Rep. Tiff Bluemle

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a pilot program to distribute free radon test kits to homeowners in one or two Vermont counties with significant granite bedrock or high lung cancer rates. The Department of Health will provide the kits voluntarily to participants, analyze the results, and send individual reports back to each homeowner while keeping personal information private. The program will also compare aggregated test data with local lung cancer statistics to identify potential health risks and recommend remedial actions. By January 1, 2026, the Department must submit a final report to state health committees with findings and suggestions for future legislation. The act takes effect on July 1, 2024.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires sellers of residential real estate in Vermont to disclose whether a property has been tested for radon and provide any available testing reports to prospective buyers. The law applies to anyone offering to sell residential property and mandates that this information be included in the purchase or sale contract. If a residence has undergone radon testing, the seller must provide a copy of the testing report to the buyer. The bill takes effect on July 1, 2024, and does not affect property title marketability if compliance requirements are not met.

Maddy summaryThis bill proposes a new 11 percent excise tax on the retail sale of firearms, firearm precursor parts, and ammunition in Vermont, which would be paid by sellers at the time of each transaction. The tax applies to both licensed firearm dealers and ammunition vendors, with licensed dealers required to collect the tax during background checks and remit it quarterly to the state. All revenue generated from this tax would be deposited into the Domestic and Sexual Violence Special Fund, which supports grants for domestic and sexual violence prevention services. The legislation excludes transfers exempt from background checks, such as those to law enforcement agencies or immediate family members, and would take effect on July 1, 2025.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a standardized process for removing members from Vermont state boards and commissions when no specific removal rules already exist. It requires the appointing authority to provide written reasons for removal and allow the member a chance to respond before taking action. Additionally, the bill mandates that any resulting vacancy must be filled within 60 days by the appropriate appointing official. The law applies to all state boards and commissions unless existing statutes already outline different removal procedures.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires that juvenile delinquency cases involving youths aged 14 to 22 begin in the Family Division of the Superior Court rather than the Criminal Division, with certain exceptions for specific serious offenses. The law allows the Family Division to transfer cases to the Criminal Division after a hearing if the youth is older or if the offense is particularly severe, and it mandates that prosecutors file felony charges for minors in the Family Division first. The changes apply to both new cases and those involving violations of release conditions, ensuring that all juvenile proceedings initially originate in the Family Division unless specific criteria for transfer are met.

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 House concurrent resolution honors Vermont National Guard Deputy Adjutant General Kenneth Gragg for his distinguished career in public service. The document recognizes his 46 years of military and civilian service, including his leadership in financial management, construction projects, and pandemic response efforts. It directs the Secretary of State to send a copy of the resolution to Gragg as a formal acknowledgment of his contributions. This is a ceremonial measure with no new laws or policy changes, serving only to publicly recognize his achievements.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes the Resilient Communities Fund to provide financial assistance to Vermont municipalities for planning and responding to floods, fires, environmental hazards, and other disasters, with priority given to projects that match federal grants and serve vulnerable communities. It requires the Division of Vermont Emergency Management to identify specific areas needing additional funding based on past disasters, current risks, and local capacity, and mandates a study to improve coordination between state and local disaster response efforts. Additionally, the bill directs the Secretary of Natural Resources to create rules for development permits in flood hazard areas and authorizes the creation of a State Urban Search and Rescue Team for rapid emergency response.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates and expands the Municipal Planning and Resilience Grant Program to help Vermont towns and regional planning commissions prepare for climate-related hazards like flooding. The program will receive funding from a dedicated state fund, with 20 percent of revenues going to municipalities and 70 percent to regional planning commissions for performance-based contracts. Municipalities must vote to allocate local funds for planning purposes and submit plans for approval to qualify for grants, which can be used for acquiring development rights, conservation easements, or implementing climate resilience projects. The bill also establishes two new permanent full-time positions to administer the grants and assist with financing climate resilience projects.