Vermont 2025 2025-2026 Regular Session

Vermont House Bill H0488 Engrossed / Bill

Filed 03/31/2025

                    BILLASPASSEDBYTHEHOUSE	H.488
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H.488
IntroducedbyCommitteeonTransportation
Date:
Subject:Transportation;annualTransportationProgram;VermontRoute36;
locallymanagedprojects;railtrails;TransportationBoard;town
highways;mileage-baseduserfee;EVinfrastructurefee;electric
vehiclesupplyequipment
Statementofpurposeofbillasintroduced:Thisbillproposestoadoptthe
State’sannualTransportationProgramandmakemiscellaneouschangesto
lawsrelatedtotransportation.
Anactrelatingtothefiscalyear2026TransportationProgramand
miscellaneouschangestolawsrelatedtotransportation
ItisherebyenactedbytheGeneralAssemblyoftheStateofVermont:
***TransportationProgramAdoptedasAmended;Definitions***
Sec.1.TRANSPORTATIONPROGRAMADOPTED;DEFINITIONS
(a)Adoption.TheAgencyofTransportation’sProposedFiscalYear2026
TransportationProgramappendedtotheAgencyofTransportation’sproposed
fiscalyear2026budget,asamendedbythisact,isadoptedtotheextent
federal,State,andlocalfundsareavailable.
(b)Definitions.Asusedinthisact,unlessotherwiseindicated:
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(1)“Agency”meanstheAgencyofTransportation.
(2)“Candidateproject”meansaprojectapprovedbytheGeneral
Assemblythatisnotanticipatedtohavesignificantexpendituresfor
preliminaryengineeringorright-of-wayexpenditures,orboth,duringthe
budgetyearandfundingforconstructionisnotanticipatedwithinapredictable
timeframe.
(3)“Developmentandevaluation(D&E)project”meansaproject
approvedbytheGeneralAssemblythatisanticipatedtohavepreliminary
engineeringexpendituresorright-of-wayexpenditures,orboth,duringthe
budgetyearandthattheAgencyiscommittedtodeliveringtoconstructionon
atimelinedrivenbypriorityandavailablefunding.
(4)“Electricvehiclesupplyequipment(EVSE)”and“electricvehicle
supplyequipmentavailabletothepublic”havethesamemeaningsasin
30 V.S.A.§ 201.
(5)“Front-of-bookproject”meansaprojectapprovedbytheGeneral
Assemblythatisanticipatedtohaveconstructionexpendituresduringthe
budgetyearorthefollowingthreeyears,orboth,withexpectedexpenditures
shownoverfouryears.
(6)“Mileage-baseduserfee”or“MBUF”meansafeeforvehicleuseof
thepublicroadsystemwithdistance,statedinmiles,asthemeasureofuse.
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(7)“Plug-inelectricvehicle(PEV),”“plug-inhybridelectricvehicle
(PHEV),”and“batteryelectricvehicle(BEV)”havethesamemeaningsasin
23V.S.A.§ 4(85).
(8)“Secretary”meanstheSecretaryofTransportation.
(9)“TIBfunds”meansmoniesdepositedintheTransportation
InfrastructureBondFundinaccordancewith19 V.S.A.§ 11f.
(10)Thetableheading“AsProposed”meanstheProposed
TransportationProgramreferencedinsubsection(a)ofthissection;thetable
heading“AsAmended”meanstheamendmentsasmadebythisact;thetable
heading“Change”meansthedifferenceobtainedbysubtractingthe“As
Proposed”figurefromthe“AsAmended”figure;theterms“change”or
“changes”inthetextrefertotheproject-andprogram-specificamendments,
theaggregatesumofwhichequalsthenet“Change”intheapplicabletable
heading;and“State”inanytablesamendingauthorizationsindicatesthatthe
sourceoffundsisStatemoniesintheTransportationFund,unlessotherwise
specified.
***RailProgram;TechnicalCorrection***
Sec.2.RAILPROGRAM
(a)WithintheAgencyofTransportation’sProposedFiscalYear2026
TransportationProgramforRailthefollowingprojectisdeleted:Barre–
Berlin–Montpelier04-9038–WACRSubsidy.
