Work on the House Energy and Environment Committee’s Act 250 modernization bill continued this week as legislators considered input on measures to encourage development in areas that will lead to better smart growth outcomes for all Vermont communities. The Vermont Chamber is committed to remaining engaged in the process to secure swift and strategic positive outcomes for the Vermont business community.  

In the new version of the bill that was introduced this week, the original sections remain largely unchanged, but the bill now includes language reflecting the outcome of the Designation 2050 report that the Vermont Chamber served as an advisor for.  A section-by-section version of the bill is available online. The Vermont Chamber remains highly engaged on this issue and will be advocating for planned growth area designation requirements that are accessible to communities across the state and are large enough to encompass the thousands of housing units Vermonters need. Additionally, we will support the creation of a professional board with a mission of creating an Act 250 process for applicants that is fair, timely, and consistent across all district commissions and leaves the legal determinations of appeals with the environmental courts. In the second tier (which will be areas outside of the downtown and village planned growth areas) we will continue to support the compromise that incentivizes dense development through the creation of a road rule and forest protections that have support for working lands and rural businesses.