Rep. Mary Morrissey

Maddy summaryThis bill designates April 10 as Ken Squier Day to honor the late Vermont broadcaster and auto racing commentator. The legislation recognizes Squier's contributions to radio through his ownership of WDEV and founding of the Radio Vermont Group, as well as his pioneering work with the Motor Racing Network and NASCAR Hall of Fame induction. It also acknowledges his community leadership roles, including chairing the Vermont Symphony Orchestra Board and his extensive involvement in local sports broadcasting. The bill adds a new section to Vermont's statutes formally establishing the commemorative day without requiring any additional government funding or administrative changes.

Maddy summaryThis bill would eliminate registration fees for personal vehicles owned by volunteer firefighters that are authorized for emergency use. It applies to individual volunteer firefighters who have written permission to use their vehicles for fire or rescue activities and have permits for emergency lights and sirens. The legislation amends Vermont state law to set the registration fee at $0 for these specific vehicles, while maintaining a $15 fee for vehicles owned by volunteer fire departments themselves. The changes would take effect on July 1, 2024, and directly benefit volunteer firefighters in Vermont who currently pay standard registration costs for their emergency response vehicles.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a new driver education and training program specifically for students enrolled in Vermont's home study program, allowing their parents or guardians to teach them driving skills. The legislation requires the Commissioner of Motor Vehicles and the Secretary of Education to approve at least one course that includes behind-the-wheel training, instruction on alcohol and drug effects on driving, insurance laws, and rules about vehicle idling. To qualify for a junior operator's license, home study students must complete this approved course, maintain a clean driving record, and log at least 40 hours of supervised practice driving. The bill also sets eligibility requirements for parents teaching the course, excluding those with recent traffic violations or serious criminal convictions, and mandates a report comparing driving records of students who completed home study programs versus traditional school-based programs.

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 proposes to create a single, unified process for sealing criminal history records in Vermont, simplifying the current system where different procedures apply to expungement and sealing. It would allow certain individuals with qualifying criminal convictions to have their records sealed from general public access while still permitting specific entities like law enforcement and employers to view them for legitimate purposes. The legislation removes the requirement for people requesting criminal records to provide the date of birth of the individual they are seeking and eliminates a disclaimer that currently warns requestors that name-only searches may return multiple people. By consolidating these procedures and adjusting how records are handled, the bill aims to streamline access to criminal history information while maintaining protections for individuals with certain types of convictions.

Maddy summaryThis bill proposes to strengthen penalties for drug-related offenses in Vermont by clarifying legal definitions and increasing punishments for specific violations. It directly affects individuals charged with drug crimes, particularly those involving minors, repeat offenders, and cases resulting in death. The legislation amends the definition of "knowingly" to include conscious disregard of risk, increases penalties for selling drugs to minors and using minors in drug crimes, doubles penalties for second and subsequent trafficking offenses with mandatory minimum sentences, and prevents defendants from using the presence of multiple drugs as a defense when a death results from drug use.

Maddy summaryThis bill proposes to increase fines and add more points to driving records for using portable electronic devices like phones while driving in Vermont. It directly affects all drivers who use handheld devices or text while operating a moving vehicle on highways. The bill establishes higher penalties for violations in school zones and work zones where construction or maintenance crews are present, with fines ranging from $250 to $1,000 and additional points on driving records. It also creates a new Distracted Driving Diversion Program to offer an alternative to traditional penalties for eligible first-time offenders. The legislation applies to both junior operators and licensed drivers, with specific provisions preventing duplicate penalties for the same incident.

Maddy summaryThis House concurrent resolution honors Vermont National Guard Deputy Adjutant General Kenneth Gragg for his distinguished career in public service. The document recognizes his 46 years of military and civilian service, including his leadership in financial management, construction projects, and pandemic response efforts. It directs the Secretary of State to send a copy of the resolution to Gragg as a formal acknowledgment of his contributions. This is a ceremonial measure with no new laws or policy changes, serving only to publicly recognize his achievements.

Maddy summaryThis bill directs the Vermont Agency of Transportation to redesign or remove Bridge 9 in Barre City to improve flood resilience after the bridge contributed to property damage during July 2023 flooding. The legislation adds the project to the Town Highway Bridges Program, requiring completion by June 30, 2028, and mandates either increasing the bridge's water clearance or replacing its abutments to allow better water flow. The act takes effect on July 1, 2024, and applies specifically to the bridge over Stevens Branch at Berlin Street in Barre City.

Maddy summaryThis bill prohibits the manufacture, sale, and distribution in Vermont of cosmetic and menstrual products containing specific harmful chemicals, including perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), ortho-phthalates, formaldehyde, lead, and asbestos. It also bans textiles and athletic turf fields that contain PFAS, with a provision for future restrictions on any product using PFAS if their use is deemed unavoidable. The law includes a one-year waiver system for manufacturers who cannot immediately eliminate certain chemicals due to technical limitations, and requires the Department of Health to develop a community engagement plan to address outreach to vulnerable populations. Violations of the ban are treated as violations of Vermont's Consumer Protection Act, giving the Attorney General and private parties the authority to pursue civil actions.