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(b)WithintheAgencyofTransportation’sProposedFiscalYear2026
TransportationProgramforRail,thefollowingprojectisadded:Hartford
HRRD(1)25G002–WhiteRiverJunctionDepotRepairs.
(c)WithintheAgencyofTransportation’sProposedFiscalYear2026
TransportationProgramforRail,spendingauthorityforHartfordHRRD(1)
25G002–WhiteRiverJunctionDepotRepairsisauthorizedasfollows:
FY26 AsProposed AsAmended Change
Other	0 260,000 260,000
Total	0 260,000 260,000
Sourcesoffunds
State	0 260,000 260,000
Total	0 260,000 260,000
***RelinquishmentofVermontRoute36intheTownofSt.Albans***
Sec.3.RELINQUISHMENT OFVERMONTROUTE36INTHETOWN
OFST.ALBANS
Pursuantto19V.S.A.§15(a)(2),theGeneralAssemblyauthorizesthe
SecretaryofTransportationtoenterintoanagreementwiththeTownofSt.
AlbanstorelinquishasegmentoftheStatehighwayintheTownofSt.Albans
knownasVermontRoute36.Thesegmentauthorizedtoberelinquished
beginsatmilemarker0.00,justeastofthe“BlackBridge”(B2),andcontinues
14,963feet(approximately2.834miles)easterlytomilemarker2.834,where
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VermontRoute36meetstheboundaryoftheCityofSt.Albans,andincludes
the0.106-milewestboundsectionofVermontRoute36andapproachesatthe
entrancetotheSt.AlbansBayTownPark.
***State-OwnedRailroads;RailTrails***
Sec.4.5V.S.A.chapter58isredesignatedtoread:
CHAPTER58.STATEACQUISITIONOFSTATE-OWNEDRAILROADS
ANDRAILTRAILS
Sec.5.5V.S.A.§ 3408isamendedtoread:
§3408.RAILBANKING;NOTIFICATION
(a)IftheSecretaryfindsthatthecontinuedoperationofanyState-owned
railroadpropertyisnoteconomicallyfeasibleunderpresentconditions,heor
shetheSecretarymayplacethelineinrailbankedstatusaftergivingadvance
noticeofsuchtheplannedrailbankingtotheHouseandSenateCommitteeson
TransportationwhentheGeneralAssemblyisinsession,andwhentheGeneral
Assemblyisnotinsession,totheJointTransportationOversightCommittee.
TheAgency,onbehalfoftheState,shallcontinuetoholdtheright-of-wayofa
railbankedlineforreactivationofrailroadserviceorforotherpublicpurposes
notinconsistentwithfuturereactivationofrailroadservice.SuchThe
railbankingshallnotbetreated,forpurposesofanylaworruleoflaw,asan
abandonmentoftheuseoftherights-of-wayforrailroadpurposes.
***
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(c)(1)TheSecretarymay,afterconsultingwithmunicipalities,adoptrules
consistentwiththeprovisionsofsection3408aofthischaptergoverningthe
interimtrailuseofState-ownedrailroadrights-of-waythathavebeenplacedin
railbankedstatus.
(2)Signsindicatingtherulesshallbeconspicuouslypostedinornearall
areasaffected.
(3)Anypersonwhoviolatestheserulesadoptedpursuanttothis
subsectionshallbesubjecttoapenaltyofnotmorethan$300.00.
Sec.6.5V.S.A.§ 3408aisaddedtoread:
§ 3408a.USEOFRAILTRAILS
(a)Definitions.Asusedinthissection:
(1)“Railtrail”meanstheright-of-wayofaState-ownedrailroadline
thathasbeenauthorizedforrailbankingandinterimtrailusepursuantto
16 U.S.C.§ 1247(d)orsection3408ofthischapter.
(2)“Trailsponsor”meanstheAgencyofTransportationinthecaseofa
railtrailmaintainedbytheAgencyorthemunicipalityinthecaseofarailtrail
maintainedbyamunicipality.
(b)Useofrailtrails.Thefollowingactsareprohibitedwithinarailtrail
right-of-way:
(1)Throwing,dropping,ordiscardingbottles,cans,paper,garbage,
rubbish,sewage,orothermaterialofanykind.
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(2)Cutting,mutilating,orremovinganytree,shrub,flower,plant,top
soil,orsodorattemptingtodoso.
