reglab/housing_qa huggingface dataset:
29 V.S.A. § 534
2021 Vermont Statutes|Title 29 - Public Property and Supplies|Chapter 14 - Natural Gas and Oil Conservation|§ 534. Gas produced from State lands

§ 534. Gas produced from State lands|(a) All State oil and gas leases shall provide that the Board may require the lessee to dedicate all the natural gas produced from State lands for the use and benefit of the people of the State.(b) If the Board determines that it would benefit the people of the State to so dedicate the natural gas, the Board may arrange for the sale of natural gas for the use of the people of the State, or arrange for the exchange of the natural gas produced with producers of natural gas from other lands if the exchange will benefit the people of the State.(c) If the Board determines the dedication would not be in the public interest, or would cause waste, or would unreasonably deny the lessee the opportunity to economically market the natural gas, it may waive dedication. (Added 1981, No. 240 (Adj. Sess.), § 2, eff. April 28, 1982.)
29 V.S.A. § 535
2021 Vermont Statutes|Title 29 - Public Property and Supplies|Chapter 14 - Natural Gas and Oil Conservation|§ 535. State reservation of oil, gas, and minerals

§ 535. State reservation of oil, gas, and minerals|Each agricultural, timber, or other lease of any surface interest in state lands, and each mineral lease not for oil and gas purposes, shall reserve to the State all oil, gas, and other minerals not intended to be leased, and the right to drill and operate oil and gas wells on the premises and the easement, use, and right of way to enter upon and fully enjoy the rights reserved in this section. (Added 1981, No. 240 (Adj. Sess.), § 2, eff. April 28, 1982.)
29 V.S.A. § 541
2021 Vermont Statutes|Title 29 - Public Property and Supplies|Chapter 14 - Natural Gas and Oil Conservation|§ 541. Drilling permits

§ 541. Drilling permits|(a) No person shall commence drilling a well for oil or gas exploration, development, production, or related purposes without a permit issued by the Board.(b) An application for a permit shall be filed with the Board in the manner and form prescribed by rule, and shall include at least the following:  (1) the applicant's name, address, address of each applicant's offices within the State and, where the applicant is not a natural person, the form, date, and place of formation of the applicant; (2) a plat prepared by a competent engineer or certified professional surveyor showing the county, town, and tract of land on which the proposed well is to be located and an exact location of the well site established in accordance with the Vermont coordinate system; (3) the proposed angle, direction, and depth of the well if the well is to be substantially deviated from a vertical course; (4) a fee, based on the depth to be drilled, as prescribed by rule of the Board; (5) a permit under 10 V.S.A. chapter 151 (Act 250). In the case of an application for a permit to drill on lands leased from the State, the State land manager shall be a co-applicant with the lessee for the permit; provided, however, that the Board shall be considered a party for purposes of any hearing or appeal.   (c) The Board may conduct investigations it considers necessary to verify information contained in the application. The applicant shall grant the Board, its employees, and agents permission to enter upon the site for this purpose.(d) Within 30 days of the granting of a drilling permit by the Board, the permit shall be filed by the applicant for recording in the land records of the town in which the proposed well is to be located. Failure to comply with this section shall be cause for revocation of a drilling permit.(e) Drilling permits shall expire one year after issuance unless drilling operations are commenced within such time and prosecuted with due diligence. At least 15 days prior to the commencement of drilling operations, every person granted permission to drill a well pursuant to this section shall give written notice by certified mail to the Board, local agencies, and the surface landowner affected. (Added 1981, No. 240 (Adj. Sess.), § 2, eff. April 28, 1982.)
29 V.S.A. § 542
2021 Vermont Statutes|Title 29 - Public Property and Supplies|Chapter 14 - Natural Gas and Oil Conservation|§ 542. Drilling reports

