Launches Rural Vermont Public Engagement Initiative

Vermont House Speaker Jill Krowinski (D-Burlington) said today that the state will move to repeal key components of Act 181, the 2024 land use reform law, in response to widespread concerns from rural communities about overly restrictive development rules.

In a statement, Krowinski thanked Rep. Amy Sheldon, chair of the House Committee on the Environment, committee members, and Vermonters who provided feedback on the law. She acknowledged that while some elements of Act 181 — which aimed to update decades-old Act 250 environmental permitting to promote housing development and climate resilience — are functioning effectively, the “Road Rule” and “Tier 3” provisions are not.

“Following extensive feedback from communities across Vermont, it is clear that the ‘Road Rule’ and ‘Tier 3’ need to be repealed,” Krowinski said.

The Road Rule triggers Act 250 jurisdiction for private roads and driveways exceeding certain lengths in many areas, while Tier 3 imposes heightened environmental scrutiny on development near sensitive features such as headwater streams, habitat connectors, and rare natural communities. Rural residents and towns have argued that these measures could severely limit building on family lands, exacerbate housing shortages in non-urban areas, and impose a top-down approach that fails to account for local realities.

Krowinski framed the decision as a responsive step that reflects Vermont’s democratic strengths.

“While this has been a time of deep frustration for many Vermonters, I do think it highlights something great about our state: Vermonters voiced their concerns, we heard them, recognized the issue, and we are taking action to make sure that areas of Vermont are not unnecessarily harmed,” she said.

She drew a parallel to ongoing education reform efforts, noting that feedback from across the state has been incorporated into H.955, the current education transformation bill, which emphasizes voluntary regional cooperation rather than forced school consolidations.

“Vermonters have been clear that a top-down approach, whether it be land use policy or the administration’s proposal to force school consolidation into five districts, is not the right approach for shaping the future of our state,” Krowinski added.

Looking ahead, the Speaker committed to a broader Rural Vermont Public Engagement Initiative. This process will solicit input from residents on what is working and what needs fixing, extending beyond land use to encompass all challenges facing rural Vermont.

“Moving forward, I am committed to investing and engaging in a robust public engagement process that will give Vermonters an opportunity to share what is working and what needs to be fixed,” she stated. “We will take that information and use it to shape the policies that come before us in the legislative process. It’s critical that this isn’t solely focused on land use in Vermont — let’s really talk about all the issues facing our rural state and chart a path forward that creates a Vermont that works for everyone.”

The announcement comes amid ongoing legislative debate over S.325, a bill that would delay implementation of several Act 181 provisions, including the Road Rule (until 2030) and Tier 3 rulemaking. Krowinski’s statement signals stronger House support for outright repeal of the contested sections rather than mere delays, aligning with calls from rural lawmakers, the bipartisan Rural Caucus, and Gov. Phil Scott.

Act 181 was intended to streamline permitting for housing while strengthening protections against flooding and environmental harm. However, implementation concerns — particularly in the state’s more sparsely populated regions — have sparked significant pushback, with critics arguing the rules disproportionately burden rural landowners and could hinder economic vitality.

Krowinski’s remarks represent a notable shift in tone from state leadership, emphasizing listening and course correction in response to constituent input. Further details on the public engagement process and specific repeal language are expected in the coming weeks as the House Environment Committee continues its work.