Bill
Bill > H0477
summary
Introduced
03/14/2025
03/14/2025
In Committee
03/14/2025
03/14/2025
Crossed Over
Passed
Dead
Introduced Session
2025-2026 Session
Bill Summary
This bill proposes to require the Commissioner of Forests, Parks and Recreation (Commissioner) to develop a plan for reducing the number of delayed timber harvests on State Forest lands. The bill would require the report to include a summary of the status of timber harvests on State Forest lands, including the number of harvests that have not been completed by the initial scheduled date of harvest and the reasons for any delayed harvests. The bill would require the Commissioner to propose how to reduce the number of delayed timber harvests on State Forest lands, including whether additional staff at the Department of Forests, Parks and Recreation are needed to conduct the work necessary for completion of timber harvests. In addition, the Commissioner shall address in the report whether licensed private foresters could be contracted with to conduct the work necessary to reduce the number of delayed timber harvests. The bill would require the Commissioner in the report to estimate the costs and benefits of any plan to reduce the number H.477 of delayed timber harvests on State Forest lands, including an estimate of the number of harvesting jobs that could be created by facilitating harvest at delayed sites. The bill would require the Commissioner to submit the report to the House Committee on Agriculture, Food Resiliency, and Forestry and the Senate Committee on Natural Resources and Energy.
AI Summary
This bill aims to address delayed timber harvests on Vermont's State Forest lands by requiring the Commissioner of Forests, Parks and Recreation to develop a comprehensive plan to reduce harvest delays. The bill mandates a detailed report that will outline the current status of timber harvests, specifically identifying the number of harvests that have not been completed by their initial scheduled dates and explaining the reasons for these delays. The Commissioner must propose strategies to reduce delayed harvests, which may include evaluating the need for additional department staff or exploring the possibility of contracting licensed private foresters to complete the work. The report will also include a cost-benefit analysis of potential solutions, with a specific focus on estimating the number of harvesting jobs that could be created by facilitating timely harvests at delayed sites. Ultimately, the Commissioner will submit this report to the House Committee on Agriculture, Food Resiliency, and Forestry and the Senate Committee on Natural Resources and Energy, providing a transparent assessment of timber harvest challenges and potential solutions.
Committee Categories
Agriculture and Natural Resources
Sponsors (1)
Last Action
House Committee on Agriculture, Food Resiliency, and Forestry Hearing (00:00:00 4/2/2025 ) (on 04/02/2025)
Official Document
bill text
bill summary
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bill summary
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bill summary
| Document Type | Source Location |
|---|---|
| State Bill Page | https://legislature.vermont.gov/bill/status/2026/H.477 |
| BillText | https://legislature.vermont.gov/Documents/2026/Docs/BILLS/H-0477/H-0477%20As%20Introduced.pdf |
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