Rep. Brenda Steady

Maddy summaryHCR 177 is a ceremonial resolution honoring Twin Valley High School's Athletic Director and boys' soccer coach Buddy Hayford for achieving 500 career coaching victories. It recognizes his 43-year coaching career, including 10 divisional titles, two state basketball titles, and his status as Vermont's first high school soccer coach to reach 500 wins. This resolution, offered by all House members and sponsoring senators, formally congratulates Hayford and directs the Secretary of State to send a copy to him and his school - **it is not a law but a symbolic gesture of appreciation**.

Maddy summaryHCR 180 is a ceremonial resolution congratulating the 2025 Essex High School Hornets boys' volleyball team on winning the Vermont State championship. It formally recognizes the team's 3-1 victory over Mount Mansfield Union High School in the championship match and acknowledges the players and co-head coaches. The resolution directs the Secretary of State to send a copy to Essex High School. This is a non-binding, symbolic gesture with no policy changes or funding impacts.

Maddy summaryHCR 179 is a formal expression of congratulations from Vermont's legislature to the Essex High School Hornets girls' volleyball team for winning their fifth consecutive divisional championship in 2025. The resolution specifically recognizes the team's undefeated season (17-0), their 3-0 victory over BFA-St. Albans in the championship match, and their 86th consecutive win. It directs the Secretary of State to send a copy of the resolution to Essex High School. This is a ceremonial measure with no policy changes or direct impact beyond public recognition.

Maddy summaryHCR 172 is a commemorative resolution honoring Jon Gailmor, a Vermont folk singer and former Elmore Town Moderator who died in 2025. The resolution expresses the Vermont General Assembly’s condolences to his family and Elmore residents, recognizing his contributions as a musician who celebrated Vermont through songs like "A Town Meeting Tune" and his 15+ years serving as Elmore's town moderator. It directs the Secretary of State to send copies of the resolution to Gailmor’s family and the Elmore Town Clerk. This is a ceremonial measure with no policy impact.

Maddy summaryThis bill (H.661) expands Vermont workers' compensation coverage for firefighters diagnosed with specific cancers. It adds larynx, pharynx, and trachea cancers to the list of covered conditions and removes the previous requirement that firefighters be under 65 years old to qualify. To be eligible, firefighters must have completed cancer screenings as recommended by the American Cancer Society before or during service, worked firefighting duties for at least five years, and not used tobacco in the 10 years prior to diagnosis. The bill affects Vermont firefighters diagnosed with covered cancers who meet these new criteria, effective July 1, 2026.

Maddy summaryThis House Concurrent Resolution (HCR 159) formally congratulates the 2025 Milton High School Yellowjackets boys’ soccer team for winning the Division II state championship. It specifically recognizes their championship victory over Mt. Abraham in overtime at the D.G. Weaver Athletic Complex, as detailed in the resolution’s recitals. The resolution directs the Secretary of State to send a copy to Milton High School as a ceremonial gesture. This is a non-binding, symbolic resolution with no policy changes or direct impact on laws or regulations.

Maddy summaryH.663 exempts Vermont municipalities from Act 250's requirement to protect prime farmland when developing land they own. It allows municipalities to avoid mitigation if they prove no reasonable alternative locations exist and the development serves specific public purposes like infrastructure, public safety facilities, or recreation/welfare projects open to residents. The exemption applies only to municipal-owned land and does not affect private development. This bill modifies Act 250's soil protection rules to simplify land-use for local government projects. The law takes effect July 1, 2026.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires an annual allocation of at least $145,000 from the Fire Safety Special Fund to provide cancer screenings for all new firefighters entering Vermont's Firefighter I certification program. The screenings must meet National Fire Prevention Association (NFPA) 1580 standards for emergency responders. The funding comes from insurance companies that pay into the Fire Safety Special Fund under existing law. This directly affects new firefighter trainees at the Vermont Fire Academy, ensuring they receive standardized cancer screenings as part of their entry-level training. The requirement takes effect July 1, 2026.

Maddy summaryH.643 redirects all revenue from Vermont's purchase and use tax to the Transportation Fund instead of the Education Fund, phasing out the education allocation over six years. The bill gradually reduces the annual cap for education funding - from $50 million in 2026 down to $10 million in 2030 - before fully repealing it by 2031. This change directly affects state budget allocations, shifting funds from education to transportation infrastructure without altering the tax itself. The policy change takes effect annually starting July 1, 2026, with full implementation by 2031.

Maddy summaryThis House Concurrent Resolution (HCR 151) is a ceremonial gesture congratulating Casella Waste Systems, Inc. on its 50th anniversary. It formally recognizes the company's founding in 1975, growth to over 5,000 employees across 10 states, sustainability initiatives (including EV fleets and the Casella Center for Circular Economy), and community contributions. The resolution has no legislative effect - only directing the Secretary of State to send a copy to the company. It directly affects Casella Waste Systems, Inc., as the recipient of this symbolic recognition.