Rep. Eric Maguire

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.407 protects Vermont farmers from nuisance lawsuits by establishing that agricultural activities generally do not constitute a nuisance if they follow "generally accepted agricultural practices." This applies to routine farm operations like crop cultivation, livestock management, and equipment use, directly affecting farmers and neighboring property owners who might otherwise file lawsuits. The bill requires parties to attempt mediation before filing a lawsuit and excludes protection if negligence or violations of water quality rules occur. It also ensures protection continues through ownership changes, farm method shifts, or temporary operational pauses (up to 10 years), preserving farm continuity.

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 317 prohibits credit card networks and payment processors from charging merchants fees on the tax or tip portion of a transaction. It requires merchants to report tax and gratuity amounts during payment processing, and if they don't, they may face fees on the full transaction amount. Merchants can correct inaccurate reports within 30 days, and payment networks must refund fees on tax/tip amounts if documentation is provided within 180 days. The law applies to all Vermont merchants accepting credit cards and takes effect July 1, 2025. Violations carry $1,000 penalties per transaction.

Maddy summaryH.320 aims to stabilize Vermont's rural hospitals by delaying certain financial changes until July 2026 while advancing other recommendations. The bill blocks the Green Mountain Care Board from implementing policies that limit hospital subsidies, restrict outpatient units, or standardize accounting methods before 2026, but requires them to simplify licensing and support freestanding clinics. It mandates the Board to collect hospital data to create stabilization plans by March 2026, directs health insurers to expand coverage options on Vermont's health exchange, and tasks medical education programs with placing trainees in rural hospitals using scholarship programs. These provisions directly affect rural hospitals, the Green Mountain Care Board, health insurers, and medical training programs across Vermont.

Maddy summaryThis House Concurrent Resolution (HCR 39) designates February 19, 2025, as "Recovery Day at the State House" to honor Vermonters in recovery from substance use disorders. It recognizes the work of organizations like VAMHAR and Recovery Partners of Vermont, which support recovery pathways and community connections. The resolution commemorates Recovery Day 2025's theme, "Recovery Rooted in Community Connection," and directs the Secretary of State to share the resolution with these organizations. As a ceremonial designation, it does not create new laws or funding but publicly acknowledges the recovery community's efforts.

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 272 would amend Vermont's zoning law to prevent municipalities from banning development on steep slopes. It removes a current provision (24 V.S.A. § 4411(3)(C)) that allowed towns to prohibit construction in such areas, replacing it with language permitting only regulation (like setting limits), not outright prohibition. This change directly affects local governments (municipalities) and developers seeking to build on sloped land, shifting zoning authority from local bans to regulatory standards. The bill is scheduled to take effect on July 1, 2025, and is currently under review by the Environment Committee.