§ 542. Drilling reports|It shall be the duty of the well operator to keep a geologic log prepared by a competent petroleum geologist showing the character, thickness, and depth of the formations encountered in the drilling of a well and the depths at which all oil, gas, water, or other substances are encountered. The log shall show whether the well is productive of oil, gas, water, or other substances, the quantities thereof, and the initial pressure and production measured over a period of at least 48 hours. A copy of the well log shall be furnished to the Board within 30 days of the completion of the well. Such reports shall be held confidential; provided, however, that the State Geologist shall have access to this information. (Added 1981, No. 240 (Adj. Sess.), § 2, eff. April 28, 1982.)
29 V.S.A. § 543
2021 Vermont Statutes|Title 29 - Public Property and Supplies|Chapter 14 - Natural Gas and Oil Conservation|§ 543. Reports of oil and gas operations

§ 543. Reports of oil and gas operations|(a) The owner, lessee, agent, employee, or other person in charge of any oil and gas well within the State shall forward to the Board, in the manner and form prescribed by the rules of the Board, a report showing the character of the well, method of operation, and total production for the preceding calendar year. Such reports shall be held confidential.(b) The Board may conduct investigations it considers necessary to verify compliance with this section. The operator shall grant the Board, its employees, and agents permission to enter upon the site for this purpose.(c) Statistical bulletins based on these reports shall be compiled by the Board to show, for the State as a whole, and separately for each town, the totals of oil and gas produced, provided that, in order not to disclose the production of any one operator, no production figure shall be published that represents the production of less than three operators. If necessary to maintain confidentiality, production figures for two or more towns shall be combined. (Added 1981, No. 240 (Adj. Sess.), § 2, eff. April 28, 1982.)
29 V.S.A. § 544
2021 Vermont Statutes|Title 29 - Public Property and Supplies|Chapter 14 - Natural Gas and Oil Conservation|§ 544. Abandonment of wells

§ 544. Abandonment of wells|(a) Prior to the abandonment of any well drilled under a permit issued by the Board, it shall be the duty of the owner or operator of the well to plug it so as to completely shut off and prevent the escape of all oil, gas, salt water, or other substances that might pollute ground or surface waters.(b) The operator of the well shall notify the Board in writing of his or her intention to plug and abandon, identifying the well and fixing the time when the work of plugging the well will be commenced so that a representative of the Board may be present.(c) When plugging and restoration and reclamation of the drill site have been completed, a certificate of abandonment shall be filed in a form and manner prescribed by the Board.(d) If a person fails to produce and sell, or to produce for his or her own purposes, oil or gas from a completed well for a period of more than 24 months, there shall be a rebuttable presumption that the person intends to abandon the well and any well equipment situated on the premises. However, this presumption shall not arise:  (1) concerning leases for gas storage purposes; or (2) where any shut-in royalty, flat rate well rental, delay rental, or other similar payment designed to keep an oil and gas lease in effect or to extend its term has been paid or tendered; or (3) where the failure to produce and sell is the result of any act of neglect of a third party beyond the control of the owner or operator of the well; or (4) when a delay in excess of 24 months occurs because of any inability to sell, deliver, or otherwise tender any oil or gas product. (Added 1981, No. 240 (Adj. Sess.), § 2, eff. April 28, 1982.)
29 V.S.A. § 545
2021 Vermont Statutes|Title 29 - Public Property and Supplies|Chapter 14 - Natural Gas and Oil Conservation|§ 545. Conveyance and acquisition of oil and gas interests

