Source: http://wvwvermont.org/docs/2014/calendar/hc140415/
Timestamp: 2017-07-24 22:41:32
Document Index: 340955150

Matched Legal Cases: ['§ 658', '§ 658', '§ 4858', '§ 4858', '§ 1258', '§ 4860', '§ 4860', '§ 4810', '§ 4810', '§ 1259', '§ 3902', '§ 6001', '§ 1259', '§ 1258', '§ 4812', '§ 4812', '§ 4971', '§ 1251', '§ 4972', '§ 4973', '§ 4816', '§ 4816', '§ 902', '§ 1972', '§ 4981', '§ 1251', '§ 1264', '§ 4987', '§ 4988', '§ 4810', '§ 4810', '§ 752', '§ 752', '§ 1264', '§ 1264', '§ 1284', '§ 1284', '§ 410', '§ 309', '§ 309', '§ 5930', '§ 5930', '§ 761', '§ 1', '§ 9241', '§ 9241', '§ 9242', '§ 435', '§ 435', '§ 611', '§ 8903', '§ 8912', '§ 8912', '§ 1285', '§ 1285', '§ 1285', '§ 1313', '§ 1313', '§ 4858', '§ 4858', '§ 1258', '§ 4860', '§ 4860', '§ 4810', '§ 4810', '§ 1259', '§ 3902', '§ 6001', '§ 1259', '§ 1258', '§ 4812', '§ 4812', '§ 4971', '§ 1251', '§ 4972', '§ 4973', '§ 4816', '§ 4816', '§ 902', '§ 1972', '§ 4981', '§ 1251', '§ 1264', '§ 4987', '§ 4988', '§ 4810', '§ 4810', '§ 5811', '§ 168', '§ 1', '§ 4858', '§ 4810', '§ 4981', '§ 4988', '§ 4988', '§ 4810', '§ 1264', '§ 1264', '§ 2681', '§ 2682', '§ 410', '§ 2683', '§ 2684', '§ 2685', '§ 2685', '§ 4051', '§ 4052', '§ 4053', '§ 4054', '§ 165', '§ 7801', '§ 4055', '§ 406', '§ 1010', '§ 4056', '§ 4057', '§ 4058', '§ 4057', '§ 261', '§ 261', '§ 261', '§ 261', '§ 261', '§ 5053', '§ 261', '§ 4472', '§ 4472', '§ 4474', '§ 4474', '§ 2056', '§ 4473', '§ 4474', '§ 4474', '§ 4474', '§ 562', '§ 4474', '§ 4474', '§ 4474', '§ 4474', '§ 1827', '§ 9371', '§ 1803', '§ 1803', '§ 1811', '§ 4980', '§ 4980', '§ 1827', '§ 1822', '§ 1825', '§ 1825', '§ 1396', '§ 1397', '§ 1827', '§ 1827', '§ 2003', '§ 9375', '§ 9375', '§ 20', '§ 9375', '§ 9472', '§ 9472', '§ 9473', '§ 9473', '§ 9473', '§ 9473', '§ 2466', '§ 2466', '§ 4631', '§ 9473', '§ 9472', '§ 1827', '§ 635', '§ 214', '§ 9473', '§ 4084', '§ 4705', '§ 5001', '§ 5001', '§ 509', '§ 509']

hc140415
House Calendar Tuesday, April 15, 2014 99th DAY OF THE ADJOURNED SESSION House Convenes at 10:00 A.M. TABLE OF CONTENTS Page No. ACTION CALENDAR Action Postponed Until April 15, 2014 Senate Proposal of Amendment H. 631 Lottery commissions ....................................................................... 1965 Rep. Van Wyck Amendment ....................................................................... 1965 NEW BUSINESS Third Reading S. 100 An act relating to forest integrity ..................................................... 1966 NOTICE CALENDAR Favorable with Amendment H. 586 Improving the quality of State waters ............................................. 1966 Rep. Deen for Fish, Wildlife and Water Resources Rep. Partridge for Agriculture and Forest Products .................................... 1988 Rep. Ram for Ways and Means ................................................................... 2002 Rep. Toll for Appropriations ....................................................................... 2004 Rep. Helm Amendment ............................................................................... 2005 H. 883 Expanded prekindergarten–grade 12 school districts ...................... 2009 Rep. Peltz for Education Rep. Wilson for Ways and Means ............................................................... 2009 S. 247 An act relating to the regulation of medical marijuana dispensaries 2017 Rep. Burditt for Human Services S. 252 An act relating to financing for Green Mountain Care .................... 2024 Rep. Fisher for Health Care Favorable S. 91 An act relating to privatization of public schools .............................. 2043 Rep. Peltz for Education Senate Proposal of Amendment H. 589 Hunting, fishing, and trapping ......................................................... 2043
- 1965 - ORDERS OF THE DAY ACTION CALENDAR Action Postponed Until April 15, 2014 Senate Proposal of Amendment H. 631 An act relating to lottery commissions The Senate proposes to the House to amend the bill by striking all after the enacting clause and inserting in lieu thereof the following: Sec. 1. LOTTERY COMMISSION BONUS (a) Under the State Lottery Commission Lottery Rules and Regulations, the Lottery Commission shall pay a one percent bonus payment to licensed lottery agents who sell any draw game ticket that wins at least $10,000.00. The one percent bonus payment shall not exceed $30,000.00, and payment shall be made to lottery agents once the draw game results become official, regardless of whether the ticket is claimed or unclaimed. (b) On or before July 1, 2015, the Executive Director of the Lottery Commission shall amend the State Lottery Commission Lottery Rules and Regulations to be consistent with the requirements of subsection (a) of this section. Sec. 2. REPEAL Sec. 1(a) of this act shall be repealed 45 days after such time as the Lottery Commission has issued a rule updating the State Lottery Commission Lottery Rules and Regulations. Sec. 3. EFFECTIVE DATE This act shall take effect on July 1, 2014. (For text see House Journal 2/28/2014 ) Amendment to be offered by Rep. Van Wyck of Ferrisburgh to H. 631 Rep. Van Wyck of Ferrisburgh moves that the House concur in the Senate Proposal of amendment with further amendment there to by striking out all after the enacting clause and inserting in lieu thereof the following: Sec. 1. 31 V.S.A. § 658 is amended to read: § 658. STATE LOTTERY FUND * * * - 1966 - (b) Expenditures for administrative and overhead expenses of the operation of the lottery, except agent and bank commissions, shall be paid from lottery receipts from an appropriation authorized for that purpose. Agent commissions shall be set by the lottery commission Lottery Commission and may not exceed 6.25 percent of gross receipts and bank commissions may not exceed 1 percent of gross receipts. Once the draw game results become official, the payment of any commission on any draw game ticket that wins at least $10,000.00 shall be made through the normal course of processing payments to lottery agents, regardless of whether the winning ticket is claimed. * * * Sec. 2. EFFECTIVE DATE This act shall take effect on July 1, 2014. NEW BUSINESS Third Reading S. 100 An act relating to forest integrity NOTICE CALENDAR Favorable with Amendment H. 586 An act relating to improving the quality of State waters Rep. Deen of Westminster, for the Committee on Fish, Wildlife & Water Resources, recommends the bill be amended by striking all after the enacting clause and inserting in lieu thereof the following: * * * Agricultural Water Quality; Small Farm Certification and Inspection * * * Sec. 1. 6 V.S.A. § 4858a is added to read: § 4858a. SMALL FARM CERTIFICATION (a) Rulemaking; small farm certification. On or before January 1, 2016, the Secretary of Agriculture, Food and Markets shall adopt by rule a requirement that all small farms in the State submit to the Secretary a certification of compliance with the accepted agricultural practices. The rules required by this subsection shall be adopted as part of the accepted agricultural practices under section 4810 of this title. (b) Content of rules. The rules for small farm certification shall: - 1967 - (1) Define what constitutes a small farm for the purposes of certification. (2) Require a small farm to be certified in order to operate in the State. (3) Require the owner or operator of a small farm to certify to the Secretary of Agriculture, Food and Markets at least every five years that the owner or operator complies with the accepted agricultural practices adopted under section 4810 of this title. The certification shall identify the farm subject to the certification and the person or persons who own or operate the farm. The owner or operator of the farm shall certify compliance with the accepted agricultural practices, including that: (A) The farm does not directly discharge wastes into the surface waters from a discrete conveyance such as a pipe, ditch, or conduit without a permit under 10 V.S.A. § 1258. (B) Manure stacking sites, fertilizer storage, and other nutrient source storage on the farm are not located within 100 feet of private wells. (C) Manure is not stacked or stored on lands subject to annual overflow from adjacent waters. (D) Manure is not field stacked on unimproved sites within 100 feet of a surface water. (E) Barnyards, waste management systems, animal holding areas, and production areas shall be constructed, managed, and maintained to prevent runoff of waste to surface water, to groundwater, or across property boundaries. (F) Nutrient application on the farm is based on soil testing by field and is consistent with university recommendations, standard agricultural practices, or a Secretary-approved nutrient management plan for the farm. (G) Manure on the farm is not applied within 25 feet of an adjoining surface water, is not applied within 10 feet of a ditch, or is applied in such a manner as to enter surface water. (H) Fertigation and chemigation equipment is operated only with an adequate anti-siphon device between the system and the water source. (I) Cropland on the farm is cultivated in a manner that results in an average soil loss of less than or equal to the soil loss tolerance for the prevalent soil, known as 1T, as calculated through application of the Revised Universal Soil Loss Equation, or through the application of similarly accepted models. (J) A vegetative buffer zone of perennial vegetation is maintained between annual croplands and the top of the bank of adjoining surface waters - 1968 - in a manner that complies with requirements of the accepted agricultural practices. (K) Manure, fertilizer, pesticide storage structures, and farm structures are not located within a floodway area as presented on National Flood Insurance Maps on file with town clerks or within a Fluvial Erosion Hazard Zone as designated by municipal bylaw or ordinance. (4) Require the Secretary to visit small farms in the State for purposes of assessing compliance with the accepted agricultural practices and for consistency with a certification issued under this section. The Secretary may prioritize visits to small farms in the State based on identified water quality issues posed by a farm. (c)(1) Identification; ranking of water quality needs. During a visit to a small farm required under subsection (b) of this section, the Secretary shall identify areas where the farm could benefit from capital, structural, or technical assistance in order to improve or come into compliance with the accepted agricultural practices. (2) Annually, the Secretary shall establish a priority ranking system for small farms according to the degree of assistance required for compliance with the accepted agricultural practices if the identified capital, structural, or technical needs on the farm are not addressed. (3) Notwithstanding the requirements of section 4823 of this title, farms identified under subdivision (2) of this subsection in the greatest level of need in order to come into compliance with the accepted agricultural practices shall be given first priority for State financial assistance under subchapter 3 of this chapter, provided that the Secretary may give first priority for financial assistance to any farm other than one identified under subdivision (2) of this subsection when the Secretary determines that a farm needs assistance to address a water quality issue that requires immediate abatement. Sec. 2. 6 V.S.A. § 4860 is amended to read: § 4860. REVOCATION; ENFORCEMENT (a) The secretary Secretary may revoke coverage under a general permit or, an individual permit, or a small farm certification issued under this subchapter after following the same process prescribed by section 2705 of this title regarding the revocation of a handler’s license. The secretary Secretary may also seek enforcement remedies under sections 1, 11, 12, 13, 16, and 17 of this title as well as assess an administrative penalty under section 15 of this title from any person who fails to comply with any permit provision as required by this subchapter or who violates the terms or conditions of coverage under any - 1969 - general permit or, any individual permit, or any small farm certification issued under this subchapter. However, notwithstanding provisions of section 15 of this title to the contrary, the maximum administrative penalty assessed for a violation of this subchapter shall not exceed $5,000.00 for each violation, and the maximum amount of any penalty assessed for separate and distinct violations of this chapter shall not exceed $50,000.00. (b) Any person who violates any provision of this subchapter or who fails to comply with any order or the terms of any permit or certification issued in accordance with this subchapter shall be fined not more than $10,000.00 for each violation. Each violation may be a separate offense and, in the case of a continuing violation, each day’s continuance may be deemed a separate offense. (c) Any person who knowingly makes any false statement, representation, or certification in any application, record, report, plan, certification, or other document filed or required to be maintained by this subchapter or by any permit, rule, regulation, or order issued under this subchapter, or who falsifies, tampers with, or knowingly renders inaccurate any monitoring device or method required to be maintained by this subchapter or by any permit, rule, regulation, or order issued under this subchapter shall upon conviction be punished by a fine of not more than $5,000.00 for each violation. Each violation may be a separate offense and, in the case of a continuing violation, each day’s continuance may be deemed a separate offense. Sec. 3. 6 V.S.A. § 4810 is amended to read: § 4810. AUTHORITY; COOPERATION; COORDINATION (a) Agricultural land use practices. In accordance with 10 V.S.A. § 1259(i), the secretary Secretary shall adopt by rule, pursuant to 3 V.S.A. chapter 25 of Title 3, and shall implement and enforce agricultural land use practices in order to reduce the amount of agricultural pollutants entering the waters of the state State. These agricultural land use practices shall be created in two categories, pursuant to subdivisions (1) and (2) of this subsection. (1) “Accepted Agricultural Practices” (AAPs) shall be standards to be followed in conducting agricultural activities in this state State. These standards shall address activities which have a potential for causing pollutants to enter the groundwater and waters of the state State, including dairy and other livestock operations plus all forms of crop and nursery operations and on-farm or agricultural fairground, registered pursuant to 20 V.S.A. § 3902, livestock and poultry slaughter and processing activities. The AAPs shall include, as well as promote and encourage, practices for farmers in preventing pollutants from entering the groundwater and waters of the state State when - 1970 - engaged in, but not limited to, animal waste management and disposal, soil amendment applications, plant fertilization, and pest and weed control. Persons engaged in farming, as defined in 10 V.S.A. § 6001, who follow these practices shall be presumed to be in compliance with water quality standards. AAPs shall be practical and cost effective to implement. The AAPs for groundwater shall include a process under which the agency Agency shall receive, investigate, and respond to a complaint that a farm has contaminated the drinking water or groundwater of a property owner. (2) “Best Management Practices” (BMPs) may be required by the secretary Secretary on a case by case case-by-case basis. Before requiring BMPs, the secretary Secretary shall determine that sufficient financial assistance is available to assist farmers in achieving compliance with applicable BMPs. BMPs shall be practical and cost effective to implement. (b) Cooperation and coordination. The secretary of agriculture, food and markets Secretary of Agriculture, Food and Markets shall coordinate with the secretary of natural resources Secretary of Natural Resources in implementing and enforcing programs, plans, and practices developed for reducing and eliminating agricultural non-point source pollutants and discharges from concentrated animal feeding operations. The secretary of agriculture, food and markets Secretary of Agriculture, Food and Markets and the secretary of natural resources Secretary of Natural Resources shall develop a memorandum of understanding for the non-point program describing program administration, grant negotiation, grant sharing, and how they will coordinate watershed planning activities to comply with Public Law 92-500. The secretary of agriculture, food and markets Secretary of Agriculture, Food and Markets and the secretary of the agency of natural resources Secretary of Natural Resources shall also develop a memorandum of understanding according to the public notice and comment process of 10 V.S.A. § 1259(i) regarding the implementation of the federal concentrated animal feeding operation program and the relationship between the requirements of the federal program and the state State agricultural water quality requirements for large, medium, and small farms under chapter 215 of this title. The memorandum of understanding shall describe program administration, permit issuance, an appellate process, and enforcement authority and implementation. The memorandum of understanding shall be consistent with the federal National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System permit regulations for discharges from concentrated animal feeding operations. The allocation of duties under this chapter between the secretary of agriculture, food and markets Secretary of Agriculture, Food and Markets and the secretary of natural resources Secretary of Natural Resources shall be consistent with the secretary’s Secretary’s duties, established under the provisions of 10 V.S.A. § 1258(b), to comply with Public - 1971 - Law 92-500. The secretary of natural resources Secretary of Natural Resources shall be the state State lead person in applying for federal funds under Public Law 92-500, but shall consult with the secretary of agriculture, food and markets Secretary of Agriculture, Food and Markets during the process. The agricultural non-point source program may compete with other programs for competitive watershed projects funded from federal funds. The secretary of agriculture, food and markets Secretary of Agriculture, Food and Markets shall be represented in reviewing these projects for funding. Actions by the secretary of agriculture, food and markets Secretary of Agriculture, Food and Markets under this chapter concerning agricultural non-point source pollution shall be consistent with the water quality standards and water pollution control requirements of 10 V.S.A. chapter 47 of Title 10 and the federal Clean Water Act as amended. In addition, the secretary of agriculture, food and markets Secretary of Agriculture, Food and Markets shall coordinate with the secretary of natural resources Secretary of Natural Resources in implementing and enforcing programs, plans, and practices developed for the proper management of composting facilities when those facilities are located on a farm. (c) On or before January 1, 2016, the Secretary of Agriculture, Food and Markets shall amend by rule the accepted agricultural practices required under this section to include requirements for the certification of small farms under section 4858a of this title. The rules adopted under this section shall be at least as stringent as the requirements of section 4858a of this title. * * * Agricultural Water Quality; Corrective Actions * * * Sec. 4. 6 V.S.A. § 4812 is amended to read: § 4812. CORRECTIVE ACTIONS (a) When the secretary of agriculture, food and markets Secretary of Agriculture, Food and Markets determines that a person engaged in farming is managing a farm using practices which are inconsistent with the practices defined by requirements of this chapter or rules adopted under this subchapter, the secretary Secretary may issue a written warning which shall be served in person or by certified mail, return receipt requested. The warning shall include a brief description of the alleged violation, identification of this statute and applicable rules, a recommendation for corrective actions that may be taken by the person, along with a summary of federal and state assistance programs which may be utilized by the person to remedy the violation and a request for an abatement schedule from the person according to which the practice shall be altered. The person shall have 30 days to respond to the written warning and shall provide an abatement schedule for curing the violation and a description of the corrective action to be taken to cure the violation. If the person fails to - 1972 - respond to the written warning within this period or to take corrective action to change the practices in order to protect water quality, the secretary Secretary may act pursuant to subsection (b) of this section in order to protect water quality. (b) After an opportunity for a hearing, the secretary The Secretary may: (1)
