The bill S.4 proposes to enhance the authority of municipalities in Vermont regarding the maintenance and regulation of legal trails. It specifies that municipalities have the discretionary authority to maintain these trails and grants municipal legislative bodies the power to adopt ordinances that regulate their use. The bill amends existing legal definitions, replacing terms such as "selectmen" with "legislative body" and "selectboard," aligning them with definitions in 24 V.S.A. 2001. Additionally, it clarifies that municipalities can maintain trails but are not responsible for maintenance, including culverts and bridges, and shall not owe a duty of care to users of the trails.

Furthermore, the bill allows municipalities to regulate the use of legal trails through ordinances, including the types of vehicles permitted on these trails. The effective date for this act is set for July 1, 2025. Overall, S.4 aims to empower local governments in managing legal trails while ensuring that they are not held liable for maintenance responsibilities.

Statutes affected:
As Introduced: 24-2291