Vermont 2025-2026 Regular Session Status: Enacted

H 481 — An act relating to stormwater management

Last action — House message: Governor approved bill on May 27, 2025

  1. ✓
    Introduced
  2. ✓
    In Committee
  3. ✓
    Passed House
  4. ✓
    Passed Senate
  5. ✓
    To Executive
  6. 6
    Enacted

This bill has been enacted into law. Introduced March 18, 2025. Enacted.

Signed by Governor Phil Scott (Republican) on May 28, 2025.

Prognosis

Advancing 50% · moderate confidence

Where this bill stands today.

Odds of enactment

High

How often bills like it became law.

  • Enacted

    Current position in the legislative process.

  • 1 sponsor

    1 primary, 0 co-sponsors signed on.

Prognosis reads this bill's own signals — stage, sponsorship breadth, committee status, recorded votes and cross-state momentum. Odds come from a model trained on which bills have become law.

Bill Text

What changed in the latest version

349 added · 340 removed

Plain-language change summary

The amended version of Bill H.481 introduces a few key changes regarding stormwater management in Vermont. It now includes a deadline extension for owners of impervious surfaces to complete their stormwater permits and permits municipalities, that take full responsibility for stormwater systems, to charge fees to users. Additionally, the bill retains a clean water surcharge on property transfers, and establishes a study committee to explore creating regional stormwater utility districts. These changes aim to enhance water quality management and ease the financial burden on municipalities and property owners.

