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Read. Follow. Verify.Vermont Bill H.52 converts mandatory greenhouse gas emission reduction targets into advisory goals and repeals the citizen cause of action
Last action · January 21, 2025: Read first time and referred to the Committee on Energy and Digital InfrastructureSponsors: James Harrison and 2 others
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What This Bill Would Do
House Bill 52 changes Vermont's mandatory greenhouse gas emission reduction requirements into advisory goals, alters the Vermont Climate Council's role to recommending rather than mandating strategies, and repeals the statutory under 10 V.S.A. § 594.
Changes the legal enforceability of Vermont's climate targets by removing mandatory reduction mandates and eliminating citizens' ability to file lawsuits under Section 594 to compel state compliance.
- The Global Warming Solutions Act of 2020 established Vermont's legally binding greenhouse gas reduction requirements and created the Vermont Climate Council. context
- House Bill 52 was introduced in the Vermont House of Representatives during the 2025-2026 legislative session and referred to the Committee on Energy and Digital Infrastructure. context
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.
State agencies
State agencies must consider greenhouse gas emissions in decision-making procedures when practicable under amended guidelines.
Vermont Climate Council
The Council's statutory duties are modified from establishing mandatory reduction requirements to recommending initiatives, programs, and strategies.
Secretary of Natural Resources
The Secretary's rule adoption responsibilities are updated to align with the new advisory climate goals and plan updates.
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 does H.52 change about Vermont's climate targets?
Does the bill eliminate the Vermont Climate Council?
When does this act take effect?
What else do you want to know?
News Coverage
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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 21, 2025HouseIntroducedRead first time and referred to the Committee on Energy and Digital Infrastructure
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
Patterns POLISCOPE noticed across the record. These are observations to investigate, not conclusions.
Transition from Mandate to Advisory Goals
H.52 systematically replaces the word 'requirements' with 'goals' across multiple sections of Vermont environmental and energy statutes, marking a structural change in state climate policy enforcement.
Connected Entities
Sources
legislature.vermont.gov
Analysis Score
0–100- Significance75How much this matters to a regular citizen
- Controversy85Intensity of disagreement among stakeholders
- Entertainment10Compellingness for a non-policy-wonk reader
- Buzz40Current news / social attention level
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