Rep. Bob Hooper

Maddy summaryHCR 68 is a ceremonial resolution, not a law, that honors Vermont's manufacturing sector. It designates April 2, 2025, as "Manufacturing Day" for an event at the Vermont State House. The resolution celebrates manufacturing's economic impact - highlighting its $3 billion contribution to Vermont's GDP and 30,000 jobs - while directing the Secretary of State to share the resolution with industry groups like the Vermont Chamber of Commerce and Vermont Manufacturing Extension Center. This is a symbolic gesture with no new policies or funding, solely aimed at recognizing the industry's role.

Maddy summaryHCR 60 is a ceremonial resolution designating March 25, 2025, as Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities Day at the Vermont State House. It formally recognizes advocates and individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities who will visit the State House that day to discuss service needs. The resolution has no policy or funding changes - it simply designates a day for acknowledgment and directs the Secretary of State to share the resolution with advocacy groups present. This is a symbolic gesture, not a substantive legislative action.

Maddy summaryHCR 54 is a ceremonial resolution honoring Thomas Paul Salmon, a former Vermont Representative, Governor (75th), and Interim University of Vermont President. The resolution expresses the General Assembly's condolences to his family following his death on January 14, 2025, and directs the Secretary of State to send a copy of the resolution to them. It commemorates his career, including his two terms as governor (1972-1978) and his six-year tenure as UVM Interim President. As a non-binding memorial resolution, it has no policy impact or direct effect on constituents.

Maddy summaryHCR 13 is a non-binding memorial resolution honoring Robert Louis Picher, the former Clerk of the Vermont House of Representatives. It commemorates his 30 years of service (1963-1993, plus 2002 acting role), military career, legal background, and community contributions. The resolution expresses the Vermont General Assembly’s condolences to his family and directs the Secretary of State to send a copy to them. This is purely ceremonial with no policy changes or affected constituents.

Maddy summaryThis bill (H 462) authorizes Burlington’s city council to pass an ordinance requiring landlords to have a "just cause" reason to evict residential tenants, directly affecting Burlington renters and landlords. It specifies valid reasons for eviction (like rent nonpayment, lease violations, or material breaches) while banning evictions solely due to lease expiration or property owner occupancy. The ordinance must include protections like adequate notice, relocation assistance, and limits on rent hikes that could force tenants out without a valid reason. It also excludes certain properties (like owner-occupied duplexes or homes needing major repairs) from the rule. The bill approves a charter amendment voters approved in 2021, with the ordinance to be implemented by Burlington’s city council.

Maddy summaryHCR 48 is a ceremonial resolution honoring former Vermont House Representative Curt McCormack of Burlington, who died in September 2024. It recognizes his environmental advocacy (including pioneering work on chlorofluorocarbon limits), transportation leadership (as Bicycle-Pedestrian Coordinator and House Transportation Committee Chair), and service as a Peace Corps volunteer in Senegal. The resolution extends condolences to his family and directs the Secretary of State to send a copy to them. This procedural resolution does not create policy changes or affect any constituents.

Maddy summaryH.359 regulates when Vermont state agencies can replace permanent employees with private contractors. It requires agencies to provide 35 days' written notice to unions before seeking bids for privatization contracts, including details on wages (at least equal to comparable state positions) and services. Contracts must include wage standards, health insurance parity, performance metrics, and just-cause employment protections for contractor workers. The bill also mandates Attorney General certification that contracts align with merit system principles and requires annual audits to verify 10% cost savings and performance compliance before renewal. This directly affects state agencies, union-represented workers, and private contractors hired for state services.

Maddy summaryThis bill would allow Vermont towns, cities, and villages to voluntarily adopt ranked-choice voting for local elections of single-seat offices (like mayor or council member). If adopted, voters would rank candidates in order of preference on ballots. If no candidate receives a majority of first-choice votes, the system would determine a winner through pairwise comparisons between candidates, selecting the candidate who would beat all others in head-to-head matchups. Local governments must first implement the Australian ballot system to use this method, and election results would publicly display both first-choice tallies and comparison outcomes.

Maddy summaryH 392 prohibits the possession of firearms and dangerous weapons in Vermont state buildings and on state-owned or leased land, effective July 1, 2026. It applies to the general public entering state property, with exceptions for law enforcement officers, National Guard members, certain leased areas, authorized training activities, and lawful hunting. Violations carry fines up to $2,000 or up to one year in jail for basic possession, and up to $10,000 or five years for intent to commit a crime. The law explicitly excludes pocket knives under 2.5 inches and defines "state buildings" as facilities owned or leased by the Department of Buildings and General Services.

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.