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Committee delays changes to Green Mountain Transit Authority charter; members favor permissive language and more time for negotiations
Summary
The committee discussed narrowing or permitting Green Mountain Transit Authority’s (GMTA) statutorily defined area of operation, debated changing mandatory “shall” language to permissive “may,” considered delayed effective dates, and tabled final charter changes pending revised permissive text and further stakeholder negotiation.
Committee members reviewed proposed amendments to the Green Mountain Transit Authority (GMTA) charter included in draft 3.1 that would change where GMTA is required to operate fixed-route and commuter services.
Damien Leonard described the proposed change that would set Chittenden County as the core area for fixed-route service while limiting Franklin, Grand Isle and Washington Counties to commuter services only and removing some counties and towns from mandatory service lists. Members noted this would shrink GMTA’s statutory area of operation compared with current law.
Representatives and agency staff discussed alternatives. Several members, including Representative Pausch and Representative Burke, urged more permissive language — changing “shall operate” to “may operate” for some areas — to allow a negotiated transition and prevent service gaps if alternative providers are not ready. Sophie (agency staff) and other AOT representatives recommended a delayed effective date (suggested July 1, 2027) or using permissive language so the agency and stakeholders can negotiate transitions without immediate statutory compliance issues.
Committee members asked legislative counsel and pledge counsel to draft permissive language and to consider effective dates and membership/governance implications tied to any change in service areas. The committee tabled final action on GMTA charter updates and asked staff to return with revised permissive language for further consideration.
Ending: The committee will revisit the GMTA charter language after counsel and agency staff provide permissive draft language and an implementation timeline.
