Maddy summaryThis bill, known as the Thermal Energy Network Act, would bring utility-style thermal energy networks under the oversight of Vermont's Public Utility Commission. It defines thermal energy networks as infrastructure that distributes heat and cooling from non-fossil fuel sources to multiple buildings and requires the Commission to issue a certificate of public good before any private company can operate such a network for more than 20 customers. Municipalities would retain the ability to build and operate these networks without Commission approval, similar to how they currently manage water and sewer services. The bill also directs the Commission to create rules that simplify permitting, allow pilot projects, and prioritize serving low- and moderate-income customers.
Sponsored bills
Maddy summaryThis bill creates a new grant program administered by the Agency of Human Services to help municipalities and other organizations acquire or renovate existing buildings for permanent supportive housing. The program provides up to $4.5 million in 2025 funding for projects that convert buildings into multiple studio apartments with kitchens and bathrooms, while requiring energy-efficient renovations. Each funded site must employ or contract two staff members to provide daily on-site support services such as case management, support groups, and connections to community resources. The bill targets individuals experiencing chronic homelessness, those recovering from mental health or substance use disorders, aging out of foster care, and other vulnerable populations. Eligible applicants must submit proposals identifying specific buildings, outlining costs and local contributions, and demonstrating accessibility to healthcare and transportation.
Maddy summaryThis bill, titled the Protecting Soils and Waters from Forever Chemicals Act, prohibits the land application of septage throughout Vermont and restricts landfill disposal of waste containing perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) when state standards are exceeded or when facilities lack proper certification. The legislation requires all solid waste management facilities to obtain state certification before operating, with specific exemptions for certain domestic wastewater treatment plants that meet defined conditions. Additionally, the bill bans the use of sludge as daily cover at landfills and mandates that the Secretary of Natural Resources and the Secretary of Agriculture, Food and Markets develop a memorandum of understanding by January 15, 2025, to enforce PFAS soil standards. These changes directly affect wastewater treatment facilities, landfills, and municipalities that manage septage and sludge waste.
Maddy summaryThis bill requires Vermont utilities to provide building owners, tenants, and other authorized parties with access to their energy consumption data while protecting individual privacy through aggregation. It establishes specific rules for how utilities must store data, including a requirement to keep billing records for at least 15 years, and defines which buildings qualify for data access based on the number of utility accounts they contain. The legislation also creates a framework for an energy storage program and sets up a process for the Public Service Commission to develop detailed procedures for implementing these data sharing requirements by October 2024.
Maddy summaryThis bill establishes an extended producer responsibility program in Vermont to manage the collection and recycling of waste motor vehicle tires. It requires tire manufacturers to register with the state and either join an approved waste tire stewardship organization or implement their own plan before selling tires beginning in 2026. The program includes a fee system and mandates that manufacturers contribute to tire recycling efforts, with the Agency of Natural Resources overseeing compliance. Covered entities, such as tire retailers, must deliver waste tires to approved collection facilities to participate in the program.
Maddy summaryThis bill modifies the requirements for reserve forestland to qualify for Vermont's Use Value Appraisal Program, which offers tax benefits for land kept in forested condition. It directly affects landowners with reserve forestland parcels up to 100 acres or larger. The key change reduces the minimum percentage of significant and sensitive conditions required on enrolled land from 50 percent to 25 percent for smaller parcels and from 30 percent to 15 percent for larger parcels. This adjustment makes it easier for some landowners to enroll their forestland in the program while maintaining conservation standards. The legislation aims to update eligibility criteria without changing the fundamental purpose of the tax program.
Maddy summaryThis bill repeals Vermont's Motorboat Registration Fund and redirects motorboat registration fees to the state Transportation Fund, while establishing a new Lake Protection and Access Pass for all vessels operating in state waters. The pass, which costs $20 for residents and $40 for nonresidents, must be displayed on motorboats and nonmotorized vessels like kayaks and canoes to help fund aquatic invasive species control and improve boating access areas. Revenue from pass sales goes into a special fund split between the Department of Fish and Wildlife for administrative costs and access improvements, and the Department of Environmental Conservation for aquatic nuisance control efforts. The bill also defines key terms such as "aquatic nuisance" to include invasive species like zebra mussels and rusty crayfish, and requires signage at public water access points to inform boaters about the pass requirement.
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 requires Vermont's Emergency Management agency to create and maintain a list of operational self-storage facilities during a state of emergency. The legislation mandates that storage facilities provide their name, address, contact information, and current unit availability to the state, which will then share this data through Vermont 211 or another approved agency. Facilities must update their availability information at least once every 24 hours while an emergency is in effect. Additionally, the bill prohibits storage facilities from charging unconscionably high prices during emergencies, defining such prices as those that show a gross disparity compared to normal rates charged before the emergency declaration. The law takes effect on July 1, 2024.
Maddy summaryThis bill allows Vermont municipalities to receive reimbursement for state education property taxes they abated for property owners affected by severe storms and flooding between July and October 2023. It also permits municipalities to be reimbursed for reasonable interest expenses incurred when borrowing funds to make these tax payments, capped at eight percent. Additionally, the bill excludes federal disaster relief payments from household income when calculating the homestead property tax credit for the 2023 and 2024 tax years, helping homeowners maintain eligibility for tax credits despite receiving disaster assistance.