Rep. Bob Hooper

Maddy summaryThis bill formally recognizes April 2024 as the Month of the Military Child in Vermont to highlight the challenges faced by children of military personnel, including those in the Vermont National Guard. The resolution acknowledges the unique pressures these children face due to parental deployments, frequent relocations, and lack of community stability. It directs the Secretary of State to send a copy of the resolution to the Vermont National Guard Office of Child & Youth Services, aligning with national efforts like Military Kids Connect and Purple Up! For Military Kids Day. This measure is ceremonial and does not create new funding or policy requirements.

Maddy summaryThis House concurrent resolution honors Michael Gonneville, a physical education instructor at Northfield Elementary School in Vermont, for his 46 years of teaching and for creating the school's Walking Wednesdays program. The resolution recognizes Gonneville's role in establishing a walking-to-school initiative that has continued for 17 years, connecting students, families, and community members in a mile-long walk from Norwich University to the school. It also acknowledges the program's special tradition where students recite the Pledge of Allegiance with veterans at The Veterans' Place Inc. during their weekly walk. The resolution directs the Secretary of State to send copies to Gonneville, the school principal, and the supervisory union superintendent.

Maddy summaryThis legislative resolution commemorates Vermont's April 8, 2024 total solar eclipse, a rare astronomical event visible across much of the state. It officially recognizes the historic nature of the eclipse, noting that the last total solar eclipse visible in Vermont occurred nearly a century ago in 1932. The resolution directs the Secretary of State to send a copy of the document to the Vermont Space Grant Consortium and the Fairbanks Museum and Planetarium, which are partners in educating the public about the event. This ceremonial measure serves to acknowledge the significance of the eclipse for Vermont residents and visitors rather than to change any laws or policies.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires sellers and landlords in Vermont to disclose flood risk information to buyers and tenants, including whether properties are in mapped flood hazard areas and if they have experienced past flooding. It also establishes accessibility standards for state-funded residential construction and updates definitions and disclosure requirements for mobile homes and mobile home parks. The legislation creates legal consequences for sellers who fail to provide required flood information, allowing buyers to terminate contracts or seek damages. Additionally, the bill mandates that mobile home sales include written disclosures about flooding history and requires appraisal reports to separate the value of the mobile home from its location.

Maddy summaryThis bill designates November as Vermont Month of the Veteran to honor military service members who have contributed to national security. It adds a new section to Vermont law stating that November of each year is officially recognized as this commemorative month. The legislation takes effect on July 1, 2024, and applies to all state government activities during November.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates the Vermont-Ireland Trade Commission, a new entity within the State Treasurer's office designed to promote trade and investment between Vermont and Ireland. The Commission will consist of 10 members appointed by the Governor, Speaker of the House, Senate Committee on Committees, and the State Treasurer, who will serve staggered four-year terms and meet quarterly to advance bilateral economic cooperation. The Commission is authorized to raise funds through donations and grants to cover its administrative expenses and must submit annual reports to the Governor and General Assembly, with members receiving no state compensation for their service.

Maddy summaryThis bill congratulates Vermont athletes who won medals at the 2023 National Senior Games in Pittsburgh and designates March 21, 2024 as Vermont Senior Games Day at the State House. It recognizes the 86 Vermont athletes who competed in 13 sports and won a total of 33 medals, while also honoring the specific individuals who participated in the event. The resolution directs the Secretary of State to send copies to the Vermont Senior Games Association and the Governor's Council on Physical Fitness to promote senior fitness awareness. This is a ceremonial measure that celebrates athletic achievement rather than creating new laws or policy requirements.

Maddy summaryThis bill modifies Vermont's existing medical leave laws to clarify definitions and requirements for unpaid leave related to serious health conditions. It directly affects employees working for employers with at least 10 to 15 employees, depending on whether the leave is for family or parental reasons. The legislation defines a serious illness health condition as one posing imminent danger of death, requiring inpatient care, or needing continuing in-home care, and includes rehabilitation from such conditions including substance use disorder treatment. Key provisions allow employees to take up to 12 weeks of unpaid leave per year for their own serious illness or that of certain family members, with requirements for reasonable notice and medical certification from a health care provider. The changes take effect on July 1, 2024.

Maddy summaryThis bill, known as Jessica's Law, extends survivor benefits to families of law enforcement officers in Vermont by providing the same $50,000 monetary benefit currently available to survivors of firefighters and emergency personnel. The legislation establishes a new review board composed of state officials and two public members appointed by the governor to evaluate claims and determine eligibility for benefits. Benefits are available to spouses, children, or parents of certified law enforcement officers who die in the line of duty or from work-related illnesses, with the fund established through state appropriations and potential donations. The bill defines "line of duty" for law enforcement to include responding to complaints, investigating disorders, and serving under emergency orders, and sets a 60-day timeline for the board to process claims.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates the Tree Fruit Farmer Assistance Program to provide financial grants to Vermont tree fruit farmers who experienced production losses in 2023 due to freezing or frost conditions. The program requires farms to be currently operating, in good standing with the state agriculture agency, and to submit applications by a specified deadline. Grants are calculated using a formula that considers the farm's tree fruit acreage, compares 2023 revenue to 2022 revenue, and reduces awards for any crop insurance payments already received for the same losses. The bill appropriates $10 million from the General Fund to implement the program, with any unused funds to be transferred to the Working Lands Enterprise Fund by December 31, 2024.