Rep. Martin LaLonde

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a comprehensive flood recovery and preparedness framework for Vermont municipalities and businesses affected by the 2023 severe storms. It provides financial relief through tax abatement reimbursements for municipalities that lost State education property tax revenue, grants to offset municipal lost revenues, and a new Flood Recovery Assistance Program offering up to $40 million for business losses including physical damage, lost revenue, and employee wages. The legislation also creates a working group to improve emergency management coordination between state agencies and municipalities, while allowing reconsideration of property tax abatement decisions made during the disaster period.

Maddy summaryThis bill, known as the Transportation Infrastructure and Resiliency Act of 2024, directs state funding and policy changes to improve roads, support electric vehicle adoption, and enhance transportation options across Vermont. It increases funding for road repair programs, provides grants for eBike and electric vehicle charging infrastructure, and establishes new rules allowing property owners to install charging stations. The legislation also expands funding for bicycle and pedestrian projects, creates a plan for carsharing expansion, and requires the state to develop new revenue sources for transportation and environmental initiatives. Additionally, it allows certain areas to set speed limits below 25 mph and mandates reporting on electric vehicle outreach efforts and charging station availability.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a statewide rental housing registry in Vermont, requiring landlords of long-term and short-term rentals to register their properties with the Department of Housing and Community Development. Landlords must provide detailed information about each unit, including owner contact details, location, year built, and accessibility features, and pay an annual fee of $35 per unit unless they already register with a local health and safety program. The collected fees will fund registry administration and support hiring additional inspectors to conduct housing safety inspections. Local governments that already maintain rental registries can share their data with the state to avoid duplicate registration requirements.

Maddy summaryThis bill would update Vermont law to protect parental rights when children access reproductive or gender-affirming health care services. It states that Vermont recognizes access to these health services as a legal right and would not enforce laws from other states that remove parental rights based on a parent allowing their child to receive such care. The legislation applies to any custody or parental rights cases currently pending in Vermont courts. It takes effect immediately upon passage.

Maddy summaryThis bill modifies Vermont's laws regarding operating a motor vehicle without the owner's consent by clarifying the mental state required for conviction. It directly affects individuals who take or use someone else's vehicle without permission, requiring prosecutors to prove the person either knowingly lacked consent or consciously ignored that they did not have it. The legislation maintains existing penalties of up to two years in prison or a $1,000 fine for those convicted under the amended provisions. This change is intended to refine how intent is established in such cases rather than alter the overall punishment structure.

Maddy summaryThis bill authorizes Vermont law enforcement agencies to temporarily use automated traffic law enforcement systems until July 1, 2027, to issue speeding tickets to vehicle owners in specific locations. The systems would operate in work zones where traditional enforcement is impractical or unsafe, and at up to two additional high-crash or high-speeding locations, provided traffic engineering analysis confirms safety standards are met. Key provisions require certified officers to operate the equipment, placement of advance warning signs before data collection, and public notice of system locations and operating hours on agency websites. The bill defines technical terms like automated license plate recognition and establishes rules for data collection and use, while explicitly stating these systems are not intended to replace human officers or fix poor road design.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a voluntary licensing system in Vermont that allows individuals to apply for a license to purchase firearms from the Department of Public Safety. The program requires applicants to submit detailed personal information, undergo background checks including fingerprinting, and complete an approved firearms safety training course. License holders would bypass the standard 72-hour waiting period required for firearm purchases from licensed dealers. The license costs $35, is valid for two years, and can be revoked if the holder later becomes prohibited from possessing a firearm. The bill does not require anyone to obtain a license, making participation entirely optional for Vermont residents.

Maddy summaryThis bill proposes to remove the word "tumultuous" from Vermont's disorderly conduct laws, which would change how certain public behavior is classified and prosecuted. The amendment directly affects individuals charged with disorderly conduct or aggravated disorderly conduct by altering the specific language used to define prohibited actions. Under the current statute, engaging in violent, tumultuous, or threatening behavior is one of several actions that can lead to charges, but this change would eliminate "tumultuous" as a standalone descriptor while keeping "violent" and "threatening" behavior as offenses. The penalties for conviction remain unchanged, with first-time offenders facing up to 60 days in jail or a $500 fine, and repeat offenders facing up to 120 days or a $1,000 fine. The law would take effect on July 1, 2024, if passed by the General Assembly.

Maddy summaryThis bill would require Vermont courts to consider information about how a crime affects the defendant's family, neighbors, employers, and the broader community when determining a sentence. It allows the state to present evidence of this community impact during sentencing hearings. The law would take effect immediately upon passage.

Maddy summaryThis bill prohibits individuals from knowingly bringing firearms to designated polling places and requires owners to report lost or stolen firearms to law enforcement within 72 hours. The first provision allows law enforcement officers and government employees performing official duties to carry firearms at polling places while imposing criminal penalties of up to one year in prison or a $1,000 fine for violations. The second provision establishes a civil penalty of up to $250 for failing to report lost or stolen firearms and assigns jurisdiction over these violations to the Judicial Bureau. These changes directly affect voters, firearm owners, law enforcement personnel, and government employees who interact with polling places or possess firearms.