Vermont Advances H.654: New Task Force to Investigate Unidentified Anomalous Phenomena and Airspace Security

The Vermont State Legislature has taken a significant step toward formalizing the state's approach to Unidentified Anomalous Phenomena (UAP) and the broader security of its skies through the introduction of Bill H.654. This legislative proposal, which first surfaced in January 2026, seeks to establish the Vermont Airspace Safety and Unidentified Anomalous Phenomena Task Force. As of January 13, 2026, the bill underwent its first formal reading and was subsequently directed to the House Committee on Government Operations and Military Affairs for a detailed review. This move signals a growing interest at the state level to address phenomena that have historically been the sole domain of federal agencies.

Spearheaded by Representative Troy Headrick, an independent legislator representing Burlington, the initiative bridges national security concerns with local Vermont interests. The proposed task force is designed as a ten-member advisory body, led by the Commissioner of Public Safety and the Secretary of Transportation serving as co-chairs. Beyond investigating traditional UAP sightings, the group is tasked with monitoring the increasing presence of unmanned aerial vehicles, or drones, and even addressing cultural anomalies like the legendary lake monster, Champ. The task force will specifically analyze reports of objects exhibiting flight characteristics that defy current technological understanding, such as instantaneous acceleration without inertia or reaching hypersonic speeds without leaving a detectable thermal signature.

It is important to note that Bill H.654, which was officially presented on January 14, defines the task force as a consultative and data-gathering entity rather than a regulatory or law enforcement agency. The legislation explicitly states that it does not supersede the Federal Aviation Administration's (FAA) authority over national airspace. The push for this bill came at the request of Maggie Lenz from Atlas Government Affairs, who was motivated by a significant uptick in UAP reports documented in New Jersey throughout 2024. Representative Headrick has also emphasized a pragmatic necessity for the bill: the urgent need to catalog and understand the widespread use of drones across the state to ensure public safety.

To maintain a high standard of scientific integrity, the bill mandates a partnership with the Scientific Coalition for UAP Studies (SCU), which will serve as the primary scientific analyst for the group. This Vermont-specific framework largely mirrors recent federal actions, such as the creation of the All-domain Anomaly Resolution Office (AARO) within the U.S. Department of Defense. The task force's membership will be diverse, including representatives from the Vermont National Guard and the Vermont Bureau of Criminal Investigations, alongside various aerospace experts. This multidisciplinary composition ensures that sightings are evaluated from military, law enforcement, and scientific perspectives simultaneously.

As the legislative process unfolds, the eyes of both enthusiasts and skeptics remain on Montpelier. If the bill successfully passes through the committee and the wider legislature, it is slated to take effect on July 1, 2026. By establishing this task force, Vermont positions itself as a pioneer among states in creating a structured, transparent mechanism for reporting and analyzing aerial anomalies. This proactive stance not only addresses potential security risks posed by advanced technology but also validates the public's desire for a serious, evidence-based investigation into the unknown aspects of our atmosphere.