Rep. Bill Canfield

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 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 legislative bill is a ceremonial resolution that formally recognizes the 100th anniversary of the Vermont State Parks system. It commemorates the historical significance of the parks, which began in 1924 with a donation of land that became Mt. Philo State Park, and acknowledges the contributions of Civilian Conservation Corps workers and private foundations to their development. The resolution does not create new laws or change policies but serves to honor the parks' legacy and their role in Vermont's outdoor economy. It directs the Secretary of State to send copies of the resolution to relevant state agencies and the Vermont Parks Forever foundation.

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 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 bill protects school district and supervisory union employees from disciplinary action when they testify before school boards, supervisory union boards, or state education agencies. It amends existing state law to explicitly include these local and state education venues where employees can speak without fear of punishment from their employers. However, the law maintains that employees cannot share confidential information about the school district or its students and staff, and they must clarify they are not speaking on behalf of their employer unless authorized to do so. The changes take effect on July 1, 2024, ensuring employees can participate in public testimony while protecting sensitive information.

Maddy summaryThis bill would eliminate registration fees for personal vehicles owned by volunteer firefighters that are authorized for emergency use. It applies to individual volunteer firefighters who have written permission to use their vehicles for fire or rescue activities and have permits for emergency lights and sirens. The legislation amends Vermont state law to set the registration fee at $0 for these specific vehicles, while maintaining a $15 fee for vehicles owned by volunteer fire departments themselves. The changes would take effect on July 1, 2024, and directly benefit volunteer firefighters in Vermont who currently pay standard registration costs for their emergency response vehicles.

Maddy summaryThis bill proposes to restructure the governance of the Vermont State Colleges Corporation by eliminating the Chancellor position and reducing the number of legislative trustees from two to one, while adding one faculty trustee and one staff trustee to the Board of Trustees. The legislation would also remove requirements for structural deficit reductions and maintaining current campuses as educational centers, giving the Board more flexibility in managing the system. Additionally, the bill establishes a new Office of the President to oversee shared services across institutions and requires annual reporting to the General Assembly on the costs and allocation of these shared services. The changes would take effect by August 1, 2024, with the two longest-serving legislative trustees being replaced by the new faculty and staff representatives.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates an exemption to Vermont's 72-hour waiting period for firearm transfers, allowing individuals who already own a gun to transfer one without waiting if they provide proof of ownership. The law establishes a new program where the Department of Public Safety can issue proof of firearms ownership cards to current gun owners, which would serve as valid documentation for this transfer exemption. To qualify for the card, applicants must submit a form under penalty of perjury confirming they own a firearm, and the department will deny applications from people prohibited from owning guns or subject to certain protective orders. The state would charge a $25 fee for each card issued, and the card must include the owner's identifying information and photograph.

Maddy summaryThis bill proposes to increase fines and add more points to driving records for using portable electronic devices like phones while driving in Vermont. It directly affects all drivers who use handheld devices or text while operating a moving vehicle on highways. The bill establishes higher penalties for violations in school zones and work zones where construction or maintenance crews are present, with fines ranging from $250 to $1,000 and additional points on driving records. It also creates a new Distracted Driving Diversion Program to offer an alternative to traditional penalties for eligible first-time offenders. The legislation applies to both junior operators and licensed drivers, with specific provisions preventing duplicate penalties for the same incident.