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AS PASSED BY HOUSE H.481 Page 1 of 15 H.481 An act relating to stormwater management It is hereby enacted by the General Assembly of the State of Vermont:
BILL AS PASSED BY THE HOUSE H.481 Page 1 of 16 H.481 Introduced by Committee on Environment Date:
Subject:
Conservation and development;
water quality;
stormwater;
three-acre permit Statement of purpose of bill as introduced:
This bill proposes to amend requirements related to the permitting of stormwater systems in the State.
The bill would extend the deadline by which owners of impervious surface subject to the three-acre impervious surface permit must complete permitting.
The bill also would allow municipalities that assume full legal responsibility for a stormwater system to assess municipal impact fees on users of the stormwater system.
In addition, the bill repeals the sunset of the clean water surcharge on the property transfer tax.
The bill also would create the Study Committee on the Creation of Regional Stormwater Utility Districts to review the feasibility and benefit of creating regional stormwater utility districts to facilitate implementation and compliance with the water quality laws of the State.
An act relating to stormwater management It is hereby enacted by the General Assembly of the State of Vermont:
§ 1264 is amended to read:
§ 1264 is amended to read:
§ 1264.
BILL AS PASSED BY THE HOUSE H.481 Page 2 of 16 § 1264.
§ 3254 to the contrary, when a municipality assumes full legal responsibility for a stormwater system, the municipality may assess municipal impact fees on users of the stormwater system provided that a majority of the property owners subject to the impact fee consented and the impact fee assessed is a fair apportionment to the user of the cost of the improvement in accordance with the benefits the user received.
§ 3254 to the contrary, when a municipality assumes full legal responsibility for a stormwater system, the municipality may assess municipal impact fees on users of the stormwater system provided that a majority of the property owners subject to the impact fee consented and the impact fee assessed is a fair apportionment to the user of the cost of the improvement in accordance with the benefits the user received.
VT LEG #382152 v.1 AS PASSED BY HOUSE H.481 Page 2 of 15 * * * (g) General permits.
* * * (g) General permits.
* * * (3) Within 120 days after the adoption by the Secretary of the rules required under subsection (f) of this section, the Secretary shall issue a general permit under this section for discharges of stormwater from impervious surface of three or more acres in size, when the stormwater discharge previously was not permitted or was permitted under an individual permit or general permit that did not incorporate the requirements of the 2002 Stormwater Management Manual or any subsequently adopted Stormwater Management Manual.
* * * BILL AS PASSED BY THE HOUSE H.481 Page 3 of 16 (3) Within 120 days after the adoption by the Secretary of the rules required under subsection (f) of this section, the Secretary shall issue a general permit under this section for discharges of stormwater from impervious surface of three or more acres in size, when the stormwater discharge previously was not permitted or was permitted under an individual permit or general permit that did not incorporate the requirements of the 2002 Stormwater Management Manual or any subsequently adopted Stormwater Management Manual.
and VT LEG #382152 v.1 AS PASSED BY HOUSE H.481 Page 3 of 15 (ii) for impervious surface located within all other watersheds of the State, no not later than October 1, 2033 2038 or not later than five years after a binding stormwater-specific waste-load allocation has been established for that watershed, whichever occurs first.
and (ii) for impervious surface located within all other watersheds of the State, no not later than October 1, 2033 2038 or not later than five years after a binding stormwater-specific waste-load allocation has been established for that watershed, whichever occurs first.
(B) Establish criteria and technical standards, such as best management practices, for implementation of stormwater improvements for the retrofitting of impervious surface subject to permitting under this subdivision (3).
BILL AS PASSED BY THE HOUSE H.481 Page 4 of 16 (B) Establish criteria and technical standards, such as best management practices, for implementation of stormwater improvements for the retrofitting of impervious surface subject to permitting under this subdivision (3).
VT LEG #382152 v.1 AS PASSED BY HOUSE H.481 Page 4 of 15 (b) 2017 Acts and Resolves No.
(b) 2017 Acts and Resolves No.
(1) The purpose of Secs.
BILL AS PASSED BY THE HOUSE H.481 Page 5 of 16 (1) The purpose of Secs.
VT LEG #382152 v.1 AS PASSED BY HOUSE H.481 Page 5 of 15 Sec.
Sec.
(1) Sec.
BILL AS PASSED BY THE HOUSE H.481 Page 6 of 16 (1) Sec.
Upon the effective date of this act, $1,500,000.00 shall revert to the Fund, resulting in a fiscal year 2018 total appropriation to the Board of $9,804,840.00.