issue cease and desist orders and administrative penalties in accordance with the requirements of sections 15, 16, and 17 of this title; and (2) institute appropriate proceedings on behalf of the agency Agency to enforce this subchapter. (c) Whenever the secretary Secretary believes that any person engaged in farming is in violation of this subchapter or rules adopted thereunder, an action may be brought in the name of the agency Agency in a court of competent jurisdiction to restrain by temporary or permanent injunction the continuation or repetition of the violation. The court may issue temporary or permanent injunctions, and other relief as may be necessary and appropriate to curtail any violations. (d) The secretary may assess administrative penalties in accordance with sections 15, 16, and 17 of this title against any farmer who violates a cease and desist order or other order issued under subsection (b) of this section. [Repealed.] (e) Any person subject to an enforcement order or an administrative penalty who is aggrieved by the final decision of the secretary Secretary may appeal to the superior court Superior Court within 30 days of the decision. The administrative judge may specially assign an environmental Environmental judge to superior court Superior Court for the purpose of hearing an appeal. * * * Agricultural Water Quality; Livestock Exclusion * * * Sec. 5. 6 V.S.A. chapter 215, subchapter 8 is added to read: Subchapter 8. Livestock Exclusion § 4971. DEFINITIONS As used in this subchapter: (1) “Livestock” means cattle, sheep, goats, equines, fallow deer, red deer, American bison, swine, water buffalo, poultry, pheasant, Chukar partridge, Coturnix quail, camelids, ratites, and, as necessary, other animals designated by the Secretary by rule. (2) “Waters” shall have the same meaning as in 10 V.S.A. § 1251(13). § 4972. PURPOSE - 1973 - The purpose of this subchapter is to authorize the Secretary of Agriculture, Food and Markets to require exclusion of livestock from a water of the State where continued access to the water by livestock poses a high risk of violating the accepted agricultural practices. § 4973. LIVESTOCK EXCLUSION; PERMIT CONDITION As a condition of a small farm certification, an animal waste permit, or a large farm permit issued under this chapter, the Secretary of Agriculture, Food and Markets may require exclusion of livestock from a water of the State where continued access to the water by livestock poses a high risk of violating the accepted agricultural practices. * * * Seasonal Exemption for Manure Application * * * Sec. 6. 6 V.S.A. § 4816 is added to read: § 4816. SEASONAL APPLICATION OF MANURE (a) A person shall not apply manure to land in the State: (1) between December 15 and April 1 of any calendar year, unless authorized under subsection (b) of this section; or (2) between December 1 and December 15 and between April 1 and April 30 of any calendar year when prohibited under subsection (c) of this section. (b) Seasonal exemption. (1) The Secretary of Agriculture, Food and Market may authorize an exemption to the prohibition on the application of manure to land in the State between December 15 and April 1 of any calendar year. An exemption issued under this section may authorize land application of manure on a weekly, monthly, or seasonal basis or in authorized regions, areas, or fields in the State provided that the requirements of subdivision (2) of this subsection are complied with. (2) Any exemption issued under this subsection shall: (A) prohibit application of manure: (i) in areas with established channels of concentrated stormwater runoff to surface water, including ditches and ravines; (ii) in nonharvested permanent vegetative buffers; (iii) in a nonfarmed wetland, as that term is defined in 10 V.S.A. § 902(5); (iv) within 50 feet of a potable water supply, as that term is - 1974 - defined in 10 V.S.A. § 1972(6); (v) to fields exceeding tolerable soil loss; and (vi) to saturated soils; (B) establish requirements for the application of manure when frozen or snow-covered soils prevent effective incorporation at the time of application; (C) require manure to be applied according to a nutrient management plan; and (D) establish the maximum tons of manure that may be applied per acre during any one application. (c) Restriction on application. The Secretary of Agriculture, Food and Markets may by procedure prohibit the application of manure to land in the State between December 1 and December 15 and April 1 and April 30 of any calendar year when the Secretary determines that due to weather conditions, soil conditions, or other limitations, application of manure to land would pose a significant potential of discharge or runoff to State waters. * * * Agricultural Water Quality; Training * * * Sec. 7. 6 V.S.A. chapter 215, subchapter 9 is added to read: Subchapter 9. Agricultural Water Quality Certification Training § 4981. AGRICULTURAL WATER QUALITY CERTIFICATION TRAINING; RULEMAKING (a) On or before January 1, 2016, the Secretary of Agriculture, Food and Markets shall adopt by rule requirements for training classes or programs for owners or operators of small farms, medium farms, or large farms certified or permitted under this chapter regarding: (1) the prevention of discharges, as that term is defined in 10 V.S.A. § 1251(3); and (2) the mitigation and management of stormwater runoff, as that term is defined in 10 V.S.A. § 1264, from farms. (b) Any training required by rules under this section shall: (1) address the existing statutory and regulatory requirements for operation of a large, medium, or small farm in the State; and (2) address the management practices and technical and financial resources available to assist in compliance with statutory or regulatory agricultural requirements. - 1975 - * * * Agricultural Water Quality; Certification of Custom Applicators * * * Sec. 8. 6 V.S.A. chapter 215, subchapter 10 is added to read: Subchapter 10. Certification of Custom Manure Applicators § 4987. DEFINITIONS As used in this subchapter: (1) “Custom manure applicator” means a person who applies manure, nutrients, or sludge to land and who charges for the service. (2) “Manure” means livestock waste that may also contain bedding, spilled feed, water, or soil. (3) “Sludge” means any solid, semisolid, or liquid generated from a municipal, commercial, or industrial wastewater treatment plant or process, water supply treatment plant, air pollution control facility, or any other such waste having similar characteristics and effects. § 4988. CERTIFICATION OF CUSTOM MANURE APPLICATOR (a) On or before January 1, 2015, the Secretary of Agriculture, Food and Markets shall adopt by procedure a process by which a custom applicator shall be certified to operate within the State. The certification process shall require a custom applicator to complete 16 hours of training over each five-year period regarding: (1) application methods or techniques to minimize the runoff of land-applied manure, nutrients, or sludge to waters of the State; and (2) identification of weather or soil conditions that increase the risk of runoff of land-applied manure, nutrients, or sludge to waters of the State. (b) Beginning January 1, 2016, a custom applicator shall not apply manure, nutrients, or sludge unless certified by the Secretary of Agriculture, Food and Markets. * * * Agricultural Stream Alteration * * * Sec. 9. 6 V.S.A. § 4810a is added to read: § 4810a. AGRICULTURAL ACTIVITIES; STREAMS (a) As used in this section: (1) “Berm” means a linear fill of earthen material on or adjacent to the bank of a watercourse that constrains waters from entering a flood hazard area or river corridor, as those terms are defined in 10 V.S.A. §§ 752(3) and (11). - 1976 - (2) “Instream material” means: (A) all gradations of sediment from silt to boulders; (B) ledge rock; or (C) large woody debris in the bed of a watercourse or within the banks of a watercourse. (3) “Intermittent stream” means any stream or stream segment of significant length that is not a perennial stream. (4) “Large woody debris” means any piece of wood within a watercourse with a diameter of 10 or more inches and a length of 10 or more feet that is detached from the soil where it grew. (5) “Perennial stream” means a watercourse or portion, segment, or reach of a watercourse, generally exceeding 0.5 square miles in watershed size, in which surface flows are not frequently or consistently interrupted during normal seasonal low flow periods. Perennial streams that begin flowing subsurface during low flow periods, due to natural geologic conditions, remain defined as perennial. “Perennial stream” shall not mean standing waters in wetlands, lakes, and ponds. (6) “Secretary” means the Secretary of Agriculture, Food and Markets. (7) “Stream” means a current of water that flows at any time at a rate of less than 1.5 cubic feet per second and exhibits evidence of sediment transport. A stream shall include the full length and width, including the bed and banks of any watercourse, including rivers, streams, creeks, brooks, and branches, which experience perennial flow. “Stream” shall not include swales, roadside ditches, ditches or other constructed channels primarily associated with land drainage or water conveyance through or around private infrastructure, excepting such ditches or conveyances that are connected directly with a stream or river at either end. (b) On or before January 1, 2016, the Secretary shall amend the accepted agricultural practices to include requirements for agricultural activities that alter or impact streams in the State. The accepted agricultural practices for stream activities shall: (1) prohibit the discharge or deposit of manure, milk house waste, compost, or other discarded substances in a stream or a ditch or ravine that are connected to a stream; (2) require authorization from the Secretary, prior to any change, alteration, or modification of the course, current, or cross section of a perennial stream in this State either by movement, fill, or excavation of 10 cubic yards or - 1977 - more of instream material in any year; and (3) require authorization from the Secretary to establish or construct a berm in a flood hazard area or river corridor, as those terms are defined in 10 V.S.A. § 752(3) and (11). (c) The Secretary shall authorize an agricultural activity that alters or impacts streams in the State if the activity: (1) will not adversely affect the public safety by increasing flood or fluvial erosion hazards; (2) will not significantly damage fish life or wildlife; (3) will not significantly damage the rights of riparian owners; and (4) in case of any waters designated as outstanding resource waters, will not adversely affect the values sought to be protected by designation. (d) Prior to issuing an authorization under subdivisions (b)(2) and (3) of this section, the Secretary shall consult with the Secretary of Natural Resources regarding appropriate management measures to be used in conducting any authorized activity. * * * Stormwater Management * * * Sec. 10. 10 V.S.A. § 1264 is amended to read: § 1264. STORMWATER MANAGEMENT * * * (b) The secretary Secretary shall prepare a plan for the management of collected stormwater runoff found by the secretary Secretary to be deleterious to receiving waters. The plan shall recognize that the runoff of stormwater is different from the discharge of sanitary and industrial wastes because of the influence of natural events of stormwater runoff, the variations in characteristics of those runoffs, and the increased stream flows and natural degradation of the receiving water quality at the time of discharge. The plan shall be cost effective and designed to minimize any adverse impact of stormwater runoff to waters of the state State. By no later than February 1, 2001, the secretary Secretary shall prepare an enhanced stormwater management program and report on the content of that program to the house committees on fish, wildlife and water resources and on natural resources and energy and to the senate committee on natural resources and energy House Committees on Fish, Wildlife and Water Resources and on Natural Resources and Energy and to the Senate Committee on Natural Resources and Energy. In developing the program, the secretary Secretary shall consult with the board, affected municipalities, regional entities, other state State and federal agencies, and members of the public. The secretary Secretary shall be responsible for - 1978 - implementation of the program. The secretary’s Secretary’s stormwater management program shall include, at a minimum, provisions that: * * * (12) Encourage municipal governments to utilize existing regulatory and planning authority to implement improved stormwater management by providing technical assistance, training, research and coordination with respect to stormwater management technology, and by preparing and distributing a model local stormwater management ordinance or bylaw. Beginning on July 1, 2014, the Secretary annually shall provide municipalities with outreach and education through published materials or training courses regarding the environmental and municipal benefits of adoption of a local stormwater management ordinance or bylaw. The stream alteration training and education activities required under subsection 1023(d) of this title and any education and outreach conducted under this subdivision (12) shall inform municipalities of model stormwater management ordinances or bylaws that are available in the State. * * * * * * Water Quality Data Coordination * * * Sec. 11. 10 V.S.A. § 1284 is added to read: § 1284. WATER QUALITY DATA COORDINATION (a) To facilitate attainment or accomplishment of the purposes of this chapter, the Secretary shall coordinate and assess all available data and science regarding the quality of the waters of the State, including: (1) light detection and ranging information data (LIDAR) identifying water quality issues; (2) stream gauge data; (3) stream mapping, including fluvial erosion hazard maps; (4) water quality monitoring or sampling data; (5) cumulative stressors on watershed, such as the frequency an activity is conducted within a watershed or the number of stormwater or other permits issued in a watershed; and (6) any other data available to the Secretary. (b) After coordination of the data required under subsection (a) of this section, the Secretary shall: (1) assess where additional data are needed and the best methods for collection of such data; (2) identify and map on a regional basis areas of the State that are - 1979 - significant contributors to water quality problems or are in critical need of water quality remediation or response. (c) The Secretary shall post all data compiled under this section on the website of the Agency of Natural Resources. * * * Shoreland Contractor Certification * * * Sec. 12. VOLUNTARY SHORELAND EROSION CONTROL CERTIFICATION PROGRAM (a) Definitions. As used in this section: (1) “Impervious surface” shall have the same meaning as in section 1264 of this title. (2) “Lake” means a body of standing water, including a pond or a reservoir, which may have natural or artificial water level control. Private ponds shall not be considered lakes. (3) “Mean water level” means the mean water level of a lake as defined in the Mean Water Level Rules of the Agency of Natural Resources adopted under 29 V.S.A. § 410. (4) “Shoreland area” means all land located within 250 feet of the mean water level of a lake that is greater than 10 acres in surface area. (b) Voluntary certification. The Agency of Natural Resources, in consultation with the Associated General Contractors of Vermont, shall develop an optional shoreland erosion control certification program to begin on January 1, 2015. The program shall include training related to the disturbance of soil, clearance of vegetation, and construction of impervious surfaces of more than 1,000 square feet in a shoreland area. The voluntary certification program shall end on January 1, 2018. (c) Report. On or before January 1, 2017, the Agency of Natural Resources shall report to the House and Senate Committees on Natural Resources and Energy and the House Committee on Fish, Wildlife, and Water Resources regarding the voluntary shoreland erosion control certification program created in subsection (b) of this section. The report shall include: (1) a general summary of the program’s success, including an overview of shoreland projects constructed by certified persons; (2) the number of persons certified under the certification program; (3) a recommendation of whether the State should continue the voluntary certification program, including whether to make the program mandatory; and - 1980 - (4) any other recommendations for improving the program. (d) The requirements of this section shall not apply to the owner or operator of a farm conducting agricultural activities on the farm that comply with the rules adopted by the Secretary of Agriculture, Food and Markets under 6 V.S.A. chapter 215, regarding agricultural water quality, including accepted agricultural practices, best management practices, animal waste permits, and large farm permits. The requirements of this section shall apply to a person, other than an employee of the owner or operator of the farm, who charges for the service of tillage, harvesting, or other agricultural activity that disturbs soil, clears vegetation, or constructs impervious surface of more than 500 square feet in a shoreland area. * * * Forestry Practices * * * Sec. 13. DEPARTMENT OF FORESTS, PARKS AND RECREATION; FORESTRY; PORTABLE SKIDDER PROJECT In addition to any other funds appropriated to the Department of Forests, Parks and Recreation in fiscal year 2015 there is appropriated in fiscal year 2015 from the General Fund to the Department: (1) $100,000.00 for the purpose of providing technical assistance to persons engaged in silvicultural practices regarding improved stream crossing practices; and (2) $20,000.00 for the purchase or construction of portable skidder bridges. * * * Town Road and Bridge Standards * * * Sec. 14. 19 V.S.A. § 309b is amended to read: § 309b. LOCAL MATCH; CERTAIN TOWN HIGHWAY PROGRAMS (a) Notwithstanding subsection 309a(a) of this title, grants provided to towns under the town highway structures program shall be matched by local funds sufficient to cover 20 percent of the project costs, unless the town has adopted road and bridge standards, has completed a network inventory, and has submitted an annual certification of compliance for town road and bridge standards to the secretary, in which event the local match shall be sufficient to cover 10 five percent of the project costs. The secretary Secretary may adopt rules to implement the town highway structures program. Town highway structures projects receiving funds pursuant to this subsection shall be the responsibility of the applicant municipality. (b) Notwithstanding subsection 309a(a) of this title, grants provided to towns under the class 2 town highway roadway program shall be matched by local funds sufficient to cover 30 percent of the project costs, unless the town - 1981 - has adopted road and bridge standards, has completed a network inventory, and has submitted an annual certification of compliance for town road and bridge standards to the secretary Secretary, in which event the local match shall be sufficient to cover 20 15 percent of the project costs. The secretary Secretary may adopt rules to implement the class 2 town highway roadway program. Class 2 town highway roadway projects receiving funds pursuant to this subsection shall be the responsibility of the applicant municipality, and a municipality shall not receive a grant in excess of $175,000.00. * * * * * * Best Management Practices Income Tax Credit * * * Sec. 15. 32 V.S.A. § 5930mm is added to read: § 5930mm. AGRICULTURAL BEST MANAGEMENT PRACTICES TAX CREDIT (a) A taxpayer of this State who is engaged in the business of farming or who is implementing a nutrient management plan approved by the Secretary of Agriculture, Food and Markets may claim a credit against his or her income taxes imposed by this chapter in an amount equal to 25 percent of the first $70,000.00 expended by the taxpayer for an agricultural best management practice approved by the Secretary of Agriculture, Food and Markets under 6 V.S.A. chapter 215, provided that that the credit shall not exceed the liability of the taxpayer under this chapter for the year in which the credit is claimed. (b) Best management practices eligible for the credit under this section shall include approved activities to: (1) manage the waste from livestock, as that term is defined in 6 V.S.A. § 761; (2) control soil erosion; (3) nutrient and sediment filtration and detention; (4) nutrient management planning; and (5) pest and pesticide handling. (c) After completion of the best management practice, the Secretary shall certify the practice as approved and completed, and eligible for credit. The taxpayer shall forward the certification of completion to the Department of Taxes on forms provided by the Department. The credit shall be allowed only for expenditures made by the taxpayer from his or her own funds. (d) The credit under this section shall be available only for the tax year in which the funds were expended, as certified by the Secretary of Agriculture, Food and Markets. Any taxpayer claiming a credit under this section shall not - 1982 - claim a credit under any similar State law for costs related to the same eligible practices. (e) The amount of any credit claimed under this section attributable to agricultural best management practices by a pass-through entity such as a partnership, limited liability company, or electing small business corporation (S Corporation) shall be allocated to the individual partners, members, or shareholders in proportion to their ownership or interest in such entity. (f) As used in this section, “engaged in the business of farming” means a taxpayer earns at least one-half of his or her annual gross income from the business of farming, as that term is defined in the Internal Revenue Code, 26 C.F.R. § 1.175-3 * * * Water Quality Restoration; Financing Report * * * Sec. 16. AGENCY OF NATURAL RESOURCES REPORT ON WATER QUALITY FINANCING On or before January 15, 2015, the Secretary of Natural Resources, after consultation with the Joint Fiscal Office, shall submit to the Senate Committee on Natural Resources and Energy, the House Committee on Fish, Wildlife and Water Resources, and the Senate and House Committees on Appropriations a report that provides recommendations for establishing a financing mechanism that assesses property owners in the State based on the property’s impact on water quality. The report shall include: (1) at least two alternative financing mechanisms; (2) a summary of how each recommended financing mechanism would be implemented, including administration and enforcement; and (3) an estimated amount of revenue that each recommended financing proposal would generate. * * * Rooms and Meals Tax; Ecosystem Restoration Program * * * Sec. 17. 32 V.S.A. § 9241 is amended to read: § 9241. IMPOSITION OF TAX (a) An operator shall collect a tax of nine and one-quarter percent of the rent of each occupancy. (b) An operator shall collect a tax on the sale of each taxable meal at the rate of nine and one-quarter percent of each full dollar of the total charge and on each sale for less than one dollar and on each part of a dollar in excess of a full dollar in accordance with the following a formula developed and published by the Department of Taxes: - 1983 - $0.01-0.11 $0.01 0.12-0.22 0.02 0.23-0.33 0.03 0.34-0.44 0.04 0.45-0.55 0.05 0.56-0.66 0.06 0.67-0.77 0.07 0.78-0.88 0.08 0.89-1.00 0.09 (c) An operator shall collect a tax on each sale of alcoholic beverages at the rate of 10 and one-quarter percent of each full dollar of the total charge and on each sale for less than one dollar and on each part of a dollar in excess of a full dollar in accordance with the following a formula developed and published by the Department of Taxes: $ .01-.14 $.01 .15-.24 .02 .25-.34 .03 .35-.44 .04 .45-.54 .05 .55-.64 .06 .65-.74 .07 .75-.84 .08 .85-.94 .09 .95-1.00 .10 Sec. 18. 