(3)Injury,defacement,removal,ordestructionofthesurfaceoftherail
trailorarailtrail’sstructures,appurtenances,recreationfacilities,orproperty.
(4)Exceptasauthorizedbythetrailsponsor,erecting,placing,or
displayinganyadvertisingmaterials,posters,orplacardsofanykind.This
prohibitionshallnotapplytoofficialsignserectedbythetrailsponsor.
(5)Exceptasauthorizedbythetrailsponsor,enteringorremainingon
therailtrailforthepurposeof:
(A)selling,hiring,orleasinganygoodsorservices;or
(B)distributingsamples,pamphlets,oradvertisingmaterials,except
forofficialinformationauthorizedbythetrailsponsor.
(6)Parades,demonstrations,picnics,games,entertainment,or
organizations,exceptattimesandlocationsapprovedbythetrailsponsor.
(7)Harassingormolestingwildlife,exceptforfishing.
(8)Usingordischarginganyfirearmsorotherweaponsorfireworks,
exceptbypersonauthorizedbythetrailsponsororasotherwisepermittedby
law.
(9)Ignitingfiresforanypurpose,exceptinfireplacesorfirepitsat
locationsdesignatedbythetrailsponsorfortrailmaintenancepurposes.
(10)Solicitingalmsorcontributions.
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(11)Useofmotorizedvehicles,exceptfor:
(A)maintenancepurposes;
(B)snowmobiles,subjecttoapplicableStaterules,whentheVermont
AssociationofSnowTravelers,Inc.hasdeclaredtheStatewideSnowmobile
TrailSystemofficiallyopen;
(C)OtherPower-DrivenMobilityDevices(OPDMD)utilizedbyan
individualwithadisabilityaspermittedbytheAgency’sRailTrail
AccessibilityPolicy;
(D)electricbicyclesaspermittedpursuanttoapplicableStaterules;
and
(E)othercircumstancesthatthetrailsponsordeterminesare
appropriate.
(12)Overnightcamping,exceptatareasdesignatedforthatpurposeby
thetrailsponsor.
(c)Penalty.Anypersonwhoviolatestheprovisionsofsubsection(b)of
thissectionshallbesubjecttoacivilpenaltyofnotmorethan$300.00.
***TransportationBoard***
Sec.7.19V.S.A.§ 3isamendedtoread:
§3.TRANSPORTATIONBOARD;CREATION;MEMBERS
AtransportationboardTheTransportationBoardisformedtobeattached
totheAgencyofTransportation.ThereshallbesevenmembersoftheBoard,
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appointedbytheGovernorwiththeadviceandconsentoftheSenate.The
GovernorshallsofarasispossibleappointBoardmemberswhoseinterests
andexpertiselieinvariousareasofthetransportationfield.TheGovernor
shallappointthechairChair,andtheBoardmayvotetoappointotherofficers.
ThemembersoftheBoardshallbeappointedfortermsofthreeyears.Board
membersmaybeappointedfortwoadditionalthree-yeartermsbutshallnotbe
eligibleforfurtherreappointment.NoNotmorethanfourmembersofthe
Boardshallbelongtothesamepoliticalparty.NomemberoftheBoardshall:
***
Sec.8.19V.S.A.§ 5isamendedtoread:
§5.TRANSPORTATIONBOARD;POWERSANDDUTIES
***
(d)Specificdutiesandresponsibilities.TheBoardshall:
***
(4)provideappellatereview,whenrequestedinwriting,regardinglegal
disputesintheexecutionofcontractsawardedbytheAgencyorby
municipalitiescooperatingwiththeAgencytoadvanceprojectsintheState’s
TransportationProgram,exceptthattheAgencyshallprovideappellatereview
relatingtobidsandthecompetitivenegotiationprocessunder19V.S.A.§ 10a;
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(5)provideappellatereview,whenrequestedinwriting,ofdecisionsof
theSecretaryinadministeringtheprovisionsofTitle24,relatingtojunkyards
salvageyards;
***
***GreenMountainTransitAuthority***
Sec.9.24App.V.S.A.chapter801isamendedtoread:
CHAPTER801.GREENMOUNTAINTRANSITAUTHORITY
***
§2.AREAOFOPERATION
(a)TheareaofoperationshallbeChittenden,Franklin,GrandIsle,and
WashingtonCountiesandtheTownsofOrange,Washington,and
Williamstown.TheareaofoperationshallincludeAddisonandCaledonia
CountiesandtheTownsofOrangeCountyotherthanOrange,Washington,
andWilliamstown,butonlyfortheprovisionofcommuterservices.Thearea
ofoperationshallincludeLamoilleCounty,butonlyfortheprovisionof
publishedscheduledservicesCountyforfixedroutebusservice.TheGreen
MountainTransitAuthoritymayoperateserviceoutsideChittendenCounty,or
demandresponsetransitwithinChittendenCounty,asdeterminedbythe
AgencyofTransportation’spublictransitgrantprocess.
