Rep. Sarita Austin

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a paid family and medical leave insurance program in Vermont, allowing eligible employees to take time off work for specific life events while receiving wage replacement benefits. It directly affects workers employed by companies with at least 10 to 15 employees, depending on the type of leave, and defines covered situations including parental leave for birth or adoption, family leave for serious health conditions, bereavement leave, safe leave for domestic violence victims, and leave for military family members. The legislation sets clear definitions for who qualifies as an employee, employer, and family member, including provisions for domestic partners and individuals with significant personal bonds beyond traditional family relationships. Key provisions include requirements for employers to fund the insurance program and establish policies that allow workers to take approved leave without losing their jobs.

Maddy summaryThis House concurrent resolution honors former President James Earl Carter as a tireless international humanitarian and public servant. The bill recognizes his post-presidential work, including conflict mediation, election monitoring, disease eradication efforts, and advocacy for affordable housing through Habitat for Humanity. It acknowledges his receipt of the 2002 Nobel Peace Prize and his decision to enter hospice care. The resolution directs the Secretary of State to send a copy of the document to former President Carter.

Maddy summaryThis bill officially recognizes March 2023 as Social Work Month in Vermont to honor the contributions of social workers to improving human well-being and addressing social issues. The resolution highlights the profession's role in various settings including schools, hospitals, and government agencies, as well as its work supporting diverse communities and addressing challenges like the opioid crisis. It marks the 60th anniversary of Social Work Month and directs the Secretary of State to send a copy of the resolution to the National Association of Social Workers Vermont Chapter.

Maddy summaryThis bill is a ceremonial resolution that honors Rotary International for its charitable work and congratulates five Vermont Rotary clubs on their 100th anniversary. It recognizes the organization's history in Vermont, its global humanitarian programs, and the clubs' contributions to community relief efforts. The resolution directs the Secretary of State to send a copy to relevant Rotary leaders and clubs.

Maddy summaryThis bill officially approves the dissolution of Colchester Fire District No. 3, a local government entity that voters voted to close in March 2022. The legislation formalizes the transfer of the district's property, assets, and liabilities to the Champlain Water District, which took effect on July 1, 2022. Once this act becomes law, Colchester Fire District No. 3 will cease to exist as a political organization. The bill takes effect immediately upon passage, completing the legal process for the district's closure.

Maddy summaryThis bill is a ceremonial resolution honoring Marshall Webb, a nonprofit cofounder and environmental advocate who passed away in 2022. It recognizes his contributions to Shelburne Farms, a Vermont center for sustainability education, and acknowledges his personal connection to the organization and the state. The resolution directs the Secretary of State to send a copy to Webb's family and Shelburne Farms as a formal expression of appreciation. This measure does not change laws or policies but serves to publicly acknowledge Webb's legacy and impact on the community.

Maddy summaryThis House concurrent resolution congratulates Vermont athletes who won medals at the 2022 National Senior Games and designates March 15, 2023 as Senior Physical Fitness Day at the State House. It specifically honors 45 Vermonters who competed in 11 sports, including top finishers like 87-year-old Flo Meiler who won five gold medals. The resolution directs the Secretary of State to send copies to the honored athletes, the Vermont Senior Games Association, and the Governor's Council on Physical Fitness. This is a ceremonial measure that recognizes athletic achievement and promotes senior fitness awareness without creating new laws or funding.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires Vermont state agencies to provide language access services, such as translated materials, bilingual staff, or contracted interpreters, when they serve a significant number of people with limited English proficiency. It directly affects state agencies that interact with the public and aims to ensure these agencies can communicate effectively with non-English speakers. The law would amend existing statutes to mandate these services based on the volume of individuals needing language assistance.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates the Vermont Office of Film and Creative Media within the existing Vermont Council on the Arts to support the state's growing film and media industry. The new office will maintain databases of local professionals and resources, track employment opportunities for graduates, and establish a tax incentive program to attract outside production companies. Funding of $350,000 is provided to create one-and-a-half full-time positions to support these operations, with the office becoming operational on July 1, 2023. A supervisory board of five industry professionals will be appointed to advise the office on its activities. The bill directly affects film production companies, local creative media workers, and the Vermont Council on the Arts.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a statewide registry for short-term rental properties in Vermont, requiring owners to register their units annually with the Department of Housing and Community Development. Property owners must pay a $135 annual fee per unit, though this fee is waived if they have already registered with a local municipality that maintains a comparable system. The registry will collect specific information about each property, including owner contact details, location, building characteristics, and accessibility features, while protecting the data from being used for marketing purposes. Local governments that already run rental housing registration programs will share their data with the state registry, and the bill authorizes the hiring of staff to manage the program starting in 2024.