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Vermont Creates Airspace Safety and Unidentified Anomalous Phenomena Task Force

Original title: An act relating to Vermont Airspace Safety and Unidentified Anomalous Phenomena Task Force

Last action · January 13, 2026: Read first time and referred to the Committee on Government Operations and Military AffairsSponsor: Troy Headrick

Introduced
Committee
Floor Vote
Passed
Law

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What This Bill Would Do

Vermont establishes a 10-member task force within the Department of Public Safety to evaluate , assess airspace safety risks, and coordinate incident reporting starting July 1, 2026.

Why it matters

Creates a state-level mechanism backed by scientific advisors to investigate unexplained low-altitude aerial sightings and drone-like activity affecting local aviation safety.

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.

Directly affected

Vermont residents

Residents may utilize a confidential, voluntary reporting process for unidentified anomalous phenomena sightings and participate in at least one annual public meeting.

Directly affected

General aviation operators

Aviation operators and airport representatives are included on the task force and affected by risk assessments and recommended incident response procedures.

Directly affected

Scientific Coalition for UAP Studies

Serves as the principal scientific analyst for data and evidence, providing detailed analytical reports and findings to the Task Force.

Key Facts

You don't have to trust us. Each fact below is taken straight from the official document - click any one to see the exact passage, highlighted in the original.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the main purpose of the newly created Task Force?
The Task Force evaluates reports of , assesses airspace and public safety risks, coordinates state response with partners, and develops recommendations to improve incident reporting and scientific analysis.
Who serves on the Task Force?
The 10-member panel includes the Commissioner of Public Safety, Secretary of Transportation, a member of the House, a member of the Senate, a representative of the National Guard, the Bureau of Criminal Investigation, aviation operations, an academic expert in aerospace or atmospheric science, an independent expert in radar or sensor systems, and a representative of the Vermont Intelligence Center.
Can Vermont residents report sightings confidentially?
Yes, the Task Force may develop a confidential, voluntary reporting process for sightings by Vermont residents or officials in consultation with the Scientific Coalition for UAP Studies and the Department of Public Safety.

What else do you want to know?

News Coverage

No news coverage found yet. Articles are indexed twice daily.

Where This Stands

Currently in committee. The next step in the legislative lifecycle is Floor Vote.

Procedural history

1 action
  1. Jan 13, 2026HouseIntroduced
    Read first time and referred to the Committee on Government Operations and Military Affairs

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

Discoveries

1 pattern noticed across the record

Patterns POLISCOPE noticed across the record. These are observations to investigate, not conclusions.

policy shift95% confidence

State-Level UAP Framework

Vermont is formalizing a state-level structure to evaluate anomalous airspace reports in coordination with federal agencies and independent scientific organizations.

Connected Entities

Vermont Intelligence Center, U.S. Department of Defense, Kirsten E. Gillibrand and 12 more
OrganizationVermont Intelligence Center“Represented on the task force”Map →
OrganizationU.S. Department of Defense“Federal department housing the All-Domain Anomaly Resolution Office”Map →
PersonKirsten E. Gillibrand“U.S. Senator involved in federal UAP legislation”Map →
OrganizationAll-Domain Anomaly Resolution Office“Office within the U.S. Department of Defense”Map →
OrganizationFederal Aviation Administration“Federal agency retaining jurisdiction over airspace and aviation safety”Map →
PersonCharles E. Schumer“U.S. Senator involved in federal UAP legislation”Map →
PersonMarco Rubio“U.S. Senator involved in federal UAP legislation”Map →
locationVermont“State establishing the task force”Map →
OrganizationVermont Bureau of Criminal Investigation“Represented on the task force”Map →
OrganizationAgency of Transportation“State agency coordinating jointly with the Department of Public Safety”Map →
PersonMichael D. Rounds“U.S. Senator involved in federal UAP legislation”Map →
OrganizationVermont National Guard“Represented on the task force”Map →
OrganizationDepartment of Public Safety“State department hosting the task force”Map →
PersonTroy Headrick“Representative of Burlington who introduced the bill”Map →
OrganizationScientific Coalition for UAP Studies“Nonprofit interdisciplinary research organization serving as principal scientifi”Map →

Sources

Open source document

legislature.vermont.gov

Analysis Score

0–100
  • Significance45
    How much this matters to a regular citizen
  • Controversy20
    Intensity of disagreement among stakeholders
  • Entertainment35
    Compellingness for a non-policy-wonk reader
  • Buzz30
    Current news / social attention level

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