Rep. Bram Kleppner

Maddy summaryThis bill would ban corporate political action committees (PACs) from spending money in Vermont state elections. It directly affects corporations that fund political committees, preventing them from using those funds to influence state-level races. The prohibition applies specifically to spending in state elections, not federal or local contests, and would require corporate PACs to cease such activities under Vermont law. The bill does not address individual donations or non-corporate PACs.

Maddy summaryH.732 establishes two new income tax brackets for higher earners in Vermont. Individuals would pay an additional 1% tax on income between $200,000-$400,000 and above $400,000, while married couples filing jointly would pay the extra rate on income between $400,000-$800,000 and above $800,000. The revenue generated would fund an expanded property tax credit specifically for Vermont households with annual income below $115,000. This directly affects high-income taxpayers through new tax rates and low-to-moderate-income households via increased credit support.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires all Vermont postsecondary schools to provide free menstrual products in a majority of gender-neutral bathrooms and bathrooms designated for female students (for students aged 8+), plus in school nurse offices or health centers. It mandates that schools cover the cost of these products, though they may seek grants or partner with nonprofits to help. The law applies to all public and approved independent postsecondary schools in Vermont and takes effect July 1, 2026. It aims to ensure immediate, no-cost access without requiring students to request products.

Maddy summaryH.652 prohibits all landfill leachate discharges - whether treated or untreated - from entering the Lake Memphremagog watershed. This includes direct discharges from landfills or transfers to wastewater treatment facilities within the watershed. The bill targets PFAS-contaminated leachate, citing studies showing Lake Memphremagog has the highest PFOS levels in Vermont (2.8 ppt) and fish with PFAS at 1,000 ppt. It directly affects landfill operators and wastewater facilities in the watershed, banning any discharge that could harm the lake’s water quality or public health.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a private right to sue for the unauthorized commercial use of a person's image captured within 25 feet of the entrance to essential care facilities (like clinics, hospitals, or shelters providing medical services). It directly affects individuals seeking care at these facilities and businesses or photographers who commercially exploit images taken in that zone without consent. The law prohibits using images for ads, marketing, or profit in this "functional curtilage of care" area, with exceptions for law enforcement, security personnel, journalists covering newsworthy events, and personal recordings not sold commercially. Violators face civil lawsuits seeking damages, attorney fees, and court orders to stop the exploitation, effective July 1, 2026.

Maddy summaryH.580 would create a unified public employees' health plan covering current and retired State, school, municipal, and university workers in Vermont. It establishes an independent commission to design the plan and set cost-sharing between employers and employees, while removing health care from collective bargaining. The bill requires all public employee health insurance costs to be tracked in a single budget line item, mandating annual transparency reports on total costs, cost per covered person, and year-over-year trends. It also directs the Governor’s budget to present public employee health benefits and Medicaid costs together, along with detailed breakdowns of expenditures for other state health programs.

Maddy summaryThis House Concurrent Resolution (HCR 151) is a ceremonial gesture congratulating Casella Waste Systems, Inc. on its 50th anniversary. It formally recognizes the company's founding in 1975, growth to over 5,000 employees across 10 states, sustainability initiatives (including EV fleets and the Casella Center for Circular Economy), and community contributions. The resolution has no legislative effect - only directing the Secretary of State to send a copy to the company. It directly affects Casella Waste Systems, Inc., as the recipient of this symbolic recognition.

Maddy summaryThis Vermont House resolution (HR 9) urges all state agencies to protect the privacy and medical confidentiality of Vermonters diagnosed with autism, specifically in response to federal plans for an autism research database. It directly affects autistic Vermonters by seeking to prevent their personal health data - like medical records, insurance claims, and wearable device information - from being collected or shared without informed consent. The resolution emphasizes that autism is a neurological difference, not a disease, and highlights concerns about federal data collection practices that lack explicit privacy safeguards. As a non-binding resolution, it directs state officials to uphold privacy rights and has been formally adopted by the House.

Maddy summaryHCR 137 is a House concurrent resolution that celebrates the 40th anniversary of Robin’s Nest Children’s Center in Burlington’s Old North End. It acknowledges the center's history of providing early childhood care and education to infants, toddlers, and preschoolers since 1985.

Maddy summaryThis resolution, HCR 81, honors the life and public service of Brenda Churchill, a former Bakersfield Select Board member and advocate for transgender rights. It extends the Vermont General Assembly's condolences to her family and recognizes her contributions to local and state government, including her work on the Vermont Commission on Women.