Vermont lawmakers are looking to the skies with a new proposal for UFO panels in the state. Rep. Troy Headrick from Iverlington has put forward a bill aimed at establishing a Vermont Airspace Safety and Unidentified Anomalous Phenomenon Commission, as reported by Vermont Digger.
This legislation seeks to form a statewide task force that would delve into sightings of unidentified aerial and underwater objects. It would also assess safety concerns linked to airspace and collaborate with federal partners to enhance related policies.
The task force would comprise officials from Vermont’s Department of Transportation and the Department of Public Safety, alongside congressional members and specialists in the field.
“I’m not an expert in that field at all,” Headrick mentioned, according to Vermont Digger. “As policymakers, I think we have an obligation to keep an eye on emerging trends in public safety.”
Under bill H.654, the committee would explore reports of unknown objects showing “performance characteristics inconsistent with currently understood technology,” such as sudden accelerations without observable inertia or hypersonic speeds without any corresponding heat signature or sonic boom.
Headrick introduced the bill at the urging of Maggie Lentz, a local lobbyist and constituent. She became intrigued by the topic following a wave of UAPs, or unidentified anomalous phenomena, that made headlines in New Jersey back in 2024, which caused considerable public concern about mysterious flying objects.
“I’m not claiming it’s aliens,” Lentz stated, as quoted by Seven Days Vermont, “but having this conversation in Vermont might push us to start addressing this issue more seriously.”
The bill aligns with recent federal actions regarding UAPs, following the passage of the Unidentified Anomalous Phenomena Disclosure Act in 2023 and the establishment of the U.S. Department of the Army’s Office of All-Domain Anomaly Resolution.
Headrick also suggested that the proposed commission could practically focus on investigating drone sightings, considering the growing use of such technology within the state. He pointed out that “drone use is rapidly increasing, and I recognize the need for data,” while addressing the Vermont House Government Operations Committee last week.
Though the proposed bill has yet to be voted on in committee, Headrick attempted to add some flair to the proposal by mentioning the possibility of looking into Vermont’s famous lake monster, Champ, if the bill passes. “So if you’re keen to investigate Champ, you can do that,” Headrick said, according to Vermont Digger.