Upon the effective date of this act, $1,500,000.00 shall revert to the Fund, resulting in a fiscal year 2018 total appropriation to the Board of $9,804,840.00.
I.9 of this act, from July 1, 2017 until July 1, 2027, pursuant to 32 V.S.A.
I.9 of this act, from July 1, 2017 until July 1, 2027, pursuant to 32 V.S.A.
(3) After July 1, 2027, pursuant to 32 V.S.A.
(3) After July 1, 2027, pursuant to 32 V.S.A.
I.10 of this act, $1,000,000.00 in total revenue generated by the clean VT LEG #382152 v.1 AS PASSED BY HOUSE H.481 Page 6 of 15 water surcharge of 0.04 percent shall be transferred to the Vermont Housing and Conservation Trust Fund.
I.10 of this act, $1,000,000.00 in total revenue generated by the clean water surcharge of 0.04 percent shall be transferred to the Vermont Housing and Conservation Trust Fund.
§§ 927 and 928 are amended to read:
§§ 927 and 928 are amended to read:
DEVELOPED LANDS IMPLEMENTATION GRANT PROGRAM The Secretary shall administer a Developed Lands Implementation Grant Program to provide grants or financing financial assistance to persons who are required to obtain a permit to implement regulatory requirements that are necessary to achieve water quality standards.
DEVELOPED LANDS IMPLEMENTATION GRANT PROGRAM BILL AS PASSED BY THE HOUSE H.481 Page 7 of 16 The Secretary shall administer a Developed Lands Implementation Grant Program to provide grants or financing financial assistance to persons who are required to obtain a permit to implement regulatory requirements that are necessary to achieve water quality standards.
VT LEG #382152 v.1 AS PASSED BY HOUSE H.481 Page 7 of 15 § 928.
§ 928.
MUNICIPAL STORMWATER IMPLEMENTATION GRANT PROGRAM The Secretary shall administer a Municipal Stormwater Implementation Grant Program to provide grants financial assistance to any municipality required under section 1264 of this title to obtain or seek coverage under the municipal roads general permit, the municipal separate storm sewer systems permit, a permit for impervious surface of three acres or more, or a permit required by the Secretary to reduce the adverse impacts to water quality of a discharge or stormwater runoff.
MUNICIPAL STORMWATER IMPLEMENTATION GRANT PROGRAM The Secretary shall administer a Municipal Stormwater Implementation Grant Program to provide grants financial assistance to any municipality required under section 1264 of this title to obtain or seek coverage under the municipal roads general permit, the municipal separate storm sewer systems BILL AS PASSED BY THE HOUSE H.481 Page 8 of 16 permit, a permit for impervious surface of three acres or more, or a permit required by the Secretary to reduce the adverse impacts to water quality of a discharge or stormwater runoff.
§ 1389(e) is amended to read:
§ 1389(e) is amended to read:
VT LEG #382152 v.1 AS PASSED BY HOUSE H.481 Page 8 of 15 (1) As a first priority, make recommendations regarding funding for the following grants and programs, which shall each be given equal priority:
(1) As a first priority, make recommendations regarding funding for the following grants and programs, which shall each be given equal priority:
(B) the Water Quality Restoration Formula Grant under section 925 of this title;
BILL AS PASSED BY THE HOUSE H.481 Page 9 of 16 (B) the Water Quality Restoration Formula Grant under section 925 of this title;
VT LEG #382152 v.1 AS PASSED BY HOUSE H.481 Page 9 of 15 (B) funding for education and outreach regarding the implementation of water quality requirements, including funding for education, outreach, demonstration, and access to tools for the implementation of the Acceptable Management Practices for Maintaining Water Quality on Logging Jobs in Vermont, as adopted by the Commissioner of Forests, Parks and Recreation;
(B) funding for education and outreach regarding the implementation of water quality requirements, including funding for education, outreach, demonstration, and access to tools for the implementation of the Acceptable Management Practices for Maintaining Water Quality on Logging Jobs in Vermont, as adopted by the Commissioner of Forests, Parks and Recreation;
(C) funding for the Municipal Stormwater Implementation Grant Program as provided in section 928 of this title, including at least $1,000,000.00 annually for costs of complying with permitting requirements under subdivision 1264(c)(7) of this title;
BILL AS PASSED BY THE HOUSE H.481 Page 10 of 16 (C) funding for the Municipal Stormwater Implementation Grant Program as provided in section 928 of this title, including at least $1,000,000.00 annually for costs of complying with permitting requirements under subdivision 1264(c)(7) of this title;
VT LEG #382152 v.1 AS PASSED BY HOUSE H.481 Page 10 of 15 Sec.
Sec.
