Rep. Lisa Hango

Maddy summaryThis bill is a House resolution that recognizes April 2023 as the Month of the Military Child in Vermont. It aims to support military children, including those affected by parent deployments and frequent relocations. The resolution acknowledges existing programs like Military Kids Connect and local support services, and directs the House Clerk to send a copy to the Vermont National Guard's Child & Youth Services. The measure does not create new laws or funding but serves as a formal recognition of the importance of military family support.

Maddy summaryThis House concurrent resolution honors former President James Earl Carter as a tireless international humanitarian and public servant. The bill recognizes his post-presidential work, including conflict mediation, election monitoring, disease eradication efforts, and advocacy for affordable housing through Habitat for Humanity. It acknowledges his receipt of the 2002 Nobel Peace Prize and his decision to enter hospice care. The resolution directs the Secretary of State to send a copy of the document to former President Carter.

Maddy summaryThis bill officially recognizes March 2023 as Social Work Month in Vermont to honor the contributions of social workers to improving human well-being and addressing social issues. The resolution highlights the profession's role in various settings including schools, hospitals, and government agencies, as well as its work supporting diverse communities and addressing challenges like the opioid crisis. It marks the 60th anniversary of Social Work Month and directs the Secretary of State to send a copy of the resolution to the National Association of Social Workers Vermont Chapter.

Maddy summaryThis bill is a ceremonial resolution that honors Rotary International for its charitable work and congratulates five Vermont Rotary clubs on their 100th anniversary. It recognizes the organization's history in Vermont, its global humanitarian programs, and the clubs' contributions to community relief efforts. The resolution directs the Secretary of State to send a copy to relevant Rotary leaders and clubs.

Maddy summaryThis bill is a ceremonial resolution honoring Marshall Webb, a nonprofit cofounder and environmental advocate who passed away in 2022. It recognizes his contributions to Shelburne Farms, a Vermont center for sustainability education, and acknowledges his personal connection to the organization and the state. The resolution directs the Secretary of State to send a copy to Webb's family and Shelburne Farms as a formal expression of appreciation. This measure does not change laws or policies but serves to publicly acknowledge Webb's legacy and impact on the community.

Maddy summaryThis bill is a ceremonial resolution that congratulates the Governor's Institutes of Vermont on their 40th anniversary. It does not create new laws or change any policies but serves to formally recognize the organization's long history of providing educational opportunities for young Vermonters. The resolution acknowledges the institute's mission of offering diverse learning programs in areas like arts, science, and technology to students across the state. It directs the Secretary of State to send a copy of the resolution to the institute's executive director as a formal record of the legislature's appreciation.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates the Green Mountain Recreation Fund to support trail development and nonprofit organizations in Vermont. The fund would be financed by taking five percent of the existing tax on beer and wine sales. Money from the fund would hire three new full-time staff members to manage trail programs, provide technical assistance, and administer grants for organizational capacity and outdoor recreation projects. Additionally, the bill requires that at least 10 percent of new trails built on state land or with state funding be accessible to people with physical disabilities. The legislation also appropriates $5 million for a community grant program supporting outdoor recreation initiatives in 2024.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires independent schools in Vermont to pay their teachers' retirement contributions and administrative expenses directly, rather than having these costs covered by the state education budget. It also clarifies that "education spending" includes the portion of retirement payments attributable to school districts, while excluding funds from other sources like endowments or federal grants. The changes take effect on July 1, 2024, and include requirements for independent schools to submit annual payment statements and for the state to report on implementation to relevant committees.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires students graduating from Vermont public high schools to demonstrate civics knowledge as a condition of receiving a diploma. The law offers two pathways: passing the standard U.S. citizenship civics test with a minimum score of 60 percent, or completing one semester of community service with a local government organization under a mentor's supervision. The requirement applies to all public high school and career technical center students, though students with individualized education programs may participate at the discretion of their IEP team. The measure would take effect for students graduating in the 2025-2026 academic year or later.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates the Vermont Rental Housing Improvement Program to provide grants and forgivable loans to private landlords for rehabilitating rental housing units, with a focus on non-code-compliant or newly created units. The program is administered by the Department of Housing and Community Development through statewide or regional nonprofit housing organizations, which distribute funds to eligible landlords who must contribute at least 20 percent in matching funds or in-kind services. Recipients cannot use assisted units for short-term rentals and must prioritize leasing to households exiting homelessness or refugee resettlement programs for five years, with alternative income-based tenant requirements if qualifying households are unavailable. The bill also establishes transparency requirements, mandating that recipient identities and award amounts be published quarterly online, and limits individual grants or loans to a maximum of $50,000 per unit.