Rep. Mike McCarthy

Maddy summaryThis bill modifies Vermont's rules for registering exhibition and antique vehicles by changing how usage is measured and adjusting fees. It allows owners to qualify for special plates if their vehicle is driven up to 1,000 miles per year, regardless of how often they drive, and raises the registration fee from $26 to $50 for a five-year period. Owners can choose to display plates marked "exhibition" or "antique" if their vehicle is at least 25 years old, and older pre-1968 plates may continue to be used if kept in the vehicle and shown to law enforcement when requested. The changes take effect on July 1, 2024.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates the Climate Superfund Cost Recovery Program, which would require fossil fuel companies that operated in Vermont between 2000 and 2019 to pay for their share of climate change costs. The program targets entities involved in extracting coal, oil, or natural gas, charging them based on how much greenhouse gas their products contributed to global emissions. Money collected from these payments would go into a dedicated fund to finance climate resilience projects like flood protections, upgraded infrastructure, and health programs addressing climate-related health risks. The law defines specific types of infrastructure projects eligible for funding and establishes rules for determining which companies must pay and how much they owe.

Maddy summaryThis legislative resolution congratulates the 2023 Georgia Elementary and Middle School Chargers seventh- and eighth-grade girls' softball team for their undefeated 13-0 season. The document formally recognizes the individual players and their head coach, Seth Hungerford, for their athletic achievements and mentoring. It directs the Secretary of State to send a copy of the resolution to the school, serving as an official acknowledgment of the team's success.

Maddy summaryThis bill, known as the Transportation Infrastructure and Resiliency Act of 2024, directs state funding and policy changes to improve roads, support electric vehicle adoption, and enhance transportation options across Vermont. It increases funding for road repair programs, provides grants for eBike and electric vehicle charging infrastructure, and establishes new rules allowing property owners to install charging stations. The legislation also expands funding for bicycle and pedestrian projects, creates a plan for carsharing expansion, and requires the state to develop new revenue sources for transportation and environmental initiatives. Additionally, it allows certain areas to set speed limits below 25 mph and mandates reporting on electric vehicle outreach efforts and charging station availability.

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 makes several changes to Vermont's adult-use and medical cannabis programs, primarily focusing on how the system is governed and regulated. It creates a new advisory committee for the Cannabis Control Board with 14 members representing various areas of expertise, including public health, social justice, and business, who will provide recommendations to the state legislature. The bill also clarifies what counts as advertising for cannabis businesses while excluding educational materials and standard product labels, and it establishes rules for how local municipalities can issue their own cannabis licenses without charging fees. Additionally, the legislation defines how cannabis cultivation is classified under state law, ensuring it is treated differently from traditional farming activities.

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 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 amends Vermont state law to establish legal requirements for providing interpreters and communication access services to people who are deaf, hard of hearing, or DeafBlind in judicial, administrative, and legislative proceedings. It mandates that qualified interpreters or real-time captioning services be provided to parties and witnesses in these proceedings, with specific rules for interpreter selection, appointment, and confidentiality. The legislation also creates a statewide system for maintaining contracts with interpreter services, requires courts and agencies to maintain lists of qualified interpreters, and ensures that admissions or confessions made by individuals with hearing impairments are only admissible in criminal proceedings when proper interpretation was provided.

Maddy summaryThis Vermont House resolution establishes a Special Committee on Impeachment Inquiry to investigate whether there are sufficient grounds to impeach Franklin County State's Attorney John Lavoie and/or Franklin County Sheriff John Grismore. The seven-member committee, appointed by the Speaker of the House with representation from multiple parties, is authorized to meet during the 2023-2024 legislative session and has the power to subpoena witnesses, demand documents, administer oaths, and hire investigators. The committee will report its findings and any impeachment articles or recommendations to the House of Representatives.