BILL AS INTRODUCED H.15
2023 Page 1 of 2
1 H.15
2 Introduced by Representative Page of Newport City
3 Referred to Committee on
4 Date:
5 Subject: Conservation and development; conservation; natural resources; golf
6 courses
7 Statement of purpose of bill as introduced: This bill proposes to designate golf
8 courses as protected green space areas where development is limited. It would
9 also appropriate funds to the Department of Forests, Parks and Recreation for
10 the purchase of golf courses for use as State parks.
11 An act relating to protecting golf courses from development
12 It is hereby enacted by the General Assembly of the State of Vermont:
13 Sec. 1. 10 V.S.A. § 2607a is added to read:
14 § 2607a. PROTECTED GREEN SPACE AREA; DESIGNATION
15 (a) All golf courses are designated as protected green space areas. Land
16 uses and practices in protected green space areas shall be limited and subject to
17 the regulations of the Department to carry out the purposes of this chapter to
18 manage or maintain the areas.
VT LEG #365625 v.2
 BILL AS INTRODUCED H.15
2023 Page 2 of 2
1 (b) “Protected green space area” means limited areas of land that operate as
2 golf courses. It includes the parking lot and buildings associated with the
3 operation of the golf course.
4 (c) An area designated under this section may have its designation removed
5 only by approval of the Commissioner following public notice and hearing.
6 Sec. 2. APPROPRIATION
7 The sum of $1,000,000.00 is appropriated from the General Fund in fiscal
8 year 2024 to the Department of Forests, Parks and Recreation to be used to
9 purchase land that has been used as a golf course in order to protect it as a
10 State park.
11 Sec. 3. EFFECTIVE DATE
12 This act shall take effect on July 1, 2023.
VT LEG #365625 v.2