Rep. Carol Ode

Maddy summaryThis bill allows Vermont municipalities to install seasonal pedestrian crossing signs in crosswalks from May 1 to October 15 and gives cities and towns the authority to set lower speed limits on state highways within their jurisdictions. It specifically permits cities to establish speed limits between 25 and 50 mph and allows towns with designated downtown or village centers to set 25 mph limits on state roads. The legislation also directs the state Traffic Committee not to raise speed limits on state highways after a municipality requests a reduction, unless an engineering study shows keeping the limit lower would create a greater safety hazard. These changes aim to enhance pedestrian safety and provide more local control over traffic conditions while maintaining state oversight through engineering reviews.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates the Affordable Heat Act, which establishes a Clean Heat Standard to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from heating in Vermont's residential, commercial, and industrial sectors. The program requires energy companies and heating fuel sellers to earn tradeable clean heat credits by delivering low-carbon heating technologies, efficiency improvements, or weatherization services to customers. The Public Utility Commission will manage the credit system and ensure the program protects low-income households and minimizes costs for all energy users.

Maddy summaryThis bill, known as the Vermont Fair Repair Act, would require manufacturers of digital electronic equipment to provide independent repair shops and consumers with access to repair manuals, diagnostic tools, and replacement parts at fair and reasonable terms. The law defines key terms like "original equipment manufacturer" and "independent repair provider" to clarify who must comply with the new requirements. Under the bill, manufacturers must offer documentation at no charge and make tools available without restrictions, while parts must be sold at costs equivalent to those offered to authorized repair providers. The legislation specifically excludes medical devices and motor vehicles from its scope, focusing instead on consumer electronics and similar digital equipment. By establishing these rules, the bill aims to ensure that people can choose where to repair their devices without being forced to use the manufacturer's own service centers.

Maddy summaryThis bill aims to make housing more affordable by reducing zoning restrictions and regulatory barriers that limit where and how people can build homes. It directly affects local governments, developers, and residents by establishing statewide standards for residential zoning. Key provisions include requiring duplexes and small apartment buildings in areas with municipal water and sewer, limiting parking requirements to one space per unit, and allowing accessory dwelling units under the same rules as single-family homes. The legislation also prohibits deed restrictions that limit dwelling size or parking, requires municipalities to report new zoning rules to the state, and strengthens enforcement of fair housing laws.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates an optional income tax that pass-through businesses like S corporations and partnerships can choose to pay instead of having their owners pay individual income tax on the business income. The tax is calculated based on each owner's share of the business income and uses the state's second-highest individual income tax rate. If a business elects to pay this tax, each owner receives a refundable credit equal to 90% of the tax paid, which can reduce their individual income tax liability. The bill also allows owners to claim a credit for similar taxes paid to other states, and it applies retroactively to taxable years beginning on or after January 1, 2023.

Maddy summaryThis bill prohibits the sale or distribution in Vermont of consumer products labeled as compostable if they contain more than 100 parts per million of PFAS chemicals. It directly affects manufacturers, retailers, and distributors of packaging and household items by restricting how these products can be marketed. The law defines consumer products to include personal items, packaging materials, and bags, while allowing the Secretary of Natural Resources to set stricter PFAS limits through future rules. The measure takes effect immediately upon passage and aims to prevent misleading environmental claims on products containing harmful fluorinated substances.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a new Aquatic Nuisance Prevention Pass that requires all motorboats and nonmotorized vessels operating in Vermont's waters to display an annual decal. The pass costs $20 for Vermont residents, $40 for nonresidents, and $200 for businesses with up to 20 nonmotorized vessels, with revenue funding aquatic invasive species control efforts. Vessels operating in interstate waters can use equivalent decals from other states if those states have reciprocal agreements. The bill also establishes a special fund to support inspection stations, public signage, and grants to municipalities for managing aquatic nuisance species like zebra mussels and invasive plants.

Maddy summaryThis bill expands Vermont's legal protections by recognizing military protection orders as foreign abuse prevention orders that must be recognized and enforced within the state. It directly affects victims of domestic violence who have obtained protection orders from military commanding officers and law enforcement officers who enforce these orders. The key provision requires that military protection orders be enforceable in Vermont courts if the defendant is currently in the armed forces or National Guard, received actual notice of the order, and the order was issued on a Department of Defense form within the past two years. Law enforcement officers are authorized to arrest violators and assist victims in obtaining sole possession of residences or custody of children under these orders, with the same enforcement standards applied to other foreign protection orders.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a Landfill Siting Commission to identify a new landfill location in Vermont, as the current Coventry landfill is expected to operate for only 22 more years. The commission would include representatives from the legislature, governor, civil engineers, geologists, and experts on environmental justice, and must recommend at least two potential sites or determine if out-of-state waste transport is more cost-effective by January 2024. The bill also establishes a Vermont Materials Management Council to assist with long-term solid waste planning and bans disposal of certain waste types like leachate and sludge from uncertified facilities. Additionally, it creates a Landfill Closure and Planning Account funded by increased taxes on solid and hazardous waste to support closing existing landfills, planning new ones, and remediating contamination.