reglab/housing_qa huggingface dataset:
19 V.S.A. § 5b
2021 Vermont Statutes|Title 19 - Highways|Chapter 1 - State Highway Law; General Transportation Provisions|§ 5b. Conflicts of interest

§ 5b. Conflicts of interest|(a) A person in the employ of or holding any official relation to any company subject to the supervision of the board or the agency, or engaged in the management of a company which is subject to the supervision of the board or agency, or owning stock, bonds, or other securities in the company, or who is in any manner connected with the operation of a company which is subject to the supervision of the board or agency in this state, shall not be a member or executive secretary of the board or secretary of transportation.(b) No person holding the office of member, executive secretary of the board, or secretary of transportation, either personally or in connection with a partner or agent, may:  (1) render professional service for or against or make or perform any business contract with any company subject to board or agency supervision, relating to the business of the company, except contracts made with them as common carriers or in the regular course of public service; or (2) directly or indirectly receive from a company subject to board or agency supervision any commission, present or reward. (Added 1985, No. 269 (Adj. Sess.), § 1.)
19 V.S.A. § 6
2021 Vermont Statutes|Title 19 - Highways|Chapter 1 - State Highway Law; General Transportation Provisions|§ 6. Other boards, commissions, councils, and committees

§ 6. Other boards, commissions, councils, and committees|(a) All other boards, commissions, councils, and committees which under this chapter are a part of the agency shall be advisory only.(b) The transportation board is successor to the Public Service Board, the highway board, and the aeronautics board in the regulatory and quasi-judicial functions related to transportation. It may enforce all orders of those boards which remain in effect. (Added 1985, No. 269 (Adj. Sess.), § 1; amended 1989, No. 246 (Adj. Sess.), § 5.)
19 V.S.A. § 7a
2021 Vermont Statutes|Title 19 - Highways|Chapter 1 - State Highway Law; General Transportation Provisions|§ 7a. Hearing before secretary

§ 7a. Hearing before secretary|(a) In the administration of the laws relating to highways, the secretary may conduct hearings, subpoena witnesses, administer oaths, and take testimony. He or she may also cause depositions to be taken and order the production of books, papers and records relating to the matter under investigation. The fees for travel and attendance of witnesses and fees for officers shall be the same as for witnesses and officers before a civil division of the superior court and shall be paid by the state upon presentation of proper bills of cost to the commissioner of finance and management. The fees of witnesses summoned or used by the petitioner shall be paid by him or her. The secretary may appoint a hearing examiner to conduct hearings.(b) A person aggrieved by the decision of a hearing under subsection (a) of this section may have the decision reviewed on the record by the superior court pursuant to Rule 74 of the Vermont Rules of Civil Procedure unless otherwise specifically provided by law. (Added 1993, No. 61, § 9, eff. June 3, 1993; amended 2009, No. 154 (Adj. Sess.), § 238.)
19 V.S.A. § 8
2021 Vermont Statutes|Title 19 - Highways|Chapter 1 - State Highway Law; General Transportation Provisions|§ 8. Commissioner of motor vehicles; appointment; duties and powers

§ 8. Commissioner of motor vehicles; appointment; duties and powers|(a) The secretary shall, with the approval of the governor and with the advice and consent of the senate, appoint a commissioner of motor vehicles who shall administer the department of motor vehicles and shall serve at the pleasure of the secretary. The term of a commissioner shall be concurrent with that of the secretary.(b) The commissioner shall, notwithstanding any other provisions of this chapter, have all the duties and responsibilities of the commissioner of motor vehicles in Title 23 with regard to the suspension and revocation of licenses and all other quasi-judicial duties assigned in that title. (Added 1985, No. 269 (Adj. Sess.), § 1.)
19 V.S.A. § 9
2021 Vermont Statutes|Title 19 - Highways|Chapter 1 - State Highway Law; General Transportation Provisions|§ 9. Divisions; general provisions

