Vermont legislation · 2025-2026 Session
Vermont S45: An act relating to protection from nuisance suits for agricultural activities
Status: Signed into law, March 21, 2025
What the bill says
An act relating to protection from nuisance suits for agricultural activities. (S.45) It is hereby enacted by the General Assembly of the State of Vermont.
From the chaptered text, June 12, 2025:
An act relating to protection from nuisance suits for agricultural activities. (S.45) It is hereby enacted by the General Assembly of the State of Vermont: Sec. 1. 12 V.S.A. chapter 195 is amended to read: CHAPTER 195. NUISANCE SUITS AGAINST AGRICULTURAL ACTIVITIES § 5751. LEGISLATIVE FINDINGS AND PURPOSE The General Assembly finds that agricultural production is a major contributor to the State's economy; that agricultural lands constitute unique and irreplaceable resources of statewide importance; that the continuation of existing and the initiation of new agricultural activities preserve the landscape and environmental resources of the State, contribute to the increase of tourism, and further the economic welfare and self-sufficiency of the people of the State; and that the encouragement, development, improvement, and preservation of agriculture will result in a general benefit to the health and welfare of the people of the State. In order for the agricultural industry to survive in this State, farms will likely change, adopt new technologies, and diversify into new products, which for some farms will mean increasing in size. The General Assembly finds that agricultural activities are potentially subject to lawsuits based on the theory of nuisance, and that these suits encourage and could force the premature removal of the farmlands and other farm resources from agricultural use. It is the purpose of this chapter to …
Sponsors
- Samuel Douglass (R, Orleans District) · primary sponsor
- Scott Beck (R, Caledonia District)
- Patrick Brennan (R, Grand Isle District)
- Randolph Brock (R, Franklin District)
- Thomas Chittenden (D, Chittenden-Southeast District)
- Alison Clarkson (D, Windsor District)
- Brian Collamore (R, Rutland District)
- Ann Cummings (D, Washington District)
- Martine Gulick (D, Chittenden-Central District)
- Wendy Harrison (D, Windham District)
- Lawrence Hart (R, Orange District)
- Steven Heffernan (R, Addison District)
Latest actions
- : Senate Message: Signed by Governor [June 12, 2025]
- : Signed by Governor on [June 12, 2025]
- : Delivered to Governor on [June 6, 2025]
- : Senate Message: Report of Committee of Conference adopted
- : Rules suspended & ordered delivered to Governor forthwith, on motion of Senator [Baruth]
- : As passed by Senate and House
- : Committee of Conference report adopted
- : Committee of Conference report submitted by Senator [Norris] for Committee, text
- : Rules suspended & taken up for immediate consideration, on motion of Senator [Baruth]
- : House message: House adopted Conference Committee report
Votes
- 3rd reading ordered on roll call [Passed -- Needed 15 of 30 to Pass -- Yeas = 25, Nays = 5] (March 18, 2025): 25 yea, 5 nay, passed
Common questions
- What is S45?
- S45 is a bill in the Vermont Legislature (2025-2026 Session): An act relating to protection from nuisance suits for agricultural activities.
- What does S45 do?
- In its own words: An act relating to protection from nuisance suits for agricultural activities. (S.45) It is hereby enacted by the General Assembly of the State of Vermont.
- What is the status of S45?
- Signed into law as of March 21, 2025. Latest action: Senate Message: Signed by Governor [June 12, 2025] (June 13, 2025).
- Who sponsored S45?
- Samuel Douglass (R, Orleans District), with 11 co-sponsors.
- Where is the official record for S45?
- On the Vermont Legislature website: https://legislature.vermont.gov/bill/status/2026/S.45
Source: official Vermont record. Tracked by Delilah, AI for legislation across all 50 states and Congress.