§ 545. Conveyance and acquisition of oil and gas interests|(a) An oil and gas interest shall be deemed to mean the interest that is created by an instrument transferring, either by grant, reservation, assignment, or otherwise, an interest of any kind in oil and gas, and other minerals if included in an interest in oil and gas.(b) An instrument transferring an interest in oil and gas, as described in subsection (a) of this section, shall identify the type of interest transferred in bold face type at the top of the instrument. For example:  (1) LEASE- OIL AND GAS ONLY; (2) LEASE- OIL, GAS, AND OTHER MINERALS; (3) DEED- OIL AND GAS ONLY; (4) DEED- OIL, GAS, AND OTHER MINERALS.   (c) The owner or operator of any well shall notify the Board and all royalty owners within 30 days of the sale, assignment, transfer, conveyance, or exchange by the owner or operator of such well and the land, owned or leased, upon which the well is located.(d) Every person who acquires the ownership or operation of any well, whether by purchase, assignment, transfer, conveyance, exchange, or otherwise shall notify the Board and all royalty owners in writing within 60 days of the acquisition.(e) The notice required by this section shall be given in the form and manner prescribed by the Board. The Board shall compile and maintain current records of producing wells and their ownership and location. The State Geologist shall have access to this information. (Added 1981, No. 240 (Adj. Sess.), § 2, eff. April 28, 1982.)
29 V.S.A. § 551
2021 Vermont Statutes|Title 29 - Public Property and Supplies|Chapter 14 - Natural Gas and Oil Conservation|§ 551. Illegal oil, gas, and product

§ 551. Illegal oil, gas, and product|(a) The production, sale, acquisition, transportation, refining, processing, or handling of illegal oil, gas, or product is prohibited. However, no penalty shall be imposed upon a person who sells, purchases, acquires, transports, refines, processes, or handles illegal oil, gas, or product, unless that person:  (1) knows, or is put on notice of facts indicating that illegal oil, gas, or product is involved; or (2) fails to obtain a certificate of clearance with respect to such oil, gas, or product if prescribed by order of the Board; or (3) fails to follow any other method prescribed by an order of the Board for the identification of such oil, gas, or product.   (b) The payment of any penalty or fine shall not operate to legalize any illegal oil, gas, or product involved in the violation for which the penalty or fine is imposed, or relieve a person on whom a penalty or fine is imposed from liability to any other person for damages arising out of the violations. (Added 1981, No. 240 (Adj. Sess.), § 2, eff. April 28, 1982.)
29 V.S.A. § 552
2021 Vermont Statutes|Title 29 - Public Property and Supplies|Chapter 14 - Natural Gas and Oil Conservation|§ 552. Illegal oil, gas, or product declared contraband

§ 552. Illegal oil, gas, or product declared contraband|(a) Illegal oil, gas, and product are declared to be contraband and are subject to seizure and sale. Seizure and sale shall be in addition to all other remedies and penalties provided in this chapter.(b) Whenever the Board believes that any oil, gas, or product is illegal, the Board, acting by the Attorney General, may bring a civil action in the Superior Court of the county where the oil, gas, or product is found, to seize and sell the same, or the Board may include such an action in any suit brought for an injunction or penalty. Any person claiming an interest in oil, gas, or product, affected by such an action shall have the right to intervene as an interested party.(c) Any person having an interest in oil, gas, or product alleged to be illegal and contesting the right of the State to seize and sell the same may obtain its release prior to sale upon furnishing a bond to the court. The bond shall be:  (1) in an amount equal to 150 percent of the market value of the oil, gas, or product to be released; (2) conditioned upon either redelivery of the released commodity or payment of its market value, if and when ordered by the court; and (3) conditioned upon full compliance with all further orders of the court.   (d) If the court finds that the oil, gas, or product is contraband, the court shall order its sale by the sheriff.  (1) Upon such sale, title to the oil, gas, or product shall vest in the purchaser free of all claims, and it shall be legal oil, gas, or product in the hands of the purchaser. (2) All proceeds which are derived from the sale of illegal oil, gas, or product, less the costs of suit and expenses of sale, shall be paid into the General Fund. (Added 1981, No. 240 (Adj. Sess.), § 2, eff. April 28, 1982.)
29 V.S.A. § 553
2021 Vermont Statutes|Title 29 - Public Property and Supplies|Chapter 14 - Natural Gas and Oil Conservation|§ 553. Disclosure of confidential information prohibited

