Rep. Mari Cordes

Maddy summaryThis House concurrent resolution honors former President James Earl Carter as a tireless international humanitarian and public servant. The bill recognizes his post-presidential work, including conflict mediation, election monitoring, disease eradication efforts, and advocacy for affordable housing through Habitat for Humanity. It acknowledges his receipt of the 2002 Nobel Peace Prize and his decision to enter hospice care. The resolution directs the Secretary of State to send a copy of the document to former President Carter.

Maddy summaryThis bill officially recognizes March 2023 as Social Work Month in Vermont to honor the contributions of social workers to improving human well-being and addressing social issues. The resolution highlights the profession's role in various settings including schools, hospitals, and government agencies, as well as its work supporting diverse communities and addressing challenges like the opioid crisis. It marks the 60th anniversary of Social Work Month and directs the Secretary of State to send a copy of the resolution to the National Association of Social Workers Vermont Chapter.

Maddy summaryThis bill is a ceremonial resolution honoring Marshall Webb, a nonprofit cofounder and environmental advocate who passed away in 2022. It recognizes his contributions to Shelburne Farms, a Vermont center for sustainability education, and acknowledges his personal connection to the organization and the state. The resolution directs the Secretary of State to send a copy to Webb's family and Shelburne Farms as a formal expression of appreciation. This measure does not change laws or policies but serves to publicly acknowledge Webb's legacy and impact on the community.

Maddy summaryThis bill is a ceremonial resolution that congratulates the Governor's Institutes of Vermont on their 40th anniversary. It does not create new laws or change any policies but serves to formally recognize the organization's long history of providing educational opportunities for young Vermonters. The resolution acknowledges the institute's mission of offering diverse learning programs in areas like arts, science, and technology to students across the state. It directs the Secretary of State to send a copy of the resolution to the institute's executive director as a formal record of the legislature's appreciation.

Maddy summaryThis Vermont joint resolution urges the U.S. Congress to admit Washington, DC, as a state in the Union. The measure addresses the District's lack of full voting representation in Congress, noting that while DC residents pay federal taxes and can vote in presidential elections, they currently have no voting members in the House or Senate. The resolution supports granting DC statehood to resolve this representation issue and calls for sending the document to federal officials and committees. It does not change any laws or policies directly but serves as a formal expression of support for statehood legislation already introduced in Congress.

Maddy summaryThis bill allows voters in Vermont to use electronic signatures on petitions for local ballot measures, provided the signatures meet state electronic transaction standards. It directly affects residents participating in local elections by modernizing how they can gather support for ballot initiatives. The law adds a new section to the state election code permitting electronic signatures and requires petitions to include printed names, signatures, and addresses of supporters. Changes to warning notices on petitions remain, but the core update focuses on accepting digital signatures for local election petitions starting July 1, 2023.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends the Vermont State Employees Retirement System to update rules for Group G members, which include certain facility employees and public safety staff. It allows these employees to earn retirement credit for temporary or seasonal state work and establishes a contractual right for members to receive retirement benefits. The legislation also changes how retirement benefits are calculated for Group G members and adjusts their contribution rates based on their hourly pay quartiles, with higher earners paying more into the system starting in 2023.

Maddy summaryThis bill restructures the University of Vermont Board of Trustees by adding two new voting faculty members and clarifying student representation requirements. The legislation expands the board to 27 members total, with two faculty positions elected by the Faculty Senate and two student positions reserved for one undergraduate and one graduate student. These student trustees serve two-year terms and must be full-time students enrolled in degree programs, while faculty members serve four-year terms with full voting rights. The changes take effect on July 1, 2023, with a transition period for initial faculty appointments beginning in August 2023.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires the State of Vermont to develop a comprehensive plan for transitioning to a regenerative economy by 2026, which aims to repair and restore natural and human resources rather than simply reducing harm. The legislation mandates that the state be divided into 11 regions, each forming a People's Assembly to create local plans through broad public engagement involving community members, businesses, and organizations. These regional plans must address specific goals including regenerative agriculture, food justice, waste reduction, renewable energy, and racial equity while guiding state investments and policy decisions. The bill establishes a long-term target of achieving 90 percent of a regenerative economy by December 31, 2046, and requires all state funding streams to align with the resulting roadmap.

Maddy summaryThis bill would grant criminal immunity to health care providers in Vermont who act in good faith while providing patient care. It directly affects doctors, nurses, and other licensed medical professionals by protecting them from criminal prosecution for acts or omissions that occur during the provision of health care services. The law explicitly excludes intentional misconduct from this protection, meaning immunity only applies when providers are not acting with deliberate wrongdoing. The bill defines health care providers as any person or organization authorized to deliver professional medical services and health care services as those aimed at diagnosing, preventing, treating, or relieving health conditions. If passed, these protections would take effect immediately upon enactment.