Rep. Sarita Austin

Maddy summaryThis ceremonial resolution honors the Vermont Old Cemetery Association (VOCA) for its 65+ years of preserving Vermont's historic cemeteries. VOCA provides restoration grants, veteran burial support, and educational resources (like its newsletter and book *Burial Grounds of Vermont*) to local cemetery groups and municipalities. The resolution formally recognizes VOCA's work without creating new laws, funding, or policy changes. It serves as a symbolic gesture of appreciation for the organization's contributions to cemetery preservation and public education.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires online businesses likely to be accessed by children to avoid using design features that are harmful or overly invasive of children's privacy. It defines "covered businesses" as those with online services reasonably likely to be used by minors and mandates that these businesses set privacy settings to the most protective default for children. Key provisions prohibit design features causing compulsive use (like endless scrolling) and require businesses to handle children's personal data with heightened safeguards. The law applies to Vermont-based businesses offering online products or services to minors, aiming to protect children's privacy through proactive design standards.

Maddy summaryH.208 creates Vermont's first comprehensive data privacy law, giving residents specific rights over their personal data. It requires businesses to obtain clear, affirmative consent for data collection (prohibiting "dark patterns" like deceptive pop-ups), bans the sale of biometric data and sensitive health information (including gender-affirming and reproductive health data), and restricts online tracking. The law directly affects Vermont residents and any business collecting their data, including data brokers and companies using contextual advertising. Key provisions include mandatory opt-in consent for data processing, requirements for transparent privacy notices, and new protections against automated decisions affecting housing, employment, or healthcare access.

Maddy summaryH.181 extends the Building Energy Code Working Group's term and directs Vermont's Public Service Department to create a framework for measuring energy savings from building code compliance. It requires the Department to develop an annual methodology for calculating and reporting greenhouse gas reductions linked to energy-efficient construction. The bill also updates the Residential Builder Registry and addresses inconsistent enforcement of energy codes across residential (up to three stories) and commercial buildings. These changes aim to improve compliance with Vermont's energy standards, which currently apply to 54% of residential and 87% of commercial projects, supporting the state's goal of "net zero ready" buildings by 2030.

Maddy summaryThis House Concurrent Resolution (HCR 12) is a non-binding ceremonial resolution expressing legislative congratulations to the University of Vermont (UVM) men's soccer team for winning their first NCAA Division I men's soccer championship (College Cup) in 2024. It formally recognizes the team's achievement, including their "Cardiac Cats" nickname and championship victory over Marshall University. The resolution directs the Secretary of State to send a copy to UVM Athletics but does not create any new policy, funding, or legal obligations. It is purely symbolic recognition of the team's athletic accomplishment.

Maddy summaryH.164 would change how Vermont distributes local option tax revenue to municipalities, increasing the share from 70% to 80% for the communities generating that revenue. It also requires that any surplus in the PILOT Special Fund (a fund for payments in lieu of taxes from state-owned properties) be distributed proportionally to the municipalities that contributed to the surplus. The bill directs the Joint Fiscal Office to prepare a report on transitioning to a system where the state retains only the minimal amount needed to administer the fund, aiming to eliminate future surpluses. This bill directly affects all Vermont municipalities receiving local option tax revenue and those contributing to the PILOT Special Fund.

Maddy summaryThis bill (H 153) amends Vermont law to expand who can request certified copies of birth and death certificates. It adds aunts, uncles, nieces, and nephews to the existing list of eligible family members, which previously included parents, siblings, grandparents, and other close relatives. The change directly affects these extended family members seeking official records for personal, legal, or medical purposes. The amendment to 18 V.S.A. § 5016 takes effect on July 1, 2025.

Maddy summaryH.142 requires sellers of real property served by a wastewater system to provide buyers with a certificate of inspection conducted within two years prior to the sale. This affects home sellers and buyers in Vermont who are purchasing properties with existing wastewater systems. The bill mandates inspections by licensed designers who must certify the system's functionality, compliance with regulations, and identify any needed repairs. The certificate must be filed with both the state Secretary and the town's land records before the property transfer. The law takes effect on July 1, 2025.

Maddy summaryH.117 would prevent candidates who lose a major party primary election from appearing on the general election ballot as independents or for another party for the same office. This rule directly affects candidates who compete in a primary but do not win their party's nomination. The bill amends Vermont election law to explicitly bar such candidates from being listed on the general ballot under any other party or as independents. The change would take effect immediately upon the bill's passage.

Maddy summaryH 97 prohibits firearms and deadly weapons in Vermont schools, school property, and childcare centers, with limited exceptions. It directly affects students, staff, and visitors at these locations by making unauthorized possession a crime punishable by fines or jail time (up to 1 year for first offense, 3 years for repeat offenses). Key exceptions include law enforcement officers on duty, authorized school personnel for specific purposes (like instruction), and firearms at childcare centers located in a person’s home. The bill defines "school property" broadly to include leased or controlled areas and clarifies it doesn’t prevent other charges like assault.