Rep. Kate Logan

Maddy summaryH.185 proposes creating a universal primary care program in Vermont, requiring the Green Mountain Care Board to develop a system that provides all Vermonters with free access to primary care services - including mental health, substance use treatment, and preventive care - without needing insurance enrollment. Key provisions eliminate cost-sharing for primary care, reduce administrative burdens on providers and insurers, and fund the program through allocated health insurance premiums and public funds. The bill also directs the Board to separate primary care practices from hospital control and fund medical training to increase provider supply. This program, planned to launch by 2028, directly affects all Vermont residents, primary care providers, and health insurers.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes permit requirements and safety rules for hunting with dogs in Vermont. It requires permits for hunting black bears or coyotes with dogs (residents pay $50, nonresidents pay $10 application + $200 fee), caps nonresident permits at 10% of resident permits, and defines key terms like "accompany" (staying within 150 feet without devices) and "control" (maintaining visual/audio contact or physical leash). It also sets specific training seasons for different game (e.g., bears June 1-Sept 15 during daylight) and allows field trials with a $50 fee, exempting participants from needing a hunting license. The bill directly affects hunters using dogs for bears, coyotes, or training, and clarifies when dogs are properly controlled to prevent incidents.

Maddy summaryThis bill limits University of Vermont (UVM) enrollment when Burlington's housing vacancy rate falls below 5%, requiring UVM to cap enrollment at the previous fall semester's level. It mandates that all UVM-owned or affiliated housing meet Burlington's municipal housing codes and rental safety standards by July 2025, with current students in non-compliant housing offered compliant alternatives first. The bill also creates a UVM Housing Task Force (including city officials, UVM representatives, and legislators) to monitor compliance, review housing strategies, and submit annual reports to the state legislature. These provisions directly affect UVM’s enrollment decisions, housing management, and Burlington residents experiencing housing market pressures.

Maddy summaryThis House Concurrent Resolution (HCR 12) is a non-binding ceremonial resolution expressing legislative congratulations to the University of Vermont (UVM) men's soccer team for winning their first NCAA Division I men's soccer championship (College Cup) in 2024. It formally recognizes the team's achievement, including their "Cardiac Cats" nickname and championship victory over Marshall University. The resolution directs the Secretary of State to send a copy to UVM Athletics but does not create any new policy, funding, or legal obligations. It is purely symbolic recognition of the team's athletic accomplishment.

Maddy summaryH.164 would change how Vermont distributes local option tax revenue to municipalities, increasing the share from 70% to 80% for the communities generating that revenue. It also requires that any surplus in the PILOT Special Fund (a fund for payments in lieu of taxes from state-owned properties) be distributed proportionally to the municipalities that contributed to the surplus. The bill directs the Joint Fiscal Office to prepare a report on transitioning to a system where the state retains only the minimal amount needed to administer the fund, aiming to eliminate future surpluses. This bill directly affects all Vermont municipalities receiving local option tax revenue and those contributing to the PILOT Special Fund.

Maddy summaryH 169 amends Vermont's anti-discrimination laws to prohibit landlords from requesting Social Security numbers on residential rental applications and requires them to accept all government-issued identification. It also adds "citizenship and immigration status" to the list of protected characteristics in housing and public accommodations, expanding existing protections against discrimination. The bill directly affects landlords, renters, and businesses serving the public by banning specific discriminatory practices in housing applications and services. Key provisions include banning SSN requests for rentals (§ 4456a) and updating definitions to include immigration status in housing (§ 4501, § 4503) and public accommodations (§ 4502). These changes aim to reduce barriers for renters, particularly immigrants and non-citizens, while clarifying prohibited discrimination.

Maddy summaryVermont's H.155 reauthorizes the state's Standard Offer Program, which provides long-term contracts for new renewable energy projects. It sets a 227.5 MW cumulative capacity limit for new projects (primarily solar and wind), with annual capacity increases phased from 5 MW to 20 MW starting in 2013. The program reserves specific portions of annual capacity for utility-owned projects (10-20%) and independent developers, while also allowing exceptions for agricultural methane projects and grid-benefiting installations. This directly affects renewable energy developers and Vermont utilities by creating a structured pathway for new clean energy generation.

Maddy summaryThis bill (H 153) amends Vermont law to expand who can request certified copies of birth and death certificates. It adds aunts, uncles, nieces, and nephews to the existing list of eligible family members, which previously included parents, siblings, grandparents, and other close relatives. The change directly affects these extended family members seeking official records for personal, legal, or medical purposes. The amendment to 18 V.S.A. § 5016 takes effect on July 1, 2025.

Maddy summaryH.144 requires food service establishments in Vermont (including restaurants and takeout businesses) to train designated staff on food allergens and post specific signage. Owners must assign "food safety officers" for customer-facing and food-preparation roles to complete online training, with businesses covering all costs. Establishments must display signage listing major allergens, indicating staff training levels, emergency procedures, and allergy symptoms, while menus must include a request for customers to disclose allergies. The law applies to all licensed food service businesses and takes effect July 1, 2025.

Maddy summaryThis bill prohibits using bait to hunt fur-bearing animals (such as raccoons or foxes) with guns, bows, or crossbows. It defines "bait" broadly as any animal, vegetable, or mineral matter placed to attract wildlife, excluding standard farm produce used in regular agriculture. Violations will now carry 10 penalty points instead of 5 under Vermont's hunting regulations. The law takes effect July 1, 2025.