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VermontS.2122025-2026 SessionSenateWALLET

An act relating to potable water supply and wastewater system connections

Sponsored By: Anne E Watson (Democrat/Progressive)

Signed by Governor

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

5 provisions identified: 0 benefits, 2 costs, 3 mixed.

Connection applicants face fees without neighborhood cap

Original connection general-permit applications and major changes carry a one-time fee based on the higher planned water or wastewater flow. The fee is $250 below 2,000 gallons per day. It is $2,500 from 2,000 through 6,500 gallons per day, and $5,000 above 6,500. Beginning July 1, 2026, the law removes the $50 fee cap for qualifying projects in designated neighborhoods. Those projects must have an approved municipal sewer-capacity allocation; the repeal itself sets no replacement fee.

Existing property owners lose flow-change exemptions

Beginning January 1, 2028, some exemptions for changing planned water or wastewater flow at existing buildings end. Owners making those changes can no longer use the repealed exemptions. Their projects remain subject to other applicable requirements.

New permit paths for property owners

Vermont’s permit rules cover public water and sewer connections of any size, but exclude plumbing inside buildings. Soil-based wastewater disposal systems fall under this chapter when planned flow is below 6,500 gallons per day. The state must publish a connection general permit and capacity guidance manual by December 1, 2027. It begins accepting connection certifications on January 1, 2028, and must accept applications certified by licensed designers and give them deference. Optional general permits can cover subdivisions without existing buildings, boundary changes, and systems below 1,000 gallons per day. Small water systems cannot need a variance, groundwater analysis, or yield testing. Small wastewater systems cannot need a variance or groundwater analysis; alternative technology requires the Secretary’s permission.

Towns gain connection review powers and fees

Qualified towns can review projects connecting to both municipal water and sewer systems when they own and control the lines. Towns requesting full connection-review authority need local legislative approval and must meet the Secretary’s written requirements. They must retain a licensed designer, confirm capacity, follow the general permit, respect designer deference, enforce rules, and report annually. State oversight remains, and prior broader delegation authority is removed. Towns can charge applicants for review costs; the town pays the state $100 when submitting project records, without a required applicant pass-through.

Treatment plants gain discharge enforcement powers

Public treatment-plant owners can receive authority to regulate wastewater pretreatment after EPA authorization and an agreement with the state. The Secretary must notify the Legislature when EPA authorization occurs. Plant owners can enforce federal requirements, set application and other fees, and impose civil, criminal, or administrative penalties. The Environmental Division can review their actions and hear appeals.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

  • Anne E Watson

    Democrat/Progressive • Senate

Cosponsors

There are no cosponsors for this bill.

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 63 • No: 74

House vote • 5/19/2026

Which was disagreed to on a Roll Call Failed -- Needed 69 of 137 to Pass -- Yeas = 63, Nays = 74

Yes: 63 • No: 74 • Other: 1

Actions Timeline

  1. Senate Message: Signed by Governor June 18, 2026

    5/29/2026Senate

  2. Signed by Governor on June 18, 2026

    5/29/2026Senate

  3. Delivered to Governor on June 12, 2026

    5/29/2026Senate

  4. Senate Message: House proposal of amendment concurred in

    5/26/2026Senate

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

    5/26/2026Senate

  6. As passed by Senate and House

    5/26/2026Senate

  7. House proposal of amendment concurred in

    5/26/2026Senate

  8. House proposal of amendment; text

    5/26/2026Senate

  9. Rules suspended & taken up for immediate consideration, on motion of Senator Baruth

    5/26/2026Senate

  10. House proposal of amendment

    5/26/2026Senate

  11. Entered on Notice Calendar

    5/26/2026Senate

  12. House message: House passed bill in concurrence with proposal(s) of amendment

    5/22/2026House

  13. Read third time and passed in concurrence with proposal of amendment

    5/20/2026House

  14. Action Calendar: Third Reading

    5/20/2026House

  15. Third Reading ordered

    5/19/2026House

  16. Report of Committee on Environment, as amended, agreed to

    5/19/2026House

  17. Rep. Greer of Bennington and Chapin of East Montpelier moved to amend the report of the Committee on Environment, as amended, which was agreed to

    5/19/2026House

  18. Which was disagreed to on a Roll Call Failed -- Needed 69 of 137 to Pass -- Yeas = 63, Nays = 74

    5/19/2026House

  19. Rep. Nelson of Derby demanded yeas and nays

    5/19/2026House

  20. Rep. Tagliavia of Corinth, Greer of Bennington, and Lipsky of Stowe moved to amend the report of the Committee on Environment, as amended

    5/19/2026House

  21. Rep. Olson of Starksboro asked and was granted leave to withdraw amendment

    5/19/2026House

  22. Rep. Olson of Starksboro moved to amend the report of the Committee on Environment, as amended

    5/19/2026House

  23. Report of the Committee on Environment amended as recommended by the Committee on Ways and Means

    5/19/2026House

  24. Rep. Burkhardt of South Burlington recommended for the Committee on Ways and Means

    5/19/2026House

  25. Rep. North of Ferrisburgh reported for the Committee on Environment

    5/19/2026House

Bill Text

  • As Enacted (ACT 174)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

  • House Proposal of Amendment

    5/27/2026

    PDF

  • House Proposal of Amendment (Unofficial)

    5/27/2026

    PDF

  • As Passed by the Senate

    3/18/2026

    PDF

  • As Passed by the Senate (Unofficial)

    3/18/2026

    PDF

  • As Introduced

    1/6/2026

    PDF

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