Vermont Green Mountain Passport

Title 31, chapter 19 gives the Green Mountain Passport to any person who is a resident of the State and is either at least 62 years of age or a veteran of the uniformed services. That phrasing is the whole point of this entry. Section 1002(a)(1)(B) says "a veteran of the uniformed services" and stops there. There is no discharge characterization in the statute, no wartime period, no minimum service, and no age requirement on the veteran path. Both the Office of Veterans Affairs and the federal Army benefits library describe the benefit as being for honorably discharged veterans. The statute does not say that. "Uniformed services" is also the broad term, taking in the Public Health Service and NOAA commissioned corps alongside the armed forces. The passport is issued by the clerk of the town where the applicant lives, to a resident of that town who swears under oath that they meet the eligibility criteria. The fee is $2.00 and the town keeps it. Forms are prepared by the Commissioner of Disabilities, Aging, and Independent Living and supplied to every town clerk. It is sworn self-certification at the counter rather than a documentary review, which is why it takes a few minutes. What it buys is set by section 1003. On exhibiting the passport the bearer is entitled to free admission to any fully State-sponsored public event, which section 1001(3) defines as all events, exhibits, concerts, or museums fully supported by State funds to which the public is invited, and all State parks, historical sites, and State lands normally open to the public. Overnight camping is excluded, subject to rules adopted by the Department of Forests, Parks and Recreation. The passport is a day-use pass. Section 1003(b) adds a benefit nobody lists. On exhibiting the passport the bearer is entitled to one day's admission to any fair, field days, or exposition that is either fully or partially supported by State grants or stipends and that runs for more than one day. The management has to publicize which day the passports will be honored at least one week before the event begins. Note the difference: parks need full State support, fairs need only partial. Section 1004 lets the Secretary of Human Services have a decal prepared for private businesses cooperating in the program, so some private discounts attach to the same card. Misuse is a criminal matter. Section 1005 makes a false statement on an application, or possessing or using another person's passport, or forging one, punishable by a fine of not more than $500 or six months, or both. The passport is a lifetime card. No disability rating is involved.