32 V.S.A. § 9242(c) is amended to read: (c) A tax of nine and one-quarter percent of the gross receipts from meals and occupancies, nine and one-quarter percent of the gross receipts from meals, and 10 and one-quarter percent of the gross receipts from alcoholic beverages, exclusive of taxes collected pursuant to section 9241 of this title, received from occupancy rentals, taxable meals and alcoholic beverages by an operator, is hereby levied and imposed and shall be paid to the State by the operator as herein provided. Every person required to file a return under this chapter shall, at the time of filing the return, pay the Commissioner the taxes - 1984 - imposed by this chapter as well as all other monies collected by him or her under this chapter; provided, however, that every person who collects the taxes on taxable meals and alcoholic beverages according to the tax bracket schedules of section 9241 of this title shall be allowed to retain any amount lawfully collected by the person in excess of the tax imposed by this chapter as compensation for the keeping of prescribed records and the proper account and remitting of taxes. Sec. 19. 32 V.S.A. § 435 is amended to read: § 435. GENERAL FUND (a) There is established a General Fund which shall be the basic operating fund of the State. The General Fund shall be used to finance all expenditures for which no special revenues have otherwise been provided by law. (b) The General Fund shall be composed of revenues from the following sources: (1) Alcoholic beverage tax levied pursuant to 7 V.S.A. chapter 15; (2) [Repealed.] (3) Electrical energy tax levied pursuant to chapter 213 of this title; (4) Corporate income and franchise taxes levied pursuant to chapter 151 of this title; (5) Individual income taxes levied pursuant to chapter 151 of this title; (6) All corporation taxes levied pursuant to chapter 211 of this title; (7) Meals 98 percent of the meals and rooms taxes levied pursuant to chapter 225 of this title; (8) [Repealed.] (9) Revenues from the Racing Fund consistent with 31 V.S.A. § 611 609; (10) 33 percent of the revenue from the property transfer taxes levied pursuant to chapter 231 of this title and the revenue from the gains taxes levied each year pursuant to chapter 236 of this title; (11) 65 percent of the revenue from sales and use taxes levied pursuant to chapter 233 of this title; (12) All other revenues accruing to the State not otherwise required by law to be deposited in any other designated fund or used for any other designated purpose. * * * Rental Car Tax * * * - 1985 - Sec. 20. 32 V.S.A. § 8903(d) is amended to read: (d) There is hereby imposed a use tax on the rental charge of each transaction, in which the renter takes possession of the vehicle in this State, during the life of a pleasure car purchased for use in short-term rentals, which tax is to be collected by the rental company from the renter and remitted to the Commissioner. The amount of the tax shall be nine 10 percent of the rental charge. Rental charge means the total rental charge for the use of the pleasure car, but does not include a separately stated charge for insurance, or recovery of refueling cost, or other separately stated charges which are not for the use of the pleasure car. In the event of resale of the vehicle in this State for use other than short-term rental, such transaction shall be subject to the tax imposed by subsection (a) of this section. Sec. 21. 32 V.S.A. § 8912 is amended to read: § 8912. ALLOCATION OF FUNDS The taxes collected under this chapter shall be paid into and accounted for in the Transportation Fund, except that 10 percent of the tax collected under subsection 8903(d) of this title on rental cars shall be paid into the Ecosystem Restoration Program Fund under 10 V.S.A § 1285. * * * Ecosystem Restoration Program Fund * * * Sec. 22. 10 V.S.A. § 1285 is added to read: § 1285. ECOSYSTEM RESTORATION PROGRAM FUND (a) Creation of Fund. There is created a special fund in the State Treasury to be known as the “Ecosystem Restoration Program Fund” to be administered and expended by the Secretary to fund administration and implementation of the Ecosystem Restoration Program. Within the Fund, there shall be two accounts: the Capital Account and the Administrative Account. (b) Deposits to accounts: (1) Within the Capital Account, there shall be deposited: (A) appropriations by the General Assembly to the Vermont Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Pollution Control Revolving Fund; and (B) appropriations by the General Assembly to the Agency of Natural Resources for any other capital construction related to water pollution control. (2) Within the Administrative Account, there shall be deposited: (A) two percent of the meals and rooms tax levied pursuant to chapter 225 of this title; - 1986 - (B) 10 percent of rental car tax under subsection 8903(d) of this title; and (C) such sums as may be appropriated by the General Assembly. (c) Disbursements from the Fund. (1) The Secretary may authorize disbursement or expenditures from the Capital Account according to the requirements of 24 V.S.A. chapter 120 and the rules adopted thereunder or as authorized by the General Assembly. (2) The Secretary may authorize disbursement or expenditures from the Administrative Account for administration of, education and outreach related to, monitoring, and implementation of the activities or projects under the Ecosystem Restoration Program. (d) Interest. Interest earned by the Fund shall be credited and deposited to the Fund. All balances in the Fund at the end of the fiscal year shall be carried forward and remain a part of the Fund. (e) Awards; priority. Except for grants or loans issues under 24 V.S.A. chapter 120, grants or loans from the Ecosystem Restoration Program shall be awarded in each fiscal year according to the following priorities: (1) First priority shall be given to projects identified by the Secretary as significant contributors to water quality problems or in critical need of water quality remediation or response. (2) Next priority shall be given to proposed projects to address or repair riparian conditions that increase the risk of flooding or pose a threat to life or property. (3) Next priority shall be given to proposed projects or programs to address areas of high risk of pollution or high loading of sediment to a water listed as impaired on the list of waters required by 33 U.S.C. § 1313(d). (4) Next priority shall be given to other projects implementing a total maximum daily load plan in a water listed as impaired on the list of waters required by 33 U.S.C. § 1313(d). (5) Next priority shall be given to projects or programs to address areas of high risk of pollution or high loading of sediment to an unimpaired water. (f) Secretary discretion. The Secretary may award financial assistance under this section for a project or program that otherwise would not receive assistance under the priorities established by this section when the Secretary determines a severe risk to water quality or risk of discharge exists which requires immediate abatement. - 1987 - (g) Rule. The Secretary may adopt by rule additional priorities for the award of loans or grants in order to ensure equity in the distribution of awards under this section among service sectors or land use categories. Sec. 23. REPORT ON ACCEPTED AGRICULTURAL PRACTICES UNDER USE VALUE APPRAISAL On or before January 15, 2015, the Agency of Agriculture, Food and Markets (AAFM), after consultation with the Department of Forests, Parks and Recreation and the Division of Property Valuation and Review (PVR) at the Department of Taxes, shall submit to the House Committee on Fish, Wildlife and Water Resources, the Senate Committee on Natural Resources and Energy, the House Committee on Ways and Means, the Senate Committee on Finance, the House Committee on Agriculture and Forest Products, and the Senate Committee on Agriculture a report regarding compliance with the accepted agricultural practices (AAPs) issued under 6 V.S.A. chapter 215 as a requirement of eligibility for participation in the use value appraisal program. The report shall include: (1) A proposed plan for implementing a requirement that an owner of agricultural land certify compliance with the AAPs in order to participate or continue participation in the use value appraisal program. The plan shall include: (A) how the AAFM or PVR would record certifications of AAP compliance; (B) how the AAFM or PVR would enforce compliance with the AAPs as a condition of participation in the use value appraisal program; and (C) an estimate of the number of staff and other resources required by the AAFM or PVR to implement, administer, and enforce the requirement of compliance with AAPs as a condition of participation in the use value appraisal program. (2) An estimate of how certification of compliance with the AAPs would impact the cost of the use value appraisal program to the State of Vermont, including whether fewer parcels would qualify for enrollment in the program. Sec. 24. EFFECTIVE DATES (a) This section and Secs. 1–3 (small farm certification rules), 4 (Agency of Agriculture, Food and Markets corrective action), 5 (livestock exclusion), 6 (seasonal exemption for application of manure), 8 (custom applicator certification), 9 (agricultural stream alteration), 10 (stormwater model bylaw), 11 (water quality data coordination), 12 (shoreland contractor certification), , - 1988 - 13 (financing; technical assistance for forestry), 15 (agricultural best management practices tax credit), and 23 (AAP; use value appraisal report) shall take effect on passage. (b) Sec. 7 (agricultural water quality certification) shall take effect on January 1, 2015. (c) Secs. 14 (town road and bridge standards), 16 (Ecosystem Restoration fee), 17–19 (meals and rooms tax), 20–21 (rental car tax), and 22 (Ecosystem Restoration Program Fund) shall take effect on July 1, 2015. ( Committee Vote: 7-1-1)
and when further amended as follows: First: By striking Secs. 1–9 in their entirety and inserting in lieu thereof the following: * * * Findings; Agricultural Water Quality * * * Sec. 1. FINDINGS AND PURPOSE; AGRICULTURAL WATER QUALITY (a) Findings. For the purpose of Secs. 1–9b of this act, the General Assembly finds that: (1) Significant State, federal, and private financial resources have been expended over the past 20 years to address water quality issues in the State of Vermont, such as the cleanup of Lake Champlain. (2) Despite significant funding and efforts to address the State’s water quality issues, insufficient progress has been made. (3) The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) revoked approval of the initial total maximum daily load (TMDL) plan for Lake Champlain despite the State’s reaching one-third of the TMDL’s goal in less than 10 years. (4) EPA is in the process of developing a new TMDL for Lake Champlain, but Vermont may be responsible for the large majority of implementation costs. (5) Much of the responsibility and cost for meeting the new EPA TMDL may fall on Vermont’s farmers, who likely will be subject to additional requirements under the accepted agricultural practices (AAPs) and other agricultural water quality rules. (6) Although the AAP rules were adopted in 1995, there is a general - 1989 - lack of awareness in the “small farm” community about the AAPs, and the Agency of Agriculture, Food and Markets should educate small farm operators in the State concerning the requirements of the AAPs. (7) The Vermont agricultural community recognizes that it has a role to play in the future efforts to reduce nutrient loading and improve water quality in the State, but additional State and federal assistance is necessary to fulfill this role successfully, including technical and financial assistance to encourage small farms to adopt and implement nutrient management plans. (b) Purpose. It is the purpose of Secs. 1–9b of this act to: (1) improve the quality of the waters of Vermont; (2) authorize proactive measures designed to implement and ultimately meet the impending TMDL for Lake Champlain and improve water quality across the State; (3) identify cost-effective strategies for the agricultural community to address water quality issues, including best management practices and conservation practices of cover cropping, grassed waterways, manure drag lines and injection, no-till production, and contour plowing; and (4) engage more agricultural operations in meaningful ways as part of the State’s efforts to improve the quality of the waters of Vermont. * * * Agricultural Water Quality; Small Farm Certification and Inspection * * * Sec. 2. 6 V.S.A. § 4858a is added to read: § 4858a. SMALL FARM CERTIFICATION (a) Rulemaking; small farm certification. On or before January 1, 2016, the Secretary of Agriculture, Food and Markets shall adopt by rule a requirement that all small farms in the State submit to the Secretary a certification of compliance with the accepted agricultural practices. The rules required by this subsection shall be adopted as part of the accepted agricultural practices under section 4810 of this title. (b) Content of rules. The rules for small farm certification shall: (1) Define what constitutes a small farm for the purposes of certification. (2) Require a small farm to be certified under this section in order to operate in the State. (3) Require the owner or operator of a small farm to certify to the - 1990 - Secretary of Agriculture, Food and Markets at least every five years that the owner or operator complies with the accepted agricultural practices adopted under section 4810 of this title. The certification shall identify the farm subject to the certification and the person or persons who own or operate the farm. The owner or operator of the farm shall certify compliance with the accepted agricultural practices, including that: (A) The farm does not directly discharge wastes into the surface waters from a discrete conveyance such as a pipe, ditch, or conduit without a permit under 10 V.S.A. § 1258. (B) Manure stacking sites, fertilizer storage, and other nutrient source storage on the farm are not located within 100 feet of private wells. (C) Manure is not stacked or stored on lands subject to annual overflow from adjacent waters. (D) Manure is not field stacked on unimproved sites within 100 feet of a surface water. (E) Barnyards, waste management systems, animal holding areas, and production areas shall be constructed, managed, and maintained to prevent runoff of waste to surface water, to groundwater, or across property boundaries. (F) Nutrient application on the farm is based on soil testing by field and is consistent with University recommendations, standard agricultural practices, or a Secretary-approved nutrient management plan for the farm. (G) Manure on the farm is not applied within 25 feet of an adjoining surface water, is not applied within 10 feet of a ditch, or is applied in such a manner as to enter surface water. (H) Fertigation and chemigation equipment is operated only with an adequate anti-siphon device between the system and the water source. (I) Cropland on the farm is cultivated in a manner that results in an average soil loss of less than or equal to the soil loss tolerance for the prevalent soil, known as 1T, as calculated through application of the Revised Universal Soil Loss Equation, or through the application of similarly accepted models. (J) A vegetative buffer zone of perennial vegetation is maintained between annual croplands and the top of the bank of adjoining surface waters in a manner that complies with requirements of the accepted agricultural practices. (K) Manure, fertilizer, pesticide storage structures, and farm structures are not located within a floodway area as presented on National - 1991 - Flood Insurance Maps on file with town clerks or within a Fluvial Erosion Hazard Zone as designated by municipal bylaw or ordinance. (4) Authorize the Secretary to visit small farms in the State for the purposes of assessing compliance with the accepted agricultural practices and consistency with a certification issued under this section. The Secretary may prioritize visits to small farms in the State based on identified water quality issues posed by a farm. (5) Require notice to the Secretary of a change of ownership or a change of operator of a small farm and the time frame by which a new owner or operator shall be required to certify compliance with the accepted agricultural practices under this section. (c)(1) Identification; ranking of water quality needs. During a visit to a small farm required under subsection (b) of this section, the Secretary shall identify areas where the farm could benefit from capital, structural, or technical assistance in order to improve or come into compliance with the accepted agricultural practices. (2) Annually, the Secretary shall establish a priority ranking system for small farms according to the degree of assistance required for compliance with the accepted agricultural practices if the identified capital, structural, or technical needs on the farm are not addressed. (3) Notwithstanding the requirements of section 4823 of this title, farms identified under subdivision (2) of this subsection in the greatest level of need in order to come into compliance with the accepted agricultural practices shall be given first priority for State financial assistance under subchapter 3 of this chapter, provided that the Secretary may give first priority for financial assistance to any farm other than one identified under subdivision (2) of this subsection when the Secretary determines that a farm needs assistance to address a water quality issue that requires immediate abatement. Sec. 3. 6 V.S.A. § 4860 is amended to read: § 4860. REVOCATION; ENFORCEMENT (a) The secretary Secretary may revoke coverage under a general permit or, an individual permit, or a small farm certification issued under this subchapter after following the same process prescribed by section 2705 of this title regarding the revocation of a handler’s license. The secretary Secretary may also seek enforcement remedies under sections 1, 11, 12, 13, 16, and 17 of this title as well as assess an administrative penalty under section 15 of this title from any person who fails to comply with any permit provision as required by this subchapter or who violates the terms or conditions of coverage under any - 1992 - general permit or, any individual permit, or any small farm certification issued under this subchapter. However, notwithstanding provisions of section 15 of this title to the contrary, the maximum administrative penalty assessed for a violation of this subchapter shall not exceed $5,000.00 for each violation, and the maximum amount of any penalty assessed for separate and distinct violations of this chapter shall not exceed $50,000.00. (b) Any person who violates any provision of this subchapter or who fails to comply with any order or the terms of any permit or certification issued in accordance with this subchapter shall be fined not more than $10,000.00 for each violation. Each violation may be a separate offense and, in the case of a continuing violation, each day’s continuance may be deemed a separate offense. (c) Any person who knowingly makes any false statement, representation, or certification in any application, record, report, plan, certification, or other document filed or required to be maintained by this subchapter or by any permit, rule, regulation, or order issued under this subchapter, or who falsifies, tampers with, or knowingly renders inaccurate any monitoring device or method required to be maintained by this subchapter or by any permit, rule, regulation, or order issued under this subchapter shall upon conviction be punished by a fine of not more than $5,000.00 for each violation. Each violation may be a separate offense and, in the case of a continuing violation, each day’s continuance may be deemed a separate offense. Sec. 4. 6 V.S.A. § 4810 is amended to read: § 4810. AUTHORITY; COOPERATION; COORDINATION (a) Agricultural land use practices. In accordance with 10 V.S.A. § 1259(i), the secretary Secretary shall adopt by rule, pursuant to 3 V.S.A. chapter 25 of Title 3, and shall implement and enforce agricultural land use practices in order to reduce the amount of agricultural pollutants entering the waters of the state State. These agricultural land use practices shall be created in two categories, pursuant to subdivisions (1) and (2) of this subsection. (1) “Accepted Agricultural Practices” (AAPs) shall be standards to be followed in conducting agricultural activities in this state State. These standards shall address activities which have a potential for causing pollutants to enter the groundwater and waters of the state State, including dairy and other livestock operations plus all forms of crop and nursery operations and on-farm or agricultural fairground, registered pursuant to 20 V.S.A. § 3902, livestock and poultry slaughter and processing activities. The AAPs shall include, as well as promote and encourage, practices for farmers in preventing pollutants from entering the groundwater and waters of the state State when - 1993 - engaged in, but not limited to, animal waste management and disposal, soil amendment applications, plant fertilization, and pest and weed control. Persons engaged in farming, as defined in 10 V.S.A. § 6001, who follow these practices shall be presumed to be in compliance with water quality standards. AAPs shall be practical and cost effective to implement. The AAPs for groundwater shall include a process under which the agency Agency shall receive, investigate, and respond to a complaint that a farm has contaminated the drinking water or groundwater of a property owner. (2) “Best Management Practices” (BMPs) may be required by the secretary Secretary on a case by case case-by-case basis. Before requiring BMPs, the secretary Secretary shall determine that sufficient financial assistance is available to assist farmers in achieving compliance with applicable BMPs. BMPs shall be practical and cost effective to implement. (b) Cooperation and coordination. The secretary of agriculture, food and markets Secretary of Agriculture, Food and Markets shall coordinate with the secretary of natural resources Secretary of Natural Resources in implementing and enforcing programs, plans, and practices developed for reducing and eliminating agricultural non-point source pollutants and discharges from concentrated animal feeding operations. The secretary of agriculture, food and markets Secretary of Agriculture, Food and Markets and the secretary of natural resources Secretary of Natural Resources shall develop a memorandum of understanding for the non-point program describing program administration, grant negotiation, grant sharing, and how they will coordinate watershed planning activities to comply with Public Law 92-500. The secretary of agriculture, food and markets Secretary of Agriculture, Food and Markets and the secretary of the agency of natural resources Secretary of Natural Resources shall also develop a memorandum of understanding according to the public notice and comment process of 10 V.S.A. § 1259(i) regarding the implementation of the federal concentrated animal feeding operation program and the relationship between the requirements of the federal program and the state State agricultural water quality requirements for large, medium, and small farms under chapter 215 of this title. The memorandum of understanding shall describe program administration, permit issuance, an appellate process, and enforcement authority and implementation. The memorandum of understanding shall be consistent with the federal National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System permit regulations for discharges from concentrated animal feeding operations. The allocation of duties under this chapter between the secretary of agriculture, food and markets Secretary of Agriculture, Food and Markets and the secretary of natural resources Secretary of Natural Resources shall be consistent with the secretary’s Secretary’s duties, established under the provisions of 10 V.S.A. § 1258(b), to comply with Public - 1994 - Law 92-500. The secretary of natural resources Secretary of Natural Resources shall be the state State lead person in applying for federal funds under Public Law 92-500, but shall consult with the secretary of agriculture, food and markets Secretary of Agriculture, Food and Markets during the process. The agricultural non-point source program may compete with other programs for competitive watershed projects funded from federal funds. The secretary of agriculture, food and markets Secretary of Agriculture, Food and Markets shall be represented in reviewing these projects for funding. Actions by the secretary of agriculture, food and markets Secretary of Agriculture, Food and Markets under this chapter concerning agricultural non-point source pollution shall be consistent with the water quality standards and water pollution control requirements of 10 V.S.A. chapter 47 of Title 10 and the federal Clean Water Act as amended. In addition, the secretary of agriculture, food and markets Secretary of Agriculture, Food and Markets shall coordinate with the secretary of natural resources Secretary of Natural Resources in implementing and enforcing programs, plans, and practices developed for the proper management of composting facilities when those facilities are located on a farm. (c) On or before January 1, 2016, the Secretary of Agriculture, Food and Markets shall amend by rule the accepted agricultural practices required under this section to include requirements for the certification of small farms under section 4858a of this title. The rules adopted under this section shall be at least as stringent as the requirements of section 4858a of this title. * * * Agricultural Water Quality; Corrective Actions * * * Sec. 5. 