Maddy summaryThis bill creates a study committee to examine whether Vermont should adopt a statewide residential building code, specifically the International Residential Code, to address the current lack of uniform construction standards for single-family homes. The committee will include representatives from government agencies, construction industry groups, housing organizations, and insurance associations who will assess how a standardized code would impact safety, compliance, disaster resilience, sustainability, and housing affordability. The group must submit a written report with its findings and recommendations to the General Assembly by December 15, 2024, after holding meetings starting by July 15, 2024, and will cease to exist on January 1, 2025.
Sponsored bills
Maddy summaryThis bill reorganizes building safety oversight in Vermont by renaming the Division of Fire Safety to the Division of Fire and Building Safety and transferring authority over residential and commercial building energy standards from the Department of Public Service to this new division. The legislation also requires the Office of Professional Regulation to update its building contractor registry with more detailed information and mandates that energy code compliance certificates be issued before buildings can receive occupancy permits. Additionally, the bill directs the Department of Public Service to create an online application and certification tool for small residential projects and calls for the adoption of a statewide residential building construction code to improve enforcement and compliance with energy standards.
Maddy summaryThis bill creates the Climate Superfund Cost Recovery Program, which would require fossil fuel companies that operated in Vermont between 2000 and 2019 to pay for their share of climate change costs. The program targets entities involved in extracting coal, oil, or natural gas, charging them based on how much greenhouse gas their products contributed to global emissions. Money collected from these payments would go into a dedicated fund to finance climate resilience projects like flood protections, upgraded infrastructure, and health programs addressing climate-related health risks. The law defines specific types of infrastructure projects eligible for funding and establishes rules for determining which companies must pay and how much they owe.
Maddy summaryThis bill requires Vermont's Commissioner of Labor to waive unemployment insurance overpayments when repayment would be against equity and good conscience. It directly affects individuals who have received unemployment benefits by mistake or due to errors made by the Department of Labor or their employers. The law defines "ordinary living expenses" to include costs like food, housing, utilities, and medical care, and establishes specific criteria for waiving overpayments, such as when a person's household income is at or below 185 percent of the federal poverty level or when they have relied on the overpaid funds for essential needs. Additionally, the bill mandates that the Commissioner notify applicants of their right to request a waiver and provides procedures for appealing denial decisions.
Maddy summaryThis bill modifies Vermont's career and technical education system by changing how school districts are charged tuition based on student enrollment, requiring career exposure for younger students, and shifting oversight from the State Board of Education to the Secretary of Education. It mandates that students in grades six through eight visit CTE centers annually, ensures middle and high school students have access to career exploration courses, and requires local unions to adopt comprehensive career development policies aligned with state models. The legislation also establishes a timeline for developing these policies, includes CTE facilities in state construction aid updates, and creates accountability measures for districts that fail to comply with new requirements.
Maddy summaryThis bill establishes oversight and liability standards for developers and deployers of inherently dangerous artificial intelligence systems in Vermont. It requires these entities to submit safety and impact assessments to the state before deploying such systems and every two years thereafter, with additional requirements when significant changes are made. The legislation defines inherently dangerous AI systems as those that pose serious risks to public safety, health, or economic security, including systems that can make consequential decisions affecting critical areas like employment, housing, and healthcare. The state Attorney General is authorized to enforce compliance through legal action, which may include injunctions or revocation of business certificates for noncompliance. Small businesses using off-the-shelf AI products according to their terms of use are explicitly excluded from these requirements.
Maddy summaryThis bill creates a new forgivable loan option within Vermont's existing Economic Growth Incentive program, specifically for businesses with 50 or fewer full-time employees. The legislation also removes the previous deadline that prevented the Vermont Economic Progress Council from accepting new applications for the program. Under the new provisions, eligible small businesses could receive loans that are forgiven if they maintain their workforce levels and meet specific job creation or investment requirements during the loan term. The bill defines qualifying jobs as positions paying at least 60% above the state minimum wage with benefits like health care and paid leave. These changes aim to provide financial support to smaller businesses while maintaining the program's ability to generate new state revenue.
Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a regulatory framework for developers and deployers of high-risk and generative artificial intelligence systems in Vermont. It requires developers to use reasonable care to prevent algorithmic discrimination and mandates disclosure of system limitations, intended uses, and data collection practices before providing high-risk AI systems to deployers. The legislation also defines key terms such as consequential decisions, synthetic digital content, and social media platforms to clarify which systems fall under the new regulations.
Maddy summaryThis bill, known as the Transportation Infrastructure and Resiliency Act of 2024, directs state funding and policy changes to improve roads, support electric vehicle adoption, and enhance transportation options across Vermont. It increases funding for road repair programs, provides grants for eBike and electric vehicle charging infrastructure, and establishes new rules allowing property owners to install charging stations. The legislation also expands funding for bicycle and pedestrian projects, creates a plan for carsharing expansion, and requires the state to develop new revenue sources for transportation and environmental initiatives. Additionally, it allows certain areas to set speed limits below 25 mph and mandates reporting on electric vehicle outreach efforts and charging station availability.
Maddy summaryThis bill would require online companies to design their services with children's best interests in mind if those services are likely to be accessed by minors under 18. It mandates that companies consider different developmental stages when creating features and prohibits the use of deceptive user interface designs known as dark patterns that could manipulate children's choices. The law applies to businesses operating in Vermont and defines specific rules for how personal data about children can be collected, processed, and shared, including restrictions on profiling and geolocation tracking. Companies must also provide clear default settings that protect children's privacy rather than requiring them to opt out of data collection.