***
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§10.IMPLEMENTATION
***
(c)ImmediatelyuponjoiningtheAuthority,themunicipalityshallappoint
twocommissionersasprovidedherein.Theinitialtermsofthecommissioners
oftheinitialmembersshallbearrangedbytheChittendenCountyRegional
PlanningCommissionsothatthetermsofapproximatelyone-thirdofthe
commissionersshallexpireineachyear.Theinitialtermsofcommissioners
frommunicipalitiesjoiningafterMarch7,1973,shallbesetbytheBoardof
Commissioners.
***
***TownHighways***
Sec.10.19V.S.A.§ 306isamendedtoread:
§306.APPROPRIATION;STATEAIDFORTOWNHIGHWAYS
(a)GeneralStateaidtotownhighways.
(1)Anannualappropriationtoclass1,2,and3townhighwaysshallbe
made.Thisappropriationshallincreaseoverthepreviousfiscalyear’s
appropriationbythesamepercentagechangeasthefollowing,whicheveris
less,orshallremainatthepreviousfiscalyear’sappropriationifeitherofthe
followingarenegativeorzero:
(A)thepercentagechangeoftheAgency’stotalappropriations
fundedbyTransportationFundrevenues,excludingappropriationsfortown
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highwaysunderthissubsection(a)andsubsections(e)and(h)ofthissection,
forthemostrecentlyclosedfiscalyearascomparedtothefiscalyear
immediatelyprecedingthemostrecentlyclosedfiscalyear;or
***
(e)Stateaidfortownhighwaystructures.
(1)Thereshallbeanannualappropriationforgrantstomunicipalities
formaintenance(includingactionstoextendlifeexpectancy)andfor
constructionofbridgesandculverts;formaintenanceandconstructionofother
structures,includingcausewaysandretainingwalls,intendedtopreservethe
integrityofthetraveledportionofclass1,2,and3townhighways;andfor
alternativesthateliminatetheneedforabridge,culvert,orotherstructure,
suchastheconstructionorreconstructionofahighway,thepurchaseof
parcelsoflandthatwouldbelandlockedbyclosureofabridge,thepayment
ofdamagesforlossofhighwayaccess,andthesubstitutionofothermeansof
access.Thisappropriationshallincreaseoverthepreviousfiscalyear’s
appropriationbythesamepercentagechangeasthefollowing,whicheveris
less,orshallremainatthepreviousfiscalyear’sappropriationifeitherofthe
followingarenegativeorzero:
(A)thepercentagechangeintheAgency’stotalappropriations
fundedbyTransportationFundrevenues,excludingappropriationsunderthis
subsection(e)andsubsections(a)and(h)ofthissection,forthemostrecently
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closedfiscalyearascomparedtothefiscalyearimmediatelyprecedingthe
mostrecentlyclosedfiscalyear;or
(B)thepercentagechangeintheBureauofLaborStatistics
ConsumerPriceIndexforAllUrbanConsumers(CPI-U).
(2)Forpurposesofsubdivision(1)(B)ofthissubsection,thepercentage
changeintheCPI-Uiscalculatedbydeterminingtheincreaseordecrease,to
thenearestone-tenthofapercent,intheCPI-UforthemonthendingonJune
30inthecalendaryearoneyearpriortothefirstdayofthefiscalyearfor
whichtheappropriationwillbemadecomparedtotheCPI-Uforthemonth
endingonJune30inthecalendaryeartwoyearspriortothefirstdayofthe
fiscalyearforwhichtheappropriationwillbemade.