APPROPRIATION Notwithstanding any other provision of law, the Clean Water Board shall direct $5,000,000.00 from the Clean Water Fund in fiscal year 2027 to the Municipal Stormwater Implementation Program Section 928 of this title for costs of complying with permitting requirements under subdivision1264(c)(7) BILL AS PASSED BY THE HOUSE H.481 Page 11 of 16 of this title, including for residential subdivisions when the municipality assumes full legal responsibility for the stormwater system.
Sec.
8.
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§ 928 for costs of complying with permitting requirements under 10 V.S.A.
§ 928 for costs of complying with permitting requirements under 10 V.S.A.
§ 1264(c)(7), including for residential subdivisions when the municipality assumes full legal responsibility for the stormwater system.
§ 1264(c)(7), including for residential subdivisions when the municipality assumes full legal responsibility for the stormwater system.
§ 3616 is amended to read:
§ 3616 is amended to read:
(2) the number of equivalent units connected with or served by the sewage system based upon their estimated flows compared to the estimated flows from a single-family dwelling, however, the board may determine no VT LEG #382152 v.1 AS PASSED BY HOUSE H.481 Page 11 of 15 user will be billed less than the minimum charge determined for the single- family dwelling charge for fixed operations and maintenance costs and bond payment;
BILL AS PASSED BY THE HOUSE H.481 Page 12 of 16 (2) the number of equivalent units connected with or served by the sewage system based upon their estimated flows compared to the estimated flows from a single-family dwelling, however, the board may determine no user will be billed less than the minimum charge determined for the single- family dwelling charge for fixed operations and maintenance costs and bond payment;
(1) the Commissioner of Environmental Conservation or designee;
BILL AS PASSED BY THE HOUSE H.481 Page 13 of 16 (1) the Commissioner of Environmental Conservation or designee;
VT LEG #382152 v.1 AS PASSED BY HOUSE H.481 Page 12 of 15 (3) a representative of a municipality subject to the municipal separate storm sewer system (MS4) permit, appointed by the Committee on Committees;
(3) a representative of a municipality subject to the municipal separate storm sewer system (MS4) permit, appointed by the Committee on Committees;
(2) propose an approach the State could use for implementing a regional stormwater utility that would allow the utilities to assume liability and VT LEG #382152 v.1 AS PASSED BY HOUSE H.481 Page 13 of 15 responsibility for compliance with water quality laws, including how a utility could assume responsibility for:
BILL AS PASSED BY THE HOUSE H.481 Page 14 of 16 (2) propose an approach the State could use for implementing a regional stormwater utility that would allow the utilities to assume liability and responsibility for compliance with water quality laws, including how a utility could assume responsibility for:
(C) propose how a regional stormwater utility district could be eligible for Clean Water State Revolving Loan Fund awards and access State- level financial assistance for the design, construction, and operation and maintenance of regulatory and non-regulatory stormwater systems, including from the Clean Water State Revolving Loan Fund;
(C) propose how a regional stormwater utility district could be eligible for Clean Water State Revolving Loan Fund awards and access State- level financial assistance for the design, construction, and operation and BILL AS PASSED BY THE HOUSE H.481 Page 15 of 16 maintenance of regulatory and non-regulatory stormwater systems, including from the Clean Water State Revolving Loan Fund;
and VT LEG #382152 v.1 AS PASSED BY HOUSE H.481 Page 14 of 15 (D) recommend whether and how a regional stormwater utility can allocate resources and cost-effectively and equitably achieve pollutant reduction measures that are not fully achieved by regulated sites, as might be articulated in a regional stormwater management plan;
and (D) recommend whether and how a regional stormwater utility can allocate resources and cost-effectively and equitably achieve pollutant reduction measures that are not fully achieved by regulated sites, as might be articulated in a regional stormwater management plan;
(1) The Commissioner of Environmental Conservation or designee shall call the first meeting of the Study Committee.
BILL AS PASSED BY THE HOUSE H.481 Page 16 of 16 (1) The Commissioner of Environmental Conservation or designee shall call the first meeting of the Study Committee.
VT LEG #382152 v.1 AS PASSED BY HOUSE H.481 Page 15 of 15 (2) The Commissioner of Environmental Conservation or designee shall be the Chair.
(2) The Commissioner of Environmental Conservation or designee shall be the Chair.
Members of the Study Committee shall be entitled to per diem compensation and reimbursement of expenses as permitted under 32 V.S.A.
Members of the Study Committee shall be entitled to per diem compensation and reimbursement of expenses as permitted under 32 V.S.A.
§ 1010 for not more than eight meetings.
§ 1010 for not more than eight meetings.
VT LEG #382152 v.1
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Amendments

