Rep. Troy Headrick

Maddy summaryThis bill prohibits naming Vermont state buildings or facilities after individuals. It requires the General Assembly to formally approve any new naming requests by July 1, 2025, effectively halting new individual-named facilities after that date. The bill cites current naming practices - where all state buildings named after people have been White men - as a key reason for the change, aiming to address political influence and historical inequity in the naming process. The law amends existing statute to mandate Assembly authorization for all such names, with no new individual names permitted after the 2025 deadline.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires Vermont businesses selling kratom products to register them with the Department of Health and comply with safety and labeling rules. It bans kratom products that are attractive to children, contain synthetic materials, are combustible or injectable, or mix with certain dangerous compounds. Businesses must provide safety testing results, clear labels warning against use by minors/pregnant people, and detailed usage instructions. The law directly affects kratom processors, distributors, and retailers operating in Vermont.

Maddy summaryH 399 strengthens tenant protections in Vermont by banning rental application fees and requiring landlords to provide written rental agreements for 12+ month leases. The bill limits no-cause evictions with mandatory notice periods (60-90 days based on how long a tenant has lived there), prohibits charging for background checks, and adds citizenship/immigration status to discrimination protections. It creates a Rental Registry and an Office of Tenant’s Rights Advocate to help tenants navigate disputes. Tenants in Vermont rental housing will directly benefit from these concrete changes to agreements, evictions, and discrimination safeguards.

Maddy summaryThis bill extends the validity period for Vermont operator’s licenses, privilege cards, and nondriver ID cards from four years to eight years, with a transition period allowing current holders to exchange licenses by July 2029. It establishes reduced fees ($62-$85) for low-income individuals seeking these IDs and requires the Vermont DMV to develop a plan ensuring ID cards display a person’s full legal name and are accessible to unhoused individuals and those without permanent addresses. The DMV must also create outreach programs to inform Vermonters about obtaining these IDs. These changes apply directly to all Vermont residents needing these identification documents for driving or non-driving purposes.

Maddy summaryH 356 creates the Unemployment Compensation Benefit Modernization Advisory Committee to advise Vermont's Department of Labor on implementing technological upgrades to the unemployment benefits delivery system. The committee, composed of appointed legislators, Department of Labor staff, labor representatives, employers, and legal aid attorneys, will monitor the upgrades, make recommendations, and assist with testing. It must submit quarterly reports to legislative committees starting September 2025, with the committee dissolving by June 2026 or once the system is fully implemented. This bill directly affects how unemployment benefits are delivered to Vermont workers by establishing a formal advisory process for technology changes.

Maddy summaryH.362 revises Vermont's process for recognizing Native American tribes and strengthens transparency for the Truth and Reconciliation Commission. It requires new proof of ancestry, community presence, and cultural connection for tribes seeking state recognition, and mandates consultation with Odanak Abenaki leaders on all related policies. The bill creates a task force to review past tribal recognitions and establishes a three-member review panel system for applications, with members chosen independently to avoid conflicts of interest. It also directs the Commission to fund Odanak Abenaki-led cultural preservation projects. The bill does not alter existing tribal recognition status but changes how future applications are evaluated and reviewed.

Maddy summaryH 376 requires all alcoholic beverages sold in Vermont to display clear labels showing alcohol content in U.S. Standard Drinks, along with cancer warnings and serving facts (like calories and sugar). It increases taxes on beer, hard cider, wine, and spirits, with future tax hikes tied to inflation starting in 2027. The bill creates the Treatment and Recovery Fund, which will use all new tax revenue to fund mental health services in schools and alcohol treatment/supportive housing programs. This affects alcohol manufacturers, retailers, and consumers across Vermont by changing labeling rules, raising costs for certain beverages, and directing new tax revenue to public health services.

Maddy summaryH 355 requires Vermont's Governor to review every federal order placing Vermont National Guard units in combat to ensure it complies with the U.S. Constitution. The Governor must confirm deployments are based on a Congressional declaration of war or one of three specific exceptions: repelling a military invasion, suppressing an insurrection, or executing constitutional laws. If an order fails this review, the Governor must block the deployment and report the decision to the legislature within 10 business days. This law does not affect domestic missions (like disaster response) or training deployments under federal law.

Maddy summaryHCR 30 is a memorial resolution honoring Donald H. Turner Jr., a former Vermont Representative, House Republican Leader, and Milton Town Manager. The resolution expresses the General Assembly's condolences to his family following his death in November 2024 and directs copies of the resolution to his family, the Milton Town Clerk, and the Milton Fire Department. This procedural resolution commemorates his public service, including his 30+ years with the Milton Fire Department and his legislative career representing Milton.

Maddy summaryH 227 creates a two-bed residential peer respite facility in southern Vermont to provide short-term support for people experiencing mental health crises, avoiding hospitalization. The facility will offer two types of stays: one bed for up to four weeks and another for up to two weeks, operated by a provider selected through a state contract. The bill appropriates $515,000 for fiscal year 2026 to fund this facility, requiring the Department of Mental Health to contract with an eligible provider by January 1, 2026. It aims to expand access to peer-supported care in southern Vermont, reducing reliance on emergency hospital settings for crisis care. The facility will become operational on July 1, 2025.