§ 553. Disclosure of confidential information prohibited|It shall be unlawful for any member of the Board, State land manager, employee, or other person performing any function on behalf of the Board or a State land manager, or any governmental agency or employee utilizing confidential information provided to the Board, to disclose or use such information for purposes other than those authorized by the Board, except upon the written consent of the person making the information available to the Board. (Added 1981, No. 240 (Adj. Sess.), § 2, eff. April 28, 1982.)
29 V.S.A. § 554
2021 Vermont Statutes|Title 29 - Public Property and Supplies|Chapter 14 - Natural Gas and Oil Conservation|§ 554. Penalties

§ 554. Penalties|(a) Any person who violates any provision of this chapter or the rules or orders of the Board shall be fined not more than $5,000.00 or imprisoned for not more than two years, or both. In the case of a continuing violation, each day's continuance may be deemed a separate offense for the purpose of the fine.(b) Any person who knowingly makes a false statement, representation, or certification in any application, record, report, plan, or other document filed or required to be maintained under this chapter or the rules, regulations, or orders of the Board shall be fined not more than $5,000.00 or be imprisoned for not more than two years, or both.(c) Any person who unlawfully discloses or knowingly uses for his or her own purpose information made confidential under this chapter shall be fined not more than $5,000.00 or imprisoned for not more than two years, or both.(d) Any person knowingly aiding or abetting any other person in the violation of this chapter or any rule, or order of the Board, shall be subject to the same penalties prescribed for the violation of that other person. (Added 1981, No. 240 (Adj. Sess.), § 2, eff. April 28, 1982.)
29 V.S.A. § 555
2021 Vermont Statutes|Title 29 - Public Property and Supplies|Chapter 14 - Natural Gas and Oil Conservation|§ 555. Enforcement

§ 555. Enforcement|(a) In addition to the other penalties herein provided, the Board may institute any appropriate action, injunction, or other proceeding to prevent, restrain, correct, or abate any violation of this chapter or of the rules, regulations, or orders promulgated hereunder.(b) If the Board fails to bring a suit or other action to enjoin a violation or threatened violation of this chapter or any rule or order of the Board within 10 days after the receipt of a written request to do so by any person who is or will be adversely affected by the violation, the person making the request may bring suit on his or her own behalf to restrain the violation or threatened violation. (Added 1981, No. 240 (Adj. Sess.), § 2, eff. April 28, 1982.)
29 V.S.A. § 561
2021 Vermont Statutes|Title 29 - Public Property and Supplies|Chapter 14 - Natural Gas and Oil Conservation|§ 561. Release of oil and gas leases

§ 561. Release of oil and gas leases|(a) After the expiration, cancellation, surrender, or relinquishment of an oil and gas lease, upon written request of the lessor, the lessee shall file a release or discharge of the lease in the land records of the town or towns where the lands described in the lease are located. The filing shall be in recordable form and shall include any fees.(b) If any lessee, his or her personal representative, successor, or assign fails or refuses to record a release for a period of 30 days after being so requested, he or she shall be liable for all damages occasioned thereby, including costs and reasonable attorney's fees.(c) A lessor's request for release or discharge shall be in writing and delivered to the lessee by personal service or registered mail at his or her last known address. (Added 1981, No. 240 (Adj. Sess.), § 2, eff. April 28, 1982.)
29 V.S.A. § 562
2021 Vermont Statutes|Title 29 - Public Property and Supplies|Chapter 14 - Natural Gas and Oil Conservation|§ 562. Subdivision of land subject to an oil and gas lease

§ 562. Subdivision of land subject to an oil and gas lease|Unless the parties agree in writing to the contrary, if ownership of any land subject to an oil and gas lease is thereafter subdivided into separate interests, the land shall be developed and operated for oil and gas purposes as an entirety and the rentals and royalties shall be divided and paid to the separate owners in the proportion that the acreage or interest owned bears to the entire leased acreage. (Added 1981, No. 240 (Adj. Sess.), § 2, eff. April 28, 1982.)
29 V.S.A. § 564
2021 Vermont Statutes|Title 29 - Public Property and Supplies|Chapter 14 - Natural Gas and Oil Conservation|§ 564. Surface use value appraisal of agriculture and forestlands

