Rep. Chris Taylor

Maddy summaryThis is a ceremonial resolution (HCR 6), not a law. It formally congratulates the Milton High School Yellowjackets girls’ soccer team for winning their second consecutive Division II championship in 2024. The resolution directs Vermont’s Secretary of State to send a copy of the resolution to Milton High School. It has no legal effect or policy changes - it solely serves as a formal recognition of the team’s athletic achievement.

Maddy summaryH 282 creates a new driver education program for students in Vermont's home study programs, requiring the Motor Vehicles Commissioner and Education Secretary to approve a course for parents or guardians to teach their children. The approved course must cover alcohol/drug effects on driving, motor vehicle insurance laws, and the environmental impact of vehicle idling. Parents teaching the course must not have recent DUI convictions, six or more traffic points in three years, or certain felony convictions. The bill mandates course approval by July 1, 2025, and requires a report comparing driving records of home study students with traditional program students by November 2029.

Maddy summaryHCR 21 is a symbolic resolution expressing the Vermont General Assembly's appreciation for school board members' role in public education. It formally designates February as "School Board Recognition Month" in Vermont to highlight their contributions. The resolution has no legal effect or policy changes - it is purely ceremonial, acknowledging school board members' civic service. The resolution was adopted by both chambers on February 7, 2025, and directs the Secretary of State to share it with the Vermont School Boards Association.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a $1,000 income tax deduction for Vermont taxpayers who cover qualified home study program expenses for their dependent children. It directly affects parents or guardians who educate their dependents through home study programs (as defined under Vermont law), provided the child is not claimed as a dependent by another taxpayer. The deduction covers costs like educational materials, equipment, and software required for home study, but does not include full tuition. The provision applies retroactively to taxable years beginning January 1, 2025.

Maddy summaryThis bill (H 254) clarifies court procedures for serving legal documents in civil cases. It requires that when a Vermont court approves alternate service of process (such as publishing a notice or leaving documents at a defendant's home), that order automatically applies to all future service steps in the same case - including post-judgment actions - without needing new court orders. The bill directly affects civil court proceedings where alternate service is used, streamlining the process for plaintiffs and courts. It specifically updates Vermont Rule of Civil Procedure 4(d)(1) and applies to all existing and future cases using such service methods.

Maddy summaryH 247 requires all Vermont school districts and independent schools to create written cardiac emergency response plans by the 2025-2026 school year. These plans must include specific steps for responding to sudden cardiac arrest, such as establishing response teams, placing and maintaining AEDs, training staff in CPR/AED use, and integrating with local emergency services. The bill directly affects schools by mandating evidence-based protocols aligned with American Heart Association guidelines, covering both general school settings and athletic programs. Key provisions include annual plan reviews, staff training requirements, and coordination with community emergency responders. The law takes effect July 1, 2025.

Maddy summaryThis House Concurrent Resolution (HCR 29) is a ceremonial gesture congratulating Montgomery runner Elinor Purrier St. Pierre on her eighth-place finish in the women's 1500m at the 2024 Paris Olympics. It recognizes her athletic achievements, including American records and prior Olympic participation, as detailed in the resolution's "whereas" clauses. The resolution directs Vermont's Secretary of State to send a copy of the resolution to Ms. Purrier St. Pierre. As a symbolic tribute with no policy changes or direct effects, it does not alter laws or affect any constituents beyond expressing legislative recognition.

Maddy summaryThis ceremonial resolution honors the Vermont Old Cemetery Association (VOCA) for its 65+ years of preserving Vermont's historic cemeteries. VOCA provides restoration grants, veteran burial support, and educational resources (like its newsletter and book *Burial Grounds of Vermont*) to local cemetery groups and municipalities. The resolution formally recognizes VOCA's work without creating new laws, funding, or policy changes. It serves as a symbolic gesture of appreciation for the organization's contributions to cemetery preservation and public education.

Maddy summaryH.204 establishes a new tire recycling program requiring tire manufacturers to cover the costs of collecting and recycling waste tires. Starting January 1, 2027, manufacturers must register with Vermont’s Agency of Natural Resources, implement approved recycling plans, and pay fees to fund collection. The law sets annual collection targets based on previous tire sales data, aiming to reduce waste tire piles. It directly affects tire manufacturers and retailers selling tires in Vermont, shifting responsibility for tire disposal from taxpayers to producers.

Maddy summaryH.186 would require courts to impose a minimum two-year prison sentence for anyone convicted of selling or dispensing a regulated drug that causes a death, removing the judge's current ability to sentence below that term if they determine it serves "the interests of justice." This bill directly affects defendants in drug-related homicide cases where the death resulted from the sale or distribution of a regulated substance. The key provision eliminates judicial discretion in sentencing for these specific offenses, mandating the two-year minimum term without exception. The bill is currently under review by Vermont's Judiciary Committee after its initial introduction.