Rep. Zak Harvey

Maddy summaryThis bill recognizes March 25, 2026, as National Medal of Honor Day in Vermont to honor the state's military history and Medal of Honor recipients. It directs the Secretary of State to send a copy of the resolution to the Green Mountain Submarine Veterans and the Vermont Office of Veterans Affairs. The resolution commemorates Vermont's 64 Medal of Honor recipients, including the youngest recipient, Willie Johnston, and acknowledges the significance of March 25 as the date the first medals were issued in 1863. This is a commemorative resolution that does not change laws or create new programs but serves to formally acknowledge the state's military heritage.

Maddy summaryThis bill would allow individuals in Vermont to choose between taking an oath or making an affirmation in any legal or official situation where an affirmation is currently required. It directly affects people who appear before courts, government officials, or other authorities in the state who need to swear to the truthfulness of their statements. The key provision adds the option to swear an oath to existing affirmation requirements throughout the Vermont Statutes Annotated, giving people a choice rather than mandating one specific method. This change does not create new obligations but expands the ways people can legally commit to telling the truth in official settings.

Maddy summaryThis bill welcomes the officers and crew of the U.S. submarine USS VERMONT (SSN 792) to the Vermont State House on March 17, 2026, and designates April 18, 2026, as USS VERMONT Day in the state. The resolution directs the Secretary of State to send a copy of the document to the submarine's commanding officer and support group as an official acknowledgment. It recognizes the vessel's recent achievements, including its participation in the AUKUS security partnership and its completion of maintenance in Australia. The bill also notes that an information display about the submarine will be shown at the State House the day before the designated USS VERMONT Day.

Maddy summaryThis bill proposes increasing the fee that point-of-sale agents can keep when selling hunting licenses or lottery applications in Vermont from $1.50 to $5.00. The change applies to both situations where the Department of Fish and Wildlife receives part of the original fee and cases where the department receives none of the fee. The legislation directly affects agents who sell hunting licenses and the state's revenue structure for wildlife conservation. No new hunting regulations or license requirements are being added, only the commission amount for agents is being adjusted.

Maddy summaryHCR 178 is a ceremonial resolution honoring former Vermont State Senator William H. Carris of Wells. It commemorates his life and service, including his career as a business leader (founder of Carris Reels, which implemented an employee stock ownership plan), his philanthropy, and his three terms in the Vermont Senate (2006-2016). The resolution extends the General Assembly's sympathy to his family and directs the Secretary of State to send a copy to them. As a non-binding tribute, it has no policy impact or direct effect on constituents or legislation.

Maddy summaryHCR 196 is a ceremonial resolution honoring U.S. Army Major General Gregory Knight, Vermont's Adjutant and Inspector General, for his 43-year military and public service career. It formally commends his service - including deployments to Iraq, academic achievements, leadership in the Vermont National Guard, and his seven-year tenure as the state's top military officer - and directs the Secretary of State to send a copy of the resolution to him and the Vermont National Guard. This resolution does not create new laws or affect policy; it is a symbolic gesture of recognition. The bill was offered by all members of both the House and Senate.

Maddy summaryThis bill (H.900) would exempt all Social Security benefits from Vermont's personal income tax. It directly affects Vermont residents who receive Social Security benefits, including retirement, disability, or survivor payments. The key provision removes the state tax liability on these benefits, meaning recipients would no longer pay Vermont income tax on that income. The bill aims to provide tax relief for this specific group of Vermonters.

Maddy summaryThis House Concurrent Resolution designates February 11, 2026, as "Disability Advocacy Day" at the Vermont State House. It recognizes the work of disability rights groups like the Vermont Coalition for Disability Rights (VCDR) and highlights ongoing challenges such as educational disparities and barriers in employment, housing, and transportation faced by Vermonters with disabilities. The resolution does not create new laws or funding but formally acknowledges these issues and the contributions of people with disabilities. It directs the Secretary of State to send a copy to VCDR.

Maddy summaryH.879 amends Vermont's permit process for applying chemicals to control invasive aquatic species in state waters. It requires property owners of private ponds to apply directly for permits, while municipalities or lake associations (with multiple groups needing joint applications) must apply for all other water bodies. The bill mandates that chemical use be a "measure of last resort" only after nonchemical methods fail, and applicants must prove minimal harm to non-target species. This directly affects pond owners, local governments, and lake associations seeking to manage invasive plants or animals like zebra mussels. The policy emphasizes prevention as the most effective and cost-efficient approach, aligning with Vermont's precautionary principle for water resource management.

Maddy summaryH.871 requires individuals who receive unemployment benefits while failing to conduct required work interviews or providing false information to employers to repay those benefits. It increases penalties for fraud, including up to $5,000 fines and up to a five-year ban from benefits, and mandates quarterly data checks by the Department of Labor using state databases (like job placement records, incarceration data, and health records) to detect fraud. This bill directly affects unemployment benefit recipients who commit fraud or skip work search requirements. Key provisions include clarifying repayment obligations under §1347, strengthening penalties under §1368, and adding mandatory data cross-checks via new §1314b. The law takes effect July 1, 2026.