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S 314

An act relating to a fee for posting land enrolled in the Use Value Appraisal Program

2025-2026 Regular Session Introduced by Steven Heffernan and 1 co-sponsor

The bill would create a posting fee for land enrolled in Vermont's Use Value Appraisal Program to cover administration and related costs.

Read 1st time & referred to Committee on Finance
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Bill Summary · S 314

Bill Overview

  • Bill: S 314
  • Session: 2025-2026
  • Jurisdiction: Vermont
  • Title: An act relating to a fee for posting land enrolled in the Use Value Appraisal Program
  • Action history: Read 1st time and referred to Committee on Finance (2026-01-27)
  • Sponsors: Co-sponsors Steven Heffernan and Terry Williams

Purpose and Intent

S 314 proposes establish a fee associated with posting land that is enrolled in Vermont’s Use Value Appraisal Program (UVAP). The UVAP, also known as current use, provides properties with property tax treatment tied to current agricultural or forest use rather than market value. The bill aims to create a mechanism to recover costs related to publicly posting or advertising land that remains enrolled in UVAP, potentially to inform the public about parcels that are subject to use-value requirements, exemptions, or other program-related restrictions.

Key Provisions and Changes

  • Establishment of a posting fee: The bill would authorize or require a fee for posting land that is enrolled in UVAP. This could cover administrative, enforcement, or notification costs associated with UVAP properties.
  • Applicability: The fee would apply to land parcels enrolled in the Use Value Appraisal Program. The bill may specify who is responsible for payment (e.g., landowners, prospective buyers, or other parties requesting posting) and the contexts in which posting is required (e.g., public disclosure, advertising listings, or official postings).
  • Use of funds: Revenue generated from the posting fee would likely be directed to state or local program administration, enforcement, or outreach related to UVAP.
  • Administrative details: The bill may outline how the fee is assessed, payment timelines, penalties for non-payment, and how postings are maintained or updated.

Note: The text provided does not include the full statutory language, so details such as exact fee amounts, collection procedures, exemptions, or sunset/renewal provisions are not specified here. The Finance Committee assignment suggests financial or revenue implications are central to the measure.

Who Would Be Affected

  • Landowners enrolled in the UVAP (Use Value Appraisal Program) who request postings or notices regarding their land.
  • Government agencies or departments responsible for UVAP administration, posting, and enforcement.
  • Potential buyers, neighbors, or members of the public who might encounter postings about UVAP lands.
  • Local assessors or land-use officials who handle program compliance and related postings.

Procedural and Timeline Aspects

  • Current status: Read 1st time and referred to the Committee on Finance (as of 2026-01-27).
  • Next steps: The Finance Committee would review, hold hearings if needed, and propose amendments. If advanced, the bill would move to the full chamber for additional readings, potential amendments, and votes, followed by passage to the other chamber (if applicable) and eventual enactment.
  • Implementation timelines: If enacted, the bill would specify effective dates for the new fee, any phased implementation, transition rules for existing postings, and any reporting requirements.

Potential Implications and Considerations

  • Revenue impact: The fee would create a new revenue stream to support UVAP administration or related activities. The magnitude would depend on the fee level and the frequency of postings.
  • Equity and access: Considerations may include whether the fee disproportionately affects small landowners or whether exemptions exist for certain parcels (e.g., small plots, public lands, or lands under specific exemptions).
  • Administrative burden: Implementing a new posting fee requires administrative processes for assessment, collection, and enforcement, potentially increasing workload for relevant agencies.
  • Policy alignment: The fee would need to align with current use-value policy goals, such as preserving land for agriculture and forestry while managing tax compliance and transparency.

If you’d like, I can look for the bill’s full text to provide exact provisions, fee amounts, exemptions, and implementation timelines.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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