§ 9. Divisions; general provisions|(a) A director shall administer each division created within the Agency. The Secretary shall appoint the directors, who shall be exempt from the classified service. The Director of the Highway Division shall be licensed as a professional engineer.(b) The Secretary, Deputy Secretary, Commissioner, Deputy Commissioner, attorneys, and all members of the boards, committees, commissions, or councils that are attached to the Agency for support are exempt from the classified State service. Except as authorized by 3 V.S.A. § 311 or otherwise by law, all other positions shall be within the classified service.(c) A director with the approval of the Secretary may appoint an assistant from existing staff.(d) No rule or regulation may be issued by a director of a division without the approval of the Secretary or designee. (Added 1985, No. 269 (Adj. Sess.), § 1; amended 1993, No. 210 (Adj. Sess.), § 238b; 1993, No. 227 (Adj. Sess.), § 13, eff. June 17, 1994; 2015, No. 40, § 19.)
19 V.S.A. § 10a
2021 Vermont Statutes|Title 19 - Highways|Chapter 1 - State Highway Law; General Transportation Provisions|§ 10a. Procurement of engineering and design services through competitive negotiation

§ 10a. Procurement of engineering and design services through competitive negotiation|(a) For purposes of this section, "competitive negotiation" means a method of procurement where proposals are requested from a number of sources and either a fixed-price or cost-reimbursable type contract is awarded, as appropriate.(b) Contracts for program management, construction management, feasibility studies, preliminary engineering, design engineering, surveying, mapping, or architectural related services with respect to projects subject to the provisions of section 111(a) of the Surface Transportation and Uniform Relocation Assistance Act of 1987, Pub. L. No. 100-17, as may be amended, may be awarded by competitive negotiation.(c) If competitive negotiation is used, the following requirements shall apply:  (1) Proposals shall be solicited from an adequate number of qualified sources to permit reasonable competition, consistent with the nature and requirements of the procurement. All qualified sources may submit a proposal. The request for proposals shall be publicized. (2) The request for proposal shall identify all significant evaluation factors, including price or cost where required and their relative importance. (3) The agency shall provide mechanisms for technical evaluation of the proposals received, determinations of responsible offerors for the purpose of written or oral discussions, and selection for contract award. (4) Award may be made to the responsible offeror whose proposal will be most advantageous to the agency, price and other factors considered. Unsuccessful offerors should be notified promptly. (Added 1987, No. 91, § 9, eff. June 22, 1987; amended 2021, No. 20, § 78.)
19 V.S.A. § 10d
2021 Vermont Statutes|Title 19 - Highways|Chapter 1 - State Highway Law; General Transportation Provisions|§ 10d. Statement of policy; airports

§ 10d. Statement of policy; airports|(a) The agency shall continue to promote the preservation of existing public airports, reduction of hazards to air navigation and, where the need is indicated, modest expansion of existing public facilities.(b) On the state airport system, the agency shall continue to supplement ongoing maintenance activities with a program of capital improvements, as the availability of federal and state funds permits.(c) The agency shall monitor developments at regional hub airports to ensure fair and adequate access to the national air transportation network for Vermont shippers and travelers. In furtherance of this policy, the secretary may use available funds to contract for the services of consultants, experts, and specialized legal counsel. (Added 1989, No. 121, § 3, eff. June 22, 1989.)
19 V.S.A. § 10e
2021 Vermont Statutes|Title 19 - Highways|Chapter 1 - State Highway Law; General Transportation Provisions|§ 10e. Statement of policy; railroads

