Rep. Tom Burditt

Maddy summaryHCR 54 is a ceremonial resolution honoring Thomas Paul Salmon, a former Vermont Representative, Governor (75th), and Interim University of Vermont President. The resolution expresses the General Assembly's condolences to his family following his death on January 14, 2025, and directs the Secretary of State to send a copy of the resolution to them. It commemorates his career, including his two terms as governor (1972-1978) and his six-year tenure as UVM Interim President. As a non-binding memorial resolution, it has no policy impact or direct effect on constituents.

Maddy summaryHCR 13 is a non-binding memorial resolution honoring Robert Louis Picher, the former Clerk of the Vermont House of Representatives. It commemorates his 30 years of service (1963-1993, plus 2002 acting role), military career, legal background, and community contributions. The resolution expresses the Vermont General Assembly’s condolences to his family and directs the Secretary of State to send a copy to them. This is purely ceremonial with no policy changes or affected constituents.

Maddy summaryHCR 48 is a ceremonial resolution honoring former Vermont House Representative Curt McCormack of Burlington, who died in September 2024. It recognizes his environmental advocacy (including pioneering work on chlorofluorocarbon limits), transportation leadership (as Bicycle-Pedestrian Coordinator and House Transportation Committee Chair), and service as a Peace Corps volunteer in Senegal. The resolution extends condolences to his family and directs the Secretary of State to send a copy to them. This procedural resolution does not create policy changes or affect any constituents.

Maddy summaryH 411 updates Vermont's public safety laws with several key changes. It extends extradition timelines to 120 days for individuals violating bail, probation, or parole in another state, and mandates a minimum five-year prison sentence for high-risk sex offenders who fail to comply with registry requirements. The bill restricts judges from using alternative sentences for repeat offenders or those violating probation without written justification, and changes the process for sealing criminal records to make sealing standard for most completed sentences with limited access for criminal justice and licensing purposes. Additionally, it transfers juvenile case jurisdiction for certain offenses from the Family Division to the Criminal Division and repeals a law that had raised the age of juvenile jurisdiction to 19.

Maddy summaryH.57, "Jessica's Law," would extend Vermont's existing $80,000 survivor benefit for emergency personnel to law enforcement officers. It requires the state to pay this benefit to surviving spouses, children, or parents when a certified law enforcement officer dies "in the line of duty" or from an occupation-related illness. The bill amends existing law to include law enforcement officers under the same eligibility criteria and benefit structure currently applied to firefighters and emergency personnel. The benefit would be administered by a state review board and take effect on July 1, 2025.

Maddy summaryH 379 creates a "second look" sentencing process in Vermont for incarcerated individuals serving 15+ years. It allows people who have served at least 15 years to petition their original sentencing court for a sentence reduction, directly affecting those currently serving long sentences (including life sentences or 50+ year terms). Key mechanisms include mandatory notice to the court, prosecutor, and public defender after 15 years of incarceration, a structured petition process with required documentation, and expedited hearings for those with serious health conditions or who are 60+ years old after 25 years served. The bill aims to reduce Vermont's high rate of life-sentence inmates (20% of the incarcerated population) and lower annual incarceration costs ($134,218 per person).

Maddy summaryHCR 30 is a memorial resolution honoring Donald H. Turner Jr., a former Vermont Representative, House Republican Leader, and Milton Town Manager. The resolution expresses the General Assembly's condolences to his family following his death in November 2024 and directs copies of the resolution to his family, the Milton Town Clerk, and the Milton Fire Department. This procedural resolution commemorates his public service, including his 30+ years with the Milton Fire Department and his legislative career representing Milton.

Maddy summaryH 324 raises the mandatory retirement age for Vermont police and law enforcement officers in the State Retirement System from 57 to 65 years. It specifically affects Group C members of the Vermont State Retirement System who work in the Department of Public Safety, including current officers and the Commissioner of Public Safety appointed before July 1, 2000. The bill changes the retirement rule so these employees must stay in service until they reach age 65, unless they are serving a fixed-term appointment (allowing them to stay until their term ends). The law takes effect on July 1, 2025.

Maddy summaryThis is a ceremonial resolution (HCR 26) honoring Burlington High School alumna Ilona Maher for winning a bronze medal with the U.S. women's rugby sevens team at the 2024 Paris Olympics. It formally congratulates her on this achievement and directs Vermont's Secretary of State to send a copy of the resolution to her. The resolution has no policy impact - it solely serves to recognize her athletic accomplishment and community ties. It was adopted by the Vermont House and Senate in February 2025 as a symbolic gesture.

Maddy summaryH 303 bans the land application of septage (septic tank waste), sludge (wastewater treatment byproduct), and biosolids (treated sewage solids) for agricultural use. It also prohibits selling compost or soil products containing these materials. The law applies directly to farmers, waste treatment facilities, and businesses producing agricultural products. The ban takes effect July 1, 2025, replacing current testing requirements for land application.