Maddy summaryThis bill updates Vermont's landfill disposal requirements by adding new restrictions on specific waste materials and establishing stricter rules for facilities receiving waste from municipalities without approved waste management plans. It directly affects landfill operators, waste management facilities, and municipalities by prohibiting the disposal of items such as leaf and yard residuals, wood waste, and food residuals in landfills starting in 2016 and 2020, respectively. The legislation also requires facilities to remove mandated recyclables and hazardous materials from waste streams when receiving material from municipalities lacking approved implementation plans, while allowing for separate storage areas for these materials. Additionally, the bill clarifies certification requirements for solid waste management facilities and includes exemptions for waste collected during nonprofit litter cleanup events.
Sponsored bills
Maddy summaryThis bill aims to improve public transit access for rural Vermonters by creating a service model that ensures reliable transportation to essential services like healthcare, employment, and child care. It requires transit providers to conduct benefit and risk assessments to determine appropriate service levels while ensuring financial sustainability through Medicaid reimbursements and federal funding. The legislation also proposes establishing and funding a Mobility for All Pilot Program through Rural Community Transportation, Inc. to test innovative transit solutions in rural areas.
Maddy summaryThis bill would allow Vermont to join the Physician Assistant Licensure Compact, an agreement among multiple states that makes it easier for licensed physician assistants to practice across state lines. Under the compact, a physician assistant holding a valid license in one participating state could obtain temporary permission to practice in other participating states without applying for a new full license in each location. The system maintains patient safety by ensuring that the physician assistant remains under the jurisdiction of the state where the patient is located during a medical visit and allows licensing boards to share information about disciplinary actions. The compact also includes special provisions to help military families by simplifying the licensing process for active-duty personnel and their spouses who move between states.
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 updates Vermont's adult protective services laws to clarify how caregivers are defined and held accountable. It expands the legal definition of a caregiver to include anyone voluntarily or contractually responsible for providing care to elders or people with disabilities, while also removing "negligently" from certain misconduct descriptions to focus on reckless behavior. The legislation adds protections for personal health information by explicitly referencing federal privacy laws alongside state regulations. These changes directly affect agencies, facilities, and individuals providing care to vulnerable adults, ensuring clearer standards for who qualifies as a caregiver and how their actions are evaluated.
Maddy summaryThis bill establishes an unused drug repository program in Vermont to collect and distribute unused medications to patients who cannot afford them. The Agency of Human Services will manage the program, accepting donations from sources like pharmacies, hospitals, and individuals, while setting rules for drug safety and eligibility. Priority is given to low-income, uninsured, or underinsured patients, as well as those facing high out-of-pocket costs for prescriptions. The legislation also provides liability protection for donors, recipients, and healthcare providers involved in the program, and requires the agency to report on rulemaking progress during the 2024 budget process.
Maddy summaryThis bill formally recognizes May 2023 as Jewish American Heritage Month in Vermont. It directs the Secretary of State to send a copy of the resolution to Jewish communities in the state. The measure acknowledges the historical contributions of Jewish Americans to Vermont and the nation, noting their early settlement and ongoing cultural significance. It does not change laws or policies but serves as a symbolic recognition of Jewish heritage and history.
Maddy summaryThis bill is a House concurrent resolution honoring the life and legacy of Samuel B. Feitelberg, a retired University of Vermont professor and physical therapy expert. The resolution acknowledges his extensive career in education and healthcare, including his leadership roles at Columbia University, Clarkson University, and the American Physical Therapy Association. It also recognizes his contributions to diversity in academia, his work with NASA on Parkinson's disease therapy, and his community service in Vermont and Honduras. The bill formally expresses the General Assembly's condolences to Feitelberg's family and directs the Secretary of State to send a copy of the resolution to them.
Maddy summaryThis bill formally recognizes May as Mental Health Awareness Month in Vermont to raise public awareness about mental health challenges. It does not change laws or allocate funding but serves as a symbolic acknowledgment of the state's mental health needs and statistics. The resolution directs the Secretary of State to send copies of the document to relevant mental health organizations and officials. While it highlights concerning data about suicide rates and access to care, the bill itself is a commemorative measure rather than a policy change.
Maddy summaryThis bill is a formal resolution honoring 21 Vermont youth athletes who competed in snowboarding and skiing events at the 2023 USASA National Championships in Colorado. The resolution recognizes these athletes for representing Vermont with distinction and winning medals in various disciplines during the competition. It directs the Secretary of State to send copies of the resolution to each honored athlete as an official acknowledgment of their achievements. The bill does not create new laws or policies but serves as a ceremonial recognition of the athletes' accomplishments.