Vermont § 36 - Debris and wreckage removal

§ 36. Debris and wreckage removal

• (a) Whenever the Governor has declared a disaster emergency to exist under the laws of
  this State, or the President, at the request of the Governor, has declared a major
  disaster or emergency to exist in this State, the Governor is authorized: (1) Notwithstanding any other provision of law, through the use of State departments or
  agencies, or the use of any of the State’s instrumentalities, to clear or remove from
  publicly or privately owned land or water, debris and wreckage that may threaten public
  health or safety, or public or private property, in any disaster emergency declared
  by the Governor or major disaster declared by the President. (2) To accept funds from the federal government and utilize the funds to make grants to
  any local government for the purpose of removing debris or wreckage from publicly
  or privately owned land or water. (b) Authority under this chapter shall not be exercised unless the affected local government,
  corporation, organization, or individual shall first present an unconditional authorization
  for removal of the debris or wreckage from public and private property and, in the
  case of removal of debris or wreckage from private property, shall first agree to
  indemnify the State government against any claim arising from such removal. (c) Whenever the Governor provides for clearance of debris or wreckage pursuant to subsections
  (a) or (b) of this section, employees of the designated State agencies or individuals
  appointed by the State are authorized to enter upon private land or waters and perform
  any tasks necessary to the removal or clearance operation. (d) Except in cases of willful misconduct, gross negligence, or bad faith, any State employee
  or agent complying with orders of the Governor and performing duties pursuant to the
  Governor’s orders under this chapter shall not be liable for death of or injury to
  persons or damage to property. (e) The Governor is authorized to adopt rules to carry out the purposes of this chapter. (Added 1975, No. 97, § 3, eff. April 30, 1975; amended 2021, No. 20, § 124.)