Rep. Larry Satcowitz

Maddy summaryThis bill proposes to decriminalize the possession of a personal supply of regulated drugs in Vermont, changing penalties from criminal charges to a civil offense with a $50 fee. The legislation would establish a Drug Use Standards Advisory Board to set benchmarks for what constitutes a personal use supply and allow individuals with prior possession convictions to have their criminal records sealed if their amounts fall below these benchmarks. It also authorizes pilot drug-checking programs that let individuals test substances for chemical composition and contaminants to reduce overdose risks. The bill aims to shift Vermont's approach from criminal prosecution to public health strategies, redirecting resources toward prevention, treatment, and harm reduction services.

Maddy summaryThis bill directs Vermont's Agency of Agriculture, Food and Markets to create a pilot program offering financial assistance to farmers who adopt year-round agricultural practices across different regions of the state. It requires the Secretary of Agriculture to develop specific standards and criteria for what qualifies as year-round agriculture and allocates funding to support the program's implementation. The legislation affects farmers and agricultural agencies by establishing a formal mechanism to encourage continuous farming activities throughout all seasons.

Maddy summaryThis bill would remove criminal penalties for possessing, dispensing, or selling psilocybin in Vermont and create a Psychedelic Therapy Advisory Working Group to study the potential for regulated therapeutic use. The legislation cites research suggesting psilocybin may help treat mental health conditions like depression, PTSD, and substance use disorders, and it amends state law to exclude psilocybin from the definition of hallucinogenic drugs. The newly formed working group would include legislators, medical professionals, researchers, and community members to review evidence, examine programs in other states, and recommend whether Vermont should establish a regulated system for healthcare providers to administer psychedelics therapeutically. The group must submit its findings and recommendations by November 15, 2024, to relevant legislative committees.

Maddy summaryThis bill allocates $5 million from the state's General Fund to the Department of Forests, Parks and Recreation for the Vermont Outdoor Recreation Economic Collaborative in fiscal year 2024. The funding will support grants for outdoor athletic events like marathons and bike races that attract competitors from outside Vermont. The program aims to boost local economic activity by funding events that draw visitors from other states. The appropriation takes effect on July 1, 2023.

Maddy summaryThis bill prohibits hunting black bears and coyotes with dogs in Vermont unless the hunter obtains a special permit from the state Fish and Wildlife Commissioner. It directly affects hunters who currently use dogs to pursue these animals, requiring them to apply for permits and pay fees ranging from $50 for residents to $210 for nonresidents. The law limits the number of nonresident permits to 10 percent of resident permits and restricts dog training to specific seasons and times of day. Additionally, the bill establishes rules for landowner permission and sets up a point-based violation system for hunters who break the new regulations.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a temporary Building Energy Code Study Committee to address low compliance rates with Vermont's residential and commercial building energy standards. The committee will consist of 15 members representing government agencies, industry groups, and municipalities, and will study strategies to improve code enforcement and administration. Key recommendations may include designating the Division of Fire Safety as the statewide authority for energy code enforcement and developing funding mechanisms such as incentives and federal grants. The committee must submit its final report to the General Assembly by December 1, 2023, and will be funded with $125,000 for consultant services and member compensation.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires Vermont public schools to include Holocaust education in their curricula for grades six through twelve, starting in the 2024-2025 school year. It mandates that each supervisory union provide at least six hours of age-appropriate instruction annually, integrated into global citizenship or English language arts classes, while the Agency of Education will offer technical assistance to help schools develop and implement the program. The law defines key terms like "Holocaust" and "genocide" and outlines specific learning goals, including understanding how prejudice escalates to violence, recognizing the roles of perpetrators, bystanders, and rescuers, and examining how to combat discrimination in democratic societies.

Maddy summaryThis bill modifies how retirement payments are adjusted for teachers in Vermont's State Teachers' Retirement System based on changes in the Consumer Price Index. It establishes new caps on annual increases and decreases, limiting adjustments to five percent for those who retired before July 2022 and four percent for those retiring on or after that date. The legislation also changes how cost-of-living decreases are handled, allowing them to offset future increases rather than immediately reducing benefits. Additionally, the bill appropriates $3.7 million in state funds for the 2024 fiscal year to cover the system's employer contributions.

Maddy summaryThis bill changes how often landowners in Vermont must post and record notices prohibiting hunting on their private property. Instead of requiring annual updates, landowners would only need to post and record these notices every five years or when ownership changes. The law requires signs to be placed at property corners and along boundaries, with specific size and design standards set by the state commissioner. Landowners must also file a recording form with their town clerk, which includes details like acreage, location, and date, while keeping a copy for themselves. The changes would take effect on July 1, 2023, applying to private preserves, farms, ponds, refuges, and shooting grounds.

Maddy summaryThis Vermont bill, H 236, increases compensation and benefits for General Assembly members starting in the 2033-34 legislative biennium. The legislation requires the state to pay the full premium for health insurance for legislators, matching the coverage provided to other state employees. Additionally, it mandates that the weekly salary for Assembly members be doubled on January 1, 2033, with future adjustments tied to compensation increases for other constitutional officers. The bill also establishes that Speaker of the House and President Pro Tempore of the Senate receive the same compensation increases as regular members. These changes apply to all elected legislators and take effect over a multi-year timeline beginning in 2033.