6 V.S.A. § 4812 is amended to read: § 4812. CORRECTIVE ACTIONS (a) When the secretary of agriculture, food and markets Secretary of Agriculture, Food and Markets determines that a person engaged in farming is managing a farm using practices which are inconsistent with the practices defined by requirements of this chapter or rules adopted under this subchapter, the secretary Secretary may issue a written warning which shall be served in person or by certified mail, return receipt requested. The warning shall include a brief description of the alleged violation, identification of this statute and applicable rules, a recommendation for corrective actions that may be taken by the person, along with a summary of federal and state assistance programs which may be utilized by the person to remedy the violation and a request for an abatement schedule from the person according to which the practice shall be altered. The person shall have 30 days to respond to the written warning and shall provide an abatement schedule for curing the violation and a description of the corrective action to be taken to cure the violation. If the person fails to - 1995 - respond to the written warning within this period or to take corrective action to change the practices in order to protect water quality, the secretary Secretary may act pursuant to subsection (b) of this section in order to protect water quality. (b) After an opportunity for a hearing, the secretary The Secretary may: (1)
issue cease and desist orders and administrative penalties in accordance with the requirements of sections 15, 16, and 17 of this title; and (2) institute appropriate proceedings on behalf of the agency Agency to enforce this subchapter. (c) Whenever the secretary Secretary believes that any person engaged in farming is in violation of this subchapter or rules adopted thereunder, an action may be brought in the name of the agency Agency in a court of competent jurisdiction to restrain by temporary or permanent injunction the continuation or repetition of the violation. The court may issue temporary or permanent injunctions, and other relief as may be necessary and appropriate to curtail any violations. (d) The secretary may assess administrative penalties in accordance with sections 15, 16, and 17 of this title against any farmer who violates a cease and desist order or other order issued under subsection (b) of this section. [Repealed.] (e) Any person subject to an enforcement order or an administrative penalty who is aggrieved by the final decision of the secretary Secretary may appeal to the superior court Superior Court within 30 days of the decision. The administrative judge may specially assign an environmental Environmental judge to superior court Superior Court for the purpose of hearing an appeal. * * * Agricultural Water Quality; Livestock Exclusion * * * Sec. 6. 6 V.S.A. chapter 215, subchapter 8 is added to read: Subchapter 8. Livestock Exclusion § 4971. DEFINITIONS As used in this subchapter: (1) “Livestock” means cattle, sheep, goats, equines, fallow deer, red deer, American bison, swine, water buffalo, poultry, pheasant, Chukar partridge, Coturnix quail, camelids, ratites, and, as necessary, other animals designated by the Secretary by rule. (2) “Waters” shall have the same meaning as in 10 V.S.A. § 1251(13). § 4972. PURPOSE - 1996 - The purpose of this subchapter is to authorize the Secretary of Agriculture, Food and Markets to require exclusion of livestock from a water of the State where continued access to the water by livestock poses a high risk of violating the accepted agricultural practices. § 4973. LIVESTOCK EXCLUSION; PERMIT CONDITION As a condition of a small farm certification, an animal waste permit, or a large farm permit issued under this chapter, the Secretary of Agriculture, Food and Markets may require exclusion of livestock from a water of the State where continued access to the water by livestock poses a high risk of violating the accepted agricultural practices. * * * Seasonal Exemption for Manure Application * * * Sec. 7. 6 V.S.A. § 4816 is added to read: § 4816. SEASONAL APPLICATION OF MANURE (a) Unless authorized under subsection (b) of this section, a person shall not apply manure to land in the State: (1) between December 15 and April 1 of any calendar year; or (2) between December 1 and December 15 and between April 1 and April 30 of any calendar year when prohibited under subsection (c) of this section. (b) Seasonal exemption. (1) The Secretary of Agriculture, Food and Market may authorize an exemption to the prohibition on the application of manure to land in the State between December 15 and April 1 of any calendar year or during any period established under subsection (c) of this section when manure is prohibited from application. An exemption issued under this section may authorize land application of manure on a weekly, monthly, or seasonal basis or in authorized regions, areas, or fields in the State, provided that the requirements of subdivision (2) of this subsection are complied with. (2) Any exemption issued under this subsection shall: (A) prohibit application of manure: (i) in areas with established channels of concentrated stormwater runoff to surface waters, including ditches and ravines; (ii) in nonharvested permanent vegetative buffers; (iii) in a nonfarmed wetland, as that term is defined in 10 V.S.A. § 902(5); - 1997 - (iv) within 50 feet of a potable water supply, as that term is defined in 10 V.S.A. § 1972(6); (v) to fields exceeding tolerable soil loss; and (vi) to saturated soils; (B) establish requirements for the application of manure when frozen or snow-covered soils prevent effective incorporation at the time of application; (C) require manure to be applied according to a nutrient management plan; and (D) establish the maximum tons of manure that may be applied per acre during any one application. (c) Restriction on application. The Secretary of Agriculture, Food and Markets may by procedure prohibit the application of manure to land in the State between December 1 and December 15 and April 1 and April 30 of any calendar year when the Secretary determines that due to weather conditions, soil conditions, or other limitations, application of manure to land would pose a significant potential of discharge or runoff to State waters. * * * Agricultural Water Quality; Training * * * Sec. 8. 6 V.S.A. chapter 215, subchapter 9 is added to read: Subchapter 9. Agricultural Water Quality Certification Training § 4981. AGRICULTURAL WATER QUALITY CERTIFICATION TRAINING; RULEMAKING (a) On or before January 1, 2016, the Secretary of Agriculture, Food and Markets shall adopt by procedure requirements for training classes or programs for owners or operators of small farms, medium farms, or large farms certified or permitted under this chapter regarding: (1) the prevention of discharges, as that term is defined in 10 V.S.A. § 1251(3); and (2) the mitigation and management from farms of stormwater runoff, as that term is defined in 10 V.S.A. § 1264. (b) Any training required by procedure under this section shall: (1) address the existing statutory and regulatory requirements for operation of a large, medium, or small farm in the State; and (2) address the management practices and technical and financial resources available to assist in compliance with statutory or regulatory - 1998 - agricultural requirements. * * * Agricultural Water Quality; Certification of Custom Applicators * * * Sec. 9. 6 V.S.A. chapter 215, subchapter 10 is added to read: Subchapter 10. Certification of Custom Applicators of Manure, Nutrients, or Sludge § 4987. DEFINITIONS As used in this subchapter: (1) “Custom applicator” means a person who applies manure, nutrients, or sludge to land and who charges or collects other consideration for the service. (2) “Manure” means livestock waste that may also contain bedding, spilled feed, water, or soil. (3) “Seasonal employee” means a person who: (A) works for a custom applicator for 20 weeks or fewer in a calendar year; and (B) works in a job scheduled to last 20 weeks or fewer. (4) “Sludge” means any solid, semisolid, or liquid generated from a municipal, commercial, or industrial wastewater treatment plant or process, water supply treatment plant, air pollution control facility, or any other such waste having similar characteristics and effects. § 4988. CERTIFICATION OF CUSTOM APPLICATOR (a) On or before January 1, 2015, the Secretary of Agriculture, Food and Markets shall adopt by rule a process by which a custom applicator shall be certified to operate within the State. The certification process shall require a custom applicator to complete eight hours of training over each five-year period regarding: (1) application methods or techniques to minimize the runoff of land-applied manure, nutrients, or sludge to waters of the State; and (2) identification of weather or soil conditions that increase the risk of runoff of land-applied manure, nutrients, or sludge to waters of the State. (b) Beginning January 1, 2016, a custom applicator shall not apply manure, nutrients, or sludge unless certified by the Secretary of Agriculture, Food and Markets. - 1999 - (c) A custom applicator certified under this section may train seasonal employees in methods or techniques to minimize runoff to surface waters and to identify weather or soil conditions that increase the risk of runoff. A custom applicator that trains a seasonal employee under this subsection shall be liable for damages done and liabilities incurred by a seasonal employee who improperly applies manure, nutrients, or sludge. (d) The requirements of this section shall not apply to an owner or operator of a farm applying manure, nutrients, or sludge to a field that he or she owns or controls. * * * Agricultural Stream Alteration * * * Sec. 9a. 6 V.S.A. § 4810a is added to read: § 4810a. AGRICULTURAL ACTIVITIES; STREAMS (a) As used in this section: (1) “Instream material” means: (A) all gradations of sediment from silt to boulders; (B) ledge rock; or (C) large woody debris in the bed of a perennial stream or within the banks of a perennial stream. (2) “Intermittent stream” means any stream or stream segment of significant length that is not a perennial stream. (3) “Large woody debris” means any piece of wood within a perennial stream with a diameter of 10 or more inches and a length of 10 or more feet that is detached from the soil where it grew. (4) “Perennial stream” means a stream or portion, segment, or reach of a stream, generally exceeding 0.5 square miles in watershed size, in which surface flows are not frequently or consistently interrupted during normal seasonal low flow periods. Perennial streams that begin flowing subsurface during low flow periods, due to natural geologic conditions, remain defined as perennial. “Perennial stream” shall not mean standing waters in wetlands, lakes, and ponds. (5) “Secretary” means the Secretary of Agriculture, Food and Markets. (6) “Stream” means a current of water that flows at any time at a rate of less than 1.5 cubic feet per second and exhibits evidence of sediment transport. A stream shall include the full length and width, including the bed and banks of any watercourse, including rivers, streams, creeks, brooks, and branches, which experience perennial flow. “Stream” shall not include swales, roadside - 2000 - ditches, or ditches or other constructed channels primarily associated with land drainage or water conveyance through or around private infrastructure. (b) On or before January 1, 2016, the Secretary shall amend the accepted agricultural practices to include requirements for agricultural activities that alter or impact streams in the State. The accepted agricultural practices for stream activities shall: (1) prohibit the discharge or deposit of manure, milk house waste, compost, or other waste in a stream; and (2) require authorization from the Secretary, prior to any change, alteration, or modification of the course, current, or cross section of a perennial stream in this State either by movement, fill, or excavation of 10 cubic yards or more of instream material in any year. (c) The Secretary shall authorize an agricultural activity that alters or impacts streams in the State if the activity: (1) will not adversely affect the public safety by increasing flood or fluvial erosion hazards; (2) will not significantly damage fish life or wildlife; (3) will not significantly damage the rights of riparian owners; and (4) in case of any waters designated as outstanding resource waters, will not adversely affect the values sought to be protected by designation. (d) Prior to issuing an authorization under subdivision (b)(2) of this section, the Secretary shall consult with the Secretary of Natural Resources regarding appropriate management measures to be used in conducting any authorized activity. Sec. 9b. 32 V.S.A. § 5811(21) is amended to read: (21) “Taxable income” means federal taxable income determined without regard to 26 U.S.C. § 168(k) and: (A) Increased by the following items of income (to the extent such income is excluded from federal adjusted gross income): * * * (B) Decreased by the following items of income (to the extent such income is included in federal adjusted gross income): (i) income from United States government obligations; (ii) with respect to adjusted net capital gain income as defined in 26 U.S.C. § 1(h): - 2001 - (I) if the taxpayer is aged 70 years of age or older as of the last day of the tax year, or for adjusted net capital gain income from the sale of a farm or from the sale of standing timber, each as defined in subdivision (27) of this section, 40 percent of adjusted net capital gain income but the total amount of decrease under this subdivision (ii)(I) shall not exceed 40 percent of federal taxable income; provided, however, that a taxpayer aged 70 years of age or older as of the last day of the tax year may elect to subtract his or her adjusted net capital gains pursuant to subdivision (21)(B)(ii)(II) of this section. (II) for taxpayers aged 70 years of age or older as of the last day of the tax year who so elect and for all other capital gain income, the first $2,500.00 of adjusted net capital gain income; and (iii) recapture of State and local income tax deductions not taken against Vermont income tax; and (iv) financial assistance received from the State under 6 V.S.A. chapter 215 for the purpose of encouraging farmers in the State to invest in infrastructure or practices to improve water quality. Second: By striking Sec. 15 (best management practices tax credit) in its entirety and inserting in lieu thereof “Sec. 15. [Deleted]” Third: By striking Sec. 23 (report on use value appraisal program; AAPs) in its entirety and inserting in lieu thereof “Sec. 23. [Deleted]” Fourth: By striking Sec. 24 in its entirety and inserting in lieu therof the following: Sec. 24. EFFECTIVE DATES (a) This section and Secs. 1 (agricultural findings), 2–4 (small farm certification rules), 5 (Agency of Agriculture, Food and Markets corrective action), 6 (livestock exclusion), 7 (seasonal exemption for application of manure), 9 (custom applicator certification), 9a (agricultural stream alteration), 10 (stormwater model bylaw), 11 (water quality data coordination), 12 (shoreland contractor certification), 13 (financing; technical assistance for forestry), 15 (agricultural best management practices tax credit), and 23 (AAP; use value appraisal report) shall take effect on passage. (b) Secs. 8 (agricultural water quality certification) and 9b (income tax exemption; water quality assistance) shall take effect on January 1, 2015. (c) Secs. 14 (town road and bridge standards), 16 (Ecosystem Restoration fee), 17–19 (meals and rooms tax), 20–21 (rental car tax), and 22 (Ecosystem Restoration Program Fund) shall take effect on July 1, 2015. ( Committee Vote: 10-0-0)
- 2002 - Rep. Ram of Burlington,
recommends the bill ought to pass when amended as recommended by the Committee on Fish, Wildlife & Water Resources and Agriculture and Forest Products
and when further amended as follows: First: In Sec. 2, 6 V.S.A. § 4858a, in subsection (a), by striking “On or before January 1, 2016, the” and inserting in lieu thereof The. Second: In Sec. 4, 6 V.S.A. § 4810, in subsection (c), by striking “On or before January 1, 2016, the” and inserting in lieu thereof The. Third: In Sec. 8, in 6 V.S.A. § 4981, in subsection (a), by striking “On or before January 1, 2016, the” and inserting in lieu thereof The. Fourth: In Sec. 9, in 6 V.S.A. § 4988, in subsection (a), by striking “On or before January 1, 2015, the” and inserting in lieu thereof The. Fifth: In Sec. 9, in 6 V.S.A. § 4988, in subsection (b), by striking “Beginning January 1, 2016, a” and inserting in lieu thereof A. Sixth: In Sec. 9a, 6 V.S.A. § 4810a, in subsection (b), by striking “On or before January 1, 2016, the” and inserting in lieu thereof The. Seventh: By striking out Sec. 9b (agricultural water quality tax credit) in its entirety and by inserting in lieu thereof Sec. 9b. [Deleted.] Eighth: In Sec. 10, 10 V.S.A. § 1264, in subdivision (b)(12), in the second sentence, by striking “Beginning on July 1, 2014, the” and inserting in lieu thereof The. Ninth: In Sec. 12, in subdivision (a)(1), by striking “section 1264 of this title” and inserting in lieu thereof 10 V.S.A. § 1264. Tenth: In Sec. 12, by striking out subsections (b) and (c) in their entirety and inserting new subsections (b) and (c) to read: (b) Voluntary certification. The Agency of Natural Resources, in consultation with the Associated General Contractors of Vermont, shall develop an optional shoreland erosion control certification program. The program shall include training related to the disturbance of soil, clearance of vegetation, and construction of impervious surfaces of more than 1,000 square feet in a shoreland area. The voluntary certification program shall end after three years of operation. (c) Report. After two years of operation of the certification program, the Agency of Natural Resources shall report to the House and Senate Committees on Natural Resources and Energy and the House Committee on Fish, Wildlife and Water Resources regarding the voluntary shoreland erosion control certification program created in subsection (b) of this section. The report shall - 2003 - include: (1) a general summary of the program’s success, including an overview of shoreland projects constructed by certified persons; (2) the number of persons certified under the certification program; (3) a recommendation of whether the State should continue the voluntary certification program, including whether to make the program mandatory; and (4) any other recommendations for improving the program. Eleventh: By striking out Sec. 13 (portable skidder project appropriation) in its entirety and by inserting in lieu thereof Sec. 13. [Deleted.] Twelfth: By striking out Sec. 14 (town highway match) in its entirety and by inserting in lieu thereof Sec. 14. [Deleted.] Thirteenth: By striking out Sec. 16 and inserting in lieu thereof a new Sec. 16 to read: Sec. 16. AGENCY OF NATURAL RESOURCES REPORT ON WATER QUALITY FINANCING On or before January 15, 2015, the Secretary of Natural Resources, after consultation with the Joint Fiscal Office, the Secretary of Agriculture, Food and Markets, and the Secretary of Transportation, shall submit to the Senate and House Committees on Natural Resources and Energy, the House Committee on Fish, Wildlife and Water Resources, the House Committee on Ways and Means, the Senate Committee on Finance, and the Senate and House Committees on Appropriations a report that provides recommendations for establishing financing mechanisms for the requirements of this act and other State actions to improve the quality of State waters. The report shall include: (1) a summary of the anticipated costs for each agency to implement the requirements of this act; (2) a summary and analysis of existing State tax expenditures that affect State water quality; (3) a recommendation for a financing mechanism that assesses property owners in the State based on the property’s impact on water quality; (4) at least two alternative financing mechanisms in addition to the recommendation under subdivision (3) of this section, which may include a recommendation for an excise tax; (5) a summary of how each recommended financing mechanism would be implemented, including administration and enforcement; and - 2004 - (6) an estimated amount of revenue that each recommended financing proposal would generate. Fourteenth: By striking out Sec. 17 (meals and rooms tax) in its entirety and by inserting in lieu thereof Sec. 17. [Deleted.] Fifteenth: By striking out Sec. 18 (meals and rooms tax) in its entirety and by inserting in lieu thereof Sec. 18. [Deleted.] Sixteenth: By striking out Sec. 19 (meals and rooms tax) in its entirety and by inserting in lieu thereof Sec. 19. [Deleted.] Seventeenth: By striking out Sec. 20 (rental car tax) in its entirety and by inserting in lieu thereof Sec. 20. [Deleted.] Eighteenth: By striking out Sec. 21 (rental car tax) in its entirety and by inserting in lieu thereof Sec. 21. [Deleted.] Nineteenth: By striking out Sec. 22 (ecosystem restoration program fund) in its entirety and by inserting in lieu thereof Sec. 22. [Deleted.] Twentieth: By striking out Sec. 24 in its entirety and inserting in lieu thereof a new Sec. 24 to read: Sec. 24. EFFECTIVE DATES (a) This section and Sec. 13 (water quality restoration financing report) shall take effect on passage. (b) Secs. 1 (agricultural findings), 2–4 (small farm certification rules), 5 (Agency of Agriculture, Food and Markets corrective action), 6 (livestock exclusion), 7 (seasonal exemption for application of manure), 8 (agricultural water quality certification), 9 (custom applicator certification), 9a (agricultural stream alteration), 10 (stormwater model bylaw), 11 (water quality data coordination), and 12 (shoreland contractor certification) shall take effect one year after the General Assembly appropriates or otherwise generates funding sufficient to fund the requirements of this act. ( Committee Vote: 11-0-0)
