or removal following state testing under contaminated-property rules receives 100% coverage, to the extent funds are available. The fund accepts legislative transfers, approved gifts, district repayments, and net state lawsuit recoveries; unused money and interest stay there. By January 15, 2027, Natural Resources, consulting Education, must report remaining testing and cleanup costs and a funding plan to legislative education committees.

Vermont can recover school costs from manufacturers

Beginning June 15, 2026, Vermont can seek repayment from PCB manufacturers for state money spent or awarded for school response work. This covers investigation, testing, assessment, cleanup, and removal when school PCB levels exceed the relevant action level. The authority adds to other available remedies. Recoveries, after legal fees and costs, can go into the School PCB Program Fund.

Schools must repay grants after outside recoveries

Beginning June 15, 2026, districts receiving state PCB grants must repay the state after recovering money for the same work. This applies to lawsuit recoveries and other awards. Districts repay the smaller of the recovery or the original grant. Repayments go into the School PCB Program Fund, not directly to households.

School testing gets funding and more time

Beginning June 15, 2026, Vermont requires indoor air tests for PCBs, a chemical contaminant, in schools built or renovated before 1980. This covers public schools and approved and recognized independent schools. Environmental Conservation must use up to $4.5 million from the Environmental Contingency Fund for testing, consulting Health and Education. The law moves the testing deadline from July 1, 2027, to August 1, 2035, delaying required completion.

Schools need contaminant checks for construction aid

Beginning July 2, 2026, districts seeking state construction aid for buildings built or renovated before 1980 must complete state-standard PCB air tests. Applicants must complete facilities planning with community input, consider regional or combined-school options, and evaluate contaminants, including PCBs. They must also show that projects are cost-effective and meet educational needs. The education agency and construction-aid advisory board rank projects using health and safety threats, inadequate facilities, energy inefficiency, and contamination evaluation. These checks guide safer facilities planning but limit aid access until requirements are met.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

  • Peter C Conlon

    Democratic • House

Cosponsors

There are no cosponsors for this bill.

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 16 • No: 119

House vote • 3/13/2026

Which was disagreed to on a Roll Call Failed -- Needed 68 of 135 to Pass -- Yeas = 16, Nays = 119

Yes: 16 • No: 119 • Other: 1

Actions Timeline

  1. House message: Governor approved bill on June 15, 2026

    5/29/2026House

  2. Signed by Governor on June 15, 2026

    5/29/2026House

  3. Delivered to Governor on June 9, 2026

    5/29/2026House

  4. House message: House concurred in Senate proposal of amendment

    5/28/2026House

  5. Senate proposal of amendment concurred in

    5/27/2026House

  6. Rules suspended and taken up for immediate consideration, pending entry on Notice Calendar, as moved by Rep. McCoy of Poultney

    5/27/2026House

  7. Senate Message: Passed in concurrence with proposal of amendment

    5/27/2026Senate

  8. Rules suspended & messaged to House forthwith, on motion of Senator Baruth

    5/27/2026Senate

  9. Read 3rd time & passed in concurrence with proposal of amendment

    5/27/2026Senate

  10. New Business/Third Reading

    5/27/2026Senate

  11. 3rd reading ordered

    5/26/2026Senate

  12. Proposal of amendment by Committee on Education, as amended, agreed to

    5/26/2026Senate

  13. Proposal of amendment by Committee on Education amended as recommended by Committee on Finance

    5/26/2026Senate

  14. Reported favorably by Senator Watson for Committee on Appropriations

    5/26/2026Senate

  15. Reported favorably by Senator Gulick for Committee on Finance with proposal of amendment

    5/26/2026Senate

  16. Read 2nd time, reported favorably with proposal of amendment by Senator Ram Hinsdale for Committee on Education

    5/26/2026Senate

  17. Favorable report by Committee on Appropriations

    5/26/2026Senate

  18. Favorable report with proposal of amendment by Committee on Finance

    5/26/2026Senate

  19. Favorable report with proposal of amendment by Committee on Education

    5/26/2026Senate

  20. New Business/Second Reading

    5/26/2026Senate

  21. Favorable report by Committee on Appropriations

    5/22/2026Senate

  22. Favorable report with proposal of amendment by Committee on Finance

    5/22/2026Senate

  23. Favorable report with proposal of amendment by Committee on Education

    5/22/2026Senate

  24. Second Reading

    5/22/2026Senate

  25. Entered on Notice Calendar

    5/22/2026Senate

Bill Text

  • As Enacted (ACT 130)Opens in a new window

    6/18/2026

    PDF

  • As Passed by Both Chambers

    6/2/2026

    PDF

  • As Passed by Both Chambers (Unofficial)

    6/2/2026

    PDF

  • Senate Proposal of Amendment

    5/28/2026

    PDF

  • Senate Proposal of Amendment (Unofficial)

    5/28/2026

    PDF

  • As Passed by the House

    3/18/2026

    PDF

  • As Passed by the House (Unofficial)

    3/18/2026

    PDF

  • As Introduced

    1/5/2026

    PDF

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