Rep. Seth Chase

Maddy summaryThis House resolution honors Vermont television journalist Stewart Ledbetter for his 40 years of news reporting. The bill formally recognizes his career achievements, including his work as a news director, political campaign moderator, and recipient of multiple broadcast awards. It directs the House Clerk to send a copy of the resolution to Ledbetter and WPTZ, the television station where he worked.

Maddy summaryThis bill prohibits the installation of new speed bumps and speed humps on public highways in Vermont unless officials determine no other traffic calming options exist and the devices meet national standards. It applies to both state and town roads, requiring the Agency of Transportation or local selectboards to verify that alternative measures are unavailable before allowing installation. Existing speed bumps and humps installed before July 1, 2024, that comply with current standards may remain in place but cannot be replaced with new ones unless they meet the new requirements. The law takes effect on July 1, 2024, and is intended to standardize traffic calming practices across the state.

Maddy summaryThis bill prohibits modifying a motor vehicle's exhaust system to produce noise levels exceeding 95 decibels, affecting all vehicle owners and operators in Vermont. It establishes a specific measurement standard using SAE International guidelines to determine compliance and allows for dismissal of violations if the operator had reasonable grounds to believe the vehicle was legal. The law includes an exemption for vehicles used in authorized racing or speed demonstrations and takes effect on July 1, 2024.

Maddy summaryThis bill modifies Vermont's rules for registering exhibition and antique vehicles by changing how usage is measured and adjusting fees. It allows owners to qualify for special plates if their vehicle is driven up to 1,000 miles per year, regardless of how often they drive, and raises the registration fee from $26 to $50 for a five-year period. Owners can choose to display plates marked "exhibition" or "antique" if their vehicle is at least 25 years old, and older pre-1968 plates may continue to be used if kept in the vehicle and shown to law enforcement when requested. The changes take effect on July 1, 2024.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates the Climate Superfund Cost Recovery Program, which would require fossil fuel companies that operated in Vermont between 2000 and 2019 to pay for their share of climate change costs. The program targets entities involved in extracting coal, oil, or natural gas, charging them based on how much greenhouse gas their products contributed to global emissions. Money collected from these payments would go into a dedicated fund to finance climate resilience projects like flood protections, upgraded infrastructure, and health programs addressing climate-related health risks. The law defines specific types of infrastructure projects eligible for funding and establishes rules for determining which companies must pay and how much they owe.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a new online directory for Vermont farms to list job openings and housing options for agricultural workers. Farms that post positions on the directory must provide affordable housing either on-site or nearby, and must disclose details about the job, housing arrangements, farm practices, and pay rates. The state will fund the program with $50,000 for implementation, and the directory will be free for users to access and set up accounts.

Maddy summaryThis bill would allow certain undocumented students to pay in-state tuition rates and access state-funded financial aid at Vermont's public colleges if they meet standard residency requirements. It prohibits the Vermont State Colleges Corporation from excluding students based solely on immigration status and requires the Vermont Student Assistance Corporation to make state financial aid available to all residents regardless of immigration status. The law specifically includes protections for refugees, those granted parole to enter the U.S., and Afghan Allies Protection Act visa holders, while also clarifying residency rules for military families. The changes would take effect on July 1, 2025, and include provisions ensuring students can apply for and participate in financial aid programs to the full extent allowed by federal law.

Maddy summaryThis bill is a House concurrent resolution that formally congratulates the 2023 Division I Colchester High School Lakers girls' soccer team for winning their state championship. It recognizes the team's achievement after they defeated the Essex High School Hornets 2-0 in the final game held at the University of Vermont's Virtue Field. The resolution specifically names the 20 athletes and three coaches who were part of the championship team. The General Assembly directs the Secretary of State to send a copy of this resolution to Colchester High School.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes the Community Resilience and Biodiversity Protection Act to create a statewide framework for conserving Vermont's natural landscapes and protecting biodiversity. It defines three types of protected land areas - ecological reserve areas, biodiversity conservation areas, and natural resource management areas - and sets conservation goals to protect 30 percent of the state's land by a specified target date. The legislation requires the state to prioritize conservation efforts that maintain connected ecosystems, support sustainable land management practices, and ensure access to land for Indigenous peoples and historically marginalized communities. By creating these protections, the bill aims to help Vermont address climate change impacts, reduce flood risks, and preserve natural habitats while balancing conservation with housing and economic development needs.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates the Cybersecurity Advisory Council to advise Vermont on protecting its digital infrastructure and systems from cyberattacks. The Council will include representatives from government agencies, critical infrastructure sectors like utilities and hospitals, private businesses, and cybersecurity professionals. Its main duties include developing a state cybersecurity strategy, evaluating readiness levels, sharing best practices with businesses and local governments, and recommending ways to improve cybersecurity standards and workforce development. The Council will meet at least quarterly, submit annual reports to legislative committees, and can hold closed sessions to discuss sensitive cybersecurity information that could compromise public safety if disclosed.