Bill
Bill > S0218
summary
Introduced
01/07/2026
01/07/2026
In Committee
02/19/2026
02/19/2026
Crossed Over
02/18/2026
02/18/2026
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 for the voluntary education, training, and certification of commercial salt applicators. A certified commercial salt applicator would have an affirmative defense against a claim for damages resulting from a hazard caused by snow or ice if the claimed damages were caused solely by snow or ice, and any failure or delay in removing or mitigating the hazard is the result of the certified commercial salt applicator’s implementation of the best management practices of the Agency of Natural Resources (ANR) for the application of salt or salt alternatives. ANR also would be required to make the changes to the Vermont Local Roads curriculum needed to support municipal salt applicators, including training on best management practices for spreading salt or salt alternatives on roads, parking lots, and sidewalks. A municipal employee applying salt or salt alternatives would have an affirmative defense to claims for damages from a hazard caused by snow or ice S.218 if the municipal employee completed the municipal salt applicator curriculum, the claimed damages were caused solely by snow or ice, and any failure or delay in removing or mitigating the hazard is the result of the applicator’s implementation of the curriculum.
AI Summary
This bill aims to reduce chloride contamination in state waters by establishing a Chloride Contamination Reduction Program, which will offer voluntary education, training, and certification for commercial salt applicators, defined as individuals who apply salt or salt alternatives for compensation, excluding municipal or state employees. Certified commercial salt applicators will gain an affirmative defense against claims of damages caused by snow or ice hazards if they followed the best management practices (BMPs) established by the Agency of Natural Resources (ANR) for applying salt or salt alternatives, which are substances like sodium chloride used for deicing or dust control, or substances not containing chloride used for the same purposes. The bill also mandates ANR to update the Vermont Local Roads curriculum to include training on BMPs for municipal salt applicators, who are municipal employees applying salt or salt alternatives, and these employees will also have an affirmative defense if they complete this training and adhere to the learned practices. Furthermore, the bill requires a report on salt and sand storage facilities and outlines a process for recommending and approving certification fees for both commercial and municipal salt applicators, with implementation contingent on General Fund appropriations.
Committee Categories
Agriculture and Natural Resources, Budget and Finance
Sponsors (1)
Last Action
House Committee on Environment Hearing (14:00:00 2/25/2026 Room EA) (on 02/25/2026)
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/S.218 |
| BillText | https://legislature.vermont.gov/Documents/2026/Docs/BILLS/S-0218/S-0218%20As%20passed%20by%20the%20Senate%20Official.pdf |
| Fiscal Note - S.218 – An act relating to reducing chloride contamination of State waters, As recommended by the Senate Committee on Natural Resources and Energy | https://ljfo.vermont.gov/assets/Publications/2025-2026-Senate-Bills/S.218-Fiscal-Note-As-recd-by-SNRE-ID-403558.pdf |
| BillText | https://legislature.vermont.gov/Documents/2026/Docs/BILLS/S-0218/S-0218%20As%20Introduced.pdf |
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