[{"_1":2,"_86":-5,"_87":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,74],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":44,"_46":47,"_48":49,"_50":51,"_52":53,"_54":55,"_56":57,"_58":59,"_60":61,"_62":63,"_64":65,"_66":67,"_68":69,"_70":71,"_72":55,"_73":55},"mediaId",6284394,"mediaKeyId","2580807-903e2d8916650e32d77f719ef68f058a","parentId",2580807,"title","Committee votes to report out Department of Labor technical corrections (draft 2.1) after brief refinements","audioSeconds",0,"startMs",2981000,"endMs","viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2580807-903e2d8916650e32d77f719ef68f058a&start=2981&end=2981","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2580807-903e2d8916650e32d77f719ef68f058a/thumbnail_2981000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6284394/Vermont/Committee-votes-to-report-out-Department-of-Labor-technical-corrections-draft-21-after-brief-refinements","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6284394-91790bb067610cddf28b4e8a73c0708a/orig.mp4?Expires=1773078759&Signature=LJ4suFaz~gVgSayM4ZxYrxiTD4nOx6q73AeqnWve2frTjmglsurNntYXTxh9UlFILhG9NQr1Me~gBFt-t~-h~mWhxqAmXurGxHatcJAge0Q23QxMU-Yxj07sZQKxNIBWe73-pzsntqzuLgM89lOZhDxtEduZNwrdEr3ilFXWQ17islmblOQTIz7N0qPPMPh7s~YpNct8sbQ5sqnXu7eLMY2NZL0cppyn7noQ23dwH6VI7gTRhnlSkdTkQj6orjrqFOt80XKyV2acj5LovJF7g8wNpm0QERnVQebDEelCVdDWGP5pcGdBdlnmogJ9zjP0W68Mev4zicr7uShR3n1D4g__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","","date","2025-03-13T00:20:25.343Z","article","The Economic Development, Housing & General Affairs Committee voted to approve and report out draft 2.1 of bill 25‑0912, a Department of Labor technical corrections bill that makes a series of procedural amendments to rulemaking and unemployment insurance provisions.

Sophie Dudatnik of the Office of Legislative Council walked the committee through changes captured in the highlighted draft, noting edits to the expedited rulemaking language and clarifications that any Department of Labor rule that is more protective than a federal standard or that adds a new state standard would still require formal rulemaking. Dirk Anderson of the Department of Labor said the department supports the changes as they would assist in expediting necessary rulemaking.

The draft lowers the plant‑closure/WARN notice threshold from 50 employees under current law to 20 in this version, per the draft discussion. It also extends the date before a previously negotiated change to maximum weekly unemployment benefits would take effect; staff and department officials confirmed that the bill does not eliminate the additional benefit but delays the date when the system change becomes effective so the higher weekly maximum remains until the new system goes live.

David Mickenberg, representing Working Vermont, asked for clarification that the expedited rulemaking would bypass LCAR absent a request by 25 or more petitioners; staff confirmed that was the effect. The committee also discussed the three‑year sunset and review of the expedited rulemaking process included in the draft.

