Rep. Alyssa Black

Maddy summaryThis House concurrent resolution celebrates the 50th anniversary of the National Conference of State Legislatures, an organization founded in 1975 that supports state and territorial legislators and their staff. The resolution recognizes the group's role in advancing state legislative effectiveness, fostering cooperation between states, and providing a unified voice for state legislatures in the federal system. It directs the Vermont Secretary of State to send a copy of the resolution to the National Conference of State Legislatures. The measure is a commemorative action with no policy changes or budgetary impact.

Maddy summaryThis bill, titled the Medicaid Expansion Act of 2024, expands eligibility for Vermont's Dr. Dynasaur children's health insurance program to include young adults up to age 26, in addition to the current age limit of 21. The expansion applies to residents whose family income is at or below 312 percent of the federal poverty level, and it also extends coverage to pregnant individuals of any age. The legislation authorizes the state to charge monthly premiums for pregnant women and young adults whose family income exceeds 195 percent of the federal poverty level, with collected fees directed toward offsetting program costs. By aligning Dr. Dynasaur eligibility with federal Medicaid standards for young adults, the bill aims to reduce the number of uninsured and underinsured Vermonters in this age group.

Maddy summaryThis bill is a ceremonial resolution that congratulates the winning school teams of the 2024 Jr Iron Chef VT competition. It recognizes the middle and high school teams that competed in a statewide culinary event organized by Vermont Afterschool, which challenges students to create nutritious, locally-sourced dishes. The resolution directs the Secretary of State to send copies of the document to each winning team and to the organizing group. This measure does not change any laws or policies but serves to acknowledge the achievements of the participating schools.

Maddy summaryThis legislative resolution commemorates Vermont's April 8, 2024 total solar eclipse, a rare astronomical event visible across much of the state. It officially recognizes the historic nature of the eclipse, noting that the last total solar eclipse visible in Vermont occurred nearly a century ago in 1932. The resolution directs the Secretary of State to send a copy of the document to the Vermont Space Grant Consortium and the Fairbanks Museum and Planetarium, which are partners in educating the public about the event. This ceremonial measure serves to acknowledge the significance of the eclipse for Vermont residents and visitors rather than to change any laws or policies.

Maddy summaryThis bill designates April 3, 2024, as Prevention Day in Vermont to recognize efforts to prevent substance misuse. It directly affects community organizations, youth, and prevention groups working to address alcohol, marijuana, tobacco, and other substance use issues. The resolution directs the Secretary of State to send a copy of the document to Prevention Works!VT, the organization that hosts the annual event. This is a ceremonial measure that acknowledges the importance of substance misuse prevention rather than creating new laws or policies.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends the Town of Essex charter to change the official fiscal year from July 1 to June 30. The change affects the town's financial planning and budgeting cycles by adjusting the start and end dates of its fiscal year. The amendment was approved by the legislature and signed into law by the Governor in March 2024. This adjustment aligns the town's fiscal calendar with other Vermont municipalities that operate on a July 1 to June 30 fiscal year.

Maddy summaryThis House concurrent resolution honors the memory of Reuben Jackson, a jazz archivist, radio host, and poet who passed away in February 2024. The bill expresses the Vermont General Assembly's condolences to his family and directs the Secretary of State to send copies of the resolution to his partner, Vermont Public, WPFW Radio, and the Felix E. Grant Jazz Archives at the University of the District of Columbia. Jackson was recognized for his significant contributions to jazz preservation, including his work curating the Duke Ellington Collection at the Smithsonian Institution and hosting Vermont Public's Friday Night Jazz program. The resolution serves as a formal acknowledgment of his life's achievements and legacy in music and literature.

Maddy summaryThis legislative resolution recognizes June 24, 2024, as Saint-Jean-Baptiste Day in Vermont to honor the state's French-Canadian heritage and community contributions. The measure does not create a new legal holiday or change any laws, but instead serves as an official acknowledgment of the cultural significance of the date to Franco-American communities. It directs the Secretary of State to send copies of the resolution to the Canadian Club in Barre and the Vermont French-Canadian Genealogical Society. This type of commemorative resolution is symbolic and does not affect government operations or public policy.

Maddy summaryThis bill congratulates Vermont athletes who won medals at the 2023 National Senior Games in Pittsburgh and designates March 21, 2024 as Vermont Senior Games Day at the State House. It recognizes the 86 Vermont athletes who competed in 13 sports and won a total of 33 medals, while also honoring the specific individuals who participated in the event. The resolution directs the Secretary of State to send copies to the Vermont Senior Games Association and the Governor's Council on Physical Fitness to promote senior fitness awareness. This is a ceremonial measure that celebrates athletic achievement rather than creating new laws or policy requirements.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes the Vermont Baby Bond Trust, a state-administered fund designed to provide financial support to children born on or after July 1, 2024, who qualify for Medicaid or similar health coverage at birth. The program would allow eligible children to receive bonds that can be used for education, purchasing a home, starting a business, or contributing to retirement accounts once they reach adulthood. The trust would be managed by the State Treasurer, who would invest the funds to generate earnings while keeping the assets separate from general state funds and exempt from state taxes. Money in the trust would only be disbursed for approved purposes and would not count as income or assets when determining eligibility for other assistance programs.