A Vermont lawmaker is aiming to bring state government into the unexplained with a bill that would establish a UFO and anomalous phenomena task force.
According to Fox News, Rep. Troy Headrick, I-Burlington, introduced legislation to create the Vermont Airspace Safety and Unidentified Anomalous Phenomena Task Force, which was first reported by the Vermont Digger.
The panel would investigate sightings of unknown aerial and underwater objects, assess airspace safety, and coordinate with federal agencies and researchers to improve related policies.
“I am not a subject matter expert at all,” Headrick told the Vermont Digger. “As policymakers, I think we have an obligation to remain attentive to emerging trends [in public safety].”
The bill, H.654, specifies the task force would examine objects displaying “performance characteristics not consistent with currently understood technologies,” including “instantaneous acceleration absent observable inertia or hypersonic velocity without a corresponding thermal signature or sonic boom.”
Headrick said the legislation was drafted at the request of Maggie Lenz, a lobbyist and owner of Atlas Government Affairs. Lenz cited a wave of UAP reports in New Jersey during 2024 as a key motivator.
“I’m certainly not saying that it’s aliens,” Lenz said, “but I do think just having the conversation here in Vermont will begin to allow for it to be taken a little bit more seriously.”
The proposal mirrors the federal approach to UAPs, following Congress’ 2023 Unidentified Anomalous Phenomena Disclosure Act and the creation of the All-Domain Anomaly Resolution Office by the Department of War.
Reports of unusual objects to Vermont police have indicated a need for a coordinated response with federal officials.
Headrick also highlighted a more practical concern: the growing use of drones across the state. “The proliferation of drone use — this is where I see the need for data,” he told Vermont’s House Government Operations Committee last week.
Adding a touch of local flavor, Headrick promised the legislation could explore Vermont’s famous lake monster, Champ. “For the cryptids fans in the room, there’s an underwater provision to this as well,” he said. “So if we want to investigate Champ, we can do that.”
The bill has not yet been voted on by the committee, but Headrick’s unusual combination of aviation safety and cryptid curiosity has already drawn significant attention.
