Rep. Lucy Boyden

Maddy summaryH 302 requires Vermont health insurance plans and Medicaid to cover specific fertility-related services. It mandates coverage for fertility diagnostic care (all members), fertility treatment for those with infertility (including IVF procedures), and fertility preservation services (all members), while excluding experimental procedures and nonmedical donor/surrogacy costs. The law takes effect for health insurance plans on January 1, 2026, and Medicaid coverage depends on federal approval of a state plan amendment by September 1, 2025. This directly affects Vermont residents with health insurance or Medicaid seeking fertility care.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a $500 refundable income tax credit for qualified emergency responders in Vermont, effective for taxable years beginning January 1, 2025 (retroactive to that date). It directly affects licensed emergency medical personnel, first responders, and volunteer firefighters meeting specific eligibility criteria under Vermont law. The credit is designed to recognize their public service, with eligibility defined by existing statutes covering their roles and volunteer status. The bill also updates related statutes to establish standards for volunteer firefighter eligibility and clarifies the credit's purpose. (3 sentences)

Maddy summaryThis bill (H.288) provides reduced or waived motor vehicle registration fees for Vermont veterans with honorable discharges. Veterans who provide proof of service (via DD Form 214) qualify for either a 100% fee waiver (once per year) or a 50% reduction on registration fees for specific vehicle types, including cars, motorcycles, snowmobiles, and boats. The exemption applies if the veteran is listed as an owner or co-owner on the registration form. It takes effect January 1, 2026, and requires veterans to submit documentation to the Department of Motor Vehicles.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates annual open enrollment periods for Vermonters seeking Medicare supplement insurance (Medigap), aligning with federal Medicare Part D enrollment. It prohibits insurers from charging extra fees, penalties, or higher premiums for enrolling after age 65, bans exclusions for preexisting conditions, and allows policyholders to switch to comparable or lower-benefit plans anytime. The changes apply directly to Vermont residents enrolled in or applying for Medicare supplement insurance. The bill takes effect July 1, 2025, after passing committee referral on February 19, 2025.

Maddy summaryH 257 creates Vermont's Office of Entrepreneurship within the Agency of Commerce and Community Development to support new businesses. The office will help businesses operating under five years navigate state agencies, encourage at least 5% of state contracts to go to such businesses (including those owned by women, minorities, or veterans), and track contract awards by demographic and geographic groups. It requires annual reports starting in 2027 detailing contract data, progress toward goals, and recommendations for improving entrepreneurship access. The bill takes effect July 1, 2025.

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 summaryH.229 proposes creating a Vermont Farm and Forestry Operations Security Special Fund to provide grants for weather-related losses. It directly affects Vermont farms and forestry operations that suffer qualifying weather damage (like floods, droughts, or extreme heat), covering up to 50% of uninsured losses with a yearly maximum of $150,000 per operation. The fund, administered by the Agriculture Department, will use streamlined applications requiring basic damage descriptions and financial records, with verification through weather data sources like NOAA. Grants cover specific costs including lost income, infrastructure repairs, replanting, and livestock feed replacement.

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.