Maddy summaryThis bill amends Vermont state law to improve oversight and compensation for various government boards and commissions. It directs the Summer Government Accountability Committee to study ways to measure legislative accountability, ensure fair pay across commissions, support equitable participation through compensation, and control the growing number of such groups. The legislation also updates rules for the Vermont Pension Investment Commission regarding member compensation and administrative support, adjusts quorum requirements for the Commission on Women, sets interim quorum rules for regional emergency management committees, and requires the State Ethics Commission to report recommendations for municipal ethics frameworks by January 2024.
Sponsored bills
Maddy summaryThis bill changes the date for the Reach Up ratable reduction, a tax benefit for low-income households in Vermont, from January to March. The amendment affects the timing of when eligible residents can receive their tax reduction, allowing them to claim the benefit later in the year. By moving the start date to March, the bill adjusts the administrative schedule for processing these tax reductions without changing the underlying eligibility requirements or benefit amounts.
Maddy summaryThis Vermont law requires firearm owners to securely store guns in locked containers or with safety devices to prevent children and prohibited individuals from accessing them, with criminal penalties for negligent storage that results in harm. Gun dealers must display warning signs about suicide and domestic violence risks associated with firearm access, while the law also expands the definition of household members to include dating partners for certain protective order provisions. The legislation aims to reduce suicide and community violence by limiting impulsive access to firearms, particularly in homes where children or prohibited persons might otherwise gain unauthorized access.
Maddy summaryThis bill reduces overdose risks in Vermont by expanding access to buprenorphine treatment, legalizing drug-checking services, and creating a dedicated funding stream for opioid prevention. It allows healthcare providers to prescribe up to 24 milligrams of buprenorphine without prior authorization, permits community organizations to test substances for contaminants without fear of legal penalties, and establishes an Opioid Abatement Special Fund to finance naloxone distribution and treatment programs. The legislation also clarifies that drug-checking results cannot be used as evidence in court and ensures that individuals seeking these services face no arrest or prosecution for possession of the substances being tested.
Maddy summaryThis bill approves a charter amendment for the Town of Shelburne that was previously voted on by local residents. The key provision authorizes the town selectboard to impose a one percent tax on sales, meals, alcoholic beverages, and hotel rooms. This new tax authority will be collected and managed according to existing state tax collection laws. The legislation takes effect immediately upon passage and formalizes the town's ability to generate additional revenue through this local option tax.
Maddy summaryThis bill defines and protects certain health care activities related to reproductive health and gender-affirming care from civil and criminal liability. It establishes that licensed health care providers in Vermont can legally offer these services to patients regardless of where the patient is located, as long as the services are permitted under Vermont law. The law also protects insurance coverage for these services and prohibits conversion therapy from being classified as gender-affirming care. The protections apply to the provision, prescription, distribution, and use of FDA-approved medications for pregnancy termination as of January 1, 2023. The bill became effective immediately upon passage and was signed into law by the Governor in May 2023.
Maddy summaryThis bill is a House concurrent resolution that honors Karen Horn of Moretown for her leadership in strengthening local government in Vermont. It recognizes her decades of work with the Vermont League of Cities and Towns, where she advised officials on municipal issues and helped secure transportation funding and tax authority for local governments. The resolution formally acknowledges her contributions to municipal policy and directs the Secretary of State to send a copy of the document to both Horn and the Vermont League of Cities and Towns.
Maddy summaryThis bill proposes to set a maximum speed limit of 55 miles per hour on all limited access and controlled access highways in Vermont, including all interstate highways. The legislation directly affects drivers on these roadways by establishing a uniform speed cap across the state. The stated purpose is to reduce fossil fuel consumption and greenhouse gas emissions by lowering vehicle speeds. The bill would apply to all drivers using these specific types of highways, regardless of their vehicle type or destination.
Maddy summaryThis bill removes the Vermont residency requirement for patients seeking end-of-life medication under the state's patient choice laws. It directly affects non-resident patients who are 18 or older and under a Vermont physician's care. The key change allows physicians to prescribe medication to hasten death for terminal patients regardless of where they live, while maintaining requirements for terminal diagnosis, decision-making capacity, informed consent, and voluntary requests. The law also protects physicians from civil, criminal, or disciplinary liability when they follow these procedures.
Maddy summaryThis House resolution expresses support for Abenaki communities in Vermont and encourages greater appreciation of Abenaki culture during Abenaki Recognition and Heritage Week and throughout the year. The bill directly affects the Vermont Commission on Native American Affairs and the four state-recognized Abenaki tribes and bands by directing the House Clerk to send copies of the resolution to these entities. The resolution acknowledges past injustices, including state-sanctioned eugenics and sterilizations, and recognizes existing legislative efforts such as free hunting and fishing licenses for certified Native Americans and the establishment of a Truth and Reconciliation Commission. It serves as a formal statement of support rather than creating new policy requirements or funding allocations.