Rep. Kate Logan

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 summaryH 366 establishes new rights for individuals regarding neural data and brain activity, directly affecting people using neurotechnology (like brain-computer interfaces) and the companies developing such devices. The bill requires written consent before collecting or sharing neural data (defined as brain activity measurements), prohibits "consciousness bypass" (using tech to manipulate brain activity without awareness), and allows individuals to revoke consent at any time. It enforces these rules through Vermont’s Consumer Protection Act, imposing civil penalties of up to $10,000 per violation. The law takes effect July 1, 2025, and applies to all entities handling neural data within Vermont.

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 354 creates a new "thermal efficiency benefits charge" that Vermont utility customers using unregulated fuels (like oil or propane for heating) would pay as a separate line item on their bills starting July 1, 2025. The funds collected would go into an Electric Efficiency Fund to support programs, including a 25% incentive for installing high-efficiency biomass heating systems (without requiring other energy upgrades). The charge aims to fund societally cost-effective thermal efficiency programs that help meet greenhouse gas reduction goals under Vermont law. It directly affects residential and commercial customers of unregulated fuels, not electricity or natural gas utility customers.

Maddy summaryH 373 proposes pilot programs to expand democratic participation in Vermont's state and local governments. It would create new neighborhood and regional planning assemblies, test methods like random selection (sortition) and structured group discussions (charrettes), require paid time off for election participation, and fund school assemblies to decide school policies. The bill also explores linking community engagement to health outcomes and provides grants for schools to use deliberative processes. These pilot projects would affect towns, cities, villages, schools, and public bodies, but the bill is currently in committee and has not become law.

Maddy summaryH 371 imposes a moratorium on retailers using electronic shelf labels or AI-driven dynamic pricing (where prices change in real-time) for consumer goods like food and household items until January 15, 2027. During this period, the Secretary of Agriculture must report to the legislature on how such pricing works and how to protect consumers from unfair practices. After the moratorium ends, retailers may use electronic shelf labels but cannot change prices dynamically while open to the public or alter prices more frequently than every 24 hours. The bill directly affects retail businesses selling consumer commodities in Vermont and aims to establish clear consumer protections around pricing transparency.

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.

Maddy summaryH.367 creates the Vermont Olympics Task Force to develop a proposal for Vermont hosting the Olympic Games (Winter or Summer) or Youth Olympics. The task force, composed of legislators, tourism business owners, Olympic athletes, and regional planning representatives, must produce a proposal aligned with Olympic sustainability goals and Vermont’s economic development plans. Key provisions require the proposal to address housing needs, transportation infrastructure, climate resilience, tourism industry support, equity, and long-term community benefits. The task force must submit updates to the legislature by 2025-2026, focusing on feasibility without committing state funds. This bill directly affects Vermont’s tourism industry, regional planning, and potential economic development strategies.

Maddy summaryH 337 requires Vermont's Commissioner of Labor to publish enforcement actions against employers for violations of wage and hour, prevailing wage, and child labor laws. The bill mandates that this information be made publicly available in a searchable format on a dedicated website. Data published will exclude complainant identities and information older than six years. The requirement takes effect on July 1, 2025, increasing transparency around labor law enforcement.