§ 10e. Statement of policy; railroads|(a) The General Assembly recognizes that rail service, both passenger and freight, is an integral part of the State's transportation network and that it must be fully integrated into the State's transportation network as a whole. Accordingly, it is hereby declared to be the policy of the State of Vermont:  (1) To provide opportunities for rail passenger services by cooperating with the federal government, other states, and providers of those services, with priority to be given to the services likely to complement the State's other transportation resources and Vermont's economic development efforts and to meet the needs of the traveling public. Goals to increase passenger rail use will be in accordance with the Agency's rail plan. (2) To preserve and modernize for continued freight railroad service those railroad lines, both within the State of Vermont and extending into adjoining states, that directly affect the economy of the State or provide connections to other railroad lines that directly affect the economy of the State. Goals to increase freight rail use will be in accordance with the Agency's rail plan. (3) In those cases where continuation of freight railroad service is not economically feasible under present conditions, to preserve established railroad rights-of-way for future reactivation of railroad service, trail corridors, and other public purposes not inconsistent with future reactivation of railroad service. (4) To seek federal aid for rail projects that implement this section's policy goals. (5) To maintain and improve intercity bus and rail and freight and commuter rail services, and the necessary intermodal connections, and to increase the efficiency of equipment and the extent to which equipment selection and operation can limit or avoid the emission of greenhouse gases. (6) To plan for increased ridership with city-to-city and commuter rail service, and for increased coordination of rail service with bus service, car-pooling, and ride-sharing opportunities.   (b) To complement the regular maintenance efforts of the lessee/perators of State-owned railroads, taking into account each line's long-term importance to the State's transportation network, economic development, the resources available to the lessee/perator and relevant provisions of leases and other agreements, the Agency may develop programs to assist in major rehabilitation or replacement of obsolete bridges, structures, rails, and other fixtures.(c) [Repealed.]  (Added 1989, No. 121, § 4, eff. June 22, 1989; amended 2003, No. 56, § 12, eff. June 4, 2003; 2005, No. 175 (Adj. Sess.), § 22; 2007, No. 209 (Adj. Sess.), § 8; 2013, No. 167 (Adj. Sess.), § 24.)
19 V.S.A. § 10f
2021 Vermont Statutes|Title 19 - Highways|Chapter 1 - State Highway Law; General Transportation Provisions|§ 10f. Statement of policy; public transportation

§ 10f. Statement of policy; public transportation|(a) It shall be the State's policy to make maximum use of available federal funds for the support of public transportation. State operating support funds shall be included in Agency operating budgets to the extent that funds are available. It shall be the State's policy to support the maintenance of existing public transportation services, to ensure the rapid replacement of any unplanned decrease in service, and to support the creation of new service that is accessible and affordable to those who use these services.(b) The agency of transportation shall develop and periodically update a plan for investment in public transportation services and infrastructure as part of an integrated transportation system consistent with the goals established in 24 V.S.A. § 5083, and regional transportation development plan proposals and regional plans as required by 24 V.S.A. § 5089. The plan shall include components that shall coordinate rideshare, public transit, park and ride, interstate, and bicycle and pedestrian planning and investment at the state, regional, and local levels, and create or expand regional connections within the state, in order to maximize interregional ridesharing and access to public transit.(c) The agency shall develop and make available to the traveling public an integrated, statewide online service that coordinates transportation options and provides web-based access to information that will allow the traveling public integrated, convenient, affordable, and dependable access to alternative transportation modes sufficient to allow efficient, cost-effective, and timely travel throughout the state. (Added 1989, No. 121, § 5, eff. June 22, 1989; amended 2003, No. 56, § 36, eff. June 4, 2003; 2007, No. 209 (Adj. Sess.), § 9; 2021, No. 20, § 79.)
19 V.S.A. § 10h
2021 Vermont Statutes|Title 19 - Highways|Chapter 1 - State Highway Law; General Transportation Provisions|§ 10h. Cooperative interstate agreement

§ 10h. Cooperative interstate agreement|(a) [Repealed.](b) In connection with any authorized construction project in the State of Vermont that extends into or affects an adjoining state, the Agency, on behalf of the State of Vermont, may enter into a cooperative agreement with the adjoining state or any political subdivision of an adjoining state that apportions duties and responsibilities for planning preliminary engineering, including environmental studies, right-of-way acquisition, construction, and maintenance. (Added 1989, No. 121, § 7, eff. June 22, 1989; amended 1989, No. 246 (Adj. Sess.), § 40; 2001, No. 141 (Adj. Sess.), § 21, eff. June 21, 2002; 2009, No. 33, § 40; 2015, No. 158 (Adj. Sess.), § 19.)
19 V.S.A. § 10i
2021 Vermont Statutes|Title 19 - Highways|Chapter 1 - State Highway Law; General Transportation Provisions|§ 10i. Transportation planning process