Rep. Toll of Danville, for the Committee on Appropriations, recommends the bill ought to pass when amended as recommended by the Committee on Fish, Wildlife & Water Resources, Agriculture and Forest Products and Ways and Means. (Committee Vote: 9-2-0)
- 2005 - Amendment to be offered by Rep. Helm of Fair Haven to the recommendation of amendment of the Committee on Fish, Wildlife & Water Resources to H. 586 First: By adding a Sec. 23a to read as follows: Sec. 23a. 10 V.S.A. chapter 84 is added to read: CHAPTER 84. SHORELAND STANDARDS FOR STATE LANDS § 2681. PURPOSE The purpose of this chapter is to require the Agency of Natural Resources to upgrade Agency-owned fishing access areas, beaches, roadways, and other property in lake shoreland areas to meet the shoreland standards required for private development in lake shoreland areas. § 2682. DEFINITIONS As used in this chapter: (1) “Cleared area” means an area where vegetation is permanently removed. (2) “Expansion” means an increase or addition to existing impervious surface or an increase to existing cleared area. (3) “Impervious surface” means those manmade surfaces, including paved and unpaved roads, parking areas, roofs, driveways, and walkways, from which precipitation runs off rather than infiltrates. (4) “Lake” means a body of standing water, including a pond or a reservoir, which may have natural or artificial water level control. Private ponds shall not be considered lakes. (5) “Mean water level” means the mean water level of a lake as defined in the Mean Water Level Rules of the Agency of Natural Resources adopted under 29 V.S.A. § 410. (6) “Private pond” means a body of standing water that is a natural water body of not more than 20 acres located on property owned by one person or an artificial water body of any size located on property owned by one person. A “private pond” shall include a reservoir specifically constructed for one of the following purposes: snowmaking storage, golf course irrigation, stormwater management, or fire suppression. (7) “Protected shoreland area” means the land area located within 250 feet, horizontal distance, of the mean water level of a lake. (8) “State lands” means land or real property owned or controlled by the - 2006 - Agency of Natural Resources, including State parks, State forests, and State wildlife management areas. (9) “Stormwater runoff” means precipitation and snowmelt that does not infiltrate into the soil, including material dissolved or suspended in it, but does not include discharges from undisturbed natural terrain or wastes from combined sewer overflows. (10) “Vegetation” means all live trees, shrubs, and other plants. Vegetation does not mean grass. § 2683. CONSERVATION OF SHORELANDS ON STATE LANDS (a) On or before July 1, 2016, the Agency of Natural Resources shall implement the following management standards within protected shoreland areas on State lands: (1) All cleared area and impervious surface shall be at least 100 feet from the mean water level, except: (A) when compliance would be inconsistent and or in conflict with applicable federal requirements for the management of a parcel of land held by the Agency; (B) boat ramps for fish and wildlife access areas are allowed within 100 feet of the mean water level of a lake, provided that the ramp shall be designed to prevent or reduce runoff of stormwater to a surface water; and (C) water dependent, public recreational uses of no more than 100 square feet of impervious surface or cleared area may be maintained or established within 100 feet of the mean water level of a lake, provided that impervious surface or cleared area authorized under this subdivision shall not exceed 20 percent of the State lands within the protected shoreland area. (2) A buffer strip of vegetation that meets the requirements of section 2684 of this title shall be established and preserved within an area of 100 feet from the mean water level of a lake, except that: (A) a single footpath not to exceed six feet in width is allowed within the vegetated buffer to allow access to the mean water level of a lake; and (B) impervious surface or cleared area authorized under subdivisions (a)(1)(A) and (B) is allowed in the vegetated buffer. (3) Impervious surface or cleared area allowed in the protected shoreland area may only be expanded away from the mean water level of a lake. (4) Any proposed cleared area or impervious surface within a protected - 2007 - shoreland area shall be sited on a slope of less than 20 percent, or the impervious surface or cleared area within the protected shoreland area shall be sited on a stable slope with minimal erosion and minimal negative impacts to water quality, except when compliance would be inconsistent or in conflict with applicable federal requirements for the management of a parcel of land held by the Agency. (b) The Secretary of Natural Resources shall retrofit all State lands that do not comply with the requirements of subsection (a) of this section unless the Citizens Advisory Committee on the Shorelands of State Lands grants a variance under section 2685 of this title from the requirements of this section. § 2684. VEGETATION MANAGEMENT OF LAKE SHORELAND BUFFERS (a) Within the vegetated buffer strip required under section 2683 of this title, selective cutting of trees is allowed, provided that a well-distributed stand of trees and other natural vegetation is maintained. (b) A “well-distributed stand of trees adjacent to a lake” shall be defined as maintaining a minimum rating score of 16 in each 25-foot by 25-foot rectangular area in the buffer strip as determined by the following rating system. (1) Diameter of tree at 4-1/2 feet above Points ground level (inches) 2–< 4 in. 1 4–< 8 in. 2 8–< 12 in. 4 12 in. or greater 8 (2) The following shall govern in applying this point system: (A) 25-foot by 25-foot rectangular plots shall be established within a vegetated buffer where a property owner or lessee proposes clearing within the buffer. (B) Each successive plot must be adjacent to but not overlap a previous plot. (C) Any plot not containing the required points must have no vegetation removed except as otherwise allowed by rules adopted under this section. (D) Any plot containing the required points may have vegetation - 2008 - removed down to the minimum points required or as otherwise allowed by rules adopted under this chapter. (E) Where conditions permit, no more than 50 percent of the points on any 25-foot by 25-foot rectangular area may consist of trees greater than 12 inches in diameter. (F) No more than 40 percent of the total volume of trees four inches or more in diameter, measured at four and one-half feet above ground level, may be removed in any 10-year period. (G) Existing vegetation under three feet in height and other ground cover, including leaf litter and the forest duff layer, shall not be cut, covered, or removed, except to provide for a footpath or other permitted uses. (H) Pruning of tree branches on the bottom one-third of the tree is allowed. (c) As used in this section, “other natural vegetation” means retaining existing vegetation under three feet in height and other ground cover and retaining at least five saplings less than two inches in diameter at four and one-half feet above ground level for each 25-foot by 25-foot rectangle area. If five saplings do not exist, no woody stems less than two inches in diameter can be removed until five saplings have been planted or rooted in the plot. § 2685. CITIZENS ADVISORY COMMITTEE ON THE SHORELANDS OF STATE LANDS (a) There is established a Citizens Advisory Committee on the Shorelands of State Lands in order to oversee the Agency of Natural Resources’ compliance with the requirements of section 2683 of this title. (b) The Citizens Advisory Committee on the Shorelands of State Lands shall consist of 11 members: one senator appointed by the Committee on Committees, one Representative appointed by the Speaker of the House, and nine Vermont citizens, including one recommended by the Commissioner of Forests, Parks and Recreation, who come from a variety of geographic locations in Vermont appointed by the Governor. The Citizens Advisory Committee on the Shorelands of State Lands shall elect a chair by a majority vote of its members. Legislative committee members shall serve two-year terms that coincide with their term of office or until the biennial appointment of successors. Other advisory committee members shall be appointed for three-year terms, except that initial appointments shall be for staggered terms. (c) The Citizens Advisory Committee on the Shorelands of State Lands Committee: (1) shall review the actions and progress made by the Agency of Natural - 2009 - Resources in complying with the requirements of section 2683 of this title; (2) may grant to the Secretary of Natural Resources a variance from the requirements of section 2683 of this title when the requirements of subsection (d) of this section are met; and (3) shall report to the House and Senate Committees on Natural Resources and Energy and the House Committee on Fish, Wildlife and Water Resources regarding the compliance by the Agency of Natural Resources with the requirements of section 2682 of this title. (d)(1) The Citizens Advisory Committee on the Shorelands of State Lands may grant a variance under this section if the Committee finds that: (A) the impervious surface or cleared area on State lands do not negatively impact the water quality of a lake; and (B) the Agency of Natural Resources’ compliance with the requirements of section 2683 of this title would involve the significant expenditure of State funds without equal or greater benefits to water quality. (2) No variance shall be granted pursuant to this section except after public notice and an opportunity for a public meeting and until the Citizens Advisory Committee on the Shorelands of State Lands has considered the relative interests of the Agency of Natural Resources and the general public. § 2685. ENFORCEMENT; PENALTIES (a) Any citizen of the State may commence a civil action against the Agency of Natural Resources for alleged violations of section 2683 of this title. (b) A violation of section 2683 of this title by the Agency of Natural Resources shall be subject to a civil penalty of not less than $2,000.00 and not more than $10,000.00 per violation. Second: In Sec. 24, in subsection (a), by striking out “and” where it appears before “23” and after “(AAP; use value appraisal report)”and before the period by inserting , 23a (shoreland standards for State lands). H. 883 An act relating to expanded prekindergarten–grade 12 school districts. (Rep. Peltz of Woodbury will speak for the Committee on Education.)
Rep. Wilson of Manchester,
recommends the bill ought to pass when amended as recommended by the Committee on Education
and when further amended as follows: * * * Prekindergarten–Grade 12 School Districts * * * - 2010 - Sec. 1. 16 V.S.A. chapter 135 is added to read: CHAPTER 135. PREKINDERGARTEN–GRADE 12 SCHOOL DISTRICTS; REALIGNMENT PROCESS § 4051. PURPOSE This act will encourage and support: (1) equity in the quality and variety of educational opportunities available to students throughout the State; (2) operational efficiencies and cost savings by facilitating the sharing of best practices and resources; and (3) better connections between schools and the community through stronger school leadership. § 4052. DEFINITIONS As used in this act: (1) “Design Team” means the independent nine-member entity created by this act to conduct statewide public hearings and develop a preliminary and final Statewide Realignment Plan. (2) “Statewide Realignment Plan” or “the Plan” means the plan developed and adopted pursuant to this act by which existing school districts shall be realigned into 45–55 supervisory districts that are responsible for the education of all resident students in prekindergarten through grade 12. § 4053. GUIDELINES (a) The Statewide Realignment Plan required by this act shall be designed to recognize: (1) each community’s unique character; (2) the tradition of community participation in the adoption of school budgets; (3) historic relationships among communities; (4) existing connections between school districts; (5) ongoing discussions between school districts engaged in the regional education district process set forth in 2010 Acts and Resolves No. 153, as amended by 2012 Acts and Resolves No. 156; and (6) potential obstacles caused by geography. (b) The Statewide Realignment Plan shall preserve current opportunities for school choice and shall endeavor to enhance opportunities for public school - 2011 - choice. § 4054. STATEWIDE REALIGNMENT PLAN (a) The Statewide Realignment Plan shall realign existing school districts into at least 45 and no more than 55 supervisory districts that are responsible for the education of all resident students in prekindergarten through grade 12 through educational opportunities that meet the educational quality standards adopted by the State Board of Education pursuant to 16 V.S.A. § 165. (b) Under the Statewide Realignment Plan, each new district shall: (1) endeavor to have an average daily membership of between 1,000 and 4,000 students; (2) be governed by no more than one elected school board; (3) adopt one district budget; (4) have a common, districtwide education property tax rate; (5) negotiate districtwide collective bargaining agreements and employ all licensed and nonlicensed personnel as employees of the new district; (6) be the local education agency as that term is defined in 20 U.S.C. § 7801(26); and (7) operate one or more career technical education (CTE) centers or enter into an agreement for resident students to attend one or more CTE centers not operated by the district, or both. (c)(1) To the extent feasible, the Statewide Realignment Plan shall not realign a new district created under the regional education district (RED) process set forth in 2010 Acts and Resolves No. 153, as amended by 2012 Acts and Resolves No. 156. (2) Under the RED process, existing school districts may realign into districts that meet specific criteria. Realignment follows the provisions of 16 V.S.A. chapter 11 governing the formation of unified union school districts under which districts appoint a study committee and prepare a plan of realignment that must be approved by both the State Board and the electorate of the districts. A plan of realignment may address issues of particular interest to the local communities, such as representation on the new district’s school board, the manner in which school budgets are voted, and the conditions under which the new district would be permitted to close an existing school building. If approved, the plan becomes the new district’s articles of agreement. (d) During each of the first three years of realignment under the Plan: (1) the equalized homestead property tax rate for each town within a - 2012 - new supervisory district shall not increase or decrease by more than five percent in a single year; and (2) the household income percentage shall not increase or decrease by more than five percent in a single year. (e) During and after the creation of supervisory districts under this act, districts are encouraged to explore innovative ways to expand opportunities for students and to seek waivers of State Board rules or other legal requirements that inhibit implementation. Innovations may address any area of education policy, including instructional practices and principles; the use of technology and data systems to improve instruction and expand learning opportunities; services provided to discrete populations of students, including gifted and talented students, students with limited English proficiency, and students at risk of academic failure or expulsion; early education and school readiness; and preparation and counseling of students for postsecondary education, training, and employment. § 4055. DESIGN TEAM (a) There is created a Design Team to be composed of nine members who are geographically representative, have a broad range of knowledge of and experience in the Vermont education system and in Vermont communities, and represent diverse points of view, opinions, and interests
(b) The nine members shall be appointed as follows: (1) On or before June 1, 2014, the Speaker of the House, the Committee on Committees, and the Governor shall each choose three members. One of the members selected by the Speaker and one of the members selected by the Committee on Committees shall have experience serving on a school board in Vermont. One of the members selected by the Governor shall be the Chair of the State Board of Education or the Chair’s designee. No member of the Design Team shall be a member of the House of Representatives or the Senate during the period of appointment. (2) In order to ensure the diversity of knowledge, experience, and opinions required by this section, the Speaker, the Committee on Committees, and the Governor, or their designees, shall work collectively to identify potential candidates for appointment. (3) The Speaker, the Committee on Committees, and the Governor shall jointly appoint one of the nine members to serve as Chair of the Design Team. (c) The Design Team shall conduct its meetings pursuant to 1 V.S.A. chapter 5, subchapter 2. (d) The Design Team shall have the authority to delegate to one or more of - 2013 - its members any responsibility or power granted to it in this act, including the responsibility to conduct public hearings. (e) The Design Team shall have the administrative, technical, and legal assistance of the Agency of Education. (f)(1) For attendance at meetings during adjournment of the General Assembly, any legislative members of the Design Team shall be entitled to per diem compensation and reimbursement of expenses pursuant to 2 V.S.A. § 406. (2) Members of the Design Team who are not employees of the State and who are not otherwise compensated or reimbursed for their participation shall be entitled to per diem compensation and reimbursement of expenses pursuant to 32 V.S.A. § 1010. (g) The Design Team shall cease to exist on July 1, 2017. § 4056. PRELIMINARY STATEWIDE REALIGNMENT PLAN On or before April 1, 2016, the Design Team shall: (1) consult with local education leaders, including members of school boards in every supervisory union; (2) conduct no fewer than ten public hearings throughout the State to inform development of the Statewide Realignment Plan; (3) conduct independent research and seek data, advice, and assistance from any individual and any public or private entity to inform development of the Statewide Realignment Plan; (4) develop a preliminary Statewide Realignment Plan, which shall include a schedule and process by which transition to the new districts shall be fully implemented on or before July 1, 2020; (5) make the preliminary Statewide Realignment Plan available to the public; and (6) submit the preliminary Statewide Realignment Plan to the General Assembly for review. § 4057. FINAL STATEWIDE REALIGNMENT PLAN (a) Between April 1, 2016 and January 1, 2017, the Design Team shall: (1) conduct no fewer than ten public hearings throughout the State and consult with local educational leaders concerning the preliminary Statewide Realignment Plan; - 2014 - (2) conduct any additional independent research and seek any additional data, advice, and assistance the Design Team determines to be necessary to inform development of the final Statewide Realignment Plan; and (3) develop a final Statewide Realignment Plan, which shall include a detailed process and time line by which transition to the new districts will be fully implemented on or before July 1, 2020. (b) On or before January 1, 2017, the Design Team shall make the final Statewide Realignment Plan available to the public and submit it to the General Assembly § 4058. STATEWIDE REALIGNMENT OF SCHOOL DISTRICTS The final Statewide Realignment Plan presented to the General Assembly pursuant to § 4057 of this act shall take effect on July 1, 2017 unless disapproved by explicit legislative action before that date. * * * Joint Action and Regional Education Districts; Incentives * * * Sec. 2. REIMBURSEMENT OF FEES AND INCENTIVE GRANTS Nothing in this act shall be construed to restrict or repeal the following: (1) 2012 Acts and Resolves No. 156, Sec. 2 (reimbursement of up to $5,000.00 for fees relating to initial exploration of joint activity by school districts or supervisory unions). (2) 2012 Acts and Resolves No. 156, Sec. 4 (reimbursement of up to $10,000.00 for fees relating to joint activity other than a merger by school districts or supervisory unions). (3) 2012 Acts and Resolves No. 156, Sec. 5 (reimbursement of up to $20,000.00 in fees relating to analysis of supervisory unions’ potential merger). (4) 2012 Acts and Resolves No. 156, Sec. 6 ($150,000.00 facilitation grant for successful merger of supervisory unions). (5) 2012 Acts and Resolves No. 156, Sec. 11 (facilitation grant for successful merger of school districts other than a RED). (6) 2010 Acts and Resolves No. 153, Sec. 4, as amended by 2012 Acts and Resolves No. 156, Sec. 13 (financial and other incentives for successful formation of a RED). * * * Supervisory Unions; Special Education; Transportation * * * Sec. 3. 