Rep. Carol Ode

Maddy summaryThis House concurrent resolution congratulates Mikaela Shiffrin on her historic 2022-2023 World Cup Alpine ski racing achievements, including becoming the winningest female Alpine racer of all time with 88 victories and setting a new all-time World Cup record with 87 event wins. The resolution recognizes her accomplishments, which include winning races in all six World Cup Alpine disciplines and accumulating 138 career podiums. It directs the Secretary of State to send a copy of the resolution to Shiffrin and U.S. Ski & Snowboard as a formal acknowledgment of her record-setting performance.

Maddy summaryThis bill designates April 2023 as Donate Life Awareness Month in Vermont to raise public awareness about organ and tissue donation. It directly affects Vermont residents by encouraging them to register as organ donors through the Department of Motor Vehicles. The resolution directs the Secretary of State to send copies to relevant health and motor vehicle officials and Donate Life Vermont to coordinate awareness activities. The bill highlights the national need for organ donors, noting that many people wait for transplants while others die daily, and celebrates Vermont's high rate of donor registration.

Maddy summaryThis bill raises the minimum age for marriage in Vermont from 16 to 18 years old, directly affecting minors who currently could legally marry with parental consent. The law amends existing emancipation statutes to clarify that even if a minor is legally emancipated, they cannot bypass the age requirement for marriage. The provision explicitly states that emancipation orders do not override laws requiring specific age limits, including the new marriage age threshold. This change removes the ability for parents to consent to their children's marriages before age 18, regardless of the minor's independent living status.

Maddy summaryThis bill is a ceremonial resolution that congratulates the winning teams of the 2023 15th Jr Iron Chef VT competition, a culinary event for middle and high school students in Vermont. The resolution acknowledges the competition's return after a pandemic-related pause and recognizes the three award categories: Crowd Pleaser, Lively Local, and Mise en Place. It specifically names the six winning teams that received awards in both morning and afternoon rounds across middle and high school divisions. The General Assembly directs the Secretary of State to send copies of the resolution to each winning team and to Vermont Afterschool, which oversees the event.

Maddy summaryThis legislative resolution designates April 18, 2023, as USS VERMONT Day in Vermont to honor the submarine and its crew. The bill formally recognizes the vessel, which was commissioned in 2020 and is the third U.S. Navy ship named after Vermont, and celebrates the service of its officers and enlisted personnel. It directs the Secretary of State to send a copy of the resolution to the USS VERMONT and its support group. This is a commemorative measure that does not change laws or policies but serves to acknowledge military service.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires Vermont public service employers, such as schools and libraries, to credit educators with at least 4.35 hours of work for every hour of classroom time when determining eligibility for the federal Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program. It also mandates that these employers provide completed loan forgiveness certification forms to employees upon request, annually, or when they leave their jobs. Additionally, the Vermont Student Assistance Corporation must create and distribute educational materials to help eligible employees understand and access the loan forgiveness program. The law applies to qualifying public service employers designated by the U.S. Department of Education and does not require employees to work additional hours to receive payment.

Maddy summaryThis joint resolution officially recognizes March 31, 2023, as Transgender Day of Visibility in Vermont. It expresses the state's support for the rights of all transgender Vermonters and opposes any legislation that would restrict those rights regardless of age. The resolution does not create new laws or change existing policies but serves as a formal statement of support from the General Assembly. It directs the Secretary of State to send copies of the resolution to three LGBTQ+ organizations in Vermont.

Maddy summaryThis House concurrent resolution formally congratulates the 2023 Burlington High School girls' Nordic skiing team for winning their third consecutive Division I state championship. The document recognizes the team's specific achievements, including their relay victories and individual race placements at the Craftsbury and Ripton competitions during the 2023 season. It also acknowledges the coaching staff that supported the team throughout the competition. The resolution directs the Secretary of State to send a copy of the document to Burlington High School as an official record of the General Assembly's congratulations.

Maddy summaryThis bill is a ceremonial resolution that congratulates five Vermont youth who were named Boys & Girls Clubs of Vermont's 2023 Youth of the Year honorees. The resolution recognizes these young people for overcoming personal challenges while demonstrating academic success, healthy lifestyles, and community contributions. It directs the Secretary of State to send copies of the resolution to each of the five honored youth members from the Brattleboro, Burlington, and Rutland clubs. The measure does not create new laws or policies but serves to formally acknowledge the achievements of these specific individuals.

Maddy summaryThis bill is a ceremonial resolution that commemorates the 90th anniversary of the Civilian Conservation Corps, a New Deal program established in 1933 to provide jobs for unemployed young men on conservation projects. The resolution honors the memory of the three million men who participated in the CCC and specifically acknowledges the program's significant impact on Vermont's natural resources, including the establishment of more than 30 camps in the state. It does not change any laws or policies but serves as an official recognition of the program's historical importance and legacy of forest management, park development, and trail construction.