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VermontH.9322025-2026 SessionHouse

An act relating to the regulation of forestry under Act 250

Sponsored By: Sponsor information unavailable

Signed by Governor

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

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

Forestry permit relief with development limits

Beginning July 1, 2026, logging and forestry below 2,500 feet need no Act 250 permit or permit amendment. This exemption applies only when activities do not conflict with or violate existing permit conditions. Permits must state that qualifying activities are exempt from permit amendments. On land devoted to logging and forestry, Act 250 regulates only the parts supporting proposed development. Permits cannot impose conditions on other parts or restrict or conflict with Vermont’s water-quality practices for logging there. Converting land to nonexempt uses, such as qualifying commercial or industrial development, is not forestry and remains subject to review.

New definition for wood products manufacturers

Beginning July 1, 2026, Act 250 defines wood products manufacturers as businesses gathering wood products from forestry operations. They must add value through processing or marketing, including direct retail sales. The definition includes sawmills, veneer mills, pulp mills, pellet mills, and producers of firewood, woodchips, mulch, and fuel wood. It excludes businesses that only buy, market, and resell finished goods without receiving wood products from forestry operations. Log and pulp concentration yards are no longer expressly listed; the text does not establish changes to their permit duties.

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

  1. House message: Governor approved bill on June 17, 2026

    5/29/2026House

  2. Signed by Governor on June 17, 2026

    5/29/2026House

  3. Delivered to Governor on June 11, 2026

    5/29/2026House

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

    5/27/2026House

  5. Senate proposal of amendment concurred in

    5/22/2026House

  6. Rules suspended and taken up for immediate consideration as moved by Rep. McCoy of Poultney

    5/22/2026House

  7. Notice Calendar: Senate Proposal of Amendment

    5/22/2026House

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

    5/21/2026Senate

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

    5/21/2026Senate

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

    5/21/2026Senate

  11. New Business/Third Reading

    5/21/2026Senate

  12. 3rd reading ordered

    5/20/2026Senate

  13. Proposal of amendment by Committee on Finance agreed to

    5/20/2026Senate

  14. Proposal of amendment by Committee on Natural Resources and Energy agreed to

    5/20/2026Senate

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

    5/20/2026Senate

  16. Read 2nd time, reported favorably with proposal of amendment by Senator Hardy for Committee on Natural Resources and Energy

    5/20/2026Senate

  17. Favorable report by Committee on Finance

    5/20/2026Senate

  18. Favorable report with proposal of amendment by Committee on Natural Resources and Energy

    5/20/2026Senate

  19. Unfinished Business/Second Reading

    5/20/2026Senate

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

    5/19/2026Senate

  21. Favorable report with proposal of amendment by Committee on Natural Resources and Energy

    5/19/2026Senate

  22. New Business/Second Reading

    5/19/2026Senate

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

    5/15/2026Senate

  24. Favorable report with proposal of amendment by Committee on Natural Resources and Energy

    5/15/2026Senate

  25. Second Reading

    5/15/2026Senate

Bill Text

  • As Enacted (ACT 161)Opens in a new window

    6/19/2026

    PDF

  • As Passed by Both Chambers (Unofficial)

    6/19/2026

    PDF

  • As Passed by Both Chambers

    6/3/2026

    PDF

  • Senate Proposal of Amendment

    5/22/2026

    PDF

  • Senate Proposal of Amendment (Unofficial)

    5/22/2026

    PDF

  • As Passed by the House

    3/26/2026

    PDF

  • As Passed by the House (Unofficial)

    3/26/2026

    PDF

  • As Introduced

    3/13/2026

    PDF

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