16 V.S.A. § 261a is amended to read: § 261a. DUTIES OF SUPERVISORY UNION BOARD - 2015 - (a) Duties. The board of each supervisory union shall: * * * (6) provide, or if agreed upon by unanimous vote of the supervisory union board, coordinate the provision of special education services on behalf of its member districts and, except as provided in section 144b of this title, compensatory and remedial services, and provide or coordinate the provision of other educational services as directed by the State Board or local boards; provided, however, if a supervisory union determines that services would be provided more efficiently and effectively in whole or in part at the district level, then it may ask the Secretary to grant it a waiver from this provision; (7) employ a person or persons qualified to provide financial and student data management services for the supervisory union and the member districts; (8) provide the following services for the benefit of member districts in a manner that promotes the efficient use of financial and human resources, which shall be provided pursuant to joint agreements under section 267 of this title whenever feasible; provided, however, if a supervisory union determines that services would be provided more efficiently and effectively in another manner, then it may ask the Secretary to grant it a waiver from this subdivision: * * * (E) provide transportation or arrange for the provision of transportation, or both in any districts in which it is offered within the supervisory union; [Repealed.] * * * (11) on or before June 30 of each year, adopt a budget for the ensuing school year; and (12) adopt supervisory union-wide truancy policies consistent with the model protocols developed by the commissioner. ; and (13)-(17) [Repealed.] (13) at the option of the supervisory union board, provide transportation or arrange for the provision of transportation, or both, in any districts in which it is offered within the supervisory union. (14)–(17) [Repealed.] Sec. 4. 2010 Acts and Resolves No. 153, Sec. 23(b), as amended by 2011 Acts and Resolves No. 30, Sec. 1; 2011 Acts and Resolves No. 58, Sec. 34; and 2012 Acts and Resolves No. 156, Sec. 20, is further amended to read: (b) Secs. 9 through 12 of this act shall take effect on passage and shall be fully implemented on July 1, 2013, subject to the provisions of existing contracts; provided, however, that the special education provisions of Sec. 9, - 2016 - 16 V.S.A. § 261a(a)(6), and the transportation provisions of Sec. 9, 16 V.S.A. § 261a(a)(8)(E), shall be fully implemented on July 1, 2014. Sec. 5. 2010 Acts and Resolves No. 153, Sec. 18, as amended by 2011 Acts and Resolves No. 30, Sec. 2; 2011 Acts and Resolves No. 58, Sec. 18; 2013 Acts and Resolves No. 56, Sec. 23; and 2014 Acts and Resolves No. 92, Sec. 303, is further amended to read: Sec. 18. TRANSITION (a) Each A supervisory union shall provide for any transition of employment of special education and transportation employees by member districts to employment by the supervisory union, pursuant to Sec. 9 of this act, 16 V.S.A. § 261a(a)(6) and (8)(E), by: * * * (b) For purposes of this section and Sec. 9 of this act As used in this section, “special education employee” shall include a special education teacher, a special education administrator, and a special education paraeducator, which means a teacher, administrator, or paraeducator whose job assignment consists of providing special education services directly related to students’ individualized education programs or to the administration of those services. Provided, however, that “special education employee” shall include a “special education paraeducator” only if the supervisory union board elects to employ some or all special education paraeducators because it determines that doing so will lead to more effective and efficient delivery of special education services to students. If the supervisory union board does not elect to employ all special education paraeducators, it must use objective, nondiscriminatory criteria and identify specific duties to be performed when determining which categories of special education paraeducators to employ. (c) Education-related parties to negotiations under either Title 16 or 21 shall incorporate in their current or next negotiations matters addressing the terms and conditions of special education employees. (d) If a supervisory union has not entered into a collective bargaining agreement with the representative of its prospective special education employees by August 15, 2015, it shall provide the Secretary of Education with a report identifying the reasons for not meeting the deadline and an estimated date by which it expects to ratify the agreement. [Repealed.] Sec. 6. 24 V.S.A. § 5053a(a) is amended to read: (a) For purposes of As used in this section, the term “transferred employee” means an employee under this chapter who transitioned from employment solely by a school district to employment, wholly or in part, by a supervisory - 2017 - union pursuant to 16 V.S.A. § 261a(a)(6) or (8)(E) as amended on June 3, 2010. * * * North Bennington School District * * * Sec. 7. NORTH BENNINGTON SCHOOL DISTRICT Notwithstanding any other provision of law to the contrary, on the day on which the North Bennington School District ceases to exist as a discrete entity and becomes realigned into a supervisory district pursuant to the provisions of this act, title to the building that is currently owned by the North Bennington School District and occupied by the Village School of North Bennington shall transfer to the Village of North Bennington. * * * Effective Date * * * Sec. 8. EFFECTIVE DATE This act shall take effect on passage. ( Committee Vote: 9-2-0)
S. 247 An act relating to the regulation of medical marijuana dispensaries Rep. Burditt of West Rutland, for the Committee on Human Services, recommends the bill be amended by striking all after the enacting clause and inserting in lieu thereof the following: Sec. 1. 18 V.S.A. § 4472 is amended to read: § 4472. DEFINITIONS As used in this subchapter: (1) “Bona fide health care professional-patient relationship” means a treating or consulting relationship of not less than six months’ duration, in the course of which a health care professional has completed a full assessment of the registered patient’s medical history and current medical condition, including a personal physical examination. The six-month requirement shall not apply if a patient has been diagnosed with: (A) a terminal illness, (B) cancer with distant metastases, or (C) acquired immune deficiency syndrome. * * * (4) “Debilitating medical condition,” provided that, in the context of the specific disease or condition described in subdivision (A) or (B) of this - 2018 - subdivision (4), reasonable medical efforts have been made over a reasonable amount of time without success to relieve the symptoms, means: (A) cancer, multiple sclerosis, positive status for human immunodeficiency virus, acquired immune deficiency syndrome, or the treatment of these conditions, if the disease or the treatment results in severe, persistent, and intractable symptoms; or (B) a disease, medical condition, or its treatment that is chronic, debilitating, and produces severe, persistent, and one or more of the following intractable symptoms: cachexia or wasting syndrome; severe pain; severe nausea; or seizures. (5) “Dispensary” means a nonprofit entity registered under section 4474e of this title which acquires, possesses, cultivates, manufactures, transfers, transports, supplies, sells, or dispenses marijuana, marijuana-infused products, and marijuana-related supplies and educational materials for or to a registered patient who has designated it as his or her center and to his or her registered caregiver for the registered patient’s use for symptom relief. A dispensary may provide marijuana for symptom relief to registered patients at only one facility or location but may have a second location associated with the dispensary where the marijuana is cultivated or processed. Both locations are considered to be part of the same dispensary. (6)(A)
“Usable marijuana” means the dried leaves and flowers of marijuana, and any mixture or preparation thereof, and does not include the seeds, stalks, and roots of the plant. - 2019 - (15)(16) “Use for symptom relief” means the acquisition, possession, cultivation, use, transfer, or transportation of marijuana, or paraphernalia relating to the administration of marijuana to alleviate the symptoms or effects of a registered patient’s debilitating medical condition which is in compliance with all the limitations and restrictions of this subchapter. For the purposes of this definition, “transfer” is limited to the transfer of marijuana and paraphernalia between a registered caregiver and a registered patient. Sec. 2. 18 V.S.A. § 4474 is amended to read: § 4474. REGISTERED CAREGIVERS; QUALIFICATION STANDARDS AND PROCEDURES (a) A person may submit a signed application to the department of public safety Department of Public Safety to become a registered patient’s registered caregiver. The department Department shall approve or deny the application in writing within 30 days. In accordance with rules adopted pursuant to section 4474d of this title, the Department shall consider an individual’s criminal history record when making a determination as to whether to approve the application. An applicant shall not be denied solely on the basis of a criminal conviction that is not listed in subsection 4474g(e) of this title or 13 V.S.A. chapter 28. The department Department shall approve a registered caregiver’s application and issue the person an authorization card, including the caregiver’s name, photograph, and a unique identifier, after verifying: (1) the person will serve as the registered caregiver for one registered patient only; and (2) the person has never been convicted of a drug-related crime. (b) Prior to acting on an application, the department Department shall obtain from the Vermont criminal information center Crime Information Center a Vermont criminal record, an out-of-state criminal record, and a criminal record from the Federal Bureau of Investigation for the applicant. For purposes of this subdivision, “criminal record” means a record of whether the person has ever been convicted of a drug-related crime. Each applicant shall consent to release of criminal records to the department Department on forms substantially similar to the release forms developed by the center Center pursuant to 20 V.S.A. § 2056c. The department Department shall comply with all laws regulating the release of criminal history records and the protection of individual privacy. The Vermont criminal information center Crime Information Center shall send to the requester any record received pursuant to this section or inform the department of public safety Department that no record exists. If the department Department disapproves an application, the department Department shall promptly provide a copy of any record of - 2020 - convictions and pending criminal charges to the applicant and shall inform the applicant of the right to appeal the accuracy and completeness of the record pursuant to rules adopted by the Vermont criminal information center Crime Information Center. No person shall confirm the existence or nonexistence of criminal record information to any person who would not be eligible to receive the information pursuant to this subchapter. (c)(1)
A Except as provided in subdivision (2) of this subsection, a registered caregiver may serve only one registered patient at a time, and a registered patient may have only one registered caregiver at a time. (2) A registered patient who is under 18 years of age may have two registered caregivers. Sec. 3. 18 V.S.A. § 4473(b) is amended to read: (b) The department of public safety Department of Public Safety shall review applications to become a registered patient using the following procedures: (1) A patient with a debilitating medical condition shall submit, under oath, a signed application for registration to the department Department. A patient’s initial application to the registry shall be notarized, but subsequent renewals shall not require notarization. If the patient is under the age of 18 years of age, the application must be signed by both the patient and a parent or guardian. The application shall require identification and contact information for the patient and the patient’s registered caregiver applying for authorization under section 4474 of this title, if any, and the patient’s designated dispensary under section 4474e of this title, if any. The applicant shall attach to the application a medical verification form developed by the department Department pursuant to subdivision (2) of this subsection. * * * Sec. 4. 18 V.S.A. § 4474d(e)–(g) are added to read: (e) The Department shall adopt rules for the issuance of a caregiver registry identification card that shall include standards for approval or denial of an application based on an individual’s criminal history record. The rules shall address whether an applicant who has been convicted of an offense listed in subsection 4474g(e) of this title or 13 V.S.A. chapter 28 has been rehabilitated and should be otherwise eligible for a caregiver registry identification card. (f) The Department shall adopt rules establishing protocols for the safe delivery of marijuana to patients and caregivers. (g) The Department shall adopt rules for granting a waiver of the dispensary possession limits in section 4474e of this title upon application of a - 2021 - dispensary for the purpose of developing and providing a product for symptom relief to a registered patient who is under 18 years of age who suffers from seizures. Sec. 5. 18 V.S.A. § 4474e is amended to read: § 4474e. DISPENSARIES; CONDITIONS OF OPERATION (a) A dispensary registered under this section may: (1) Acquire, possess, cultivate, manufacture, transfer, transport, supply, sell, and dispense marijuana, marijuana-infused products, and marijuana-related supplies and educational materials for or to a registered patient who has designated it as his or her dispensary and to his or her registered caregiver for the registered patient’s use for symptom relief. For purposes of this section, “transport” shall mean the movement of marijuana or marijuana-infused products from registered growing locations to their associated dispensaries, between dispensaries, or as otherwise allowed under this subchapter. (A) Marijuana-infused products shall include tinctures, oils, solvents, and edible or potable goods. Only the portion of any marijuana-infused product that is attributable to marijuana shall count toward the possession limits of the dispensary and the patient. The department of public safety Department of Public Safety shall establish by rule the appropriate method to establish the weight of marijuana that is attributable to marijuana-infused products. (B) Marijuana-related supplies shall include pipes, vaporizers, and other items classified as drug paraphernalia under chapter 89 of this title. (2) Acquire marijuana seeds or parts of the marijuana plant capable of regeneration from or dispense them to registered patients or their caregivers or acquire them from another registered Vermont dispensary, provided that records are kept concerning the amount and the recipient. (3)(A) Cultivate and possess at any one time up to 28 mature marijuana plants, 98 immature marijuana plants, and 28 ounces of usable marijuana. However, if a dispensary is designated by more than 14 registered patients, the dispensary may cultivate and possess at any one time two mature marijuana plants, seven immature plants, and two four ounces of usable marijuana for every registered patient for which the dispensary serves as the designated dispensary. (B) Notwithstanding subdivision (A) of this subdivision, if a dispensary is designated by a registered patient under 18 years of age who qualifies for the registry because of seizures, the dispensary may apply to the - 2022 - Department for a waiver of the limits in subdivision (A) of this subdivision (3) if additional capacity is necessary to develop and provide an adequate supply of a product for symptom relief for the patient. The Department shall have discretion whether to grant a waiver and limit the possession amounts in excess of subdivision (A) of this subdivision (3) in accordance with rules adopted pursuant to section 4474d of this title. * * * (d)(1) A dispensary shall implement appropriate security measures to deter and prevent the unauthorized entrance into areas containing marijuana and the theft of marijuana and shall ensure that each location has an operational security alarm system. All cultivation of marijuana shall take place in an enclosed, locked facility which is either indoors or otherwise not visible to the public and which can only be accessed by principal officers and employees of the dispensary who have valid registry identification cards. The department of public safety Department of Public Safety shall perform an annual on-site assessment of each dispensary and may perform on-site assessments of a dispensary without limitation for the purpose of determining compliance with this subchapter and any rules adopted pursuant to this subchapter and may enter a dispensary at any time for such purpose. During an inspection, the department Department may review the dispensary’s confidential records, including its dispensing records, which shall track transactions according to registered patients’ registry identification numbers to protect their confidentiality. (2)(A) A registered patient or registered caregiver may obtain marijuana from the dispensary facility by appointment only. (B) A dispensary may deliver marijuana to a registered patient or registered caregiver. The marijuana shall be transported in a locked container. (3) The operating documents of a dispensary shall include procedures for the oversight of the dispensary and procedures to ensure accurate record-keeping. (4) A dispensary shall submit the results of an annual a financial audit to the department of public safety Department of Public Safety no later than 60 days after the end of the dispensary’s first fiscal year, and every other year thereafter. The annual audit shall be conducted by an independent certified public accountant, and the costs of any such audit shall be borne by the dispensary. The department Department may also periodically require, within its discretion, the audit of a dispensary’s financial records by the department Department. (5) A dispensary shall destroy or dispose of marijuana, - 2023 - marijuana-infused products, clones, seeds, parts of marijuana that are not usable for symptom relief or are beyond the possession limits provided by this subchapter, and marijuana-related supplies only in a manner approved by rules adopted by the department of public safety Department of Public Safety. * * * (n) Nothing in this subchapter shall prevent a dispensary from acquiring, possessing, cultivating, manufacturing, transferring, transporting, supplying, selling, and dispensing hemp and hemp-infused products for symptom relief. “Hemp” shall have the same meaning as provided in 6 V.S.A. § 562. A dispensary shall not be required to comply with the provisions of 6 V.S.A. chapter 34. Sec. 6. 18 V.S.A. § 4474f is amended to read: § 4474f. DISPENSARY APPLICATION, APPROVAL, AND REGISTRATION * * * (b) Within 30 days of the adoption of rules, the department Department shall begin accepting applications for the operation of dispensaries. Within 365 days of the effective date of this section, the department Department shall grant registration certificates to four dispensaries, provided at least four applicants apply and meet the requirements of this section. No more than four dispensaries shall hold valid registration certificates at one time. The total statewide number of registered patients who have designated a dispensary shall not exceed 1,000 at any one time.
Any time a dispensary registration certificate is revoked, is relinquished, or expires, the department Department shall accept applications for a new dispensary. If at any time after one year after the effective date of this section fewer than four dispensaries hold valid registration certificates in Vermont, the department of public safety Department of Public Safety shall accept applications for a new dispensary. * * * (g) After a dispensary is approved but before it begins operations, it shall submit the following to the department of public safety Department: * * * (4) A registration fee of $20,000.00 for the first year of operation, and an annual fee of $30,000.00 in subsequent years. Sec. 7. 18 V.S.A. § 4474m is added to read: § 4474m. DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC SAFETY; PROVISION OF EDUCATIONAL AND SAFETY INFORMATION The Department of Public Safety shall provide educational and safety - 2024 - information developed by Vermont Department of Health to each registered patient upon registration pursuant to section 4473 of this title, and to each registered caregiver upon registration pursuant to section 4474 of this title. Sec. 8. DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH REPORT; POST-TRAUMATIC STRESS DISORDER The Department of Health shall review and report on the existing research on the treatment of the symptoms of post traumatic stress disorder, as defined by the American Psychiatric Association’s Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, as well as the existing research on the use of marijuana for relief of the symptoms of post traumatic stress disorder. The Department shall report its findings to the General Assembly on or before January 15, 2015. Sec. 9. EFFECTIVE DATES This section and Sec. 4 shall take effect on passage and the remaining sections shall take effect on July 1, 2014.
