Code of Vermont Rules › Agency 10 - AGENCY OF ADMINISTRATION › Sub-Agency 050 - DEPARTMENT OF BUILDINGS AND GENERAL SERVICES › Chapter 003 - RULES GOVERNING STATE FACILITIES UNDER THE JURISDICTION OF THE DEPARTMENT OF BUILDINGS AND GENERAL SERVICES › Section 10 050 003 - RULES GOVERNING STATE FACILITIES UNDER THE JURISDICTION OF THE DEPARTMENT OF BUILDINGS AND GENERAL SERVICES

Current through June, 2024
Section 1.0
				Authority and Application
These rules are promulgated pursuant to
				  29 V.S.A. §
											152(14). The rules apply to
				  all state-owned or leased land, buildings, structures, grounds and
				  appurtenances under the jurisdiction of the Commissioner of Buildings and
				  General Services as limited by the exceptions to jurisdiction in
				  29 V.S.A. §
											152(9) and under 29 V.S.A.
				  Chapter 5A. These rules do not apply to State Correctional Facilities occupied
				  by the Department of Corrections unless so designated in certain areas by the
				  Commissioner of Corrections.
Section
				2.0 Definitions
"Commercial" means activities undertaken for the primary
				  purpose of producing a profit. Activities where commercial aspects are
				  incidental to the primary purpose of expression of ideas or advocacy of causes
				  are not "commercial" for the purpose of these rules.
"Commissioner" means the Commissioner of Buildings and
				  General Services.
"Controlled substances" is defined in Department of Personnel
				  Policy 17.3.
"Dangerous weapon or deadly weapon" is defined by
				  13 V.S.A. §
											4016(a)(2) and (3).
"Designee" means any person, office or position which the
				  Commissioner designates to enforce the provisions of these rules.
"Law enforcement officer" is defined in
				  20 V.S.A. §
											2358.
"Person" includes all individuals, including, but not limited
				  to, State officers or employees, political representatives, and
				  lobbyists.
"State Business" means all administrative, governmental,
				  proprietary and other acts and transactions required for the operation of State
				  government.
"State Buildings" means all state-owned or leased buildings,
				  structures, and appurtenances under the jurisdiction of the Commissioner of
				  Buildings and General Services as limited by the exceptions to jurisdiction in
				  29 V.S.A. §
											152(9) and 29 V.S.A. Chapter
				  5A.
"State Facilities" includes all State Buildings and State
				  Grounds as defined herein.
"State Grounds" means all state-owned or leased land and
				  grounds under the jurisdiction of the Commissioner of Buildings and General
				  Services as limited by the exceptions to jurisdiction in
				  29 V.S.A. §
											152(9) and 29 V.S.A. Chapter
				  5A.
Section 3.0 Public
				Access to State Facilities
Use of State Facilities by the public during public access
				  hours, 7:45 am - 4:30 pm, may be subject to reasonable limitations on the time,
				  place and manner of use. Any municipality or person may use State Facilities
				  for a public purpose. Permission is required for the use of State Facilities
				  after public access hours. Reservations for the use of Facilities, or portions
				  thereof, for non-State business during public access hours are required.
				  Requests for use of State Facilities should be submitted at least 14 days in
				  advance of the date desired and will be approved on a first come, first served
				  basis in a nondiscriminatory manner. In determining whether to grant permission
				  the Commissioner or designee shall consider only whether the purpose serves the
				  interests or general welfare of the public; the timeliness of the request; the
				  public health, welfare and safety; the security and maintenance of the
				  Facility; and the normal conduct of State Business. Permitted use of State
				  Facilities shall not imply endorsement or approval of the entity or
				  activity.
The conduct of State Business in each State Facility shall
				  take precedence over any other requested use of each State Facility. Certain
				  areas of State Facilities may be exclusively reserved for the purpose of State
				  Business by the Commissioner or designee.
State Facilities shall be closed to the public outside of the
				  posted public access hours, except as permitted by the Commissioner or
				  designee. State Facilities shall also be closed to the public in emergency
				  situations and at such times as may be necessary for the orderly conduct of
				  State Business. Admission to State Facilities during such periods will be
				  limited to individuals authorized by the Commissioner or designee.
Section 4.0 Inspections and
				Identifications
All packages, briefcases, and other containers in the
				  immediate possession of all persons entering a State Facility may be subject to
				  inspection. Persons refusing to allow such inspection may be prohibited from
				  entering the State Facility.
In order to ensure the safety of persons within State
				  Facilities and to preserve public property, the Commissioner or designee may
				  require the presentation of acceptable identification.
Section 5.0 Firearms, Explosives and Other
				Dangerous Weapons
Firearms, explosives, dangerous weapons or the components to
				  fabricate such devices whether in open or concealed possession are prohibited
				  in State Buildings. Vermont Criminal Justice Training Council (VCJTC) certified
				  law enforcement officers, as defined in
				  20 V.S.A. §
											2358 and Capitol Police Officers who have
				  successfully completed the firearms safety program provided by VCJTC are exempt
				  from this provision, unless otherwise provided by law. Instructors and
				  participants in educational or training classes conducted by the Agency of
				  Natural Resources or the Department of Fish and Wildlife may be exempt from
				  this provision upon the Commissioner's receipt and acknowledgment of written
				  notification of such classes from the Agency of Natural Resources or the
				  Department of Fish and Wildlife.
Hunting on State Grounds shall be allowed except as posted as
				  per the laws, rules and regulations of the General Assembly and the Department
				  of Fish and Wildlife.
Section
				6.0 Preservation of Property
No person shall: improperly dispose of rubbish at State
				  Facilities; willfully destroy, deface or damage State Facilities; steal or
				  otherwise unlawfully remove property from State Facilities; create any hazard
				  to persons or things; or climb upon statues, fountains, or other exhibits at
				  State Facilities.
Section
				7.0 Disturbances
Any conduct resulting in a breach of the peace or
				  disturbance, as defined by the conduct prohibited by the provisions of 13
				  V.S.A. Chapter 19, or which impedes or disrupts the orderly conduct of State
				  Business is prohibited.
Section
				8.0 Soliciting, Vending and Debt Collection
Soliciting charitable contributions, panhandling, commercial
				  or political soliciting, vending of all kinds, displaying or distributing
				  commercial advertising, or collecting private debts at State Facilities is
				  prohibited. This rule does not apply to:
(a) the annual State Employees Combined
				Charitable appeal.
(b) concessions
				or personal notices posted by employees on authorized bulletin
				boards.
(c) solicitation of labor
				organization membership or dues authorized by 3 V.S.A. Chapter 27, or the
				Collective Bargaining Agreement entered into between the State of Vermont and
				the Vermont State Employees Association.
(d) sale of farm produce by the actual
				producer.
(e) sale of
				newspapers.
(f) political
				solicitation which occurs in a public area outside of a State Building where it
				does not obstruct the passage of the public.
(g) vending machines authorized by law, or
				authorized by State officials.
(h)
				operation of cafeterias and other concessions authorized by law.
(i) passive solicitation by State employees'
				of de minimus charitable contributions, provided such solicitation has been
				approved by the department manager in advance.