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Read. Follow. Verify.Vermont Bill H.343 authorizes state land leases for farming by citizens of state-recognized Native American tribes
Last action · February 25, 2025: Read first time and referred to the Committee on Agriculture, Food Resiliency, and ForestrySponsor: John O'Brien
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What This Bill Would Do
Vermont House Bill 343 authorizes the Agency of Natural Resources to lease state-owned lands for farming to certified citizens of , beginning July 1, 2025. The bill requires the Secretary of Natural Resources to publish an inventory of suitable lands by July 1, 2027, and submit a recommended lease fee structure by January 1, 2027.
Creates a new legal framework allowing members of state-recognized Native American tribes to lease state lands for agricultural use under fixed-term agreements while complying with state farming rules.
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.
certified citizens of State-recognized Native American Indian tribes
Eligible to apply for and receive fixed-term leases for farming on designated state lands.
Secretary of Natural Resources
Required to identify suitable state lands, publish an inventory, issue leases, establish application procedures, and submit a fee recommendation report.
Key Facts
- The Commissioner, with the approval of the Governor, may accept gifts or purchase land to be held and administered as agricultural land for use by certified citizens of state-recognized Native American Indian tribes.
- It is adopted as state policy to permit limited use of designated state lands for farming by citizens of state-recognized Native American Indian tribes.
- The Secretary of Natural Resources, consulting with the Secretary of Agriculture, Food and Markets, must identify suitable state lands without timber harvesting or wildlife corridor disruption.
- An inventory of state land available for farming must be published on the Agency of Natural Resources website on or before July 1, 2027.
Show all 8 facts
- Leases issued to certified tribal citizens will have a fixed term not to exceed five years, renewable for two subsequent five-year terms.
- Lessees are required to comply with the Required Agricultural Practices adopted by the Secretary of Agriculture, Food and Markets.
- The Secretary of Natural Resources must submit a recommended fee or fee structure for leasing these state lands to legislative committees on or before January 1, 2027.
- This act takes effect on July 1, 2025.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is eligible to lease state land for farming under this bill?
What is the maximum duration of a lease?
When will the inventory of available state land be published?
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- Feb 25, 2025HouseIntroducedRead first time and referred to the Committee on Agriculture, Food Resiliency, and Forestry
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.
New State Land Access Policy for Native American Tribes
The bill creates an explicit policy mechanism enabling members of state-recognized tribes to lease state-owned land specifically for agricultural purposes.
Connected Entities
Sources
legislature.vermont.gov
Analysis Score
0–100- Significance45How much this matters to a regular citizen
- Controversy20Intensity of disagreement among stakeholders
- Entertainment5Compellingness for a non-policy-wonk reader
- Buzz30Current news / social attention level
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