(3)Eachfiscalyear,theAgencyshallapprovequalifyingprojectswitha
totalestimatedStatesharecostof$7,200,000.00ataminimumasnewgrants.
TheAgency’sproposedappropriationfortheProgramshalltakeintoaccount
theestimatedamountofqualifyinginvoicessubmittedtotheAgencywith
respecttoprojectgrantsapprovedinprioryearsbutnotyetcompletedaswell
aswithrespecttonewprojectgrantstobeapprovedinthefiscalyear
BeginningwithStatefiscalyear2027,theminimumtotalestimatedStateshare
costfortheapprovedgrantsshallincreaseoverthepriorfiscalyear’s
minimumtotalestimatedStatesharecostbythesamepercentageasthe
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appropriationforStateaidfortownhighwaystructuresisincreasedpursuantto
subdivision(1)ofthissubsection.
(4)Inagivenfiscalyear,shouldexpendituresintheTownHighway
StructuresProgramexceedtheamountappropriated,theAgencyshalladvise
theGovernoroftheneedtorequestasupplementalappropriationfromthe
GeneralAssemblytofundtheadditionalprojectcost,providedthatthe
Agencyhaspreviouslycommittedtocompletingthoseprojects.
(3)(5)FundsreceivedasgrantsforStateaidfortownhighway
structuresmaybeusedbyamunicipalitytosatisfyaportionofthematching
requirementsforfederalearmarks,subjecttosubsection309b(c)ofthistitle.
***
(h)Class2TownHighwayRoadwayProgram.
(1)Thereshallbeanannualappropriationforgrantstomunicipalities
forresurfacing,rehabilitation,orreconstructionofpavedorunpavedclass2
townhighways.However,municipalitiesMunicipalitiesthathavenoState
highwaysorclass1townhighwayswithintheirbordersmayusethegrantsfor
suchactivitieswithrespecttobothclass2andclass3townhighways.Each
fiscalyear,theAgencyshallapprovequalifyingprojectswithatotalestimated
Statesharecostof$8,600,000.00ataminimumasnewgrants.TheAgency’s
proposedappropriationfortheProgramshalltakeintoaccounttheestimated
amountofqualifyinginvoicessubmittedtotheAgencywithrespecttoproject
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grantsapprovedinprioryearsbutnotyetcompletedaswellaswithrespectto
newprojectgrantstobeapprovedinthefiscalyear.Thisappropriationshall
increaseoverthepreviousfiscalyear’sappropriationbythesamepercentage
changeasthefollowing,whicheverisless,orshallremainattheprevious
fiscalyear’sappropriationifeitherofthefollowingarenegativeorzero:
(A)thepercentagechangeintheAgency’stotalappropriations
fundedbyTransportationFundrevenues,excludingappropriationsunderthis
subsection(h)andsubsections(a)and(e)ofthissection,forthemostrecently
closedfiscalyearascomparedtothefiscalyearimmediatelyprecedingthe
mostrecentlyclosedfiscalyear;or
(B)thepercentagechangeintheBureauofLaborStatistics
ConsumerPriceIndexforAllUrbanConsumers(CPI-U).
(2)Forpurposesofsubdivision(1)(B)ofthissubsection,thepercentage
changeintheCPI-Uiscalculatedbydeterminingtheincreaseordecrease,to
thenearestone-tenthofapercent,intheCPI-UforthemonthendingonJune
30inthecalendaryearoneyearpriortothefirstdayofthefiscalyearfor
whichtheappropriationwillbemadecomparedtotheCPI-Uforthemonth
endingonJune30inthecalendaryeartwoyearspriortothefirstdayofthe
fiscalyearforwhichtheappropriationwillbemade.
(3)Eachfiscalyear,theAgencyshallapprovequalifyingprojectswitha
totalestimatedStatesharecostof$8,600,000.00ataminimumasnewgrants.
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BeginningwithStatefiscalyear2027,theminimumtotalestimatedStateshare
costfortheapprovedgrantsshallincreaseoverthepriorfiscalyear’s
minimumtotalestimatedStatesharecostbythesamepercentageasthe
appropriationfortheClass2TownHighwayRoadwayProgramisincreased
pursuanttosubdivision(1)ofthissubsection.
