The bill S.218, which was vetoed by the Governor, aimed to establish best management practices (BMPs) for the application of salt and salt alternatives to enhance safety on traveled surfaces while minimizing their impact on water quality. It proposed the creation of a Chloride Contamination Reduction Program at the Agency of Natural Resources (ANR) to provide voluntary education, training, and certification for commercial salt applicators. The bill defined commercial salt applicators as individuals applying salt for compensation, excluding municipal or State employees, and included provisions for liability protection for those who adhered to the BMPs.

Additionally, the bill mandated that ANR adopt the BMPs by July 1, 2027, and offer training for commercial applicators. It also required collaboration with the Agency of Transportation to update the Vermont Local Roads curriculum to incorporate BMPs for salt application. Municipal salt applicators who completed this curriculum would also receive liability protection under similar conditions. Furthermore, ANR was tasked with reporting to the General Assembly by January 15, 2027, on the storage of salt and sand by State and municipal facilities, including an inventory and cost estimates for necessary improvements.