After brief final review and agreement on the drafting changes, a motion to approve the draft and report it out of committee was made and seconded. The chair called the roll; members present recorded votes in favor. The committee voted to report the bill out of committee for further consideration in the Legislature.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Senate Economic Development - 2025-03-12-11:00 AM","oneSentenceSummary","The committee approved a motion to report out draft 2.1 of bill 25‑0912, a Department of Labor technical corrections package that includes an expedited rulemaking process for certain federal safety and health standards and adjustments to notice thresholds and effective dates.","taxTitle","Economic Development, Housing & General Affairs, SENATE, Committees, Legislative , Vermont","taxId",37662,"location","Vermont","headline","shortSummary",{"_33":75,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":76,"_41":77,"_43":78,"_45":79,"_46":80,"_48":81,"_50":82,"_52":83,"_54":55,"_56":57,"_58":84,"_60":61,"_62":63,"_64":85,"_66":67,"_68":69,"_70":71,"_72":55,"_73":55},6284397,"Committee reviews plan to allow limited local disposal of ‘‘development soils’’ to speed brownfield housing projects",2678,18000,2696000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2580807-903e2d8916650e32d77f719ef68f058a&start=18&end=2696","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2580807-903e2d8916650e32d77f719ef68f058a/thumbnail_18000.jpg","/articles/6284397/Vermont/Committee-reviews-plan-to-allow-limited-local-disposal-of-development-soils-to-speed-brownfield-housing-projects","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6284397-7247a4d347d7f9826df48ab2e446a59b/orig.mp4?Expires=1773078759&Signature=Y2jKU4ijqEnvIB498W3dampAmmMrdFdk1AYOqn92gujInYRuenlsGQU0XdLvcMMZ4zRZn-NOItfS~1HPwdUU9W9q~AhdpSlC3BrKGObPhiA1N2JJO16145ubCdfVL7ao456JUBHHwqKFKnzdC2WvDgKqlcAAioSIVCAJbwq~2v-TCMh1doiPZ1c985sxwRXGseioKELw2TquR~cnHCcA1seIudrZJQTnPSL9AGhrVedTz89ISQQEFRc4xL4Rca3CS~MA6WvM5917WpurXGKgUUJnX3A0-xg9HzCvkYRBpnsyx45ZQg2Bci26DgG86xsKWxL5qH0Lfv4pH87I4hVMEg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Members of the Economic Development, Housing & General Affairs Committee discussed draft legislation (25‑O841, draft 2.2) that would expand options for managing ‘‘development soils’’ excavated during downtown housing and infill projects, potentially reducing disposal costs and delays.

The measure would allow the Agency of Natural Resources (ANR) to authorize limited-duration ‘‘insignificant waste events’’ for development soils — defined in the draft as unconsolidated mineral and organic matter overlying bedrock that contain polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), arsenic or lead — provided the agency finds the disposal will not threaten public health, the environment or groundwater. Matt Chapman, director of Waste Management and Prevention at ANR, said he oversees the Brownfields program and explained that the change aims to give local developers an alternative to transporting soils to distant certified facilities such as the Coventry landfill.

The proposal would require that soils be tested and managed under an ANR‑approved soil management or monitoring plan and that a permanent notice be recorded in land records for properties used to receive development soils. Chapman said public notice and a 14‑day comment period and appeal rights would remain part of the authorization process. He described the approach as a ‘‘streamlined’’ but permitted process rather than an unregulated option.

Committee members pressed for clarity on thresholds, scope and safeguards. One member asked whether Vermont’s screening levels are stricter than other states, noting the potential for stricter state thresholds to increase excavation and disposal costs. Chapman said Vermont’s health‑based screening levels are developed by the Vermont Department of Health and are comparable to neighboring New England states for the PAH indicator discussed, while noting the state uses its own methodology. He said ANR applies background values when appropriate so landowners are not required to clean soils to levels below ambient background.

The draft language would also instruct ANR to give priority review to housing projects seeking Brownfields cleanup, which committee staff and members described as intended to accelerate housing creation where contamination complicates redevelopment. Committee members asked whether prioritization includes priority access to existing cleanup funds; staff said the text does not change fund allocation but prioritization in review may allow housing projects to access funds and approvals sooner.

Other topics in the discussion included the distinction between on‑site management (for large properties where soil can be capped or mounded), categorical facilities or full facility certifications for larger, repeated disposal operations, and a potential categorical permitting pathway for recurring sites. Participants noted that transportation costs are a major driver of disposal expenses and that local receiving sites — including larger farms or community facilities — might be viable receiving locations when groundwater risk can be managed.

Committee members asked ANR to track use of the new pathway to ensure the state is not simply exporting contamination to locations with lower standards. Committee staff suggested adding the activity to ANR’s biannual solid waste report for monitoring. Members also discussed referral of the language to the House Natural Resources Committee for deeper review of technical and appeal issues.

The exchange was a discussion of proposed statutory language and administrative practice; the transcript records questions, clarifications and policy direction but no formal committee vote on this provision during the session.","A committee discussion focused on draft language that would allow temporary, limited local disposal of certain contaminated urban ‘‘development soils’’ under an ‘‘insignificant waste event’’ authorization and direct the Agency of Natural Resources to prioritize housing projects for brownfield cleanup review.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Committee votes to report out Department of Labor technical corrections (draft 2.1) after brief refinements

Committee reviews plan to allow limited local disposal of ‘‘development soils’’ to speed brownfield housing projects