and that after passage the title of the bill be amended to read: “An act relating to the regulation of marijuana for symptom relief and dispensaries” ( Committee Vote: 11-0-0)
S. 252 An act relating to financing for Green Mountain Care Rep. Fisher of Lincoln, for the Committee on Health Care, recommends the bill be amended by striking all after the enacting clause and inserting in lieu thereof the following: * * * Intent and Principles * * * Sec. 1. LEGISLATIVE INTENT; FINDINGS; PURPOSE (a)(1) It is the intent of the General Assembly to continue moving forward toward implementation of Green Mountain Care, a publicly financed program of universal and unified health care. (2) It is the intent of the General Assembly not to change in any way the benefits provided to Vermont residents by Medicare, the Federal Employees Health Benefit Program, TRICARE, a retiree health program, or any other health benefit program beyond the regulatory authority of the State of Vermont. (b) The General Assembly finds that: (1) It has been three years since the passage of 2011 Acts and Resolves - 2025 - No. 48 (Act 48), which established the Green Mountain Care Board, authorized payment reform initiatives, and created the framework for the Vermont Health Benefit Exchange and Green Mountain Care. (2) The Green Mountain Care Board currently regulates health insurance rates, hospital budgets, and certificates of need. In 2013, the Green Mountain Care Board’s hospital budget review limited hospital growth to 2.7 percent, the lowest annual growth rate in Vermont for at least the last 15 years. The Green Mountain Care Board issued four certificates of need and one conceptual development phase certificate of need. It also issued 31 health insurance rate decisions and reduced by approximately five percent the rates proposed by insurers in the Vermont Health Benefit Exchange. (3) In 2013, Vermont was awarded a three-year State Innovation Model (SIM) grant of $45 million to improve health and health care and to lower costs for Vermont residents. The grant funds the creation of a sustainable model of multi-payer payment and delivery reform, encouraging providers to change the way they do business in order to deliver the right care at the right time in the right setting. The State has created a 300-person public-private stakeholder group to work collaboratively on creating appropriate payment and delivery system models. Through this structure, care management models are being coordinated across State agencies and health care providers, including the Blueprint for Health, the Vermont Chronic Care Initiative, and accountable care organizations. (4) From the SIM grant funds, the State recently awarded $2.6 million in grants to health care providers for innovative pilot programs improving care delivery or for creating the capacity and infrastructure for care delivery reforms. (5) Three accountable care organizations (ACOs) have formed in Vermont: one led by hospitals, one led by federally qualified health centers, and one led by independent physicians. The Green Mountain Care Board has approved payment and quality measures for ACOs, which create substantial uniformity across payers and will provide consistent measurements for health care providers. (6) The Vermont Health Benefit Exchange has completed its first open enrollment period. Vermont has more people enrolled through its Exchange per capita than are enrolled in any other state-based Exchange, but many Vermonters experienced difficulties during the enrollment period and not all aspects of Vermont’s Exchange are fully functional. (7) According to the 2013 Blueprint for Health Annual Report, Vermont residents receiving care from a patient-centered medical home and community - 2026 - health team had favorable outcomes over comparison groups in reducing expenditures and reducing inpatient hospitalizations. As of December 31, 2013, 121 primary care practices were participating in the Blueprint for Health, serving approximately 514,385 Vermonters. (8) The Agency of Human Services has adopted the modified adjusted gross income standard under the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, further streamlining the Medicaid application process. (9) Vermonters currently spend over $2.5 billion per year on private funding of health care through health insurance premiums and out-of-pocket expenses. Act 48 charts a course toward replacing that spending with a publicly financed system. (10) There is no legislatively determined time line in Act 48 for the implementation of Green Mountain Care. A set of triggers focusing on decisions about financing, covered services, benefit design, and the impacts of Green Mountain Care must be satisfied, and a federal waiver received, before launching Green Mountain Care. In addition, the Green Mountain Care Board must be satisfied that reimbursement rates for providers will be sufficient to recruit and retain a strong health care workforce to meet the needs of all Vermonters. (11) Act 48 required the Secretary of Administration to provide a financing plan for Green Mountain Care by January 15, 2013. The financing plan delivered on January 24, 2013 did not “recommend the amounts and necessary mechanisms to finance Green Mountain Care and any systems improvements needed to achieve a public-private universal health care system,” or recommend solutions to cross-border issues, as required by Sec. 9 of Act 48. The longer it takes the Secretary to produce a complete financing plan, the longer it will be until Green Mountain Care can be implemented. (c) In order to implement the next steps envisioned by Act 48 successfully, it is appropriate to update the assumptions and cost estimates that formed the basis for that act, evaluate the success of existing health care reform efforts, and obtain information relating to key outstanding policy decisions. It is the intent of the General Assembly to obtain a greater understanding of the impact of health care reform efforts currently under way and to take steps toward implementation of the universal and unified health system envisioned by Act 48. (d) Before making final decisions about the financing for Green Mountain Care, the General Assembly must have accurate data on how Vermonters currently pay for health care and how the new system will impact individual decisions about accessing care. - 2027 - (e) The General Assembly also must consider the benefits and risks of a new health care system on Vermont’s businesses when there are new public financing mechanisms in place, when businesses no longer carry the burden of providing health coverage, when employees no longer fear losing coverage when they change jobs, and when business start-ups no longer have to consider health coverage. (f) The General Assembly must ensure that Green Mountain Care does not go forward if doing so is not cost-effective for the residents of Vermont and for the State. (g) The General Assembly must be satisfied that an appropriate plan of action is in place in order to accomplish the financial and health care operational transitions needed for successful implementation of Green Mountain Care. Sec. 2. PRINCIPLES FOR HEALTH CARE FINANCING The General Assembly adopts the following principles to guide the financing of health care in Vermont: (1) All Vermont residents have the right to high-quality health care. (2) All Vermont residents shall contribute to the financing for Green Mountain Care. (3) Vermont residents shall finance Green Mountain Care through taxes that are levied equitably, taking into account an individual’s ability to pay and the value of the health benefits provided so that access to health care will not be limited by cost barriers. The financing system shall maximize opportunities to pay for health care using pre-tax funds. (4) As provided in 33 V.S.A. § 1827, Green Mountain Care shall be the payer of last resort for Vermont residents who continue to receive health care through plans provided by an employer, by a federal health benefit plan, by Medicare, by a foreign government, or as a retirement benefit. (5) Vermont’s system for financing health care shall raise revenue sufficient to provide medically necessary health care services to all Vermont residents, including: (A) ambulatory patient services; (B) emergency services; (C) hospitalization; (D) maternity and newborn care; (E) mental health and substance use disorder services, including - 2028 - behavioral health treatment; (F) prescription drugs; (G) rehabilitative and habilitative services and devices; (H) laboratory services; (I) preventive and wellness services and chronic care management; and (J) pediatric services, including oral and vision care. (6) The financing system for Green Mountain Care shall include an indexing mechanism that adjusts the level of individuals’ and businesses’ financial contributions to meet the health care needs of Vermont residents and that ensures the sufficiency of funding in accordance with the principle expressed in 18 V.S.A. § 9371(11). * * * Vermont Health Benefit Exchange * * * Sec. 3. 33 V.S.A. § 1803 is amended to read: § 1803. VERMONT HEALTH BENEFIT EXCHANGE * * * (b)(1)(A) The Vermont Health Benefit Exchange shall provide qualified individuals and qualified employers with qualified health benefit plans, including the multistate plans required by the Affordable Care Act, with effective dates beginning on or before January 1, 2014. The Vermont Health Benefit Exchange may contract with qualified entities or enter into intergovernmental agreements to facilitate the functions provided by the Vermont Health Benefit Exchange. * * * (4) To the extent permitted by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, the Vermont Health Benefit Exchange shall permit qualified employers to purchase qualified health benefit plans through the Exchange website, through navigators, by telephone, or directly from a health insurer under contract with the Vermont Health Benefit Exchange. * * * Sec. 4. 33 V.S.A. § 1811(b) is amended to read: (b)(1) No person may provide a health benefit plan to an individual or small employer unless the plan is offered through the Vermont Health Benefit Exchange and complies with the provisions of this subchapter. (2) To the extent permitted by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, a small employer or an employee of a small employer may - 2029 - purchase a health benefit plan through the Exchange website, through navigators, by telephone, or directly from a health insurer under contract with the Vermont Health Benefit Exchange. (3) No person may provide a health benefit plan to an individual or small employer unless the plan complies with the provisions of this subchapter. Sec. 5. PURCHASE OF SMALL GROUP PLANS DIRECTLY FROM CARRIERS To the extent permitted by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and notwithstanding any provision of State law to the contrary, the Department of Vermont Health Access shall permit employers purchasing qualified health benefit plans on the Vermont Health Benefit Exchange to purchase the plans through the Exchange website, through navigators, by telephone, or directly from a health insurer under contract with the Vermont Health Benefit Exchange. Sec. 6. OPTIONAL EXCHANGE COVERAGE FOR EMPLOYERS WITH UP TO 100 EMPLOYEES (a)(1) If permitted under federal law and notwithstanding any provision of Vermont law to the contrary, prior to January 1, 2016, health insurers may offer health insurance plans through or outside the Vermont Health Benefit Exchange to employers that employed an average of at least 51 but not more than 100 employees on working days during the preceding calendar year. Calculation of the number of employees shall not include a part-time employee who works fewer than 30 hours per week or a seasonal worker as defined in 26 U.S.C. § 4980H(c)(2)(B). (2) Health insurers may make Exchange plans available to an employer described in subdivision (1) of this subsection if the employer: (A) has its principal place of business in this State and elects to provide coverage for its eligible employees through the Vermont Health Benefit Exchange, regardless of where an employee resides; or (B) elects to provide coverage through the Vermont Health Benefit Exchange for all of its eligible employees who are principally employed in this State. (3) Beginning on January 1, 2016, health insurers may only offer health insurance plans to the employers described in this subsection through the Vermont Health Benefit Exchange in accordance with 33 V.S.A. chapter 18, subchapter 1. (b)(1) As soon as permitted under federal law and notwithstanding any provision of Vermont law to the contrary, prior to January 1, 2016, employers - 2030 - may purchase health insurance plans through or outside the Vermont Health Benefit Exchange if they employed an average of at least 51 but not more than 100 employees on working days during the calendar year. Calculation of the number of employees shall not include a part-time employee who works fewer than 30 hours per week or a seasonal worker as defined in 26 U.S.C. § 4980H(c)(2)(B). (2) An employer of the size described in subdivision (1) of this subsection may purchase coverage for its employees through the Vermont Health Benefit Exchange if the employer: (A) has its principal place of business in this State and elects to provide coverage for its eligible employees through the Vermont Health Benefit Exchange, regardless of where an employee resides; or (B) elects to provide coverage through the Vermont Health Benefit Exchange for all of its eligible employees who are principally employed in this State. * * * Green Mountain Care * * * Sec. 7. UPDATES ON TRANSITION TO GREEN MOUNTAIN CARE (a) The Secretary of Administration or designee shall provide updates at least quarterly to the House Committees on Health Care and on Ways and Means and the Senate Committees on Health and Welfare and on Finance regarding the Agency’s progress to date on: (1) determining the elements of Green Mountain Care, such as claims administration and provider relations, for which the Agency plans to solicit bids for administration pursuant to 33 V.S.A. § 1827(a), and preparing a description of the job or jobs to be performed, the bid qualifications, and the criteria by which bids will be evaluated; and (2) developing a proposal to transition to and fully implement Green Mountain Care as required by Sec. 26 of this act. (b) The Green Mountain Care Board shall provide updates at least quarterly to the House Committees on Health Care and on Ways and Means and the Senate Committees on Health and Welfare and on Finance regarding the Board’s progress to date on: (1) defining the Green Mountain Care benefit package; (2) deciding whether to include dental, vision, hearing, and long-term care benefits in Green Mountain Care; (3) determining whether and to what extent to impose cost-sharing requirements in Green Mountain Care; and - 2031 - (4) making the determinations required for Green Mountain Care implementation pursuant to 33 V.S.A. § 1822(a)(5). Sec. 8. 33 V.S.A. § 1825 is amended to read: § 1825. HEALTH BENEFITS (a)(1) The benefits for Green Mountain Care shall include primary care, preventive care, chronic care, acute episodic care, and hospital services and shall include at least the same covered services as those included in the benefit package in effect for the lowest cost Catamount Health plan offered on January 1, 2011 are available in the benchmark plan for the Vermont Health Benefit Exchange. (2) It is the intent of the General Assembly that Green Mountain Care provide a level of coverage that includes benefits that are actuarially equivalent to at least 87 percent of the full actuarial value of the covered health services. (3) The Green Mountain Care Board shall consider whether to impose cost-sharing requirements; if so, whether how to make the cost-sharing requirements income-sensitized; and the impact of any cost-sharing requirements on an individual’s ability to access care. The Board shall consider waiving any cost-sharing requirement for evidence-based primary and preventive care; for palliative care; and for chronic care for individuals participating in chronic care management and, where circumstances warrant, for individuals with chronic conditions who are not participating in a chronic care management program. (4)(A) The Green Mountain Care Board established in 18 V.S.A. chapter 220 shall consider whether to include dental, vision, and hearing benefits in the Green Mountain Care benefit package. (B) The Green Mountain Care Board shall consider whether to include long-term care benefits in the Green Mountain Care benefit package. (5) Green Mountain Care shall not limit coverage of preexisting conditions. (6) The Green Mountain Care board Board shall approve the benefit package and present it to the General Assembly as part of its recommendations for the Green Mountain Care budget. (b)(1)(A) For individuals eligible for Medicaid or CHIP, the benefit package shall include the benefits required by federal law, as well as any additional benefits provided as part of the Green Mountain Care benefit package. (B) Upon implementation of Green Mountain Care, the benefit - 2032 - package for individuals eligible for Medicaid or CHIP shall also include any optional Medicaid benefits pursuant to 42 U.S.C. § 1396d or services covered under the State plan for CHIP as provided in 42 U.S.C. § 1397cc for which these individuals are eligible on January 1, 2014. Beginning with the second year of Green Mountain Care and going forward, the Green Mountain Care Board may, consistent with federal law, modify these optional benefits, as long as at all times the benefit package for these individuals contains at least the benefits described in subdivision (A) of this subdivision (b)(1). (2) For children eligible for benefits paid for with Medicaid funds, the benefit package shall include early and periodic screening, diagnosis, and treatment services as defined under federal law. (3) For individuals eligible for Medicare, the benefit package shall include the benefits provided to these individuals under federal law, as well as any additional benefits provided as part of the Green Mountain Care benefit package. Sec. 9. 33 V.S.A. § 1827 is amended to read: § 1827. ADMINISTRATION; ENROLLMENT (a)(1) The Agency shall, under an open bidding process, solicit bids from and award contracts to public or private entities for administration of certain elements of Green Mountain Care, such as claims administration and provider relations. (2) The Agency shall ensure that entities awarded contracts pursuant to this subsection do not have a financial incentive to restrict individuals’ access to health services. The Agency may establish performance measures that provide incentives for contractors to provide timely, accurate, transparent, and courteous services to individuals enrolled in Green Mountain Care and to health care professionals. (3) When considering contract bids pursuant to this subsection, the Agency shall consider the interests of the State relating to the economy, the location of the entity, and the need to maintain and create jobs in Vermont. The agency Agency may utilize an econometric model to evaluate the net costs of each contract bid. * * * (e) [Repealed.] (f) Green Mountain Care shall be the secondary payer of last resort with respect to any health service that may be covered in whole or in part by any other health benefit plan, including Medicare, private health insurance, retiree health benefits, or federal health benefit plans offered by the Veterans’ - 2033 - Administration, by the military, or to federal employees. * * * Sec. 10. CONCEPTUAL WAIVER APPLICATION On or before November 15, 2014, the Secretary of Administration or designee shall submit to the federal Center for Consumer Information and Insurance Oversight a conceptual waiver application expressing the intent of the State of Vermont to pursue a Waiver for State Innovation pursuant to Sec. 1332 of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, Pub. L. No. 111-148, as amended by the Health Care and Education Reconciliation Act of 2010, Pub. L. No. 111-152, and the State’s interest in commencing the application process. * * * Employer Assessment * * * Sec. 11. 21 V.S.A. § 2003(b) is amended to read: (b) For any quarter in fiscal years 2007 and 2008 calendar year 2014, the amount of the Health Care Fund contribution shall be $ 91.25 $119.12 for each full-time equivalent employee in excess of eight four. For each fiscal calendar year after fiscal year 2008, the number of excluded full-time equivalent employees shall be adjusted in accordance with subsection (a) of this section, and calendar year 2014, the amount of the Health Care Fund contribution shall be adjusted by a percentage equal to any percentage change in premiums for the second lowest cost silver-level plan in the Vermont Health Benefit Exchange. * * * Green Mountain Care Board * * * Sec. 12. 18 V.S.A. § 9375(b) is amended to read: (b) The Board shall have the following duties: * * * (4) Review the Health Resource Allocation Plan created in chapter 221 of this title, including conducting regular assessments of the range and depth of health needs among the State’s population and developing a plan for allocating resources over a reasonable period of time to meet those needs. * * * Sec. 13. 18 V.S.A. § 9375(d) is amended to read: (d) Annually on or before January 15, the Board shall submit a report of its activities for the preceding calendar year to the House Committee on Health Care and, the Senate Committee on Health and Welfare, and the Joint Fiscal Committee. * * * Sec. 14. 2000 Acts and Resolves No. 152, Sec. 117b, as amended by 2013 - 2034 - Acts and Resolves No. 79, Sec, 42, is further amended to read: Sec. 117b. MEDICAID COST SHIFT REPORTING * * * (b) Notwithstanding 2 V.S.A. § 20(d), annually on or before December January 15, the chair Chair of the Green Mountain Care Board, the Commissioner of Vermont Health Access, and each acute care hospital shall file with the Joint Fiscal Committee, the House Committee on Health Care, and the Senate Committee on Health and Welfare, in the manner required by the Joint Fiscal Committee, such information as is necessary to carry out the purposes of this section. Such information shall pertain to the provider delivery system to the extent it is available. The Green Mountain Care Board may satisfy its obligations under this section by including the information required by this section in the annual report required by 18 V.S.A. § 9375(d). * * * Sec. 15. 2013 Acts and Resolves No. 79, Sec. 5b is amended to read: Sec. 5b. STANDARDIZED HEALTH INSURANCE CLAIMS AND EDITS
(a)(1) As part of moving away from fee-for-service and toward other models of payment for health care services in Vermont, the Green Mountain Care Board, in consultation with the Department of Vermont Health Access, health care providers, health insurers, and other interested stakeholders, shall develop a complete set of standardized edits and payment rules based on Medicare or on another set of standardized edits and payment rules appropriate for use in Vermont. The Board and the Department shall adopt by rule the standards and payment rules that health care providers, health insurers, Medicaid, and other payers shall use beginning on January 1, 2015 and that Medicaid shall use beginning on January 1, 2017. * * * * * * Pharmacy Benefit Managers * * * Sec. 16. 18 V.S.A. § 9472 is amended to read: § 9472. PHARMACY BENEFIT MANAGERS; REQUIRED PRACTICES WITH RESPECT TO HEALTH INSURERS * * * (d) At least annually, a pharmacy benefit manager that provides pharmacy benefit management for a health plan shall disclose to the health insurer, the Department of Financial Regulation, and the Green Mountain Care Board the aggregate amount the pharmacy benefit manager retained on all claims charged to the health insurer for prescriptions filled during the preceding calendar year in excess of the amount the pharmacy benefit manager reimbursed pharmacies. - 2035 - (e)
