Rep. Barbara Rachelson

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a temporary Building Energy Code Study Committee to address low compliance rates with Vermont's residential and commercial building energy standards. The committee will consist of 15 members representing government agencies, industry groups, and municipalities, and will study strategies to improve code enforcement and administration. Key recommendations may include designating the Division of Fire Safety as the statewide authority for energy code enforcement and developing funding mechanisms such as incentives and federal grants. The committee must submit its final report to the General Assembly by December 1, 2023, and will be funded with $125,000 for consultant services and member compensation.

Maddy summaryThis bill expands legal protections for individuals facing civil forfeiture proceedings by mandating the assignment of public defenders to low-income defendants in specific cases involving livestock, alcohol, big game violations, drugs, and motor vehicles. It requires law enforcement agencies to maintain detailed records of seized property, including descriptions, values, and disposal methods, which must be submitted to the courts and made available for inspection by regulatory agencies. The legislation also strengthens notice requirements by informing property owners of their right to legal counsel and establishing clear procedures for requesting hearings before penalties are imposed. These changes aim to increase transparency and ensure fair access to legal representation in forfeiture actions across multiple state agencies.

Maddy summaryThis bill modifies how court surcharges are allocated in Vermont to increase funding for victims compensation and domestic and sexual violence services. It adjusts the specific amounts deposited into these special funds from criminal and traffic violation surcharges without raising the total surcharge amount. The legislation also updates requirements for law enforcement training, mandating that officers receive domestic and sexual violence training every two years and establishing a dedicated trainer position funded through existing special funds. These changes take effect on July 1, 2023, and directly affect court clerks, law enforcement agencies, and the state's victim support systems.

Maddy summaryThis bill proposes to increase pay and expand benefits for Vermont state legislators by making them eligible for the state employees' health insurance plan at no cost to themselves. It would establish an annual salary equal to half the statewide average wage, with higher amounts for the Speaker of the House and Senate President Pro Tempore, and include reimbursements for child care, dependent care, and overnight parking for those with mobility limitations. The legislation also provides per diem compensation and expense reimbursement for legislators-elect attending pre-session training and meetings, while updating rules for out-of-state committee business to include mileage, lodging, and meal reimbursement. These changes would be implemented through amendments to existing state statutes governing legislative compensation and benefits.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires Vermont school districts that do not operate their own elementary or high schools to designate up to three eligible schools to serve as the public schools for their students. These designated schools can be public schools in Vermont or other states, or recognized independent schools that meet specific criteria such as serving as regional career centers or being designated as public schools under older laws. The legislation also repeals the definition and approval process for independent schools while keeping the recognized independent school enrollment process intact. Additionally, it creates a new definition for therapeutic schools and adjusts special education tuition provisions. The bill allows school districts to pay tuition to designated schools for their students without requiring a separate vote from the district's electorate, though some existing options for tuition payment remain available.

Maddy summaryThis bill prohibits crisis pregnancy centers from advertising services they do not provide or that are designed to mislead the public, particularly regarding medical care availability and timing. It directly affects crisis pregnancy centers in Vermont by requiring them to clearly disclose whether they are licensed medical facilities and what services they actually offer. The legislation treats false advertising by these centers as an unfair or deceptive practice subject to existing consumer protection enforcement. Additionally, the bill addresses data privacy concerns by regulating how these centers collect and share personal information from visitors who may believe they are seeking medical care.

Maddy summaryThis bill proposes establishing a new Vermont Climate Infrastructure Fund to support climate-related projects and investments across the state. Administered by the State Treasurer's Office with an advisory board, the fund would coordinate financing efforts with existing agencies like the Vermont Economic Development Authority and Vermont Bond Bank to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and improve climate resilience. The fund would invest in clean energy solutions, forest and agricultural land improvements, watershed health, and projects that benefit underserved communities while also seeking federal funding opportunities and stimulating private investment.

Maddy summaryThis bill is a ceremonial resolution honoring the memory of James McNamara, a former Vermont state representative and environmental commissioner from Burlington. It expresses the General Assembly's sincere sympathies to McNamara's family following his death in November 2022. The resolution directs the Secretary of State to send a copy of the document to McNamara's family and to the District 4 Act 250 Environmental Commission. This type of commemorative measure does not create new laws or policies but serves to acknowledge McNamara's public service contributions.

Maddy summaryThis bill would require employers in Vermont to have good cause before terminating employees who have worked for at least 60 days, while exempting casual employees and those with fewer than 60 days of employment. The legislation defines good cause as failure to perform job duties after progressive discipline, egregious misconduct, or legitimate business reasons, and limits termination based on off-duty conduct to situations with a clear connection to job performance. Employers would need to follow a progressive discipline process including verbal warnings, written warnings, and written reprimands before termination, except in cases of egregious misconduct or legitimate business reasons. The bill also allows employees or representative organizations to bring enforcement actions on behalf of the state for violations of these termination requirements.

Maddy summaryThis bill expands labor protections for agricultural and domestic workers in Vermont by granting them the right to collectively bargain and extending minimum wage, overtime pay, workers' compensation, and unemployment insurance benefits to these groups. It also establishes a "good cause" standard for terminating employment, requires employers to provide severance pay, and allows employees to sue on behalf of the state for violations of this termination requirement. Additionally, the bill protects workers from adverse employment actions related to their exercise of First Amendment rights and permits collective bargaining representatives to be certified through voluntary employer recognition or majority employee sign-up. These changes directly affect employers of agricultural and domestic workers while providing new legal rights and protections for those workers.