Rep. Dane Whitman

Maddy summaryThis bill is a House concurrent resolution that congratulates the Bennington Rural Fire Department on its 70th anniversary. It directly affects the Bennington Rural Fire Department by formally recognizing its history and contributions to rural fire protection in Bennington, Vermont. The resolution provides a brief historical overview of the department's establishment in 1953, its growth through volunteer efforts and facility expansions, and its current volunteer-based structure. The Vermont General Assembly directs the Secretary of State to send a copy of this resolution to the department as an official acknowledgment.

Maddy summaryThis legislative bill is a House concurrent resolution that formally congratulates the Bennington Rescue Squad on its 60th anniversary. The resolution acknowledges the organization's history, which began in 1963 as a volunteer group that evolved into a professional emergency medical service providing care to the Bennington, Woodford, and Shaftsbury communities. It recognizes the Squad's growth from a volunteer operation to a full-time professional organization with advanced capabilities including snowmobile rescue and telemedicine services. The bill directs the Secretary of State to send a copy of the resolution to the Bennington Rescue Squad as a formal record of the General Assembly's appreciation.

Maddy summaryThis bill is a ceremonial resolution honoring Lisa Byer for her 25-year contribution to Catamount Access Television in Bennington. It recognizes her leadership in advancing the station's digital capabilities, expanding channel offerings, and advocating for community access television systems. The resolution directs the Secretary of State to send a copy of the honor to Ms. Byer and the television station.

Maddy summaryThis House resolution expresses support for Abenaki communities in Vermont and encourages greater appreciation of Abenaki culture during Abenaki Recognition and Heritage Week and throughout the year. The bill directly affects the Vermont Commission on Native American Affairs and the four state-recognized Abenaki tribes and bands by directing the House Clerk to send copies of the resolution to these entities. The resolution acknowledges past injustices, including state-sanctioned eugenics and sterilizations, and recognizes existing legislative efforts such as free hunting and fishing licenses for certified Native Americans and the establishment of a Truth and Reconciliation Commission. It serves as a formal statement of support rather than creating new policy requirements or funding allocations.

Maddy summaryThis House concurrent resolution congratulates Mikaela Shiffrin on her historic 2022-2023 World Cup Alpine ski racing achievements, including becoming the winningest female Alpine racer of all time with 88 victories and setting a new all-time World Cup record with 87 event wins. The resolution recognizes her accomplishments, which include winning races in all six World Cup Alpine disciplines and accumulating 138 career podiums. It directs the Secretary of State to send a copy of the resolution to Shiffrin and U.S. Ski & Snowboard as a formal acknowledgment of her record-setting performance.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates the Small Farmer Diversification and Transition Program within Vermont's Agency of Agriculture, Food and Markets to provide financial grants to small farmers. The program offers up to $15,000 per farmer annually to help with costs related to diversifying farm products, transitioning between different types of farming, processing products on-site, or developing accessory on-farm businesses. Eligible applicants must demonstrate they are small farmers, have a viable plan for additional income, and meet specific animal housing limits, with applications accepted between November 1 and December 31 each year. The bill appropriates $350,000 in one-time funds for fiscal year 2024 to implement the program, which takes effect on July 1, 2023.

Maddy summaryThis joint resolution officially recognizes March 31, 2023, as Transgender Day of Visibility in Vermont. It expresses the state's support for the rights of all transgender Vermonters and opposes any legislation that would restrict those rights regardless of age. The resolution does not create new laws or change existing policies but serves as a formal statement of support from the General Assembly. It directs the Secretary of State to send copies of the resolution to three LGBTQ+ organizations in Vermont.

Maddy summaryThis legislative resolution congratulates Dave Fredrickson, a former basketball coach at Mt. Anthony Union High School, on being inducted into the Vermont Sports Hall of Fame. The document recognizes his coaching achievements, including leading the school's basketball team to eight consecutive state championships over 32 seasons. It directs the Secretary of State to send a copy of the resolution to Fredrickson as a formal acknowledgment of his career milestone. The measure does not create new laws or policies but serves as an official expression of appreciation from the state legislature.

Maddy summaryThis legislative bill is a House concurrent resolution that formally congratulates the 2023 Mt. Anthony Union High School wrestling team for winning their 34th consecutive state championship. The resolution recognizes the team's achievement of securing seven top-three weight-class placements to defeat the runner-up, Colchester, and acknowledges the specific wrestlers and coaching staff who contributed to this accomplishment. It directs the Secretary of State to send a copy of the resolution to the school as an official record of the General Assembly's recognition.

Maddy summaryThis legislative resolution formally congratulates the Mt. Anthony Union High School Patriots boys Nordic skiing team for winning their second consecutive Division I state championship in 2023. The document recognizes the team's performance across freestyle and classic events, including their relay victories and individual top placements, as well as acknowledging the contributions of the skiers and coaching staff. It directs the Secretary of State to send a copy of the resolution to the school as an official record of the General Assembly's recognition of their athletic achievement.