Rep. Bob Hooper

Maddy summaryThis House concurrent resolution commemorates the 100th anniversary of U.S. Navy Torpedoman 2nd Class Henry Breault becoming the first submariner to receive the Medal of Honor. The document honors Breault's heroic act of returning to a sinking submarine to rescue a trapped crewmate, an event that occurred on October 28, 1923, when his vessel collided with a commercial ship in the Panama Canal. The resolution formally recognizes this historical milestone and directs the Secretary of State to send copies of the document to the Submarine Force Library and Museum and to historian Ryan Walker. This legislative action serves as a ceremonial acknowledgment of Breault's service and sacrifice rather than establishing new laws or policies.

Maddy summaryThis bill is a ceremonial resolution that honors Sergeant at Arms Janet Miller for her service to the Vermont General Assembly. It recognizes her long career, which includes managing security, coordinating events, and overseeing the Legislative Council before she was elected to her current role five times. The resolution also acknowledges her specific contributions during the COVID-19 pandemic, including helping the legislature transition back to in-person meetings. The bill directs the Secretary of State to send a copy of this honor to Janet Miller, who has announced her retirement effective March 1, 2024.

Maddy summaryThis bill is a ceremonial resolution that officially recognizes the week of February 26 to March 1 as Public Schools Week in Vermont. It does not create new laws or change policies but instead acknowledges the importance of public schools as community institutions and major employers. The resolution directs the Secretary of State to send copies to various education-related organizations, including the Vermont Secretary of Education and state education associations. This measure serves to honor the role of public schools in Vermont society without affecting any operational or funding aspects of the education system.

Maddy summaryThis bill designates February 22, 2024 as Age Strong Vermont Day at the State House to recognize the state's aging population and the new 10-year action plan developed to support older Vermonters. It directly affects Vermont residents aged 60 and older, who make up nearly 30 percent of the state's population, by formally acknowledging the Age Strong VT roadmap that addresses seven key areas including affordable aging, health, social connection, and elder justice. The resolution requires the Secretary of State to send copies to the Governor and relevant state officials, serving as a ceremonial observance rather than creating new policy requirements.

Maddy summaryThis bill is a ceremonial resolution that congratulates the Vermont State Employees' Association on its 80th anniversary. It does not change any laws or policies but serves as an official recognition of the organization's history and contributions to advocating for state employees. The resolution directs the Secretary of State to send a copy of the document to the association. This type of bill is purely symbolic and has no practical impact on government operations or employee rights.

Maddy summaryThis House resolution honors Vermont television journalist Stewart Ledbetter for his 40 years of news reporting. The bill formally recognizes his career achievements, including his work as a news director, political campaign moderator, and recipient of multiple broadcast awards. It directs the House Clerk to send a copy of the resolution to Ledbetter and WPTZ, the television station where he worked.

Maddy summaryThis House concurrent resolution honors the organizations and individuals working to improve rural broadband access in Vermont through Communications Union Districts. It recognizes the ten regional districts that have formed to build fiber optic networks in areas where other providers struggle to reach. The resolution acknowledges the progress these districts have made in 2023, including new construction and customer additions. This formal acknowledgment does not create new laws or funding but serves to publicly recognize the efforts of these broadband initiatives.

Maddy summaryThis bill is a House resolution honoring Jarlath O'Neil-Dunne, a former Marine and director of the Spatial Analysis Laboratory at the University of Vermont who passed away at age 49. It formally expresses the House's condolences to his family and directs the Clerk to send a copy of the resolution to his family and the laboratory. The resolution recognizes his contributions to geospatial research, disaster response efforts during the 2023 Vermont floods, and his leadership in environmental data analysis. No new laws or funding are established; the measure serves as a commemorative tribute to his life and work.

Maddy summaryThis bill prohibits the installation of new speed bumps and speed humps on public highways in Vermont unless officials determine no other traffic calming options exist and the devices meet national standards. It applies to both state and town roads, requiring the Agency of Transportation or local selectboards to verify that alternative measures are unavailable before allowing installation. Existing speed bumps and humps installed before July 1, 2024, that comply with current standards may remain in place but cannot be replaced with new ones unless they meet the new requirements. The law takes effect on July 1, 2024, and is intended to standardize traffic calming practices across the state.

Maddy summaryThis bill prohibits modifying a motor vehicle's exhaust system to produce noise levels exceeding 95 decibels, affecting all vehicle owners and operators in Vermont. It establishes a specific measurement standard using SAE International guidelines to determine compliance and allows for dismissal of violations if the operator had reasonable grounds to believe the vehicle was legal. The law includes an exemption for vehicles used in authorized racing or speed demonstrations and takes effect on July 1, 2024.