An act relating to dam safety
Sponsored By: Ela Chapin (Democratic)
Signed by Governor
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Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
2 provisions identified: 2 benefits, 0 costs, 0 mixed.
New emergency plans for downstream communities
Beginning May 27, 2026, Vermont requires emergency operations plans for two State-owned dams classified as high-hazard potential. One must have at least 1,000 people at risk; the other must have 100 to fewer than 1,000. For fiscal year 2027, the General Fund provides $375,000 for this pilot: $250,000 to Public Safety and $125,000 to Environmental Conservation. This funds planning, not household payments. Emergency Management leads the work with Environmental Conservation and can hire contractors, including regional planning commissions. Plans must cover every town in the flood zone, use flood maps, and match each dam's existing emergency action plan. They require broad community input under federal guidance and coordination with any hydroelectric operators at the dams. Plans must identify evacuation routes and destinations, including shelters, higher ground, or family reunification sites. They must protect medically vulnerable people who need electricity or special equipment and involve managers of facilities housing vulnerable people. Plans also cover mutual aid, State resources, coordination among downstream towns, advance communication, and early warnings, including VT-Alert. By July 1, 2028, Emergency Management must submit both plans to the House Environment and Senate Natural Resources and Energy committees. The report must explain staffing or contracting, coordination, costs, warning systems, and the scope, timeline, and budget for planning templates and training. It must recommend priorities and costs for plans downstream of all State or federal high-hazard dams with at least 100 people at risk. It must assess whether those plans can be completed by 2035 and whether federal authorization allows completion or only coordination. Recommendations must also address dams with fewer than 100 people at risk, outside help with funding and compliance, and education for towns and emergency responders. The report must give guidance on mapping at-risk structures for VT-Alert and how often to test plans through exercises.
State evacuation orders protect dam-area residents
Beginning May 27, 2026, Vermont's Governor or Director of Emergency Management can require evacuations without town approval. This authority applies when a dam fails or faces an imminent risk of failure. Orders cover areas that could flood because of the failure. The law otherwise leaves the existing all-hazards emergency framework in place.
Sponsors & Cosponsors
Sponsor
Ela Chapin
Democratic • House
Cosponsors
Amy D Sheldon
Democratic • House
Christopher "Chris" A Pritchard
Republican • House
Conor Casey
Democratic • House
Kate McCann
Democratic • House
Larry Labor
Republican • House
Larry Satcowitz
Democratic • House
Marc B Mihaly
Democratic • House
Sarah "Sarita" C Austin
Democratic • House
Theresa A Wood
Democratic • House
Thomas S Stevens
Democratic • House
Roll Call Votes
No roll call votes available for this bill.
Actions Timeline
House message: Governor approved bill on May 27, 2026
5/27/2026HouseSigned by Governor on May 27, 2026
5/27/2026HouseDelivered to Governor on May 21, 2026
5/21/2026HouseSenate Message: House proposal of amendment to Senate proposal of amendment concurred in
5/13/2026SenateHouse proposal of amendment to Senate proposal of amendment concurred in
5/12/2026SenateHouse proposal of amendment to Senate proposal of amendment, text
5/12/2026SenateHouse proposal of amendment to Senate proposal of amendment
5/12/2026SenateHouse proposal of amendment to Senate proposal of amendment
5/8/2026SenateEntered on Notice Calendar
5/8/2026SenateHouse message: House concurred in Senate proposal of amendment with proposal of amendment
5/8/2026HouseSenate proposal of amendment concurred in with further amendment thereto, as offered by Rep. Chapin of East Montpelier
5/6/2026HouseAction Calendar: Senate Proposal of Amendment
5/6/2026HouseNotice Calendar: Senate Proposal of Amendment
5/5/2026HouseSenate Message: Passed in concurrence with proposal of amendment
5/1/2026SenateRead 3rd time & passed in concurrence with proposal of amendment
4/30/2026SenateNew Business/Third Reading
4/30/2026Senate3rd reading ordered
4/29/2026SenateProposal of amendment by Committee on Natural Resources and Energy agreed to
4/29/2026SenateReported favorably by Senator Watson for Committee on Appropriations
4/29/2026SenateRead 2nd time, reported favorably with proposal of amendment by Senator Williams for Committee on Natural Resources and Energy
4/29/2026SenateFavorable report by Committee on Appropriations
4/29/2026SenateFavorable report with proposal of amendment by Committee on Natural Resources and Energy
4/29/2026SenateUnfinished Business/Second Reading
4/29/2026SenateFavorable report by Committee on Appropriations
4/28/2026SenateFavorable report with proposal of amendment by Committee on Natural Resources and Energy
4/28/2026Senate
Bill Text
As Enacted (ACT 114)Opens in a new window
6/11/2026
As Passed by Both Chambers
5/20/2026
As Passed by Both Chambers (Unofficial)
5/20/2026
Senate Proposal of Amendment
5/1/2026
Senate Proposal of Amendment (Unofficial)
5/1/2026
As Passed by the House
3/27/2026
As Passed by the House (Unofficial)
3/27/2026
As Introduced
1/26/2026
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