Vermont Lawmaker Proposes Task Force to Investigate UAP Airspace Safety Risks.

A new legislative effort in Vermont aims to formalize the state’s response to unexplained aerial sightings. State Representative Troy Headrick (I-Burlington) introduced a bill to establish the Vermont Airspace Safety and Unidentified Anomalous Phenomena Task Force. The proposed ten-member panel, outlined in bill H.654, would centralize the evaluation of reports concerning unidentified anomalous phenomena (UAP).

Task Force Mandate and Composition

The primary goal of the task force is to assess airspace and public safety risks posed by these unknown objects. The group would coordinate with federal agencies, academic institutions, and private partners. This coordination is essential for developing recommendations to improve incident reporting and analysis across the state.

The proposed task force would be co-chaired by the commissioner of public safety and the secretary of transportation. Membership would include representatives from the Vermont National Guard, law enforcement, the aviation industry, and aerospace experts. The bill specifically defines UAP to include objects exhibiting “performance characteristics not consistent with currently understood technologies”. This includes “instantaneous acceleration” or “hypersonic velocity without a corresponding thermal signature or sonic boom,” according to the bill text.

Impact on Commercial Aviation Safety

While the task force is a state-level initiative, its focus on airspace safety concerns directly impacts commercial aviation operations. The proliferation of unidentifiable objects, including unauthorized drones, poses a clear risk to flight paths and airport operations. By creating a formal reporting structure, Vermont seeks to gather better data on these incidents.

Crucially, the bill includes an explicit clause that its provisions will not supersede the jurisdiction of the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) over airspace. This ensures that all federal aviation regulations remain in force. The FAA has already taken steps to address the issue, updating its policy in September 2025 (Notice JO 7110.800) to use the UAP terminology. The agency now instructs air traffic controllers to report UAP observations through existing safety channels. This move signals that UAP sightings are now recognized as a component of everyday aviation safety operations.

Mirroring Federal UAP Efforts

Vermont’s proposal mirrors the efforts of the federal government to standardize UAP investigation and reporting.

• The U.S. Department of Defense established the All-Domain Anomaly Resolution Office (AARO) to coordinate federal oversight.
• Congress also passed the Unidentified Anomalous Phenomena Disclosure Act in 2023.

The Vermont task force would function as a data-collection and advisory body, not a regulatory or enforcement agency. The intent is to foster a more serious and coordinated conversation about objects in the state’s skies. The bill is currently under consideration by the House Government Operations Committee.

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