Bill
Bill > H0086
VT H0086
An act relating to establishing the Chloride Contamination Reduction Program at the Agency of Natural Resources
summary
Introduced
01/24/2025
01/24/2025
In Committee
04/29/2025
04/29/2025
Crossed Over
Passed
Dead
Introduced Session
2025-2026 Session
Bill Summary
This bill proposes to require the Secretary of Natural Resources to establish the Chloride Contamination Reduction Program to train commercial salt applicators and municipal salt applicators in best management practices to most efficiently apply salt or salt alternatives and to prevent salt or salt alternatives from entering the waters of the State. A certified commercial applicator shall be presumed to be in compliance with water quality laws when applying salt or salt alternatives according to the best management practices established by the Program.
AI Summary
This bill establishes the Chloride Contamination Reduction Program at the Vermont Agency of Natural Resources to address salt and salt alternative applications that can contaminate water sources. The program will require the Secretary of Natural Resources to create an education and certification system for commercial and municipal salt applicators, focusing on best management practices that minimize salt use while maintaining safe travel conditions. The program includes developing comprehensive definitions of salt and salt alternatives, establishing training requirements for applicators, and creating a certification process that provides limited liability protection for certified applicators who follow established guidelines. Key provisions include developing a record-keeping system for salt purchases and applications, establishing salt reduction targets, creating annual reporting requirements, and mandating mapping and improved storage practices for salt facilities. The bill also requires enhanced monitoring of chloride levels in surface waters when contamination exceeds Environmental Protection Agency standards and appropriates $250,000 in initial funding for a third-party vendor to administer the program. Importantly, certified salt applicators who follow the best management practices will be presumed to be in compliance with water quality laws and protected from liability, except in cases of gross negligence.
Committee Categories
Agriculture and Natural Resources, Budget and Finance
Sponsors (7)
Amy Sheldon (D)*,
Sarita Austin (D),
John Bartholomew (D),
Ela Chapin (D),
Kate Logan (D),
Kristi Morris (D),
Larry Satcowitz (D),
Last Action
Senate Committee on Judiciary Hearing (00:00:00 5/7/2025 ) (on 05/07/2025)
Official Document
bill text
bill summary
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bill summary
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bill summary
Document Type | Source Location |
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State Bill Page | https://legislature.vermont.gov/bill/status/2026/H.86 |
Fiscal Note - H.86 – An act relating to establishing the Chloride Contamination Reduction Program at the Agency of Natural Resources, As recommended by the House Committee on Appropriations | https://ljfo.vermont.gov/assets/Uploads/GENERAL-382983-v3-H_86_Fiscal_Note.pdf |
Fiscal Note - VT LEG #382983 v.2 H.86 – An act relating to establishing the Chloride Contamination Reduction Program at the Agency of Natural Resources, As recommended by the House Committee on Ways and Mean | https://ljfo.vermont.gov/assets/Uploads/GENERAL-382983-v2-H_86_Fiscal_Note.pdf |
Fiscal Note - H.86 – An act relating to establishing the Chloride Contamination Reduction Program at the Agency of Natural Resources, As recommended by the House Committee on Environment | https://ljfo.vermont.gov/assets/Uploads/GENERAL-382983-v1-H_86_Fiscal_Note-v3.pdf |
BillText | https://legislature.vermont.gov/Documents/2026/Docs/BILLS/H-0086/H-0086%20As%20Introduced.pdf |
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