Rep. Mary Howard

Maddy summaryThis bill is a ceremonial resolution that honors Sergeant at Arms Janet Miller for her service to the Vermont General Assembly. It recognizes her long career, which includes managing security, coordinating events, and overseeing the Legislative Council before she was elected to her current role five times. The resolution also acknowledges her specific contributions during the COVID-19 pandemic, including helping the legislature transition back to in-person meetings. The bill directs the Secretary of State to send a copy of this honor to Janet Miller, who has announced her retirement effective March 1, 2024.

Maddy summaryThis bill expands anti-discrimination protections in Vermont by adding housing status, which includes homelessness, to the list of protected characteristics in state laws covering public accommodations, housing, employment, and land use decisions. The legislation prohibits businesses, landlords, employers, and government agencies from refusing service, denying housing, discriminating in employment, or making discriminatory housing advertisements based on whether a person is homeless or perceived to be homeless. By amending existing statutes across multiple areas, the bill ensures that individuals experiencing homelessness receive the same legal protections against unfair treatment as other protected groups. The changes apply to public accommodations, real estate transactions, employment practices, and land use permitting, requiring compliance from owners, operators, employers, and relevant agencies throughout the state.

Maddy summaryThis bill proposes creating a temporary 10-year income tax surcharge on earnings above $500,000, with the revenue directed to a state reserve fund. It would increase taxes on secondary home ownership, short-term property sales with significant profits, and rentals at above-market rates. The legislation also introduces tax incentives for landlords who allow tenants to purchase their rental units or rent at below-market rates. Additionally, the bill establishes a task force to develop further tax incentives and penalties aimed at promoting affordable housing.

Maddy summaryThis bill is a ceremonial resolution that officially recognizes the week of February 26 to March 1 as Public Schools Week in Vermont. It does not create new laws or change policies but instead acknowledges the importance of public schools as community institutions and major employers. The resolution directs the Secretary of State to send copies to various education-related organizations, including the Vermont Secretary of Education and state education associations. This measure serves to honor the role of public schools in Vermont society without affecting any operational or funding aspects of the education system.

Maddy summaryThis legislative resolution designates February 16, 2024, as Vermont Outdoor Recreation Day at the State House to honor the state's natural landscape and outdoor activities. The measure recognizes Vermont's extensive trail systems, wildlife areas, and ski resorts as important assets for the economy, community well-being, and quality of life. While the resolution does not create new laws or funding, it formally acknowledges the value of outdoor recreation and directs state officials to be notified of the designation. The bill was passed by both the Senate and House without requiring a vote, following standard procedure for ceremonial resolutions.

Maddy summaryThis legislative bill is a ceremonial resolution that formally recognizes the 100th anniversary of the Vermont State Parks system. It commemorates the historical significance of the parks, which began in 1924 with a donation of land that became Mt. Philo State Park, and acknowledges the contributions of Civilian Conservation Corps workers and private foundations to their development. The resolution does not create new laws or change policies but serves to honor the parks' legacy and their role in Vermont's outdoor economy. It directs the Secretary of State to send copies of the resolution to relevant state agencies and the Vermont Parks Forever foundation.

Maddy summaryThis bill expands equal pay protections in Vermont by updating state law to prohibit wage discrimination based on sex, race, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity, color, religion, ancestry, place of birth, crime victim status, age, and disability status. It requires employers to pay employees performing equal work requiring equal skill, effort, and responsibility under similar conditions the same wage rate, with exceptions only for seniority, merit, production-based systems, or bona fide factors unrelated to protected characteristics. The law also prevents employers from lowering other employees' wages to comply with equal pay requirements and applies to workers aged 18 and older. These protections will take effect on July 1, 2024.

Maddy summaryThis bill updates Vermont's school branding and mascot laws to improve how complaints are handled and enforce compliance. It directly affects school districts, the Agency of Education, and private individuals or groups who may file complaints about school mascots or branding. The bill requires the Agency of Education to respond to complaints within a set timeframe and allows the agency to withhold public education funding if a school district fails to meet branding requirements. It also addresses legal resource imbalances between school districts and private complainants by creating an appeal process for decisions made by the Secretary of Education.

Maddy summaryThis House resolution honors Vermont television journalist Stewart Ledbetter for his 40 years of news reporting. The bill formally recognizes his career achievements, including his work as a news director, political campaign moderator, and recipient of multiple broadcast awards. It directs the House Clerk to send a copy of the resolution to Ledbetter and WPTZ, the television station where he worked.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends Vermont state law to clarify how harassment is defined and evaluated in schools, directly affecting students, families, and school administrators. It removes the requirement that harassment must be "severe or pervasive" to be unlawful, allowing a single incident to constitute harassment if it objectively undermines a student's education or creates an intimidating environment. The law also specifies that harassment can be determined by looking at all circumstances together rather than isolating individual incidents, and it clarifies that harassment can occur even if the student continues their education or if the conduct happens outside school grounds. However, the bill maintains that behavior considered a petty slight or trivial inconvenience by a reasonable person would not qualify as harassment. These changes take effect on July 1, 2024.