(4)Inagivenfiscalyear,shouldexpendituresintheClass2Town
HighwayRoadwayProgramexceedtheamountappropriated,theAgencyshall
advisetheGovernoroftheneedtorequestasupplementalappropriationfrom
theGeneralAssemblytofundtheadditionalprojectcost,providedthatthe
Agencyhaspreviouslycommittedtocompletingthoseprojects.Funds
receivedasgrantsforStateaidundertheClass2TownHighwayRoadway
Programmaybeusedbyamunicipalitytosatisfyaportionofthematching
requirementsforfederalearmarks,subjecttosubsection309b(c)ofthistitle.
***
***Mileage-BasedUserFee***
Sec.11.2023ActsandResolvesNo.62,Secs.27–29areamendedtoread:
Sec.27.MILEAGE-BASEDUSERFEELEGISLATIVEINTENT
ItistheintentoftheGeneralAssemblyfortheState:
(1)tostartcollectingamileage-baseduserfeefromallbattery-electric
vehiclesregisteredinVermontstartingonJuly1,2025,whichisexpectedto
bethefirstdayofthefirstfiscalyearwhenmorethan15percentofnew
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pleasurecarregistrationsintheStateareplug-inelectricvehicles(PEVs)2026
subjecttosufficientfundingbeingavailableforimplementation;
(2)tostartsubjectingsubjectplug-inhybridelectricvehicles(PHEVs)
thatareapleasurecartoanincreasedannualorabiennialregistrationelectric
vehicleinfrastructurefeestartingonJulyJanuary1,2025,andthatPHEVs
shallnotbesubjecttoamileage-baseduserfee;
(3)toworktowardscollectingafeeonkWhsthataredispensedthrough
certainelectricvehiclesupplyequipmentavailabletothepublicsoasto
supplantlostgastaxrevenuefromPEVs;and
(4)tonotcommencecollectingamileage-baseduserfeeuntilsuch
authorizinglanguageiscodifiedinstatuteandbecomeseffective.
Sec.28.MILEAGE-BASEDUSERFEEAUTHORIZATION
(a)WithintheAgencyofTransportation’sProposedFiscalYear2024
TransportationProgramforEnvironmentalPolicyandSustainability,the
AgencyofTransportation,includingtheDepartmentofMotorVehicles,is
authorizedtoapplyforandacceptacompetitivefederalStrategicInnovation
forRevenueCollectiongrantestablishedpursuanttotheInfrastructure
InvestmentandJobsAct,Pub.L.No.117-58(IIJA),Sec.13001,withupto
$350,000.00inTransportationFundmoniesauthorizedforthenonfederal
matchinfiscalyear2024andato-be-determinedamountforthenonfederal
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matchinsubsequentfiscalyearsupto$350,000.00inTransportationFund
moniesauthorizedforthenonfederalmatchinfiscalyear2025.
(b)Aspermittedunderfederalregulationsandgrantterms,theTheAgency
shallutilizegrantmoniestodesignStateorfederalfunding,orboth,
authorizedtobeusedforthepurposeofdesigningamileage-baseduserfee
thatisconsistentwithSecs.27and29ofthisact.
(c)SubjecttoStateprocurementrequirementsandtheavailabilityof
sufficientfunding,theAgencymayretainoneormorecontractorsor
consultants,orboth,toassistwiththedesignofaprocesstocommence
collectingamileage-baseduserfeeonJuly1,20252026.
Sec.29.MILEAGE-BASEDUSERFEEDESIGN
(a)Definitions.AsusedinSecs.27–30ofthisact:
(1)“Accountmanager”meansapersonundercontractwiththeAgency
ofTransportationorDepartmentofMotorVehiclestoadministerandmanage
themileage-baseduserfee.
(2)“Annualvehiclemilestraveled”meansthetotalnumberofmiles
thataBEVisdrivenbetweenannualinspectionsasreportedbyaninspection
mechanictotheDepartmentofMotorVehicles.
