Rep. Michael Marcotte

Maddy summaryThis bill modifies Vermont's Petroleum Cleanup Fund to allow the Secretary of Natural Resources to use state funds for cleaning up oil and petroleum spills when the responsible party is unknown, unreachable, unwilling to act, or not acting quickly enough. It also increases the maximum amounts available from the fund for both spill cleanup costs and grants for replacing or upgrading residential heating fuel storage tanks. The legislation clarifies that these funds can be used for immediate spill control, removal, and remediation actions, while maintaining existing rules that require responsible parties to pay the first portion of cleanup costs before the fund covers remaining expenses.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires all Vermont public high school students to complete a semester-long personal finance course in either 11th or 12th grade as a graduation requirement. The State Board of Education must develop and maintain performance standards covering topics like budgeting, credit management, investing, taxes, and retirement planning. The bill also directs the Board to oversee course implementation by establishing teacher certification requirements, approving curriculum providers, and offering professional development for educators. The law takes effect on July 1, 2023, applying to students graduating in the 2024-2025 school year or later.

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 is a ceremonial resolution that honors organizations and individuals working to improve rural broadband access in Vermont. It recognizes the Communications Union Districts (CUDs) and related groups like the Vermont Communications Union Districts Association and the Vermont Community Broadband Board for their efforts in building broadband networks. The resolution acknowledges past legislative actions that created funding and oversight structures to support these broadband initiatives. It does not change any laws or policies but serves to formally recognize the achievements of these groups in expanding internet access to over 200 municipalities.

Maddy summaryThis bill designates January 23-27, 2023, as the first annual Holocaust Education Week in Vermont. It directly affects Vermont schools and educational institutions by establishing a formal period for Holocaust education activities. The resolution directs the Secretary of State to send copies of the document to the Vermont Holocaust Memorial and the Agency of Education to facilitate the event. This commemorative measure recognizes the historical significance of the Holocaust and aims to increase awareness through organized educational programming during the designated week.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a new regulatory framework for earned wage access services in Vermont, requiring companies that provide early access to employees' unpaid wages to register with the state's financial regulator. The law mandates that these providers offer services on a nonrecourse basis, meaning they cannot sue consumers or use debt collectors to recover funds if employees do not repay the advanced wages. Key provisions include requiring clear written disclosures about service terms and fees, prohibiting mandatory charges for accessing earned wages, and banning late fees or penalties on outstanding amounts. The bill also ensures consumers can cancel their participation at any time without fees and must receive a free option for accessing their funds.

Maddy summaryThis bill is a ceremonial resolution that congratulates Dan Yates on being named the 2022 Vermont Community Banker of the Year. It directly affects only Dan Yates, the president of Brattleboro Savings & Loan, by formally recognizing his achievements in community banking and civic leadership. The resolution does not create any new laws, regulations, or funding; it simply directs the Secretary of State to send a copy of the acknowledgment to Yates. This type of bill is non-binding and has no impact on policy or government operations.

Maddy summaryThis bill updates Vermont's rules for handling abandoned motor vehicles by clarifying definitions and adjusting procedures for towing and paperwork. It expands the definition of "motor vehicle" to include any powered vehicle with registration plates, identification numbers, or titles, and sets specific criteria for what counts as abandoned based on how long a vehicle has been left without owner consent. The law increases the time towing companies have to complete required paperwork from 30 to 90 days and raises the state reimbursement rate for towing abandoned vehicles from public property from $40 to $125. Additionally, the bill establishes a $16,000 annual funding limit for towing services on public property, with no single company eligible for more than half of that amount. These changes take effect on July 1, 2023, and primarily affect towing operators, property owners, and state agencies involved in vehicle removal.