§ 10i. Transportation planning process|(a) Long-range systems plan. The Agency shall establish and implement a planning process through the adoption of a long-range multi-modal systems plan integrating all modes of transportation. The long-range multi-modal systems plan shall be based upon Agency transportation policy developed under section 10b of this title, other policies approved by the General Assembly, Agency goals, mission, and objectives, and demographic and travel forecasts, design standards, performance criteria, and funding availability. The long-range systems plan shall be developed with participation of the public and local and regional governmental entities and pursuant to the planning goals and processes set forth in 1988 Acts and Resolves No. 200. The plan shall be consistent with the Comprehensive Energy Plan (CEP) issued under 30 V.S.A. § 202b.(b) Corridor studies. The Agency shall develop transportation corridor studies as needed, consistent with asset management policies implemented by the Agency, which identify environmental issues, community concerns, and travel projections. For each corridor, problems shall be identified and ranked according to their criticality and severity.(c) Transportation Program. The Transportation Program shall be developed in a fiscally responsible manner to accomplish the following objectives:  (1) managing, maintaining, and improving the State's existing transportation infrastructure to provide capacity, safety, and flexibility in the most cost-effective and efficient manner; (2) developing an integrated transportation system that provides Vermonters with transportation choices; (3) strengthening the economy, protecting the quality of the natural environment, and improving Vermonters' quality of life; and (4) achieving the recommendations of the CEP.   (d) Project identification and scope. The Agency shall identify and develop specific projects consistent with the objectives set forth in subsection (c) of this section. For each project, a project scope shall be prepared to identify the problem to be resolved by the project, the preferred alternative, project limits, and its conceptual design and estimated costs.(e) Information manual. An information manual giving a clear description of the planning process shall be prepared for town officials and the public. (Added 1989, No. 246 (Adj. Sess.), § 36; amended 2003, No. 160 (Adj. Sess.), § 31, eff. June 9, 2004; 2017, No. 139 (Adj. Sess.), § 11.)
19 V.S.A. § 10j
2021 Vermont Statutes|Title 19 - Highways|Chapter 1 - State Highway Law; General Transportation Provisions|§ 10j. Intermodal and multimodal transportation facilities; project planning criteria

§ 10j. Intermodal and multimodal transportation facilities; project planning criteria|(a) Initial Screening/Threshold Requirements. In considering a proposal for an intermodal or multimodal transportation facility, the agency shall take into account the size of the community, the location of the proposed facility, and the presence of a logical combination of transportation modes. An intermodal facility requires the presence of several modes of transportation, and a reasonable need to connect the different modes in a manner not easily done without the presence of a dedicated intermodal facility.(b) Project Information. The agency shall adopt a policy identifying the basic information to be provided in any application for a proposed intermodal or multimodal facility.(c) Project Evaluation. Applications will be evaluated based on:  (1) Usage potential (i.e., how many people will be boarding and alighting at this location); (2) Need for transfer facilities (i.e., how many will be transferring between vehicles or modes, and need to wait for connections); (3) Modal connections (i.e., do modes actually connect at this location, what are the frequencies, and how many people will be making the connection); (4) Opportunities for savings resulting from combining facilities (e.g., if railroad and bus stations are in the same building, does that save capital or operating dollars); (5) Relationship of proposed costs to usage/revenue (annualized capital and operating costs per boarding); (6) Relationship to 10 V.S.A. chapter 151 (Act No. 250 of 1970, as amended), 22 V.S.A. chapter 14 (historic preservation), 24 V.S.A. chapter 76A (historic downtown development) and the planning goals of 24 V.S.A. § 4302; (7) Whether the proposed project addresses needs identified in policy or service plans for other modes (i.e., intercity bus, passenger rail, aviation); (8) Long-term viability from an operations and maintenance perspective; and (9) Self-sustainability of project funding (i.e., what, if any, level of ongoing subsidy will be needed).   (d) Project Managers. A project manager shall be assigned to each intermodal and multimodal transportation facility project which has received state or federal funding and this assignment shall not delay the construction schedule.(e) State Funding. It shall be the policy of the state that state funds not be expended on intermodal or multimodal projects that have federal funds specifically designated for them until they enter the construction phase. (Added 1999, No. 156 (Adj. Sess.), § 11, eff. May 29, 2000.)
19 V.S.A. § 10k
2021 Vermont Statutes|Title 19 - Highways|Chapter 1 - State Highway Law; General Transportation Provisions|§ 10k. Statement of policy; asset management; sale of State property