Compliance with the requirements of this section is required for pharmacy benefit managers entering into contracts with a health insurer in this state State for pharmacy benefit management in this state State. Sec. 17. 18 V.S.A. § 9473 is redesignated to read: § 9473 9474. ENFORCEMENT Sec. 18. 18 V.S.A. § 9473 is added to read: § 9473. PHARMACY BENEFIT MANAGERS; REQUIRED PRACTICES WITH RESPECT TO PHARMACIES (a) Within 14 calendar days following receipt of a pharmacy claim, a pharmacy benefit manager or other entity paying pharmacy claims shall do one of the following: (1) Pay or reimburse the claim. (2) Notify the pharmacy in writing that the claim is contested or denied. The notice shall include specific reasons supporting the contest or denial and a description of any additional information required for the pharmacy benefit manager or other payer to determine liability for the claim. (b) A pharmacy benefit manager or other entity paying pharmacy claims shall: (1) make available, in a format that is readily accessible and understandable by a pharmacist, a list of the drugs subject to maximum allowable cost, the actual maximum allowable cost for each drug, and the source used to determine the maximum allowable cost; and (2) update the maximum allowable cost list at least once every seven calendar days. (c) A pharmacy benefit manager or other entity paying pharmacy claims shall not: (1) impose a higher co-payment for a prescription drug than the co-payment applicable to the type of drug purchased under the insured’s health plan; (2) impose a higher co-payment for a prescription drug than the maximum allowable cost for the drug; or (3) require a pharmacy to pass through any portion of the insured’s co-payment to the pharmacy benefit manager or other payer. Sec. 19. 9 V.S.A. § 2466a is amended to read: § 2466a. CONSUMER PROTECTIONS; PRESCRIPTION DRUGS - 2036 - (a) A violation of 18 V.S.A. § 4631 shall be considered a prohibited practice under section 2453 of this title. (b) As provided in 18 V.S.A. § 9473 9474, a violation of 18 V.S.A. § 9472 or 9473 shall be considered a prohibited practice under section 2453 of this title. * * * * * * Adverse Childhood Experiences * * * Sec. 20. FINDINGS AND PURPOSE (a) It is the belief of the General Assembly that controlling health care costs requires consideration of population health, particularly Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs). (b) The ACE Questionnaire contains ten categories of questions for adults pertaining to abuse, neglect, and family dysfunction during childhood. It is used to measure an adult’s exposure to traumatic stressors in childhood. Based on a respondent’s answers to the Questionnaire, an ACE Score is calculated, which is the total number of ACE categories reported as experienced by a respondent. (c) In a 1998 article entitled “Relationship of Childhood Abuse and Household Dysfunction to Many of the Leading Causes of Death in Adults” published in the American Journal of Preventive Medicine, evidence was cited of a “strong graded relationship between the breadth of exposure to abuse or household dysfunction during childhood and multiple risk factors for several of the leading causes of death in adults.” (d) The greater the number of ACEs experienced by a respondent, the greater the risk for the following health conditions and behaviors: alcoholism and alcohol abuse, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, depression, obesity, illicit drug use, ischemic heart disease, liver disease, intimate partner violence, multiple sexual partners, sexually transmitted diseases, smoking, suicide attempts, and unintended pregnancies. (e) ACEs are implicated in the ten leading causes of death in the United States and with an ACE score of six or higher, an individual has a 20-year reduction in life expectancy. (f) An individual with an ACE score of two is twice as likely to experience rheumatic disease. An individual with an ACE score of four has a three-to-four-times higher risk of depression; is five times more likely to become an alcoholic; is eight times more likely to experience sexual assault; and is up to ten times more likely to attempt suicide. An individual with an ACE score of six or higher is 2.6 times more likely to experience chronic - 2037 - obstructive pulmonary disease; is three times more likely to experience lung cancer; and is 46 times more likely to abuse intravenous drugs. An individual with an ACE score of seven or higher is 31 times more likely to attempt suicide. (g) Physical, psychological, and emotional trauma during childhood may result in damage to multiple brain structures and functions. (h) ACEs are common in Vermont. In 2011, the Vermont Department of Health reported that 58 percent of Vermont adults experienced at least one adverse event during their childhood, and that 14 percent of Vermont adults have experienced four or more adverse events during their childhood. Seventeen percent of Vermont women have four or more ACEs. (i) The impact of ACEs is felt across all socioeconomic boundaries. (j) The earlier in life an intervention occurs for an individual with ACEs, the more likely that intervention is to be successful. (k) ACEs can be prevented where a multigenerational approach is employed to interrupt the cycle of ACEs within a family, including both prevention and treatment throughout an individual’s lifespan. (l) It is the belief of the General Assembly that people who have experienced adverse childhood experiences can be resilient and can succeed in leading happy, healthy lives. Sec. 21. VERMONT FAMILY BASED APPROACH PILOT (a) The Agency of Human Services, through the Integrated Family Services initiative, within available Agency resources and in partnership with the Vermont Center for Children, Youth, and Families at the University of Vermont, shall implement the Vermont Family Based Approach in one pilot region. Through the Vermont Family Based Approach, wellness services, prevention, intervention, and, where indicated, treatment services shall be provided to families throughout the pilot region in partnership with other human service and health care programs. The pilot shall be fully implemented by January 1, 2015 to the extent resources are available to support the implementation. (b)(1) In the pilot region, the Agency of Human Services, community partner organizations, schools, and the Vermont Center for Children, Youth, and Families shall identify individuals interested in being trained as Family Wellness Coaches and Family Focused Coaches. (2) Each Family Wellness Coach and Family Focused Coach shall: (A) complete the training program provided by the Vermont Family - 2038 - Based Approach; (B) conduct outreach activities for the pilot region; and (C) serve as a resource for family physicians within the pilot region. Sec. 22. REPORT; BLUEPRINT FOR HEALTH On or before December 15, 2014, the Director of the Blueprint for Health shall submit a report to the House Committee on Health Care and to the Senate Committee on Health and Welfare containing recommendations as to how screening for adverse childhood experiences and trauma-informed care may be incorporated into Blueprint for Health medical practices and community health teams, including any proposed evaluation measures and approaches, funding constraints, and opportunities. Sec. 23. RECOMMENDATION; UNIVERSITY OF VERMONT’S COLLEGE OF MEDICINE AND SCHOOL OF NURSING CURRICULUM The General Assembly recommends to the University of Vermont’s College of Medicine and School of Nursing that they consider adding or expanding information to their curricula about the Adverse Childhood Experience Study and the impact of adverse childhood experiences on lifelong health. Sec. 24. TRAUMA-INFORMED EDUCATIONAL MATERIALS (a) On or before January 1, 2015, the Vermont Board of Medical Practice, in collaboration with the Vermont Medical Society Education and Research Foundation, shall develop educational materials pertaining to the Adverse Childhood Experience Study, including available resources and evidence-based interventions for physicians, physician assistants, and advanced practice registered nurses. (b) On or before July 1, 2016, the Vermont Board of Medical Practice and the Office of Professional Regulation shall disseminate the materials prepared pursuant to subsection (a) of this section to all physicians licensed pursuant to 26 V.S.A. chapters 23 and 33, naturopathic physicians licensed pursuant to 26 V.S.A. chapter 81, physician assistants licensed pursuant to 26 V.S.A. chapter 31, and advanced practice registered nurses licensed pursuant to 26 V.S.A. chapter 28, subchapter 3. Sec. 25. REPORT; DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH; GREEN MOUNTAIN CARE BOARD (a) On or before November 1, 2014, the Department of Health, in consultation with the Department of Mental Health, shall submit a written report to the Green Mountain Care Board containing: - 2039 - (1) recommendations for incorporating education, treatment, and prevention of adverse childhood experiences into Vermont’s medical practices and the Department of Health’s programs; (2) recommendations on the availability of appropriate screening tools and evidence-based interventions for individuals throughout their lives, including expectant parents; and (3) recommendations on additional security protections that may be used for information related to a patient’s adverse childhood experiences. (b) The Green Mountain Care Board shall review the report submitted pursuant to subsection (a) of this section and attach comments to the report regarding the report’s implications on population health and health care costs. On or before January 1, 2015, the Board shall submit the report with its comments to the Senate Committees on Education and on Health and Welfare and to the House Committees on Education, on Health Care, and on Human Services. * * * Reports * * * Sec. 26. GREEN MOUNTAIN CARE FINANCING AND COVERAGE; REPORT (a) Notwithstanding the January 15, 2013 date specified in 2011 Acts and Resolves No. 48, Sec. 9, on or before February 3, 2015, the Secretary of Administration shall submit to the House Committees on Health Care and on Ways and Means and the Senate Committees on Health and Welfare and on Finance a proposal to transition to and fully implement Green Mountain Care. The report shall include the following elements, as well as any other topics the Secretary deems appropriate: (1) a detailed analysis of how much individuals and businesses currently spend on health care, including the average percentage of income spent on health care premiums for plans in the Vermont Health Benefit Exchange by Vermont residents purchasing Exchange plans as individuals and by Vermont residents whose employers provide health coverage as an employment benefit, as well as data necessary to compare the proposal to the various ways health care is currently paid for, including as a percentage of employers’ payroll; (2) recommendations for the amounts and necessary mechanisms to finance Green Mountain Care, including: (A) proposing the amounts to be contributed by individuals and businesses; (B) recommending financing options for wraparound coverage for individuals with other primary coverage, including evaluating the potential for - 2040 - using financing tiers based on the level of benefits provided by Green Mountain Care; and (C) addressing cross-border financing issues; (3) wraparound benefits for individuals for whom Green Mountain Care will be the payer of last resort pursuant to 33 V.S.A. § 1827(f), including individuals covered by the Federal Employees Health Benefit Program, TRICARE, Medicare, retiree health benefits, or an employer health plan; (4) a thorough economic analysis of the impact of changing from a health care system financed through premiums to the system recommended in the financing proposal, taking into account the effect on wages and job growth and the impact on various wage levels; (5) recommendations for addressing cross-border health care delivery issues; (6) establishing provider reimbursement rates in Green Mountain Care; (7) developing estimates of administrative savings to health care providers and payers from Green Mountain Care; and (8) information regarding Vermont’s efforts to obtain a Waiver for State Innovation pursuant to Section 1332 of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, Pub. L. No. 111-148, as amended by the Health Care and Education Reconciliation Act of 2010, Pub. L. No. 111-152, including submission of a conceptual waiver application as required by Sec. 10 of this act. (b) If the Secretary of Administration does not submit the Green Mountain Care financing and coverage proposal required by this section to the General Assembly by February 3, 2015, no portion of the unencumbered funds remaining as of that date in the fiscal year 2015 appropriation to the Agency of Administration for the planning and the implementation of Green Mountain Care shall be expended until the Secretary submits to the General Assembly a plan recommending the specific amounts and necessary mechanisms to finance Green Mountain Care. Sec. 27. CHRONIC CARE MANAGEMENT; BLUEPRINT; REPORT On or before October 1, 2014, the Secretary of Administration or designee shall provide to the House Committees on Health Care and on Human Services and the Senate Committees on Health and Welfare and on Finance a proposal for modifications of the payment structure to health care providers and community health teams for their participation in the Blueprint for Health; a recommendation on whether to expand the Blueprint to include additional services or chronic conditions such as obesity, mental conditions, and oral health; and recommendations on ways to strengthen and sustain advanced - 2041 - practice primary care. Sec. 28. HEALTH INSURER SURPLUS; LEGAL CONSIDERATIONS; REPORT The Department of Financial Regulation, in consultation with the Office of the Attorney General, shall identify the legal and financial considerations involved in the event that a private health insurer offering major medical insurance plans, whether for-profit or nonprofit, ceases doing business in this State, including appropriate disposition of the insurer’s surplus funds. On or before July 15, 2014, the Department shall report its findings to the House Committees on Health Care, on Commerce, and on Ways and Means and the Senate Committees on Health and Welfare and on Finance. Sec. 29. TRANSITION PLAN FOR UNION EMPLOYEES The Commissioners of Labor and of Human Resources, in consultation with the Vermont League of Cities and Towns, Vermont School Boards Association, a coalition of labor organizations active in Vermont, and other interested stakeholders, shall develop a plan for transitioning all union employees with collectively bargained health benefits from their existing health insurance plans to Green Mountain Care, with the goal that all union employees shall be enrolled in Green Mountain Care upon implementation, which is currently targeted for 2017. The Commissioners shall address the role of collective bargaining on the transition process and shall propose methods to mitigate the impact of the transition on employees’ health care coverage and on their total compensation. Sec. 30. FINANCIAL IMPACT OF HEALTH CARE REFORM INITIATIVES (a) The Secretary of Administration or designee shall consult with the Joint Fiscal Office in collecting data and developing methodologies, assumptions, analytic models, and other factors related to the following: (1) the distribution of current health care spending by individuals, businesses, and municipalities, including comparing the distribution of spending by individuals by income class with the distribution of other taxes; (2) the costs of and savings from current health care reform initiatives; and (3) updated cost estimates for Green Mountain Care, the universal and unified health care system established in 33 V.S.A. chapter 18, subchapter 2. (b) The Secretary or designee and the Joint Fiscal Committee shall explore ways to collaborate on the estimates required pursuant to subsection (a) of this section and may contract jointly, to the extent feasible, in order to use the same - 2042 - analytic models, data, or other resources. (c) On or before December 1, 2014, the Secretary of Administration shall present his or her analysis to the General Assembly. On or before January 15, 2015, the Joint Fiscal Office shall evaluate the analysis and indicate areas of agreement and disagreement with the data, assumptions, and results. Sec. 31. [Deleted.] Sec. 32. INCREASING MEDICAID RATES; REPORT On or before January 15, 2015, the Secretary of Administration or designee, in consultation with the Green Mountain Care Board, shall report to the House Committees on Health Care and on Ways and Mean and the Senate Committees on Health and Welfare and on Finance regarding the impact of increasing Medicaid reimbursement rates to providers to match Medicare rates. The issues to be addressed in the report shall include: (1) the amount of State funds needed to effect the increase; (2) the level of a payroll tax that would be necessary to generate the revenue needed for the increase; (3) the projected impact of the increase on health insurance premiums; and (4) to the extent that premium reductions would likely result in a decrease in the aggregate amount of federal premium tax credits for which Vermont residents would be eligible, whether there are specific timing considerations for the increase as it relates to Vermont’s application for a Waiver for State Innovation pursuant to Section 1332 of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act. Sec. 33. HEALTH CARE EXPENSES IN OTHER FORMS OF INSURANCE The Secretary of Administration or designee, in consultation with the Departments of Labor and of Financial Regulation, shall collect the most recent available data regarding health care expenses paid for by workers’ compensation, automobile, property and casualty, and other forms of non-
medical insurance, including the amount of money spent on health care-related goods and services and the percentage of the premium for each type of policy that is attributable to health care expenses. The Secretary of Administration or designee shall consolidate the data and provide it to the General Assembly on or before December 1, 2014. * * * Health Care Workforce Symposium * * * Sec. 34. HEALTH CARE WORKFORCE SYMPOSIUM - 2043 - On or before November 15, 2014, the Secretary of Administration or designee, in collaboration with the Vermont Medical Society, the Vermont Association of Hospitals and Health Systems, and the Vermont Assembly of Home Health and Hospice Agencies, shall organize and conduct a symposium to address the impacts of moving toward universal health care coverage on Vermont’s health care workforce and on its projected workforce needs. * * * Repeal * * * Sec. 35. REPEAL 3 V.S.A. § 635a (legislators and session-only legislative employees eligible to purchase State Employees Health Benefit Plan at full cost) is repealed. * * * Effective Dates * * * Sec. 36. EFFECTIVE DATES This act shall take effect on passage, except that: (1) Notwithstanding 1 V.S.A. § 214, Sec. 35 (repeal of legislator eligibility to purchase State Employees Health Benefit Plan) shall take effect on passage and shall apply retroactively to January 1, 2014, except that members and session-only employees of the General Assembly who were enrolled in the State Employees Health Benefit Plan on January 1, 2014 may continue to receive coverage under the plan through the remainder of the 2014 plan year; and (2) Sec. 18 (18 V.S.A. § 9473; pharmacy benefit managers) shall take effect on July 1, 2014 and shall apply to contracts entered into or renewed on or after that date. ( Committee Vote: 7-2-2)
Favorable S. 91 An act relating to privatization of public schools Rep. Peltz of Woodbury,
, recommends that the bill ought to pass in concurrence. (Committee Vote: 6-4-1) (For text see Senate Journal 3/13/2013 and 3/14/2013 ) Senate Proposal of Amendment H. 589 An act relating to hunting, fishing, and trapping - 2044 - The Senate proposes to the House to amend the bill as follows: First: In Sec. 5, 10 V.S.A. § 4084(a) by striking out subdivision (1) in its entirety and inserting in lieu thereof a new subdivision (1) to read as follows: (1) establish open seasons; however, rules regarding taking of deer adopted under this subdivision shall, unless there is a scientific reason not to do so, make provision for: a regular rifle hunting season pursuant to section 4741 of this title and for of no fewer than 16 consecutive days; an archery season; and a muzzle loader season unless there is a scientific reason not to do so; Second: In Sec. 8, 10 V.S.A. § 4705, by striking out subsection (c) in its entirety and inserting in lieu thereof the following to read: (c) A person while on or within 25 feet of the traveled portion of a public highway, except a public highway designated Class 4 on a town highway map, shall not take or attempt to take any wild animal by shooting a firearm, a muzzle loader, a bow and arrow, or a crossbow. A person while on or within the traveled portion of public highway designated Class 4 on a town highway map shall not take or attempt to take any wild animal by shooting a firearm, a muzzle loader, a bow and arrow, or a crossbow. A person shall not shoot a firearm, muzzle loader, a bow and arrow, or a crossbow over or across the traveled portion of a public highway, except for a person shooting over or across the traveled portion of a public highway from a sport shooting range, as that term is defined in section 5227 of this title, provided that: (1) the sport shooting range was established before January 1, 2014; and (2) the operators of the sport shooting range post signage warning users of the public highway of the potential danger from the sport shooting range. And in subsection (f), after “means roads” and before “shown on” by inserting , including Class 4 roads, Third: By striking out Sec. 15 in its entirety and inserting in lieu thereof a new section to be Sec. 15 to read as follows: * * * Training Hunting Dogs; Raccoon Season * * * Sec. 15. 10 V.S.A. § 5001 is amended to read: § 5001. HUNTING DOGS; FIELD TRAINING (a) While accompanying the dog, a person may train a hunting dog to hunt and pursue: (1) Bear bear during the period from June 1 to September 15 and then only from sunrise to sunset; - 2045 - (2) Rabbits rabbits and game birds during the period from June 1 to the last Saturday in September and then only from sunrise to sunset; (3) Raccoon raccoon during the period from June 1 to the last Saturday in September at any time of the day or night through any time of day or night on the day before the opening day of raccoon hunting season; and (4) Bobcat bobcat and fox during the period June 1 to March 15, except during regular deer season as prescribed in section 4741 of this title. * * * Fourth: By inserting a new section to be Sec. 15a to read as follows: Sec. 15a. 1 V.S.A. § 509 is amended to read: § 509. STATE FOSSIL FOSSILS (a) The state marine fossil shall be the white whale fossilized skeleton at the University of Vermont’s Perkins Geology Museum. (b) The state terrestrial fossil shall be the Mount Holly mammoth tooth and tusk at the Mount Holly Community Historical Museum. Fifth: By striking out Sec. 3a (JFO report on hunting licenses for disabled veterans) in its entirety and inserting in lieu thereof the following: Sec. 3a. [Deleted.] Sixth: By striking out Sec. 10 (conservation registration plates) in its entirety and inserting in lieu thereof the following: Sec. 10. [Deleted.] Seventh: By adding a new section to be numbered Sec. 16 to read as follows: Sec. 16. EFFECTIVE DATES (a) This section and Secs. 1–2 (landowner exception; captive hunt; definitions), 3 (license for disabled veteran), 8 (shooting from or across highway), and 15 (training hunting dogs; raccoon season shall take effect on passage. (b) Secs. 4 (migrating game bird harvest numbers), 11–13 (cultural and ceremonial use of bird feathers), 14 (State Fly-Fishing Fly), and 15a (State Fossils) shall take effect on July 1, 2014. (c) Secs. 5–7 (deer season rules) shall take effect on January 1, 2015. (For text see House Journal February 26, 2014 )