Rep. Woody Page

Maddy summaryThis bill restricts the transportation of catalytic converters in Vermont by prohibiting movement between 5:00 p.m. and 8:00 a.m. During regular hours, it requires anyone transporting a used catalytic converter to have a bill of sale that includes the vehicle's VIN number. The law directly affects individuals and businesses moving catalytic converters within the state and aims to prevent theft by limiting transport times and requiring documentation. It takes effect on July 1, 2023, and is intended to strengthen consumer protection and commerce regulations.

Maddy summaryThis bill clarifies that municipal zoning rules limiting the number of group homes do not apply to facilities housing high-risk, justice-involved youth. It amends state law to exclude such facilities from the definition of group homes that are permitted as single-family residential uses, while maintaining existing limits on the number of homes per lot. The change directly affects municipalities, zoning authorities, and operators of residential care facilities by creating a specific exemption for youth justice facilities. The legislation takes effect on July 1, 2023, and aims to provide clearer guidance on how different types of group homes are treated under local zoning regulations.

Maddy summaryThis bill declares Lake Memphremagog a "lake in crisis" and removes the requirement that a municipality must show declining real property values to qualify for this designation. The legislation directly affects Lake Memphremagog, which spans Vermont and Quebec, by mandating that its crisis response plan include controls on effluent discharges to the lake's tributaries. By eliminating the property value decline criterion, the bill makes it easier to trigger emergency measures aimed at addressing phosphorus runoff and algal blooms that threaten public health and water quality. The changes take effect immediately for the Lake Memphremagog declaration, while updated criteria for future lake designations will apply starting July 1, 2023.

Maddy summaryThis bill expands eligibility for Vermont's Child Care Financial Assistance Program by adjusting income thresholds and co-payment rules to help more families access subsidized child care. Under the new provisions, families earning up to 400 percent of the federal poverty level would qualify for subsidies, while those earning 150 percent or less would pay no co-payment regardless of family size. The bill also changes how child care providers are paid by decoupling reimbursement rates from the Step Ahead Recognition System (STARS) and instead tying them to market rates from the Vermont Child Care Market Rate Survey with tiered caps based on provider ratings. These changes would take effect on July 1, 2023, and directly impact families seeking employment or training and the child care providers serving them.

Maddy summaryThis bill allows unified towns and gores in Essex County, Vermont to hire a professional assessor to handle property valuation duties. It amends state statutes to give the Board of Governors authority to appoint an outside assessor and an assessor clerk, similar to how other municipal boards select their officials. The changes grant these unified towns the power to incur debt and issue bonds to fund these positions, aligning their operational structure with other municipalities in the state. The legislation takes effect on July 1, 2023, and applies specifically to the unified towns and gores within Essex County.

Maddy summaryThis bill proposes to repeal all existing laws that regulate licensed cannabis establishments in Vermont. It would directly affect businesses currently operating under cannabis regulations and the state's legal framework for overseeing these operations. The legislation includes findings about potential harms of cannabis use to health, safety, employment, driving, and youth, though it does not specify new regulations or enforcement measures. If passed, the bill would remove the current legal structure governing licensed cannabis businesses without replacing it with new oversight provisions.

Maddy summaryThis bill would exempt all U.S. military retirement income and military survivor benefit income from Vermont state income tax. It directly affects active and retired military personnel, as well as the surviving spouses and dependents of deceased service members who receive these benefits. The legislation amends existing tax code sections to remove military retirement and survivor benefits from taxable income, while also clarifying that taxpayers can only choose one income exclusion option if they qualify for multiple types of exemptions. The bill states its purpose is to honor and thank military retirees and their families for their service, and it applies retroactively to taxable years beginning on or after January 1, 2023.

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 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.