Rep. Carol Ode

Maddy summaryThis bill (H 547) requires Vermont courts to recognize military protective orders as valid evidence in cases involving stalking, sexual assault, or domestic abuse. It directly affects victims of abuse who have obtained military protective orders against military members (including Vermont National Guard members) by allowing those orders and related sworn statements to be used in court proceedings. The key mechanism amends court procedures to explicitly admit military orders and sworn statements (administered by authorized military officials) as evidence to establish patterns of abuse. The bill takes effect on July 1, 2026, and is currently before the Judiciary Committee.

Maddy summaryH 397 updates Vermont's emergency management and flood response systems. It requires the Division of Emergency Management to annually report on mitigation plans to legislative committees and revise the State Emergency Management Plan every five years to cover response coordination, preparedness, and local planning templates. The bill expands grant funding for flood mitigation projects, including voluntary buyouts for flood-affected properties, and mandates new assistance for municipalities to access river monitoring and weather alert systems. It also provides municipalities with greater flexibility to borrow funds for emergency-related expenses and manage unspent budget balances. These changes directly affect state agencies, local governments, and communities in flood-prone areas.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends Vermont's State Ethics Commission procedures for handling complaints about government ethics violations. It requires the Commission's Executive Director to accept all complaints regarding state government conduct, campaign finance, or municipal ethics, then conduct an initial review to refer them to the appropriate entity (e.g., departments, municipalities, or the Commission itself). Complaints must be referred within 60 days for consultation, and all complaint records remain confidential except for final actions like warnings or reprimands. The bill directly affects state agencies, municipalities, and public officials by standardizing how ethics complaints are processed and ensuring confidentiality in the review process.

Maddy summaryThis House concurrent resolution formally recognizes May 2025 as National Tennis Month in Vermont. It acknowledges the sport's history and its promotion by organizations like the United States Tennis Association (USTA).

Maddy summaryH 517 proposes to include military protection orders within the definition of foreign protection orders in Vermont. This bill aims to establish a process for these military protection orders to be verified and enforced within the state. It directly affects service members and their families who have obtained such orders, ensuring their legal validity and enforceability in Vermont.

Maddy summaryHCR 137 is a House concurrent resolution that celebrates the 40th anniversary of Robin’s Nest Children’s Center in Burlington’s Old North End. It acknowledges the center's history of providing early childhood care and education to infants, toddlers, and preschoolers since 1985.

Maddy summaryThis House Concurrent Resolution congratulates Kathleen Lynch of Burlington on being named the 2025 Vermont Mother of the Year. It formally recognizes her for her commitment to motherhood and community service, directing that a copy of the resolution be sent to her.

Maddy summaryThis resolution, HCR 81, honors the life and public service of Brenda Churchill, a former Bakersfield Select Board member and advocate for transgender rights. It extends the Vermont General Assembly's condolences to her family and recognizes her contributions to local and state government, including her work on the Vermont Commission on Women.

Maddy summaryHCR 128 is a House concurrent resolution that designates May 6, 2025, as Homelessness Awareness Day in Vermont. This resolution formally recognizes the issue of homelessness within the state and directs a copy to be sent to the Housing and Homelessness Alliance of Vermont.

Maddy summaryThis resolution congratulates Caitlin MacLeod-Bluver of Winooski High School on her selection as the 2025 Vermont Teacher of the Year. It also recognizes Jeremy DeMink of Edmunds Middle School and Sonya Shedd of Wolcott Elementary School as Distinguished Finalists for the award.