The civic record
Read. Follow. Verify.Vermont Proposes Special License Plates to Fund Environmental Justice and Outdoor Recreation
Last action · January 9, 2026: Read 1st time & referred to Committee on TransportationSponsors: Richard Westman and 1 other
Track this bill to get notified when it advances a stage. One tap to stop, anytime.
What This Bill Would Do
Vermont lawmakers are considering a bill that would allow the Commissioner of Motor Vehicles to issue Vermont Green FC specialty license plates for an initial and annual fee of $45. The legislation establishes a dedicated special fund to distribute grants supporting environmental justice initiatives and the state's outdoor recreation economy, taking effect July 1, 2026.
Vehicle owners who purchase the specialty plate will pay an ongoing annual fee that splits revenue between transportation infrastructure and grant programs for environmental justice and outdoor recreation projects.
Who It Would Affect
Groups the bill's text would affect if enacted, as described in the record. Being affected is not a position for or against it.
Vehicle owners
Motor vehicle owners have the option to purchase the specialty plate by paying an initial and annual $45.00 fee.
Local and regional governments
Local and regional governments are eligible to receive grants from the Vermont Green FC Special Fund.
Nonprofit or citizen groups
Nonprofit and citizen groups are eligible to apply for and receive grants from the Special Fund to advance environmental justice and outdoor recreation.
Key Facts
- The Commissioner of Motor Vehicles is authorized to issue 'Vermont Green FC' registration plates for pleasure cars, certain trucks, and State agency vehicles.
- Applicants for the specialty plate must pay an initial fee of $45.00 and an annual renewal fee of $45.00 in addition to standard registration fees.
- Initial registration fees are distributed as 23 percent to the Transportation Fund and 77 percent to the Vermont Green FC Special Fund.
- Renewal fees are distributed as 16 percent to the Transportation Fund and 84 percent to the Vermont Green FC Special Fund.
Show all 8 facts
- The Department of Corrections is responsible for producing the Vermont Green FC registration plates for the Department of Motor Vehicles.
- The Vermont Green FC Special Fund is established in the Office of the Treasurer to provide grants supporting environmental justice and the outdoor recreation economy.
- A newly created oversight board consisting of state officials, the Vermont Green Football Club, and the Vermont Outdoor Business Alliance will manage grant distributions from the Fund.
- The act takes effect on July 1, 2026.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does the Vermont Green FC license plate cost?
Where do the fees collected from the specialty plates go?
Who manages the grants distributed from the Special Fund?
What else do you want to know?
News Coverage
Follow the record
Votes, people, money & the original sourceWhere This Stands
Currently in committee. The next step in the legislative lifecycle is Floor Vote.
Procedural history
1 action- Jan 9, 2026SenateIntroducedRead 1st time & referred to Committee on Transportation
Version history
Only one version on file - nothing to compare yet. As later stages (committee substitute, engrossed, enrolled) are captured, the redline appears here.
View official text →Lobbying Activity
No state lobbying filings in our records match this bill. Federal lobbying reports (LDA) cover Congress, so they are not listed on state bills.
Full breakdown
Who this bill affects and the strongest case for and against it, written only from the bill’s own text.
Sponsors
Connected Entities
Sources
legislature.vermont.gov
Analysis Score
0–100- Significance35How much this matters to a regular citizen
- Controversy10Intensity of disagreement among stakeholders
- Entertainment5Compellingness for a non-policy-wonk reader
- Buzz20Current news / social attention level
Publisher tools