2 amendments

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Action History

  1. House message: Governor approved bill on May 27, 2025

  2. Signed by Governor on May 27, 2025

  3. Delivered to the Governor on May 21, 2025

  4. House message: House concurred in Senate proposal of amendment

  5. Senate proposal of amendment concurred in

  6. Action Calendar: Action postponed until 5/16/2025

  7. Rep. Logan of Burlington moved to postpone action until 5/16/2025, which was agreed to

  8. Action Calendar: Senate Proposal of Amendment

  9. Notice Calendar: Senate Proposal of Amendment

  10. Senate Message: Passed in concurrence with proposal of amendment

  11. Read 3rd time & passed in concurrence with proposal of amendment

  12. Pending third reading, Senate proposal of amendment amended as moved by Senator(s) Watson

  13. Proposal of amendment to be offered by Senator(s) Watson

  14. New Business/Third Reading

  15. 3rd reading ordered

  16. Proposal of amendment by Committee on Natural Resources and Energy, as amended, agreed to

  17. Proposal of amendment by Committee on Natural Resources and Energy amended as moved by Senator(s) Harrison

  18. Proposal of amendment by Committee on Natural Resources and Energy amended as recommended by Committee on Appropriations

  19. Reported favorably by Senator Watson for Committee on Appropriations with proposal of amendment

  20. Reported favorably by Senator Beck for Committee on Finance

  21. Read 2nd time, reported favorably with proposal of amendment by Senator Watson for Committee on Natural Resources and Energy

  22. Proposal of amendment to be offered by Senator(s) Harrison

  23. Favorable report with proposal of amendment by Committee on Appropriations

  24. Favorable report by Committee on Finance

  25. Favorable report with proposal of amendment by Committee on Natural Resources and Energy

  26. New Business/Second Reading

  27. Favorable report with proposal of amendment by Committee on Appropriations

  28. Favorable report by Committee on Finance

  29. Favorable report with proposal of amendment by Committee on Natural Resources and Energy

  30. Second Reading

  31. Entered on Notice Calendar

  32. Referred to Committee on Appropriations per Senate Rule 31

  33. Favorable report by Committee on Finance

  34. Favorable report with proposal of amendment by Committee on Natural Resources and Energy

  35. Second Reading

  36. Entered on Notice Calendar

  37. Referred to Committee on Finance per Senate Rule 31

  38. Favorable report with proposal of amendment by Committee on Natural Resources and Energy

  39. Second Reading

  40. Entered on Notice Calendar

  41. Read 1st time & referred to Committee on Natural Resources and Energy

  42. Read third time and passed

  43. Action Calendar: Third Reading

  44. Third Reading ordered

  45. Report of Committee on Appropriations agreed to

  46. Rep. Squirrell of Underhill recommended for the Committee on Appropriations

  47. Rep. Ode of Burlington recommended for the Committee on Ways and Means

  48. Rep. Logan of Burlington spoke for the Committee on Environment

  49. Read second time

  50. Action Calendar: Favorable with Amendment

  51. Notice Calendar: Favorable with Amendment

  52. Referred to Committee on Appropriations per Rule 35(a)

  53. Notice Calendar: Favorable

  54. Committee bill read first time and referred to Committee on Ways and Means per Rule 35(a)

Sponsors

  • House Committee on Environment · Primary

Sponsorship breakdown

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1 sponsors · 0 co-sponsors · 189 not signed on

Sponsors (1)

  • House Committee on Environment

Co-sponsors (0)

None.

Not signed on (189)

189 members have not signed on to this bill.

Show all 189 →

"Not signed on" means a member has not sponsored or co-sponsored this bill — it does not imply opposition. Members flagged Voted No have a recorded No vote on this bill.

Whip count is in markup. Polling the chamber and every recorded vote this session. Only the first open is slow. It’s instant for you after this. Calling the roll · Tallying · Engrossing

Subjects

environment
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Frequently asked questions

Who sponsors H 481?
H 481 is sponsored by House Committee on Environment.
What is the current status of H 481?
This bill has been enacted into law. Introduced March 18, 2025. Enacted.
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