Rep. Saudia Lamont

Maddy summaryThis bill requires Vermont's Housing Division to track and report on progress toward statewide and regional housing targets established in the Statewide Housing Needs Assessment. The legislation mandates the development of specific metrics, including timelines with deadlines and regional measures covering investment rates, price, quality, and zoning compliance. Through 2030, the Division must publish annual reports detailing progress against these targets, assess whether advancement is satisfactory, and provide recommendations to accelerate housing development if needed. The bill affects the Department of Housing and Community Development, regional planning commissions, and housing developers by creating a structured accountability system for meeting housing goals.

Maddy summaryThis bill expands the legal definition of pedestrians to include individuals using wheelchairs, personal mobility devices, and electric personal assistive mobility devices, while also clarifying rules for bicyclists and vulnerable road users. It requires motor vehicles to maintain at least four feet of clearance when passing pedestrians, bicyclists, or stationary utility vehicles, with violations subject to a $200 civil penalty. The legislation removes the ban on pedestrians walking on roadways where sidewalks are unavailable and updates bicycle traffic rules to allow riding two abreast under specific conditions and clarify when bicyclists must stop at traffic signals. Additionally, it permits towns to install crossing flags at crosswalks and streamlines federal historic preservation reviews for bicycle and pedestrian infrastructure projects.

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 bill creates a new grant program administered by the Agency of Human Services to help municipalities and other organizations acquire or renovate existing buildings for permanent supportive housing. The program provides up to $4.5 million in 2025 funding for projects that convert buildings into multiple studio apartments with kitchens and bathrooms, while requiring energy-efficient renovations. Each funded site must employ or contract two staff members to provide daily on-site support services such as case management, support groups, and connections to community resources. The bill targets individuals experiencing chronic homelessness, those recovering from mental health or substance use disorders, aging out of foster care, and other vulnerable populations. Eligible applicants must submit proposals identifying specific buildings, outlining costs and local contributions, and demonstrating accessibility to healthcare and transportation.

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 changes the date for the Reach Up ratable reduction, a tax benefit for low-income households in Vermont, from January to March. The amendment affects the timing of when eligible residents can receive their tax reduction, allowing them to claim the benefit later in the year. By moving the start date to March, the bill adjusts the administrative schedule for processing these tax reductions without changing the underlying eligibility requirements or benefit amounts.

Maddy summaryThis bill defines and protects certain health care activities related to reproductive health and gender-affirming care from civil and criminal liability. It establishes that licensed health care providers in Vermont can legally offer these services to patients regardless of where the patient is located, as long as the services are permitted under Vermont law. The law also protects insurance coverage for these services and prohibits conversion therapy from being classified as gender-affirming care. The protections apply to the provision, prescription, distribution, and use of FDA-approved medications for pregnancy termination as of January 1, 2023. The bill became effective immediately upon passage and was signed into law by the Governor in May 2023.

Maddy summaryThis bill is a House concurrent resolution that honors Karen Horn of Moretown for her leadership in strengthening local government in Vermont. It recognizes her decades of work with the Vermont League of Cities and Towns, where she advised officials on municipal issues and helped secure transportation funding and tax authority for local governments. The resolution formally acknowledges her contributions to municipal policy and directs the Secretary of State to send a copy of the document to both Horn and the Vermont League of Cities and Towns.

Maddy summaryThis bill is a ceremonial resolution that congratulates the U-32 Raiders boys' ice hockey team for winning the 2023 Division II state championship. It recognizes the team's remarkable victory in the longest-ever Division II championship game, which required two overtimes to decide. The resolution formally acknowledges the players and coaching staff and directs the Secretary of State to send a copy of the document to the team. This measure has no policy impact beyond honoring the team's athletic achievement.