§ 564. Surface use value appraisal of agriculture and forestlands|In order to support and encourage the accomplishment of the purposes set forth in 32 V.S.A. § 3751, the eligibility of agricultural land and managed forestland for use value appraisal shall not be denied solely by the leasing or development of the subsurface of those lands for oil and gas exploration and production. However, those lands shall nevertheless be required to meet the criteria contained in 32 V.S.A. chapter 124 and the rules adopted by the Current Use Advisory Board. (Added 1981, No. 240 (Adj. Sess.), § 2, eff. April 28, 1982.)
29 V.S.A. § 565
2021 Vermont Statutes|Title 29 - Public Property and Supplies|Chapter 14 - Natural Gas and Oil Conservation|§ 565. Governor authorized to join in interstate compact

§ 565. Governor authorized to join in interstate compact|(a) The Governor, in the name of the State, may join with the other states in the Interstate Compact to Conserve Oil and Gas. This compact was executed in Dallas, Texas, on February 16, 1935, has been extended, with the consent of Congress on October 14, 1976 by Public Law 94-493, and said compact and all extensions are now on deposit with the Department of State of the United States.(b) The Governor, in the name of the State, may execute agreements for the further extension of the expiration date of that interstate compact to conserve oil and gas and to determine if and when it shall be to the best interest of this State to withdraw from said compact upon 60 days' notice as provided by its terms. If he or she determines that the State shall withdraw from said compact, he or she may give necessary notice and take any and all steps necessary and proper to effect the withdrawal.(c) The Governor shall be the official representative of the State in the Compact to Conserve Oil and Gas, and shall exercise and perform for the State all of the powers and duties as such; provided, however, that the assistant representative who shall act in his or her stead as the official representative of the State shall be the Chair of the Board. (Added 1981, No. 240 (Adj. Sess.), § 2, eff. April 28, 1982.)
29 V.S.A. § 566
2021 Vermont Statutes|Title 29 - Public Property and Supplies|Chapter 14 - Natural Gas and Oil Conservation|§ 566. Construction

§ 566. Construction|(a) This chapter shall be liberally construed so as to effect the purposes set forth in section 502 of this chapter.(b) The provisions of this chapter shall supersede all local laws and regulations relating to oil and gas development insofar as they may specify performance standards, methods, materials, procedures, or equipment to be used by a well operator.(c) The provisions of this chapter shall not supersede local laws and regulations that provide for:  (1) specific uses permitted or prohibited in land use or zoning districts; (2) other matters not fully covered by State law, regulation, or rule of the Board, to the extent that local regulation does not conflict or interfere with State regulation. (Added 1981, No. 240 (Adj. Sess.), § 2, eff. April 28, 1982.)
29 V.S.A. § 571
2021 Vermont Statutes|Title 29 - Public Property and Supplies|Chapter 14 - Natural Gas and Oil Conservation|§ 571. Hydraulic fracturing; prohibition

§ 571. Hydraulic fracturing; prohibition|(a) No person may engage in hydraulic fracturing in the State.(b) No person within the State may collect, store, or treat wastewater from hydraulic fracturing. (Added 2011, No. 152 (Adj. Sess.), § 3, eff. May 16, 2012.)
29 V.S.A. § 820
2021 Vermont Statutes|Title 29 - Public Property and Supplies|Chapter 17 - Names of State Facilities|§ 820. The naming of State buildings and facilities

§ 820. The naming of State buildings and facilities|Except for State transportation buildings and facilities named by the Transportation Board in accordance with 19 V.S.A. § 5, the name by which a State building or facility is to be known shall be authorized by the General Assembly. (Added 1993, No. 233 (Adj. Sess.), § 78, eff. June 21, 1994; amended 2015, No. 40, § 26a, eff. March 1, 2016.)