Rep. Saudia Lamont

Maddy summaryThis bill recognizes March 25, 2026, as National Medal of Honor Day in Vermont to honor the state's military history and Medal of Honor recipients. It directs the Secretary of State to send a copy of the resolution to the Green Mountain Submarine Veterans and the Vermont Office of Veterans Affairs. The resolution commemorates Vermont's 64 Medal of Honor recipients, including the youngest recipient, Willie Johnston, and acknowledges the significance of March 25 as the date the first medals were issued in 1863. This is a commemorative resolution that does not change laws or create new programs but serves to formally acknowledge the state's military heritage.

Maddy summaryThis bill welcomes the officers and crew of the U.S. submarine USS VERMONT (SSN 792) to the Vermont State House on March 17, 2026, and designates April 18, 2026, as USS VERMONT Day in the state. The resolution directs the Secretary of State to send a copy of the document to the submarine's commanding officer and support group as an official acknowledgment. It recognizes the vessel's recent achievements, including its participation in the AUKUS security partnership and its completion of maintenance in Australia. The bill also notes that an information display about the submarine will be shown at the State House the day before the designated USS VERMONT Day.

Maddy summaryHCR 178 is a ceremonial resolution honoring former Vermont State Senator William H. Carris of Wells. It commemorates his life and service, including his career as a business leader (founder of Carris Reels, which implemented an employee stock ownership plan), his philanthropy, and his three terms in the Vermont Senate (2006-2016). The resolution extends the General Assembly's sympathy to his family and directs the Secretary of State to send a copy to them. As a non-binding tribute, it has no policy impact or direct effect on constituents or legislation.

Maddy summaryHCR 196 is a ceremonial resolution honoring U.S. Army Major General Gregory Knight, Vermont's Adjutant and Inspector General, for his 43-year military and public service career. It formally commends his service - including deployments to Iraq, academic achievements, leadership in the Vermont National Guard, and his seven-year tenure as the state's top military officer - and directs the Secretary of State to send a copy of the resolution to him and the Vermont National Guard. This resolution does not create new laws or affect policy; it is a symbolic gesture of recognition. The bill was offered by all members of both the House and Senate.

Maddy summaryH.905 is a Vermont civil rights bill that updates and integrates protections against discrimination across state laws. It creates a statutory definition of "disparate impact" for civil rights violations, allows individuals to sue for discrimination (private right of action), and requires state/municipal employees to complete bias training. The bill mandates annual law enforcement reports on certain offenses, requires contractors and grant recipients to obtain equity certifications, and establishes new entities including a Civil Rights Data Repository and a Civil Rights Fund. It also prohibits unauthorized federal agreements that would weaken Vermont’s civil rights standards.

Maddy summaryThis House Concurrent Resolution designates February 11, 2026, as "Disability Advocacy Day" at the Vermont State House. It recognizes the work of disability rights groups like the Vermont Coalition for Disability Rights (VCDR) and highlights ongoing challenges such as educational disparities and barriers in employment, housing, and transportation faced by Vermonters with disabilities. The resolution does not create new laws or funding but formally acknowledges these issues and the contributions of people with disabilities. It directs the Secretary of State to send a copy to VCDR.

Maddy summaryH 895 would restrict enforcement of 13 specific minor traffic violations (such as obscured license plates, improper lane changes, or loud mufflers) to situations where an officer has already stopped a driver for a different, primary violation. It prohibits officers from using these minor infractions as the sole reason to stop a vehicle or to request consent for a vehicle search. The bill directly affects drivers who might otherwise be stopped solely for these technical traffic issues. This policy change aims to limit traffic stops based on minor violations and prevent secondary searches after such stops.

Maddy summaryH.880 would repeal Vermont's current exception allowing clergy to avoid reporting child abuse or neglect when disclosed confidentially during spiritual counseling. This change directly affects clergy members (like priests, ministers, or religious advisors) who currently may withhold reports under specific conditions. The bill removes the four-part exception (confidential communication during counseling, intended as confidential, for contrition/conscience, and required by religious law) and also repeals a related provision requiring reporting if abuse is learned outside that confidential context. As enacted, clergy would have the same reporting obligations as other mandated reporters under Vermont law, effective July 1, 2026.

Maddy summaryThis is a commemorative resolution (HCR 175), not a substantive bill. It honors the late Venerable J. Stannard Baker of Shelburne, recognizing his pivotal role in Vermont's marriage equality history. The resolution commemorates his leadership in the landmark 1999 *Baker v. State* case that established marriage equality under the Vermont Constitution, leading to civil unions and later marriage rights. It expresses the legislature's condolences to his family and directs the Secretary of State to share the resolution with his family and the Episcopal Diocese of Vermont.

Maddy summaryHCR 177 is a ceremonial resolution honoring Twin Valley High School's Athletic Director and boys' soccer coach Buddy Hayford for achieving 500 career coaching victories. It recognizes his 43-year coaching career, including 10 divisional titles, two state basketball titles, and his status as Vermont's first high school soccer coach to reach 500 wins. This resolution, offered by all House members and sponsoring senators, formally congratulates Hayford and directs the Secretary of State to send a copy to him and his school - **it is not a law but a symbolic gesture of appreciation**.