Rep. James Gregoire

Maddy summaryThis bill requires Vermont school districts to include military-related postsecondary opportunities in career development and personalized learning plans for students in grades 7 through 12. It also mandates that the Vermont Student Assistance Corporation provide information about military-related postsecondary options and financial aid in all planning resources it produces. The changes aim to ensure students are aware of military education pathways as part of their broader career and postsecondary planning. The bill takes effect on July 1, 2024.

Maddy summaryThis bill proposes to strengthen penalties for drug-related offenses in Vermont by clarifying legal definitions and increasing punishments for specific violations. It directly affects individuals charged with drug crimes, particularly those involving minors, repeat offenders, and cases resulting in death. The legislation amends the definition of "knowingly" to include conscious disregard of risk, increases penalties for selling drugs to minors and using minors in drug crimes, doubles penalties for second and subsequent trafficking offenses with mandatory minimum sentences, and prevents defendants from using the presence of multiple drugs as a defense when a death results from drug use.

Maddy summaryThis bill proposes to increase fines and add more points to driving records for using portable electronic devices like phones while driving in Vermont. It directly affects all drivers who use handheld devices or text while operating a moving vehicle on highways. The bill establishes higher penalties for violations in school zones and work zones where construction or maintenance crews are present, with fines ranging from $250 to $1,000 and additional points on driving records. It also creates a new Distracted Driving Diversion Program to offer an alternative to traditional penalties for eligible first-time offenders. The legislation applies to both junior operators and licensed drivers, with specific provisions preventing duplicate penalties for the same incident.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a public directory of tobacco substitutes, such as e-cigarettes, that are legally allowed for sale in Vermont. It requires manufacturers to annually certify to the state that their products have received federal approval from the Food and Drug Administration or are under review, and to pay fees for each product listed. The Division of Liquor Control will maintain this online directory and can remove products that fail to meet certification requirements, after which those items become illegal to sell. Retailers, distributors, and wholesalers face daily fines and potential license suspensions if they sell tobacco substitutes not included in the directory. Manufacturers who falsely represent their product's status could face fines or imprisonment.

Maddy summaryThis bill exempts honorably discharged U.S. military veterans from paying town fees required to obtain a license for peddling or vending goods. The change applies to all towns, cities, and incorporated villages in Vermont and overrides any existing local rules that previously charged veterans for these licenses. The exemption takes effect on July 1, 2024, and applies to veterans who are residents of the state.

Maddy summaryThis bill would expand Vermont's 3SquaresVT program by allowing eligible SNAP recipients to use their benefits at participating restaurants through the federal Restaurant Meals Program. It also requires the state to develop a plan for calculating minimum 3SquaresVT benefits at 30 percent of the federal moderate-cost food plan, which would increase the amount of assistance provided. The legislation creates a new staff position and allocates $85,000 to help restaurants apply for and participate in the program while establishing eligibility criteria that prioritize local food availability and diverse cultural options. The bill takes effect on July 1, 2024, with a transition plan due to state committees by January 1, 2025.

Maddy summaryThis House concurrent resolution honors Vermont National Guard Deputy Adjutant General Kenneth Gragg for his distinguished career in public service. The document recognizes his 46 years of military and civilian service, including his leadership in financial management, construction projects, and pandemic response efforts. It directs the Secretary of State to send a copy of the resolution to Gragg as a formal acknowledgment of his contributions. This is a ceremonial measure with no new laws or policy changes, serving only to publicly recognize his achievements.

Maddy summaryThis bill prohibits the manufacture, sale, and distribution in Vermont of cosmetic and menstrual products containing specific harmful chemicals, including perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), ortho-phthalates, formaldehyde, lead, and asbestos. It also bans textiles and athletic turf fields that contain PFAS, with a provision for future restrictions on any product using PFAS if their use is deemed unavoidable. The law includes a one-year waiver system for manufacturers who cannot immediately eliminate certain chemicals due to technical limitations, and requires the Department of Health to develop a community engagement plan to address outreach to vulnerable populations. Violations of the ban are treated as violations of Vermont's Consumer Protection Act, giving the Attorney General and private parties the authority to pursue civil actions.

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.

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.