Rep. Larry Satcowitz

Maddy summaryThis bill proposes establishing a new Vermont Climate Infrastructure Fund to support climate-related projects and investments across the state. Administered by the State Treasurer's Office with an advisory board, the fund would coordinate financing efforts with existing agencies like the Vermont Economic Development Authority and Vermont Bond Bank to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and improve climate resilience. The fund would invest in clean energy solutions, forest and agricultural land improvements, watershed health, and projects that benefit underserved communities while also seeking federal funding opportunities and stimulating private investment.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a public prekindergarten education program in Vermont, making full-day early education available to three- and four-year-old children and five-year-olds not yet in kindergarten. It creates a new Department of Economic Empowerment by reorganizing the Department for Children and Families, adds a second Deputy Secretary to the Agency of Education with specific qualifications, and provides property tax exemptions for child care providers. The legislation also expands eligibility and payment rates for the Child Care Financial Assistance Program, creates a new Noncitizen Child Care Assistance Program, and introduces grants to support child care workforce retention.

Maddy summaryThis bill proposes changing how juries deliver verdicts in Vermont when a defendant is found not guilty by reason of insanity. It requires courts to inform juries that such defendants will be committed to the Department of Mental Health if deemed dangerous to themselves or others, and mandates that verdicts state "guilty, but insane" instead of simply "not guilty." The changes directly affect criminal court proceedings and the Department of Mental Health by clarifying the legal status and disposition of defendants found insane at the time of their alleged offenses. The bill takes effect immediately upon passage.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires the Vermont Pension Investment Commission to review and divest state pension funds from investments in the fossil fuel industry. It directly affects the Vermont State Employees' Retirement System, the State Teachers' Retirement System, and the Municipal Employees' Retirement System. The Commission must complete an initial review by August 2023, submit a divestment plan by November 2023, and finish divesting fossil fuel holdings by December 2030, with annual progress reports required until 2031. The legislation defines fossil fuel companies based on reserves, coal plant ownership, core business activities, and revenue sources, while prohibiting new fossil fuel investments after July 2031. The bill also appropriates $100,000 in FY 2024 to support the planning and reporting process.

Maddy summaryThis bill directs the Vermont State Highway Safety Office to prepare a written report by January 15, 2024, recommending how the state should adjust its approach to educating about, enforcing, and prosecuting distracted driving violations for noncommercial drivers. The report must consult with various state agencies and organizations, examine current enforcement methods like fines and license suspensions, and specifically consider strategies for drivers under 18 years old. The legislation does not change any existing laws but requires officials to analyze what is working and what needs improvement in addressing distracted driving.

Maddy summaryThis bill proposes transferring certain responsibilities from Vermont's State Board of Education to the Secretary of Education. The key changes would shift rule-making authority over educational quality standards, special education funding, and school accountability systems to the Secretary, while the Board would retain duties like establishing strategic vision and reviewing appeals. The legislation also modifies how the Board and Secretary collaborate on developing student performance standards and reporting on educational conditions across the state. These adjustments aim to reorganize how educational policy is developed and implemented within Vermont's education system.

Maddy summaryThis bill restricts trapping of fur-bearing animals in Vermont to specific situations, allowing it only for property defense, agricultural crop protection, or by licensed nuisance wildlife control operators. It establishes a new nuisance wildlife trapping license and requires property owners to notify neighbors before setting traps on their land. The law also mandates that traps be checked every 24 hours, requires reporting of trapped animals within 12 hours, and limits pelt possession to personal noncommercial use when taken for property protection. Additionally, the bill requires trapping education certification for new license holders and gives the Department of Fish and Wildlife authority to inspect pelts and investigate trapping reports.

Maddy summaryThis bill proposes to standardize the opening time for all polling places across Vermont, which currently have a uniform closing time of 7:00 p.m. The legislation would establish a specific opening hour that all polling locations must follow, ensuring consistency statewide. It directly affects election officials and voters who rely on polling place hours for planning. The bill would require all polling places to open at the same designated time, creating uniformity in election day procedures.

Maddy summaryThis bill proposes to gradually implement Green Mountain Care, a publicly financed health care program for all Vermont residents, over a ten-year period. It would begin with primary care coverage in the first year, add preventive dental and vision care in the second year, and expand to additional services in subsequent years based on recommendations from an advisory group. The legislation requires the Green Mountain Care Board to analyze and report on financing sustainability, economic impact, and cost containment measures before full implementation. It also seeks a federal waiver to adjust health insurance benefits and funding to avoid duplication with Green Mountain Care coverage.

Maddy summaryThis bill increases fines and adds more points to driving records for drivers who use portable electronic devices, such as phones, while operating a moving vehicle. It directly affects all drivers in Vermont who are caught texting or using handheld devices while driving. The law raises the minimum fine for a first violation from $25 to $100 and increases the maximum fine from $200 to $250, while also raising fines for repeat offenses and adding more points to driving records. Drivers who violate these rules in school zones or work zones face even higher penalties, including additional fines and more points on their license. The bill also clarifies that drivers who cause an accident due to texting will face a minimum $500 fine and 10 points on their driving record.