Rep. Carol Ode

Maddy summaryH.791 establishes the "Vermont Government Data Practices Act," setting privacy standards for how state agencies handle personal information. It requires all Vermont state agencies (including departments, boards, and commissions) to only collect and store necessary personal data - such as health records, biometrics, location data, or financial details - directly from individuals when possible, and to maintain accuracy and relevance. The bill prohibits agencies from disclosing personal information without justification and mandates that contractors handling state data follow the same rules. This directly affects how Vermont's government manages citizen data across all executive branch operations.

Maddy summaryH.793 removes Vermont corporations, LLCs, partnerships, and similar business entities' legal authority to spend money on election activities (like supporting candidates) or ballot-issue activities (like funding ballot measures). It amends Vermont's business corporation laws to explicitly revoke any prior broad powers that could be interpreted as allowing such spending, defining these activities clearly to prevent misuse. The bill ensures these entities can only engage in activities necessary for their lawful business, charitable, or organizational purposes - without political spending authority. It preserves natural persons' rights and political parties' activities while applying uniformly across all business entity types.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires chatbot providers operating in Vermont to protect users' data privacy and security, clearly disclose when users are interacting with an AI (not a human), and allow users to access their own chat logs. It defines key terms like "chatbot" (AI systems simulating conversation) and "affirmative consent" (clear permission, not hidden terms of use), and prohibits deceptive "dark patterns." The law applies to all chatbot providers within Vermont, directly affecting users who interact with these services. Key provisions mandate transparent data handling, user access to their input/output data, and strict rules against misleading consent practices.

Maddy summaryThis Vermont bill (H.776) requires health insurance companies using artificial intelligence to make coverage decisions to base those decisions on individual patient medical records - not group data - and prohibits AI from denying coverage. Final coverage decisions must be made by licensed human health care providers after reviewing patient-specific clinical information. The bill also mandates quarterly AI performance reviews, transparency about AI use in policies, and ensures tools are applied fairly across all patients with similar needs. It takes effect July 1, 2026.

Maddy summaryVermont's H.783 requires businesses to clearly disclose when consumers interact with a chatbot during commercial transactions, preventing reasonable confusion about speaking with a human. It directly affects companies using AI chatbots for customer service, sales, or other commercial interactions. The law mandates a "clear and conspicuous" notice before or during the conversation, defining chatbots broadly to include AI agents, avatars, and automated systems simulating human dialogue. Violations would be treated as unfair trade practices under existing consumer protection law, effective July 1, 2026.

Maddy summaryThis concurrent resolution (HCR 171) formally honors Professor Emeritus Willard Sterne Randall for his career in journalism and historical scholarship. It recognizes his work as a journalist for major publications, his academic contributions as a history professor (including at the University of Vermont), and his award-winning biographies of figures like Hamilton and Washington. The resolution has no policy impact - it is purely ceremonial, directing the Secretary of State to send a copy to Professor Randall. It does not affect any laws, regulations, or individuals beyond this symbolic recognition.

Maddy summaryHCR 172 is a commemorative resolution honoring Jon Gailmor, a Vermont folk singer and former Elmore Town Moderator who died in 2025. The resolution expresses the Vermont General Assembly’s condolences to his family and Elmore residents, recognizing his contributions as a musician who celebrated Vermont through songs like "A Town Meeting Tune" and his 15+ years serving as Elmore's town moderator. It directs the Secretary of State to send copies of the resolution to Gailmor’s family and the Elmore Town Clerk. This is a ceremonial measure with no policy impact.

Maddy summaryH.652 prohibits all landfill leachate discharges - whether treated or untreated - from entering the Lake Memphremagog watershed. This includes direct discharges from landfills or transfers to wastewater treatment facilities within the watershed. The bill targets PFAS-contaminated leachate, citing studies showing Lake Memphremagog has the highest PFOS levels in Vermont (2.8 ppt) and fish with PFAS at 1,000 ppt. It directly affects landfill operators and wastewater facilities in the watershed, banning any discharge that could harm the lake’s water quality or public health.

Maddy summaryH.638 establishes a voluntary certification program for recovery residences in Vermont through the Department of Health. It defines recovery residences as peer-support living spaces for people recovering from substance use disorders and sets six standards for certification, including meeting safety/sanitation rules, having a complaint process, and maintaining certification via a Vermont-approved organization. Certified residences must annually report data to the Department (e.g., resident numbers, employment changes) and undergo inspections with 10 days' notice. The bill directly affects recovery residences operating in Vermont, requiring them to meet these standards to participate in the program.

Maddy summaryThis bill (H.603) excludes U.S. military disability retirement income from Vermont's personal income tax. It directly affects Vermont veterans receiving military disability retirement pay under 10 U.S.C. chapter 61. The bill provides full exclusion for taxpayers with federal adjusted gross income under $125,000, partial exclusion for incomes between $125,000-$175,000 (proportional to income above $125,000), and no exclusion for incomes of $175,000 or more. The change applies retroactively to taxable years beginning January 1, 2026.