Rep. Dan Noyes

Maddy summaryThis is a ceremonial resolution (HCR 26) honoring Burlington High School alumna Ilona Maher for winning a bronze medal with the U.S. women's rugby sevens team at the 2024 Paris Olympics. It formally congratulates her on this achievement and directs Vermont's Secretary of State to send a copy of the resolution to her. The resolution has no policy impact - it solely serves to recognize her athletic accomplishment and community ties. It was adopted by the Vermont House and Senate in February 2025 as a symbolic gesture.

Maddy summaryThis bill directs federal disability and survivor benefits received by foster children and youth in the justice system into a dedicated account managed by the Office of the Treasurer. It requires a study committee to develop a plan for returning these funds to individuals when they age out of state care. The bill also directs the Department for Children and Families to use federal funds for legal representation in foster care cases (as permitted under federal rules) to offset any budgetary impact from the new benefit management system. These provisions aim to secure benefits for youth in state custody while maintaining existing legal support services.

Maddy summaryH 285 creates a study committee to examine ways to make motor vehicle inspections more affordable in Vermont without reducing safety. The committee, composed of state officials, industry representatives, and community advocates, will study repair costs for failed inspections, opportunities to lower repair expenses, assistance for low-income residents, and the impact of changing inspection frequency from annual to biennial. It must submit a report with findings and recommendations to the legislature by December 30, 2025. This bill does not change current inspection requirements but sets up a process to inform future policy decisions.

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 expands the scope of practice for optometrists in Vermont by creating an "advanced therapeutic procedures specialty." Qualified optometrists with this specialty may now perform specific procedures, including removing small superficial eye lesions (like chalazia), certain laser treatments (such as for cataracts), and targeted injections for conditions like chalazia or vision testing. The bill also explicitly prohibits optometrists from performing retinal surgeries, corneal transplants, or injections into the back of the eye. Optometrists seeking this specialty must complete additional continuing education hours focused on advanced procedures. The changes aim to clarify and modernize what optometrists can legally provide while maintaining patient safety through defined boundaries.

Maddy summaryThis bill (H 240) allows Vermont's Governor to temporarily waive water quality permits for dam operators during declared flood emergencies. It directly affects dam operators and the Agency of Natural Resources, authorizing them to lower water levels in dams before a flood to prevent damage to people or property. The key mechanism requires the Governor, after consulting with the Natural Resources Secretary, to determine that lowering water levels will significantly reduce flood risk, while mandating dam operators to minimize environmental harm during the drawdown. The waiver applies only during active emergencies and expires 180 days after the emergency ends.

Maddy summaryH 236 authorizes small hydroelectric facilities (with a proposed capacity of five megawatts or less) to use Vermont's Class B(2) waters, which are currently designated for recreation, fishing, irrigation, and public water sources. The bill requires the Secretary of Natural Resources to amend Vermont's Water Quality Standards by July 1, 2026, to formally include hydroelectric generation as a "suitable use" for Class B(2) waters. It also prohibits denying such projects before 2026 unless the project would impair water quality. This directly affects small hydroelectric developers seeking to use state waters for power generation. The bill makes a specific classification change to existing water quality rules without creating new regulatory requirements.

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 summaryThis bill (H 213) expands Vermont's legal definitions of child abuse and neglect to include "torture of a child" and specific new investigatory bases like lewd conduct involving children, domestic violence occurring in front of a child, and sexual offenses. It requires child protective services to collaborate with child advocacy centers and multidisciplinary teams during investigations and clarifies when investigations - not just assessments - are needed (e.g., for sexual abuse, abandonment, or serious injury). The bill directly affects child protective agencies, law enforcement, and child advocacy centers by modifying their processes for responding to reports. It creates concrete policy changes in how cases are categorized and handled, without altering penalties for existing offenses.