§ 10k. Statement of policy; asset management; sale of State property|(a) The Agency shall develop an asset management plan that is a systematic goal- and performance-driven management and decision-making process of operating, maintaining, and upgrading transportation assets cost-effectively. At a minimum, the asset management system shall:  (1) identify transportation system indicators by which the different components of the transportation system may be evaluated; (2) list all of the infrastructure assets and their condition, including pavements, structures, and facilities; (3) include deterioration rates for infrastructure assets; and (4) determine, long-term, the annual funds necessary to fund infrastructure maintenance at the recommended performance level.   (b) The Agency shall not negotiate nor offer for sale any State property for less than fair market value without the prior approval of the General Assembly, if in session, and, if not in session, the Joint Fiscal Committee. The Agency may sell or lease land to municipalities for less than fair market value when and for so long as the land is to be used by the municipality for transportation purposes. (Added 2001, No. 64, § 24, eff. June 16, 2001; amended 2003, No. 56, § 66, eff. June 4, 2003; 2003, No. 160 (Adj. Sess.), § 32, eff. June 9, 2004; 2021, No. 20, § 80.)
19 V.S.A. § 10l
2021 Vermont Statutes|Title 19 - Highways|Chapter 1 - State Highway Law; General Transportation Provisions|§ 10l. Agency cooperation with regional planning commissions

§ 10l. Agency cooperation with regional planning commissions|(a) Legislative intent. The general assembly finds that regional planning commissions possess a unique expertise that enables the agency to conduct rural transportation planning and local consultation activities that build upon the integration of land use, environmental, and economic development inputs. To ensure the agency continues to meet its local consultation requirements found in 23 C.F.R. § 250.212, the general assembly requires the following duties of regional planning commissions as part of an annual contract and work preparing the transportation planning initiative (TPI).(b) Duties of regional planning commissions. Regional planning commissions, serving areas of the state not qualifying as a Metropolitan Planning Area under federal regulations, shall implement the transportation planning initiative (TPI) program. This program provides the mechanism by which the agency coordinates policy development and planning to ensure the involvement by Vermont citizens and rural local officials. It shall include, but not be limited to:  (1) Ensuring that local officials and citizens are involved in the statewide transportation planning process. (2) Providing technical assistance to facilitate local officials and staff in making transportation policy and investment decisions. (3) Coordinating town planning and development regulations to meet better state transportation policies and investment priorities. (4) Participating in state and national transportation policy and planning development processes to ensure regional and local input. (5) Implementing a project evaluation process to prioritize all transportation projects within the regions utilizing state or federal funds to be included in the state transportation program. (6) Developing and maintaining a regional, multi-modal transportation plan that clearly details regional and local project, planning, and policy priorities. (7) Maintaining a regional transportation advisory committee (TAC) that reviews and provides input on all major state and federal transportation planning and policy decisions. In order to facilitate this input, the regional planning commissions, in collaboration with the agency of transportation, shall provide warning and notice of all public meetings regarding transportation plans, projects, and proposals. (Added 2007, No. 75, § 31.)