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VermontH.9412025-2026 SessionHouseWALLET

An act relating to municipal regulation of agriculture

Sponsored By: Sponsor information unavailable

Signed by Governor

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

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

More farms face state water-quality rules

Beginning July 1, 2026, Vermont expands coverage under its Required Agricultural Practices Rule, which sets farm water-quality standards. Crop preparation and harvesting qualify on farms with at least 4.0 connected acres when crops are sold or donated to an unrelated, federally eligible charity. Livestock on farms with at least 1.0 but under 4.0 connected acres qualifies after the agriculture secretary consults the town. The secretary must find enough land for the number and type of animals and find compliance reasonable. On farms under 4.0 connected acres in towns without livestock rules, the secretary can require compliance after offering a hearing. That requires findings that livestock significantly harms water quality and that applying the rule protects it.

Protection from bans for household poultry

Beginning July 1, 2026, Vermont towns cannot ban or charge fees for qualifying poultry flocks kept for personal use, donation, or sale. This protection excludes roosters and ratites, such as ostriches. Towns must allow fewer than 12 chickens and can choose a higher number. Towns can use parcel size to set other limits. They can also set poultry limits below the state farm-practices rule’s minimum, regardless of parcel size.

Pig farms gain limited local protections

Beginning July 1, 2026, Vermont towns cannot ban pigs or pig waste, or regulate waste-related farm structures, on farms covered by the state farm-practices rule. In designated downtowns or village centers, towns can set waste standards only for significant community harm. The town must determine that the agriculture secretary cannot address the harm through the state rule. Standards cannot ban pigs or their waste, and enforcement requires at least 30 days’ notice to the farm and secretary, with an opportunity to fix the problem. Pig waste includes manure and absorbent bedding.

Qualifying farms gain local zoning protection

Beginning July 1, 2026, Vermont towns cannot regulate farming that meets state farm-practices thresholds and must follow that rule. Local bylaws also cannot regulate land used to grow plants other than cannabis or hemp, or construction of farm structures. Livestock raising, feeding, and management on farms under 1.0 connected acre remains subject to applicable zoning. On farms with at least 1.0 but under 4.0 connected acres, those livestock activities gain zoning protection only after state approval. The agriculture secretary must find enough land for proper nutrient and waste management.

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 18, 2026

    5/29/2026House

  2. Signed by Governor on June 18, 2026

    5/29/2026House

  3. Delivered to Governor on June 12, 2026

    5/29/2026House

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

    5/26/2026House

  5. Senate proposal of amendment to House proposal of amendment to Senate proposal of amendment concurred in

    5/21/2026House

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

    5/21/2026House

  7. Senate Message: House proposal of amendment to Senate proposal of amendment concurred in with further proposal of amendment thereto

    5/21/2026Senate

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

    5/21/2026Senate

  9. House proposal of amendment to Senate proposal of amendment concurred in with further proposal of amendment as moved by Senator Ingalls

    5/21/2026Senate

  10. House proposal of amendment to Senate proposal of amendment, text

    5/21/2026Senate

  11. Unfinished Business/House Proposal of Amendment

    5/21/2026Senate

  12. House proposal of amendment to Senate proposal of amendment

    5/20/2026Senate

  13. House proposal of amendment to Senate proposal of amendment

    5/19/2026Senate

  14. Entered on Notice Calendar

    5/19/2026Senate

  15. House message: House concurred in Senate proposal of amendment with proposal of amendment

    5/19/2026House

  16. Senate proposal of amendment concurred in with further amendment thereto, as offered by Rep. Durfee of Shaftsbury, Bartholomew of Hartland, Bos-Lun of Westminster, Brigham of St. Albans Town, Burtt of Cabot, Lipsky of Stowe, Nelson of Derby, and O'Brien of Tunbridge

    5/14/2026House

  17. Action Calendar: Action postponed until May 14, 2026

    5/14/2026House

  18. Action Calendar: Action postponed until May 14, 2026

    5/13/2026House

  19. Rep. Durfee of Shaftsbury moved to postpone action until May 14, 2026, which was agreed to

    5/12/2026House

  20. Action Calendar: Senate Proposal of Amendment

    5/12/2026House

  21. Notice Calendar: Senate Proposal of Amendment

    5/8/2026House

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

    5/7/2026Senate

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

    5/6/2026Senate

  24. New Business/Third Reading

    5/6/2026Senate

  25. 3rd reading ordered

    5/5/2026Senate

Bill Text

  • As Enacted (ACT 166)Opens in a new window

    6/19/2026

    PDF

  • As Passed by Both Chambers

    6/4/2026

    PDF

  • As Passed by Both Chambers (Unofficial)

    6/4/2026

    PDF

  • Senate Proposal of Amendment

    5/7/2026

    PDF

  • Senate Proposal of Amendment (Unofficial)

    5/7/2026

    PDF

  • As Passed by the House

    4/2/2026

    PDF

  • As Passed by the House (Unofficial)

    4/2/2026

    PDF

  • As Introduced

    3/16/2026

    PDF

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