Maddy summaryThis bill would allow licensed security guards and private investigators to carry firearms in hospital buildings while performing their official duties, expanding current exemptions that already permit law enforcement and military personnel to do so. The legislation amends Vermont state law to add these two professional groups to the list of individuals who may legally possess firearms in healthcare facilities, provided they hold the required security or firearms certifications. Hospitals would need to post notices at public entrances informing visitors of this exception to the general prohibition on firearms in hospital buildings. The change applies only when these professionals are actively working and does not alter the existing ban on firearm possession by the general public in healthcare settings.
Sponsored bills
Maddy summaryThis bill restricts trapping of fur-bearing animals in Vermont to specific situations, allowing it only for property defense, agricultural crop protection, or by licensed nuisance wildlife control operators. It establishes a new nuisance wildlife trapping license and requires property owners to notify neighbors before setting traps on their land. The law also mandates that traps be checked every 24 hours, requires reporting of trapped animals within 12 hours, and limits pelt possession to personal noncommercial use when taken for property protection. Additionally, the bill requires trapping education certification for new license holders and gives the Department of Fish and Wildlife authority to inspect pelts and investigate trapping reports.
Maddy summaryThis bill proposes to standardize the opening time for all polling places across Vermont, which currently have a uniform closing time of 7:00 p.m. The legislation would establish a specific opening hour that all polling locations must follow, ensuring consistency statewide. It directly affects election officials and voters who rely on polling place hours for planning. The bill would require all polling places to open at the same designated time, creating uniformity in election day procedures.
Maddy summaryThis bill establishes three main benefits for Vermont veterans. First, it requires the state to create and maintain a confidential database of veterans in Vermont, collecting information from various agencies while protecting personal details from public access. Second, it reduces motor vehicle registration fees for veterans with honorable discharges, offering either a 50% discount or a full waiver for vehicles purchased with VA financial assistance. Third, it increases the amount of U.S. military retirement pay exempt from Vermont state income tax, raising the exclusion limit for single filers from $10,000 to $15,000 and adjusting thresholds based on total income levels.
Maddy summaryThis bill establishes minimum hourly reimbursement rates for labor on automobile insurance claims in Vermont, directly affecting insurance companies and repair facilities. It requires the Commissioner of Financial Regulation to survey labor rates at repair shops and insurance companies, compare them with other New England states, and set a fair minimum rate that adjusts annually based on the Consumer Price Index. The new rates apply to claims filed on or after January 1, 2024, while still allowing insurers and claimants to negotiate higher rates for specific factors like vehicle type or required expertise.
Maddy summaryThis bill proposes to gradually implement Green Mountain Care, a publicly financed health care program for all Vermont residents, over a ten-year period. It would begin with primary care coverage in the first year, add preventive dental and vision care in the second year, and expand to additional services in subsequent years based on recommendations from an advisory group. The legislation requires the Green Mountain Care Board to analyze and report on financing sustainability, economic impact, and cost containment measures before full implementation. It also seeks a federal waiver to adjust health insurance benefits and funding to avoid duplication with Green Mountain Care coverage.
Maddy summaryThis bill requires employers in Vermont to provide employees with reasonable opportunities to eat and use toilet facilities during work periods. For shifts lasting six hours or more, employers must offer at least 30 minutes of paid or unpaid breaks for eating, resting, and using facilities, unless safety concerns require adjustments. The law applies to workplaces with three or more employees and allows employers to offer more generous break policies while prohibiting retaliation against workers who use their break rights. The bill takes effect on July 1, 2023, and gives state attorneys general authority to enforce compliance through civil penalties and investigations.
Maddy summaryThis bill would limit how much landlords in Vermont can raise rent each year and restrict the maximum amount of security deposits they can charge. Rent increases would be capped at the average of the Consumer Price Index over the previous 12 months or six percent, whichever is lower, unless landlords can prove higher costs for repairs or other urgent needs. Security deposits would be limited to one month's rent and could be applied as the final month's rent if the tenant leaves the property in good condition. These changes would directly affect residential tenants and property owners across the state.
Maddy summaryThis bill is a ceremonial resolution that honors organizations and individuals working to improve rural broadband access in Vermont. It recognizes the Communications Union Districts (CUDs) and related groups like the Vermont Communications Union Districts Association and the Vermont Community Broadband Board for their efforts in building broadband networks. The resolution acknowledges past legislative actions that created funding and oversight structures to support these broadband initiatives. It does not change any laws or policies but serves to formally recognize the achievements of these groups in expanding internet access to over 200 municipalities.
Maddy summaryThis bill designates January 23-27, 2023, as the first annual Holocaust Education Week in Vermont. It directly affects Vermont schools and educational institutions by establishing a formal period for Holocaust education activities. The resolution directs the Secretary of State to send copies of the document to the Vermont Holocaust Memorial and the Agency of Education to facilitate the event. This commemorative measure recognizes the historical significance of the Holocaust and aims to increase awareness through organized educational programming during the designated week.