The bill H.42 proposes the establishment of a Housing Board of Appeals in Vermont, which will be responsible for hearing appeals related to municipal zoning decisions concerning housing projects. The Board will consist of three members with expertise in land use law or housing development, including at least one attorney and one professional engineer or land surveyor. Members will be appointed by the Supreme Court for five-year terms, and they will receive a salary equivalent to that of a Superior Court Judge. The Board will have the authority to affirm, reverse, or modify decisions made by municipal panels regarding housing, including zoning permits and variances. It will also have the power to administer oaths, compel witness attendance, and issue subpoenas.

Additionally, the bill amends existing laws to clarify that appeals related to housing decisions will be governed by the new chapter 116, thereby excluding them from the provisions of chapter 117. It also establishes a $250 filing fee for appeals and outlines the procedures for hearings and decision-making by the Board. The Supreme Court will appoint the Board members by July 1, 2026, and the act is set to take effect on July 1, 2025. An appropriation of $600,000 is allocated for the Board's operational costs and staffing needs in the fiscal year 2026.

Statutes affected:
As Introduced: 10-8503, 10-8504, 10-8505