Rep. Zak Harvey

Maddy summaryThis bill exempts Social Security benefits from Vermont's state income tax for most recipients, based on income levels. It fully excludes benefits for single filers earning under $55,000 or married couples filing jointly earning under $70,000 annually, with partial exemptions for higher earners up to $65,000 (single) or $80,000 (married). Additionally, it caps annual property tax increases at 1% for all homeowners. The policy directly affects Vermont residents receiving Social Security benefits and homeowners, aiming to reduce tax burdens for low- to moderate-income seniors and households.

Maddy summaryH 876 requires Vermont State's Attorneys, Sheriffs' offices, and the Attorney General’s Criminal Division to submit annual, de-identified reports to the Governor and General Assembly. The reports must detail case data including arrests/referrals per offense, prosecutions accepted, pre-charge diversions, dismissals (with categorical reasons), and case dispositions (e.g., convictions via plea, trial, or dismissal types). Reports must be compiled uniformly, searchable by jurisdiction and offense, and submitted by March 1 each year. This bill aims to increase public accountability by providing lawmakers with standardized data on prosecutorial decisions.

Maddy summaryH.872 mandates minimum prison sentences for repeat violent offenders in Vermont. It requires a minimum sentence of half the maximum term (up to life) for anyone convicted of a third violent felony - defined as a felony with violence against a person - after two prior such convictions. The bill prohibits suspended sentences, probation, parole, or early release for the first three years of this mandatory term. It also amends sentencing rules to ban suspended sentences for all violent felony convictions, not just repeat offenders. This bill directly affects individuals with multiple violent felony convictions, changing their sentencing outcomes under Vermont law.

Maddy summaryThis bill clarifies that in stalking cases, a "course of conduct" can include multiple acts occurring within a single day, rather than requiring separate calendar days. It amends Vermont's criminal and civil stalking definitions (12 V.S.A. §5131 and 13 V.S.A. §1061) to explicitly state that two or more acts establishing a course of conduct do not need to happen on different days. The change directly affects victims of stalking, prosecutors, and courts by making it easier to prove stalking cases involving repeated incidents within a single timeframe. This update simplifies the legal standard without altering penalties or expanding the definition of stalking itself.

Maddy summaryThis bill (H.875) amends Vermont law to criminalize the possession and promotion of computer-generated images that appear indistinguishable from real child sexual abuse material. It specifically targets AI-created images depicting minors engaging in sexual conduct if an ordinary person would believe they show actual children. The law includes limited exceptions for medical, academic, law enforcement, and AI safety testing (e.g., developers testing systems to prevent such content). It explicitly excludes paintings, drawings, and nonvisual descriptions from the ban. The bill directly affects individuals creating, sharing, or possessing such AI-generated images that meet the "indistinguishable" standard.

Maddy summaryVermont's H 855 prohibits defendants in civil lawsuits from claiming that autonomous artificial intelligence (AI) independently caused harm to a plaintiff. It directly affects companies or individuals who develop, modify, or use AI systems that result in injury. The bill bans this specific defense while allowing other legal arguments, such as negligence or foreseeability. It defines AI broadly as systems that generate outputs to influence environments based on input, without altering other defenses under the law.

Maddy summaryH.869 requires Vermont union school districts to fill vacancies on school boards where seats are tied to specific towns by appointing an eligible person chosen by that town's selectboard. The district must notify the selectboard within five days of a vacancy, and the selectboard has 30 days to select a replacement to serve until the next election. This applies to districts using proportional representation (based on town population) or a modified at-large system for town-specific seats. The bill standardizes the vacancy-filling process for these districts, replacing prior unspecified procedures.

Maddy summaryThis bill (H.842) revises Vermont’s Commission on Public School Employee Health Benefits by reducing its membership from 10 to 9 members, making the Secretary of Education the chair, and limiting alternate members. It requires the Commission to cap the actuarial value of health benefit plans and consider specific factors when making decisions, while adding new dispute resolution options for negotiations. The bill directly affects public school employees and employers in Vermont, as the Commission manages health benefits for school staff. It also mandates that the Secretary of Education contract with a single third-party provider to oversee health savings accounts for school employees.

Maddy summaryHCR 177 is a ceremonial resolution honoring Twin Valley High School's Athletic Director and boys' soccer coach Buddy Hayford for achieving 500 career coaching victories. It recognizes his 43-year coaching career, including 10 divisional titles, two state basketball titles, and his status as Vermont's first high school soccer coach to reach 500 wins. This resolution, offered by all House members and sponsoring senators, formally congratulates Hayford and directs the Secretary of State to send a copy to him and his school - **it is not a law but a symbolic gesture of appreciation**.

Maddy summaryHCR 172 is a commemorative resolution honoring Jon Gailmor, a Vermont folk singer and former Elmore Town Moderator who died in 2025. The resolution expresses the Vermont General Assembly’s condolences to his family and Elmore residents, recognizing his contributions as a musician who celebrated Vermont through songs like "A Town Meeting Tune" and his 15+ years serving as Elmore's town moderator. It directs the Secretary of State to send copies of the resolution to Gailmor’s family and the Elmore Town Clerk. This is a ceremonial measure with no policy impact.