Rep. Amy Sheldon

Maddy summaryHCR 178 is a ceremonial resolution honoring former Vermont State Senator William H. Carris of Wells. It commemorates his life and service, including his career as a business leader (founder of Carris Reels, which implemented an employee stock ownership plan), his philanthropy, and his three terms in the Vermont Senate (2006-2016). The resolution extends the General Assembly's sympathy to his family and directs the Secretary of State to send a copy to them. As a non-binding tribute, it has no policy impact or direct effect on constituents or legislation.

Maddy summaryThis bill extends deadlines for environmental assessments and reporting, including pushing the battery end-of-life management assessment deadline to 2027 and shifting responsibility from the Agency of Natural Resources to a battery stewardship organization. It allocates $6.1 million in ARPA funds for the Healthy Homes Initiative to repair water/wastewater systems in low-income households and manufactured housing communities, with strict confidentiality rules for applicant data. The bill also requires permits for stream alterations in watercourses with watersheds over 0.5 square miles and removes stormwater impact fees for properties covered by a three-acre general permit. Additionally, it amends rules for flood safety programs, dam regulations, and concentrated animal feeding operations (CAFOs).

Maddy summaryHCR 196 is a ceremonial resolution honoring U.S. Army Major General Gregory Knight, Vermont's Adjutant and Inspector General, for his 43-year military and public service career. It formally commends his service - including deployments to Iraq, academic achievements, leadership in the Vermont National Guard, and his seven-year tenure as the state's top military officer - and directs the Secretary of State to send a copy of the resolution to him and the Vermont National Guard. This resolution does not create new laws or affect policy; it is a symbolic gesture of recognition. The bill was offered by all members of both the House and Senate.

Maddy summaryThis House Concurrent Resolution designates February 11, 2026, as "Disability Advocacy Day" at the Vermont State House. It recognizes the work of disability rights groups like the Vermont Coalition for Disability Rights (VCDR) and highlights ongoing challenges such as educational disparities and barriers in employment, housing, and transportation faced by Vermonters with disabilities. The resolution does not create new laws or funding but formally acknowledges these issues and the contributions of people with disabilities. It directs the Secretary of State to send a copy to VCDR.

Maddy summaryHCR 177 is a ceremonial resolution honoring Twin Valley High School's Athletic Director and boys' soccer coach Buddy Hayford for achieving 500 career coaching victories. It recognizes his 43-year coaching career, including 10 divisional titles, two state basketball titles, and his status as Vermont's first high school soccer coach to reach 500 wins. This resolution, offered by all House members and sponsoring senators, formally congratulates Hayford and directs the Secretary of State to send a copy to him and his school - **it is not a law but a symbolic gesture of appreciation**.

Maddy summaryThis House Concurrent Resolution (HCR 165) commemorates Micheline Lemay of Stowe for her leadership in outdoor recreation and mindfulness. It specifically recognizes her work as a co-owner of Rugged Adventures Summer Camp, her personal journey overcoming serious health challenges including cancer, and her "Mansfield Million" ski challenge to ascend Mount Mansfield. The resolution directs the Secretary of State to send a copy to Micheline Lemay, with no policy changes or direct effects on legislation or constituents.

Maddy summaryHCR 172 is a commemorative resolution honoring Jon Gailmor, a Vermont folk singer and former Elmore Town Moderator who died in 2025. The resolution expresses the Vermont General Assembly’s condolences to his family and Elmore residents, recognizing his contributions as a musician who celebrated Vermont through songs like "A Town Meeting Tune" and his 15+ years serving as Elmore's town moderator. It directs the Secretary of State to send copies of the resolution to Gailmor’s family and the Elmore Town Clerk. This is a ceremonial measure with no policy impact.

Maddy summaryH 731 codifies Vermont's antidegradation policy to comply with federal Clean Water Act requirements and establishes a new classification system for inland lakes and ponds. The bill directly affects all state waters, particularly lakes and ponds, by requiring management that protects existing uses and maximizes the health of littoral ecosystems. Key provisions include defining "high quality waters" and "outstanding resource waters," setting standards to prevent degradation, and requiring permits to evaluate cumulative impacts of discharges. This system ensures water quality management aligns with public health and environmental goals under Vermont's water quality standards.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires permits for applying alum (a chemical treatment used to reduce harmful algae blooms) to Vermont lakes, ponds, and other waterbodies. It directly affects municipalities or entities seeking to treat water quality issues caused by cyanobacteria blooms. The permit process mandates applicants to prove the water quality damage is severe, demonstrate they've explored alternatives to alum, commit to reducing phosphorus runoff sources (the root cause of blooms), and conduct pre- and post-treatment environmental monitoring. The Secretary of Natural Resources must establish these permit criteria by December 2026, ensuring alum use is temporary and does not harm aquatic ecosystems.

Maddy summaryH 238 phases out the intentional use of PFAS ("forever chemicals") in specific consumer products where they serve a functional purpose, such as stain resistance or water repellency. It directly affects manufacturers of items including mattresses (excluding cribs), most apparel (excluding military gear and extreme outdoor wear), dental floss, cookware, artificial turf, cleaning products, and rugs. The law bans intentionally added PFAS in these products, with exemptions for items like "outdoor apparel for severe wet conditions" (e.g., kayaking gear) and products containing PFAS above 100 parts per million only if they serve a technical function. The bill, signed into law in June 2025, targets the most common PFAS applications in everyday goods while allowing limited exceptions for safety-critical uses.