Act No. 49 Page 1 of 1
2021
This act summary is provided for the convenience of the public and members of the General
Assembly. It is intended to provide a general summary of the act and may not be
exhaustive. It has been prepared by the staff of the Office of Legislative Counsel without
input from members of the General Assembly. It is not intended to aid in the interpretation
of legislation or to serve as a source of legislative intent.
Act No. 49 (H.434). Agriculture; pesticides; Agricultural Innovation Board
An act relating to establishing the Agricultural Innovation Board
This act establishes the Agricultural Innovation Board (Board) at the Agency of
Agriculture, Food and Markets. The Board assumes the authority of the Vermont
Pesticide Advisory Council (VPAC), which is repealed. The Board also shall review
historic recommendations for pesticide reduction and coordinate work by existing
work groups to avoid conflicting policy regarding regulation of pesticides and
farming. The Board shall recommend practices that reduce the use of and exposure
to pesticides and synthetic fertilizers in order to protect soil biology, human health,
and environmental health, including recommended targets to achieve the State goal of
overall pesticide reduction.
The Board shall recommend practices to reduce the use and generation of waste
associated with plastic in farming. The Board also shall explore methods or
standards for transitioning farmers to practices that reduce pesticide usage and
methods or standards for farmers to engage in carbon sequestration or mitigation.
The act repeals the Seed Review Panel and transfers to the Board the authority to
review the seed traits of new genetically engineered seed proposed for sale in the
State.
The Agricultural Innovation Board shall be made up of 13 members who have
expertise on agricultural issues. The Secretary of Agriculture, Food and Markets
shall appoint all non ex officio Board members. The Board shall meet no fewer than
four times a year. The Agricultural Innovation Board shall issue an annual report to
the General Assembly recommending policy solutions to assist farmers in reducing
the use of and exposure to pesticides and in using innovative or alternative practices.
Multiple effective dates, beginning on July 1, 2021
VT LEG #356874 v.2


Statutes affected:
As Introduced: 6-215, 6-7A, 6-1102, 6-1083(a)(5), 6-1083, 6-1083(a), 6-1103(a), 6-1103, 6-1104, 6-1105a
As Passed By the House -- Official: 6-215, 6-7A, 6-1102, 6-1083(a)(5), 6-1083, 6-1083(a), 6-1103(a), 6-1103, 6-1104, 6-1105a
As Passed By the House -- Unofficial: 6-215, 6-7A, 6-1102, 6-1083(a)(5), 6-1083, 6-1083(a), 6-1103(a), 6-1103, 6-1104, 6-1105a
As Passed by Both House and Senate -- Official: 6-215, 6-7A, 6-1102, 6-1083(a)(5), 6-1083, 6-1083(a), 6-1103(a), 6-1103, 6-1104, 6-1105a, 6-642
As Passed by Both House and Senate -- Unofficial: 6-215, 6-7A, 6-1102, 6-1083(a)(5), 6-1083, 6-1083(a), 6-1103(a), 6-1103, 6-1104, 6-1105a, 6-642
As Enacted: 6-215, 6-7A, 6-1102, 6-1083(a)(5), 6-1083, 6-1083(a), 6-1103(a), 6-1103, 6-1104, 6-1105a, 6-642