VT H0778

Division of Emergency Management must complete emergency operations plans (EOPs) for high-hazard potential dams with 1,000+ persons at risk by January 15, 2030, and for dams with 100-999 persons at risk by January 15, 2031

EOPs must identify alternative travel routes for emergency responders if roads are flooded, and structures in inundation zones must be geotagged in the VT Alerts system for evacuation notifications

Governor or Director of Emergency Management may order evacuations in dam failure areas without municipal approval when failure occurs or is imminent

Pilot project requires developing EOPs for two State-owned high-hazard dams with 1,000+ persons at risk, with results reported to legislative committees by July 1, 2028

Appropriates $250,000 to Department of Public Safety and $125,000 to Department of Environmental Conservation from the General Fund in FY2027 for the pilot project