Rep. Brian Smith

Maddy summaryThis bill is a ceremonial resolution that honors Sergeant at Arms Janet Miller for her service to the Vermont General Assembly. It recognizes her long career, which includes managing security, coordinating events, and overseeing the Legislative Council before she was elected to her current role five times. The resolution also acknowledges her specific contributions during the COVID-19 pandemic, including helping the legislature transition back to in-person meetings. The bill directs the Secretary of State to send a copy of this honor to Janet Miller, who has announced her retirement effective March 1, 2024.

Maddy summaryThis bill is a ceremonial resolution that honors John Wilson, a former Newport City Council Chair, for his public service. It recognizes his military career in the U.S. Army, including service in Vietnam, and his long-term leadership on the Newport City Council where he chaired the body for 15 years. The resolution directs the Secretary of State to send a copy to John Wilson and the Newport City Clerk as a formal acknowledgment of his contributions.

Maddy summaryThis bill is a ceremonial resolution that officially recognizes the week of February 26 to March 1 as Public Schools Week in Vermont. It does not create new laws or change policies but instead acknowledges the importance of public schools as community institutions and major employers. The resolution directs the Secretary of State to send copies to various education-related organizations, including the Vermont Secretary of Education and state education associations. This measure serves to honor the role of public schools in Vermont society without affecting any operational or funding aspects of the education system.

Maddy summaryThis bill would ban advertisements for Vermont's state-run gambling operations, including the state lottery and sports wagering. It directly affects the Department of Liquor and Lottery, sports wagering operators, and any entities that currently advertise these services. The law would require the department to remove existing gambling advertisements and prevent new ones from appearing in the future. This change would modify the current advertising plan agreement between the state and its gambling partners. The bill aims to reduce the visibility of state gambling promotions without altering the operations themselves.

Maddy summaryThis House resolution honors Vermont television journalist Stewart Ledbetter for his 40 years of news reporting. The bill formally recognizes his career achievements, including his work as a news director, political campaign moderator, and recipient of multiple broadcast awards. It directs the House Clerk to send a copy of the resolution to Ledbetter and WPTZ, the television station where he worked.

Maddy summaryThis bill aims to improve services and rights for adults with intellectual disabilities in Vermont by establishing stronger oversight and support mechanisms. It requires a professional review committee to approve any restrictions on personal rights or privacy, mandates the submission of a final Olmstead Plan by January 2025, and provides financial assistance to parents or guardians when alternative care options are unavailable. The legislation also enhances transparency in Human Services Board proceedings by allowing participants to submit supporting documentation and introducing a complaint procedure for individuals under guardianship. Additionally, it clarifies guardianship laws to ensure guardians can negotiate contracts that protect the individual's rights under the Americans with Disabilities Act and other applicable state laws.

Maddy summaryThis bill updates Vermont's laws to strengthen protections for threatened and endangered species by requiring the Secretary of Natural Resources to revise the state species list every three years and to designate critical habitat for each listed species. It prohibits the sale, transport, or import of these species within the state and restricts their taking to specific purposes like scientific research or enhancing their survival. The legislation also mandates that the Secretary develop rules to help farmers and foresters avoid harming species or their habitats while consulting with affected landowners and neighboring jurisdictions.

Maddy summaryThis bill would allow prosecutors to charge individuals with murder or manslaughter if their actions result in the death of a fetus, and it would also permit charges for drunk driving or grossly negligent driving that cause fetal death. The law explicitly excludes abortions and medical procedures performed according to standard practice, as well as actions taken by a pregnant person against their own fetus. It clarifies that these provisions do not change the legal status or rights of a fetus under Vermont law. The bill would take effect immediately upon passage.

Maddy summaryThis Vermont bill aims to simplify bail and pretrial release procedures by narrowing the focus to ensuring defendants appear in court rather than considering other factors. It eliminates the requirement to set bail for most misdemeanor cases at initial appearances and limits bail for expungible misdemeanors to a maximum of $200. The legislation allows judges to impose release conditions such as supervision, travel restrictions, or treatment programs when necessary to mitigate flight risk or protect the public. Defendants charged with nonviolent offenses may be released on personal recognizance or unsecured bonds unless a judge determines stricter conditions are needed. The bill also clarifies that financial ability to post bail should be considered when setting conditions but does not mandate cash bail as the primary release method.

Maddy summaryThis bill expands how courts handle bail and conditions of release for defendants in Vermont, particularly those who commit new offenses while out on pretrial release. It removes the $200 maximum bail limit for repeat offenders and allows judges to consider past compliance with court orders when setting release conditions. The legislation also creates a faster hearing process for violations of release conditions, bars repeat offenders from diversion programs, and requires annual reporting on restorative justice referrals.