Rep. Matt Birong

Maddy summaryThis bill directs Vermont's Department of Motor Vehicles to review existing specialty license plates for veterans and consider adding new designs based on branch of service or combat experience. The review must consult with the Office of Veterans' Affairs and other stakeholders while accounting for current plate numbers, program costs, and production expenses. The Department must submit a written report with its findings and any recommended legal changes to several state committees. This process aims to ensure the veteran plate program remains relevant and cost-effective without mandating specific plate designs.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a new special event license for cannabis establishments in Vermont, allowing them to serve cannabis products on-site for limited-time events. The license would enable businesses to host gatherings where customers can consume cannabis at the venue rather than taking products home. It directly affects existing cannabis establishments and event organizers seeking to host temporary cannabis-related events. The legislation establishes a specific regulatory framework for these temporary on-site consumption scenarios without changing broader cannabis laws.

Maddy summaryThis bill proposes to set a maximum limit on the number of cannabis business licenses that the Cannabis Control Board can issue in Vermont. It would directly affect cultivators, product manufacturers, and retailers by restricting how many new establishments can operate in the state. The legislation aims to control market saturation by preventing the issuance of additional licenses beyond a specified cap. If passed, this would require the Cannabis Control Board to stop approving new applications once the limit is reached. The measure focuses on regulating the quantity of licensed cannabis businesses rather than changing how existing ones operate.

Maddy summaryThis bill prohibits modifying a motor vehicle's exhaust system to produce noise levels exceeding 95 decibels, affecting all vehicle owners and operators in Vermont. It establishes a specific measurement standard using SAE International guidelines to determine compliance and allows for dismissal of violations if the operator had reasonable grounds to believe the vehicle was legal. The law includes an exemption for vehicles used in authorized racing or speed demonstrations and takes effect on July 1, 2024.

Maddy summaryThis bill modifies Vermont's rules for registering exhibition and antique vehicles by changing how usage is measured and adjusting fees. It allows owners to qualify for special plates if their vehicle is driven up to 1,000 miles per year, regardless of how often they drive, and raises the registration fee from $26 to $50 for a five-year period. Owners can choose to display plates marked "exhibition" or "antique" if their vehicle is at least 25 years old, and older pre-1968 plates may continue to be used if kept in the vehicle and shown to law enforcement when requested. The changes take effect on July 1, 2024.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a temporary committee to study employer-provided housing in Vermont and how it affects tenant protections. The committee will include representatives from housing agencies, tenant advocacy groups, ski businesses, the hospitality industry, and the construction sector, along with state legislators. It will examine lease terms, different types of employer housing, and whether housing is used as a condition of employment, with a final report due by December 2025. The committee will receive administrative and legal support from state agencies and will cease to exist on December 31, 2025.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires Vermont school districts to include military-related postsecondary opportunities in career development and personalized learning plans for students in grades 7 through 12. It also mandates that the Vermont Student Assistance Corporation provide information about military-related postsecondary options and financial aid in all planning resources it produces. The changes aim to ensure students are aware of military education pathways as part of their broader career and postsecondary planning. The bill takes effect on July 1, 2024.

Maddy summaryThis bill allocates $200,000 from the state's General Fund to reimburse the Burlington Fire Department for emergency medical services provided to individuals experiencing drug overdoses. The money is distributed through the Department of Health as a grant to the City of Burlington, with the requirement that these funds supplement rather than replace existing city funding for the fire department. The legislation takes effect on July 1, 2024, and is intended to help cover the costs associated with responding to overdose incidents in Burlington.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires Vermont's Housing Division to track and report on progress toward statewide and regional housing targets established in the Statewide Housing Needs Assessment. The legislation mandates the development of specific metrics, including timelines with deadlines and regional measures covering investment rates, price, quality, and zoning compliance. Through 2030, the Division must publish annual reports detailing progress against these targets, assess whether advancement is satisfactory, and provide recommendations to accelerate housing development if needed. The bill affects the Department of Housing and Community Development, regional planning commissions, and housing developers by creating a structured accountability system for meeting housing goals.

Maddy summaryThis bill expands eligibility for Vermont's Armed Services Scholarships to include members of the U.S. Space Force. By amending state law, it adds the Space Force to the list of military branches that qualify for scholarship benefits. The change ensures that children of Space Force members can receive the same educational funding as those from the Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps, and Coast Guard. The legislation takes effect on July 1, 2024, and applies to all existing scholarship provisions without altering other eligibility requirements.