Vermont S 213: An act relating to the use of advanced metering infrastructure devices

Bill Text

BILLAS INTRODUCED AND PASSED BY SENATE S.213
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S.213
Introduced by Senators Hardy and Watson
Referred to Committee on Natural Resources and Energy
Date: January 7, 2026
Subject: Conservation and development; public water systems; smart meters;
opt out
Statement of purpose of bill as introduced: This bill proposes to provide that
if a public water system uses smart meters to measure water usage, the public
water system shall notify the user of the proposed use of smart meters and
allow the user to opt out of the use of the smart meter.
An act relating to the use of smart meters by public water systems
An act relating to the use of advanced metering infrastructure devices
It is hereby enacted by the General Assembly of the State of Vermont:
Sec. 1. 10 V.S.A. § 1671 is amended to read:
§ 1671. DEFINITIONS
As used in this chapter:
(1) “Drinking water” means noncarbonated water that is intended for
human consumption or other consumer uses whether provided by a public
water system or in a container, bottle, or package, or in bulk, including water
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BILLAS INTRODUCED AND PASSED BY SENATE S.213
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used for production of ice, foodstuffs, or other products designed for human
consumption.
(2) “Department” means the Department of Environmental
Conservation.
(3) “Person” means any individual,; partnership,; company,;
corporation,; cooperative,; association,; unincorporated association,; joint
venture,; trust,; the State of Vermont or any department, agency, subdivision,
or municipality,; the U.S. government or any department, agency, or
subdivision,; or any other legal or commercial entity.
(4) “Public water source” means any surface water or groundwater
supply used as a source of drinking water for a public water system.
(5)(A) “Public water system” means any system, or combination of
systems owned or controlled by a person, that provides drinking water through
pipes or other constructed conveyances to the public and that:
(i) has at least 15 service connections; or
(ii) serves an average of at least 25 individuals for at least 60 days
a year.
(B) “Public water system” shall also mean means any part of a piped
system that does not provide drinking water, if use of such a part could affect
the quality or quantity of the drinking water supplied by the system. “Public
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BILLAS INTRODUCED AND PASSED BY SENATE S.213
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water system” shall also mean means a system that bottles drinking water for
public distribution and sale.
(6) “Secretary” means the Secretary of Natural Resources or the
Secretary’s designee.
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(14) “Smart meter” means a wired smart meter or a wireless smart
meter.
(15) “Wired smart meter” means an advanced metering infrastructure
device using a fixed wire for two-way communication between the device and
a public water system.
(16) “Wireless smart meter” means an advanced metering infrastructure
device using radio or other wireless means for two-way communication
between the device and a public water system.
Sec. 2. 10 V.S.A. § 1675 is amended to read:
§ 1675. PERMITS; CONDITIONS; DURATION; SUSPENSION OF
REVOCATION
(a) Authority to issue, renew, or deny permit. The Secretary may issue,
renew, or deny a public water system permit required by this chapter. As part
of this authority, the Secretary may issue general operating permits for the
operation of transient noncommunity water systems.
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(j) Smart meters; customer rights. If a public water system requires a user
of the system to install a meter to measure usage, the public water system may
install a wireless smart meter on a user’s premises, provided that the public
water system:
(1) provides prior written notice to the user indicating that the meter
will use radio or other wireless means for two-way communication between
the meter and the public water system and informing the user of the user’s
rights under subdivisions (2) and (3) of this subsection;
(2) allows a user to choose not to have a wireless smart meter installed,
provided that the public water system may charge the user for the cost of the
alternative meter and any additional service charge required for the public
water system to operate the alternative meter; and
(3) allows a user to require removal of a previously installed wireless
smart meter for any reason and at an agreed-upon time, without incurring any
charge for such removal.
(k) Cybersecurity measures. As a condition of a public water system
issued under this chapter, the Secretary shall require a public water system
using smart meters to demonstrate that the public water system has
implemented and is administering cybersecurity measures to protect the
computer infrastructure and data of the public water system from unauthorized
access that could result in theft, damage, or disrup