The bill H.42 proposes the establishment of a new 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, with provisions for removal and compensation similar to that of Superior Court Judges. The Board will have the authority to hear appeals, administer oaths, and compel witness attendance, with a filing fee of $250 for appeals.

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 outlines the process for appeals, including timelines for filing and decision-making, and establishes that decisions of the Board can be appealed to the Supreme Court. The bill includes an appropriation of $600,000 for the Board's operational costs and mandates that the Supreme Court appoint the Board members by July 1, 2026, with the act taking effect on July 1, 2025.

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