(3)“Mileage-baseduserfee”meansthetotalamountthatanowneror
lesseeofaBEVregisteredinVermontowestheStateandiscalculatedby:
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(A)multiplyingthemileage-baseduserfeeratebytheannualvehicle
milestraveledor,;
(B)inthecaseofaterminatingevent,bymultiplyingthemileage-
baseduserfeeratebythevehiclemilestraveledbetweenthelastVermont
annualinspectionandtheterminatingevent;or
(C)intheabsenceofarecordedodometerreadingduringthemileage
reportingperiod,bymultiplyingthemileage-baseduserfeebythe98th
percentileofestimatedannualvehiclemilestraveledforapleasurecarin
Vermont.
(4)“Mileage-baseduserfeerate”meanstheper-mileusagefeecharged
totheownerorlesseeofaBEVregisteredinVermont.
(5)“Mileagereportingperiod”meansthetimebetweenannual
inspectionsorthetimebetweenanthemostrecentannualinspectionanda
terminatingevent.
(6)“Pleasurecar”hasthesamemeaningasin23V.S.A.§ 4(28).
(7)“Plug-inelectricvehicle(PEV)”hasthesamemeaningasin
23 V.S.A.§ 4(85)andincludesbatteryelectricvehicles(BEVs)andplug-in
hybridelectricvehicles(PHEVs),whichhavethesamemeaningasin
23 V.S.A.§ 4(85)(A)and(B).
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(8)“Terminatingevent”meanseithertheregisteringofaBEVthathad
beenregisteredinVermontinadifferentstateorachangeinownershipor
lesseeshipoftheBEV,orboth.
(b)Commencementdate.TheAgencyshalldesignaprocesstocollecta
mileage-baseduserfeeformilesdrivenbyaBEVregisteredinVermontto
commencecollectingrevenueonJuly1,20252026.
(c)Coveredvehicles.TheAgencyshalldesignaprocesstocollecta
mileage-baseduserfeebasedontheannualvehiclemilestraveledbyBEVs
registeredintheState.
(d)Impositionofamileage-baseduserfee.TheAgencyshalldesigna
processtocollectamileage-baseduserfeefromtheownerorlesseeofaBEV
registeredinVermontforeachmileagereportingperiodwithin60daysafter
theVermontannualinspectiononanannual,quarterly,ormonthlybasis
selectedbytheownerorlesseeandreconcileduponrenewalofthevehicle
registrationorwithin60daysafteraterminatingeventthatclosesthemileage
reportingperiod.
Sec.12.INTENT
ItistheintentoftheGeneralAssemblythatthemileage-baseduserfeefora
BEVpleasurecarbeapproximatelyequivalenttotheamountcollectedbythe
Stateandfederalgovernmentingastaxrevenuefromtheuseofanon-PEV
pleasurecarregisteredinVermontandtheamountcollectedbytheStateand
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federalgovernmentingastaxrevenueandElectricVehicleInfrastructurefee
fromtheuseofaPHEVpleasurecar.
***EVSE;One-TimeAppropriation***
Sec.13.EVSE;ONE-TIMEAPPROPRIATION
Infiscalyear2026,theamountof$1,400,000.00isappropriatedfromthe
TransportationFundtotheAgencyofTransportationfordistributiontothe
gencyofCommerceandCommunityDevelopmentforprogramstoincrease
Vermonters’accesstolevel1and2EVSEchargingportsatworkplacesor
multiunitdwellings,orboth.
Sec.13.[Deleted.]
***AuthoritytoTransferMoniesinStateFiscalYear2026***
Sec.14.AUTHORIZATIONTOUSEMONIESTOCONTINUE
PARTNERSHIPWITHDRIVEELECTRICVERMONTINSTATE
FISCALYEAR2026
InStatefiscalyear2026,theSecretaryofTransportationisauthorizedto
spendupto$325,000.00inremainingmoniesappropriatedtotheElectrify
YourFleetPrograminStateFiscalYear2024tocontinuetheAgencyof
Transportation’spartnershipwithDriveElectricVermont.Themoniesshall
beusedforprogramsandactivitiesthatsupportincreasedownershipanduse
ofPEVsintheStatethrough:
(1)stakeholdercoordination;
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(2)consumereducationandoutreach;
(3)infrastructuredevelopment;and
(4)theprovisionoftechnicalassistanceandsupporttoVermont
municipalitiesandVermontbusinessesdesiringtoelectrifytheirvehiclefleets.
***EffectiveDate***
Sec.15.EFFECTIVEDATE
ThisactshalltakeeffectonJuly1,2025.
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