House rejects one-year sunset amendment to telecom siting law, then concurs with Senate changes
May 26, 2026 | HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, Committees, Legislative , Vermont
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The House debated whether to shorten the statutory sunset for 30 V.S.A. chapter 248A and voted down a one-year sunset amendment before concurring in the Senate’s changes to the bill.
Members described competing priorities: public-health concerns and greater municipal input versus protecting near-term telecommunications deployment and regulatory certainty. The amendment seeking a one-year sunset failed on a roll call announced by the Chair as “Those voting yes, 52; those voting no, 89.” The House later concurred in the Senate proposal on a separate roll call (yes 122, no 14).
Why it matters: supporters of the one-year sunset said federal developments and a recent court petition require states to revisit RF-radiation oversight and public participation in tower siting under 248A. Opponents warned a short sunset could halt projects, worsen rural connectivity and produce a rush of applications at the deadline.
Member from Ferrisburg, urging the one‑year sunset, said the court directed the FCC to address RF effects and argued: “It’s time to stop and deal with this issue. A one‑year extension to the sunset is sufficient to force us to deal with this issue next year.” That member pointed to federal litigation and petitions seeking updated RF exposure limits and said towns and neighbors were struggling to participate under the current 248A process.
Members opposed to the one‑year sunset urged caution. The Member from Putney read a published review and said the available evidence was inconclusive, concluding, “I’m not ready to support this.” The Member from Manchester argued the Senate’s requirement for municipal hearings with the Department of Public Service and the applicant present would make the process more accessible without triggering the negative outcomes a short sunset could cause.
The House adopted the Senate amendment requiring a municipal hearing with the Department of Public Service attending and the applicant available to answer questions, a change supporters said will expand local access to the process while preserving the regulatory role of the Public Utility Commission.
Next steps: The House’s concurrence sends the amended bill back to the Senate for final action.
Members described competing priorities: public-health concerns and greater municipal input versus protecting near-term telecommunications deployment and regulatory certainty. The amendment seeking a one-year sunset failed on a roll call announced by the Chair as “Those voting yes, 52; those voting no, 89.” The House later concurred in the Senate proposal on a separate roll call (yes 122, no 14).
Why it matters: supporters of the one-year sunset said federal developments and a recent court petition require states to revisit RF-radiation oversight and public participation in tower siting under 248A. Opponents warned a short sunset could halt projects, worsen rural connectivity and produce a rush of applications at the deadline.
Member from Ferrisburg, urging the one‑year sunset, said the court directed the FCC to address RF effects and argued: “It’s time to stop and deal with this issue. A one‑year extension to the sunset is sufficient to force us to deal with this issue next year.” That member pointed to federal litigation and petitions seeking updated RF exposure limits and said towns and neighbors were struggling to participate under the current 248A process.
Members opposed to the one‑year sunset urged caution. The Member from Putney read a published review and said the available evidence was inconclusive, concluding, “I’m not ready to support this.” The Member from Manchester argued the Senate’s requirement for municipal hearings with the Department of Public Service and the applicant present would make the process more accessible without triggering the negative outcomes a short sunset could cause.
The House adopted the Senate amendment requiring a municipal hearing with the Department of Public Service attending and the applicant available to answer questions, a change supporters said will expand local access to the process while preserving the regulatory role of the Public Utility Commission.
Next steps: The House’s concurrence sends the amended bill back to the Senate for final action.
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