Rep. Paul Clifford

Maddy summaryThis bill requires all Vermont public high school students to complete a semester-long personal finance course in either 11th or 12th grade as a graduation requirement. The State Board of Education must develop and maintain performance standards covering topics like budgeting, credit management, investing, taxes, and retirement planning. The bill also directs the Board to oversee course implementation by establishing teacher certification requirements, approving curriculum providers, and offering professional development for educators. The law takes effect on July 1, 2023, applying to students graduating in the 2024-2025 school year or later.

Maddy summaryThis bill designates February 2023 as School Board Recognition Month in Vermont to acknowledge the contributions of school board members. It formally recognizes these citizen leaders for their essential role in public education governance and their unique form of civic engagement. The resolution directs the Secretary of State to send a copy of the document to the Vermont School Board Association. This is a ceremonial measure that does not change laws or policies but serves to honor school board members.

Maddy summaryThis bill directs the Vermont State Highway Safety Office to prepare a written report by January 15, 2024, recommending how the state should adjust its approach to educating about, enforcing, and prosecuting distracted driving violations for noncommercial drivers. The report must consult with various state agencies and organizations, examine current enforcement methods like fines and license suspensions, and specifically consider strategies for drivers under 18 years old. The legislation does not change any existing laws but requires officials to analyze what is working and what needs improvement in addressing distracted driving.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires the state to conduct a feasibility study for building a bicycle path alongside U.S. Route 5, covering approximately 190 miles from the Massachusetts border to the Canadian border. The study must examine construction and maintenance costs, potential funding sources, logistical challenges, construction timelines, and the project's impact on Vermont's tourism industry and local municipalities. The analysis will determine whether a continuous route or a segmented, phased approach is more practical for implementation.

Maddy summaryThis bill increases fines and adds more points to driving records for drivers who use portable electronic devices, such as phones, while operating a moving vehicle. It directly affects all drivers in Vermont who are caught texting or using handheld devices while driving. The law raises the minimum fine for a first violation from $25 to $100 and increases the maximum fine from $200 to $250, while also raising fines for repeat offenses and adding more points to driving records. Drivers who violate these rules in school zones or work zones face even higher penalties, including additional fines and more points on their license. The bill also clarifies that drivers who cause an accident due to texting will face a minimum $500 fine and 10 points on their driving record.

Maddy summaryThis bill is a ceremonial resolution that honors organizations and individuals working to improve rural broadband access in Vermont. It recognizes the Communications Union Districts (CUDs) and related groups like the Vermont Communications Union Districts Association and the Vermont Community Broadband Board for their efforts in building broadband networks. The resolution acknowledges past legislative actions that created funding and oversight structures to support these broadband initiatives. It does not change any laws or policies but serves to formally recognize the achievements of these groups in expanding internet access to over 200 municipalities.

Maddy summaryThis bill designates January 23-27, 2023, as the first annual Holocaust Education Week in Vermont. It directly affects Vermont schools and educational institutions by establishing a formal period for Holocaust education activities. The resolution directs the Secretary of State to send copies of the document to the Vermont Holocaust Memorial and the Agency of Education to facilitate the event. This commemorative measure recognizes the historical significance of the Holocaust and aims to increase awareness through organized educational programming during the designated week.

Maddy summaryThis bill proposes changes to Vermont's housing programs to increase funding and expand eligibility for rental housing improvements, primarily affecting private landlords and nonprofit housing organizations. It would amend existing programs to allow grants and forgivable loans for rehabilitating non-compliant units, building new accessory dwelling units, and creating new rental units, with a cap of $50,000 per unit and a requirement for landlords to contribute at least 20% in matching funds or services. The legislation also creates a new Middle-Income Rental Housing Revolving Loan Program to provide subsidized loans for rental developments serving middle-income households, while exempting smaller municipalities from certain zoning requirements and allowing towns to register with state agencies to issue wastewater permits without full state permits. Additionally, it would reduce the number of residents who can appeal zoning decisions from 10 to a lower threshold and exempt certain downtown housing projects from state environmental review requirements.

Maddy summaryThis bill expands the Vermont National Guard Tuition Benefit Program to include courses at out-of-state colleges that offer degree programs not available in Vermont. It directly affects Vermont National Guard members who wish to pursue education at institutions outside the state. The key provision allows eligible service members to use their tuition benefits at these non-Vermont schools approved for federal funding, with benefits calculated at the University of Vermont's in-state tuition rate. The change takes effect on July 1, 2023, and does not alter existing benefits for in-state institutions.

Maddy summaryThis bill prohibits Vermont from adopting California's Clean Air Act waiver for setting motor vehicle emission standards. It directly affects the Secretary of Natural Resources and the Department of Motor Vehicles by amending state statutes to explicitly bar the use of California rules for new motor vehicles. The legislation repeals existing Vermont rules for low emission and zero emission vehicles and establishes a July 1, 2023 effective date for these changes.