Rep. Debbie Powers

Maddy summaryThis ceremonial resolution honors the Vermont Old Cemetery Association (VOCA) for its 65+ years of preserving Vermont's historic cemeteries. VOCA provides restoration grants, veteran burial support, and educational resources (like its newsletter and book *Burial Grounds of Vermont*) to local cemetery groups and municipalities. The resolution formally recognizes VOCA's work without creating new laws, funding, or policy changes. It serves as a symbolic gesture of appreciation for the organization's contributions to cemetery preservation and public education.

Maddy summaryThis bill bans all forms of geoengineering in Vermont, including solar radiation modification (like stratospheric aerosol injection), cloud seeding, and other atmospheric experiments that release pollutants. It directly affects anyone conducting such activities - individuals, companies, or government entities - within Vermont's airspace or territory. Key provisions require Vermont State Police or sheriffs to issue immediate cease-and-desist orders for violations and mandate reports of suspected violations to law enforcement. The bill defines prohibited activities broadly to cover interventions using aerosols, chemicals, electromagnetic radiation, or "chaff" (including PFAS-containing materials) that could harm health, environment, or agriculture.

Maddy summaryH 162 would repeal Vermont's requirement for the Agency of Natural Resources to issue permits for stormwater discharges from impervious surfaces of three or more acres. This directly affects property owners and developers with large impervious surfaces (like commercial sites or subdivisions) who previously needed permits for such discharges, particularly for sites not covered by earlier regulations. The bill removes the permit obligation for stormwater discharges that were either never permitted or were permitted under the outdated 2002 Stormwater Management Manual. The bill is currently pending in the Environment Committee after its first reading on February 7, 2025.

Maddy summaryThis House Concurrent Resolution (HCR 12) is a non-binding ceremonial resolution expressing legislative congratulations to the University of Vermont (UVM) men's soccer team for winning their first NCAA Division I men's soccer championship (College Cup) in 2024. It formally recognizes the team's achievement, including their "Cardiac Cats" nickname and championship victory over Marshall University. The resolution directs the Secretary of State to send a copy to UVM Athletics but does not create any new policy, funding, or legal obligations. It is purely symbolic recognition of the team's athletic accomplishment.

Maddy summaryH 159 proposes to repeal Vermont's Renewable Energy Standard (RES), which required electricity providers to source increasing percentages of renewable energy. If passed, this bill would eliminate the legal requirement for Vermont's electricity providers to meet specific renewable energy procurement targets. The repeal would remove provisions mandating that providers purchase renewable energy to meet the RES, effectively ending the state's mandatory renewable energy goals. This directly affects all Vermont electricity providers subject to the RES, though it does not address existing renewable energy projects or contracts.

Maddy summaryVermont's JRH 1 is a joint resolution applying to Congress for a Convention of the States under Article V of the U.S. Constitution. It requests that such a convention propose constitutional amendments specifically focused on imposing fiscal restraints on the federal government, limiting federal power and jurisdiction, and establishing term limits for federal officials and members of Congress. The resolution states this application remains active until two-thirds of U.S. states apply for the same purpose, and directs the Secretary of State to send copies to federal officials and other state legislatures. This is a procedural step seeking to initiate a potential constitutional convention, not a direct policy change affecting residents.

Maddy summaryH.112 provides medical debt relief for Vermont residents by appropriating $1 million to contract with a nonprofit to purchase and erase qualifying medical debt. It directly affects Vermonters with household incomes at or below 400% of the federal poverty level or those owing medical debt equal to 5% or more of their household income. The bill prohibits credit bureaus from reporting medical debt on credit reports and bans healthcare providers from submitting such debt to credit agencies. It requires debt relief contractors to remove adverse credit information after debt abolition, ensuring no cost or tax impact for affected residents.

Maddy summaryH 92 requires Vermont's Human Services Board to make fair hearing proceedings more transparent and accessible for people challenging decisions about benefits or services. The bill mandates two key changes: (1) allowing applicants a reasonable uninterrupted speaking time during hearings, and (2) requiring hearing officers and agency attorneys to use plain language instead of legal jargon. This directly affects individuals who dispute human services decisions, such as those involving welfare, disability, or housing assistance. The bill aims to simplify the process without altering the underlying eligibility rules.

Maddy summaryThis bill would allow all Vermont students in pre-kindergarten through 12th grade to attend any public or approved independent school of their choice, regardless of where they live. It establishes a "School Choice Grant" funded by redirecting existing education funds that would have gone to the student's home school district to the chosen school. Schools must accept students unless they lack capacity (using lotteries for oversubscription), and cannot deny enrollment based on protected characteristics. The bill also requires a report by the Joint Fiscal Office by 2026 on integrating this program into Vermont's overall education funding system.

Maddy summaryThis bill (H 85) expands Vermont's tax exemptions for vehicles used in forestry operations. It adds motor trucks, semi-trailers, tractors, truck cranes, and other specific forestry equipment (like skidders, log loaders, and whole-tree chippers) to the list of vehicles exempt from sales tax and purchase/use tax. The exemption applies to businesses engaged in forestry activities, including timber cutting, removal, processing, and transportation of forest products. The bill modifies existing tax code sections to include these vehicles and requires state agencies to publish application guidance.