Rep. Carol Ode

Maddy summaryThis bill requires landlords in Vermont to submit an annual Landlord Certificate to the Department of Taxes by January 31, reporting the gross rent paid for each rental unit along with owner and tenant information. The Department of Taxes must then create a public database containing this data, allowing anyone to request and review details about rental properties and payments. Additionally, the bill mandates a written report by January 15, 2024, analyzing how changes to the Renter Credit program in 2020 affected eligibility, including data on individuals who gained or lost access to the credit. The report will also examine the impact of pandemic assistance programs on renter credit claims and offer recommendations for improving the program's eligibility criteria and data metrics.

Maddy summaryThis bill expands the 802 Opportunity Grant to provide tuition assistance for youth in foster care and kinship care in Vermont. It directly affects students under the custody of the Commissioner for Children and Families, as well as young adults aged 18 to 24 who were in foster care or permanent guardianship for at least six months between ages 16 and 18. The key provision increases the annual grant amount from $3,000 to $4,000 and allows eligible students to receive grants for up to six consecutive years or until they complete an undergraduate degree, whichever comes first. The bill also appropriates an additional $150,000 for fiscal year 2024 to fund these expanded grants and takes effect on July 1, 2023.

Maddy summaryThis bill prohibits crisis pregnancy centers from advertising services they do not provide or that are designed to mislead the public, particularly regarding medical care availability and timing. It directly affects crisis pregnancy centers in Vermont by requiring them to clearly disclose whether they are licensed medical facilities and what services they actually offer. The legislation treats false advertising by these centers as an unfair or deceptive practice subject to existing consumer protection enforcement. Additionally, the bill addresses data privacy concerns by regulating how these centers collect and share personal information from visitors who may believe they are seeking medical care.

Maddy summaryThis bill proposes establishing a new Vermont Climate Infrastructure Fund to support climate-related projects and investments across the state. Administered by the State Treasurer's Office with an advisory board, the fund would coordinate financing efforts with existing agencies like the Vermont Economic Development Authority and Vermont Bond Bank to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and improve climate resilience. The fund would invest in clean energy solutions, forest and agricultural land improvements, watershed health, and projects that benefit underserved communities while also seeking federal funding opportunities and stimulating private investment.

Maddy summaryThis bill is a ceremonial resolution honoring the memory of James McNamara, a former Vermont state representative and environmental commissioner from Burlington. It expresses the General Assembly's sincere sympathies to McNamara's family following his death in November 2022. The resolution directs the Secretary of State to send a copy of the document to McNamara's family and to the District 4 Act 250 Environmental Commission. This type of commemorative measure does not create new laws or policies but serves to acknowledge McNamara's public service contributions.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a public prekindergarten education program in Vermont, making full-day early education available to three- and four-year-old children and five-year-olds not yet in kindergarten. It creates a new Department of Economic Empowerment by reorganizing the Department for Children and Families, adds a second Deputy Secretary to the Agency of Education with specific qualifications, and provides property tax exemptions for child care providers. The legislation also expands eligibility and payment rates for the Child Care Financial Assistance Program, creates a new Noncitizen Child Care Assistance Program, and introduces grants to support child care workforce retention.

Maddy summaryThis bill proposes to increase revenue for Vermont's Environmental Contingency Fund by raising taxes on solid waste and hazardous waste. It directly affects businesses that generate, transport, or dispose of these materials, including waste management facilities and commercial haulers. The key changes would increase the solid waste franchise tax from $6 to $10 per ton and raise hazardous waste tax rates from 11 to 22 cents per gallon for liquid waste and from 1.4 to 2.8 cents per pound for solid waste. All additional revenue collected from these tax increases would be deposited into the Environmental Contingency Fund, which is used to address environmental contamination and hazardous material cleanup needs throughout the state.

Maddy summaryThis bill proposes transferring certain responsibilities from Vermont's State Board of Education to the Secretary of Education. The key changes would shift rule-making authority over educational quality standards, special education funding, and school accountability systems to the Secretary, while the Board would retain duties like establishing strategic vision and reviewing appeals. The legislation also modifies how the Board and Secretary collaborate on developing student performance standards and reporting on educational conditions across the state. These adjustments aim to reorganize how educational policy is developed and implemented within Vermont's education system.

Maddy summaryThis bill allows rental property owners to perform their own renovation, repair, painting, and maintenance work without needing a professional license, provided they complete an accredited training program. Instead of requiring a commercial license, the bill establishes a certification process for owners who work on their own rental properties without compensation. The change would take effect on July 1, 2023, and applies specifically to owners conducting work on their own rental housing rather than contractors or third parties.

Maddy summaryThis bill modifies Vermont's income tax rules to allow taxpayers to deduct more medical expenses related to continuing care retirement communities. It specifically removes the current cap that limits how much of these entrance fees or monthly payments can be deducted, aligning them more closely with federal rules for long-term care insurance premiums. The change directly affects Vermont residents who pay for continuing care retirement community services and itemize their medical expenses on their state income tax returns. By removing this restriction, the bill increases the amount of these specific payments that can be deducted from taxable income. The law applies retroactively to January 1, 2023, and covers taxable years beginning on or after that date.