Rep. Jarrod Sammis

Maddy summaryThis Senate concurrent resolution honors Castleton Town Mechanic Robert B. Ward for his 24-year career in municipal public service. The bill formally recognizes his contributions, which included maintaining municipal vehicles, performing repairs for town departments, and designing structures to support youth programs. It directs the Secretary of State to send a copy of the resolution to Ward as a gesture of appreciation. This type of resolution does not create new laws or policies but serves as an official acknowledgment of an individual's service.

Maddy summaryThis House resolution expresses support for Abenaki communities in Vermont and encourages greater appreciation of Abenaki culture during Abenaki Recognition and Heritage Week and throughout the year. The bill directly affects the Vermont Commission on Native American Affairs and the four state-recognized Abenaki tribes and bands by directing the House Clerk to send copies of the resolution to these entities. The resolution acknowledges past injustices, including state-sanctioned eugenics and sterilizations, and recognizes existing legislative efforts such as free hunting and fishing licenses for certified Native Americans and the establishment of a Truth and Reconciliation Commission. It serves as a formal statement of support rather than creating new policy requirements or funding allocations.

Maddy summaryThis legislative resolution formally congratulates individuals who achieved significant scouting milestones in 2022. It honors 35 young people who earned the Eagle Scout rank and one individual, Katherine Lewis, who received the Summit Award for Venturing. The General Assembly directs the Secretary of State to send copies of this recognition to each person named in the resolution. This ceremonial document acknowledges their accomplishments but does not create new laws or policy changes.

Maddy summaryThis House concurrent resolution congratulates Mikaela Shiffrin on her historic 2022-2023 World Cup Alpine ski racing achievements, including becoming the winningest female Alpine racer of all time with 88 victories and setting a new all-time World Cup record with 87 event wins. The resolution recognizes her accomplishments, which include winning races in all six World Cup Alpine disciplines and accumulating 138 career podiums. It directs the Secretary of State to send a copy of the resolution to Shiffrin and U.S. Ski & Snowboard as a formal acknowledgment of her record-setting performance.

Maddy summaryThis Vermont House resolution reaffirms the state's friendship with Taiwan and expresses support for strengthening bilateral relations between both the United States and Taiwan, as well as Vermont and Taiwan. The bill highlights existing trade relationships, noting that Taiwan is Vermont's second-largest export destination and the U.S.'s eighth-largest trading partner. It specifically calls for a memorandum of understanding between Vermont and Taiwan to increase educational exchanges and cooperation. The resolution directs the House Clerk to send copies to relevant state and federal officials, including President Biden and Taiwan's President Tsai Ing-wen.

Maddy summaryThis House concurrent resolution formally congratulates organizations in Vermont that won the Spirit of the ADA Award in 2020, 2021, and 2022 for their efforts in creating inclusive workplaces for people with disabilities. The resolution recognizes these winners for implementing accessibility in hiring, providing job accommodations, ensuring accessible physical structures, and developing employment strategies that include hiring individuals with disabilities. It directs the Secretary of State to send copies of the resolution to each award-winning organization as a gesture of appreciation for their contributions to equal economic opportunities. The measure does not create new laws or policies but serves as an official acknowledgment of past achievements by these businesses and organizations.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates the Small Farmer Diversification and Transition Program within Vermont's Agency of Agriculture, Food and Markets to provide financial grants to small farmers. The program offers up to $15,000 per farmer annually to help with costs related to diversifying farm products, transitioning between different types of farming, processing products on-site, or developing accessory on-farm businesses. Eligible applicants must demonstrate they are small farmers, have a viable plan for additional income, and meet specific animal housing limits, with applications accepted between November 1 and December 31 each year. The bill appropriates $350,000 in one-time funds for fiscal year 2024 to implement the program, which takes effect on July 1, 2023.

Maddy summaryThis legislative resolution designates April 18, 2023, as USS VERMONT Day in Vermont to honor the submarine and its crew. The bill formally recognizes the vessel, which was commissioned in 2020 and is the third U.S. Navy ship named after Vermont, and celebrates the service of its officers and enlisted personnel. It directs the Secretary of State to send a copy of the resolution to the USS VERMONT and its support group. This is a commemorative measure that does not change laws or policies but serves to acknowledge military service.

Maddy summaryThis bill proposes stricter penalties for individuals convicted of driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs when the accident causes injury or death to a minor under 18 years old. It directly affects drivers charged with DUI offenses that result in harm to children, requiring them to serve additional prison time beyond any other sentences they receive. Under the new provisions, drivers causing injury to a minor would face a minimum of five years in prison, while those causing death to a minor would face a minimum of 15 years in prison. The bill adds these enhanced penalties to existing DUI laws without changing how other offenses are punished.

Maddy summaryThis bill is a ceremonial resolution that commemorates the 90th anniversary of the Civilian Conservation Corps, a New Deal program established in 1933 to provide jobs for unemployed young men on conservation projects. The resolution honors the memory of the three million men who participated in the CCC and specifically acknowledges the program's significant impact on Vermont's natural resources, including the establishment of more than 30 camps in the state. It does not change any laws or policies but serves as an official recognition of the program's historical importance and legacy of forest management, park development, and trail construction.