Rep. Leonora Dodge

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 creates a two-year pilot program to fund a community-based organization that coordinates mental wellness and climate resilience efforts across Vermont. The program would receive $100,000 in fiscal year 2025 from the state's General Fund to support activities that address how extreme weather events and other social stresses impact mental health. The coordinating body must include representatives from diverse groups including schools, faith organizations, environmental groups, disaster response agencies, and people with lived experience of mental health challenges. The program uses a public health approach to prevent mental health problems before they emerge and to help entire communities build resilience against various adversities.

Maddy summaryThis bill would allow Vermont residents who are not U.S. citizens to qualify for scholarships and operate regulated child care facilities. It removes citizenship requirements for two specific programs: scholarships for current early childhood providers and scholarships for those seeking to become providers, as well as the ability to run a licensed child care center. The changes apply to both existing providers and those looking to enter the field, regardless of their immigration status.

Maddy summaryThis bill proposes a new 11 percent excise tax on the retail sale of firearms, firearm precursor parts, and ammunition in Vermont, which would be paid by sellers at the time of each transaction. The tax applies to both licensed firearm dealers and ammunition vendors, with licensed dealers required to collect the tax during background checks and remit it quarterly to the state. All revenue generated from this tax would be deposited into the Domestic and Sexual Violence Special Fund, which supports grants for domestic and sexual violence prevention services. The legislation excludes transfers exempt from background checks, such as those to law enforcement agencies or immediate family members, and would take effect on July 1, 2025.

Maddy summaryThis bill allocates $200,000 from the state's General Fund to reimburse the Burlington Fire Department for emergency medical services provided to individuals experiencing drug overdoses. The money is distributed through the Department of Health as a grant to the City of Burlington, with the requirement that these funds supplement rather than replace existing city funding for the fire department. The legislation takes effect on July 1, 2024, and is intended to help cover the costs associated with responding to overdose incidents in Burlington.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a public directory of tobacco substitutes, such as e-cigarettes, that are legally allowed for sale in Vermont. It requires manufacturers to annually certify to the state that their products have received federal approval from the Food and Drug Administration or are under review, and to pay fees for each product listed. The Division of Liquor Control will maintain this online directory and can remove products that fail to meet certification requirements, after which those items become illegal to sell. Retailers, distributors, and wholesalers face daily fines and potential license suspensions if they sell tobacco substitutes not included in the directory. Manufacturers who falsely represent their product's status could face fines or imprisonment.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires school districts, approved independent schools, and prequalified private prekindergarten providers in Vermont to offer translation services during the school enrollment process for families who do not speak English. The law mandates that all enrollment forms and applications be translated into the primary language of non-English-speaking families and includes alternative proof of residency forms. Schools must provide translation assistance through options such as English learner liaisons, in-person interpreters, or digital translation tools like smartphone applications. The changes take effect on July 1, 2024, ensuring that non-English-speaking families have access to necessary documentation and support when enrolling their children in school.

Maddy summaryThis bill exempts honorably discharged U.S. military veterans from paying town fees required to obtain a license for peddling or vending goods. The change applies to all towns, cities, and incorporated villages in Vermont and overrides any existing local rules that previously charged veterans for these licenses. The exemption takes effect on July 1, 2024, and applies to veterans who are residents of the state.

Maddy summaryThis bill, known as the Transportation Infrastructure and Resiliency Act of 2024, directs state funding and policy changes to improve roads, support electric vehicle adoption, and enhance transportation options across Vermont. It increases funding for road repair programs, provides grants for eBike and electric vehicle charging infrastructure, and establishes new rules allowing property owners to install charging stations. The legislation also expands funding for bicycle and pedestrian projects, creates a plan for carsharing expansion, and requires the state to develop new revenue sources for transportation and environmental initiatives. Additionally, it allows certain areas to set speed limits below 25 mph and mandates reporting on electric vehicle outreach efforts and charging station availability.

Maddy summaryThis bill expands the legal definition of pedestrians to include individuals using wheelchairs, personal mobility devices, and electric personal assistive mobility devices, while also clarifying rules for bicyclists and vulnerable road users. It requires motor vehicles to maintain at least four feet of clearance when passing pedestrians, bicyclists, or stationary utility vehicles, with violations subject to a $200 civil penalty. The legislation removes the ban on pedestrians walking on roadways where sidewalks are unavailable and updates bicycle traffic rules to allow riding two abreast under specific conditions and clarify when bicyclists must stop at traffic signals. Additionally, it permits towns to install crossing flags at crosswalks and streamlines federal historic preservation reviews for bicycle and pedestrian infrastructure projects.