Vermont H70: An act relating to the inclusion of use value appraisal land in the conserved land inventory

What the bill says

An act relating to the inclusion of use value appraisal land in the conserved land inventory It is hereby enacted by the General Assembly of the State of Vermont.

From the introduced text, January 23, 2025:

An act relating to the inclusion of use value appraisal land in the conserved land inventory It is hereby enacted by the General Assembly of the State of Vermont: Sec. 1. 10 V.S.A. § 2801 is amended to read: § 2801. DEFINITIONS As used in this section: * * * (3) "Natural resource management area" means an area having permanent protection from conversion for the majority of the area but that is subject to long-term, sustainable land management or agricultural land or forestland that is enrolled in the Use Value Appraisal Program pursuant to V.S.A. chapter 124. * * * (6) "Conserved" means permanently protected and meeting the definition of ecological reserve area, biodiversity conservation area, or natural resource management area as defined in this section for purposes of meeting the 30 percent goal in subsection 2802(b) of this title. For purposes of meeting the 50 percent goal of subsection 2802(b) of this title, "conserved" primarily means permanently protected and meeting the definition of ecological reserve area, biodiversity conservation area, or natural resource management area as defined in this section, although other long-term land protection mechanisms and measures that achieve the goals of Vermont Conservation Design that are VT LEG #379322 v.1 BILL AS INTRODUCED H.70 2025 Page 3 of enforceable and accountable and that support an ecologically functional and …

Read the full official text

Sponsors

• Mark Higley (R, Orleans-Lamoille) · primary sponsor
• Richard Bailey (R, Lamoille-2)
• Gregory Burtt (R, Caledonia-Washington)
• Casey, James "Jim" (R, Addison-Rutland)
• Allen Demar (R, Franklin-7)
• Eileen Dickinson (R, Franklin-2)
• Joshua Dobrovich (R, Orange-3)
• Martha Feltus (R, Caledonia-3)
• Gina Galfetti (R, Washington-Orange)
• Kenneth Goslant (R, Washington-1)
• Lisa Hango (R, Franklin-5)
• Christopher Howland (R, Rutland-4)

Latest actions

1. May 12, 2026: Which was disagreed to on a Roll Call [Failed -- Needed 69 of 138 to Pass -- Yeas = 58, Nays = 80]
2. May 12, 2026: Rep. [Higley of Lowell] demanded yeas and nays
3. May 12, 2026: Rep. [Higley of Lowell] moved to relieve the Committee on [Environment]
4. February 5, 2026: Which was disagreed to on a Roll Call [Failed -- Needed 67 of 134 to Pass -- Yeas = 48, Nays = 86]
5. February 5, 2026: Rep. [Parsons of Newbury] demanded yeas and nays
6. February 5, 2026: Rep. [Galfetti of Barre Town] moved to relieve the Committee on [Environment]
7. January 23, 2025: Read first time and referred to the Committee on [Environment]

Votes

• Which was disagreed to on a Roll Call [Failed -- Needed 69 of 138 to Pass -- Yeas = 58, Nays = 80] (May 12, 2026): 58 yea, 80 nay, failed
• Which was disagreed to on a Roll Call [Failed -- Needed 67 of 134 to Pass -- Yeas = 48, Nays = 86] (February 5, 2026): 48 yea, 86 nay, failed

Common questions

What is H70?

H70 is a bill in the Vermont Legislature (2025-2026 Session): An act relating to the inclusion of use value appraisal land in the conserved land inventory.

What does H70 do?

In its own words: An act relating to the inclusion of use value appraisal land in the conserved land inventory It is hereby enacted by the General Assembly of the State of Vermont.

What is the status of H70?

Failed as of May 12, 2026. Latest action: Which was disagreed to on a Roll Call [Failed -- Needed 69 of 138 to Pass -- Yeas = 58, Nays = 80] (May 12, 2026).

Who sponsored H70?

Mark Higley (R, Orleans-Lamoille), with 11 co-sponsors.

Where is the official record for H70?

On the Vermont Legislature website: https://legislature.vermont.gov/bill/status/2026/H.70