Rep. Todd Nielsen

Maddy summaryH 247 requires all Vermont school districts and independent schools to create written cardiac emergency response plans by the 2025-2026 school year. These plans must include specific steps for responding to sudden cardiac arrest, such as establishing response teams, placing and maintaining AEDs, training staff in CPR/AED use, and integrating with local emergency services. The bill directly affects schools by mandating evidence-based protocols aligned with American Heart Association guidelines, covering both general school settings and athletic programs. Key provisions include annual plan reviews, staff training requirements, and coordination with community emergency responders. The law takes effect July 1, 2025.

Maddy summaryThis House Concurrent Resolution (HCR 29) is a ceremonial gesture congratulating Montgomery runner Elinor Purrier St. Pierre on her eighth-place finish in the women's 1500m at the 2024 Paris Olympics. It recognizes her athletic achievements, including American records and prior Olympic participation, as detailed in the resolution's "whereas" clauses. The resolution directs Vermont's Secretary of State to send a copy of the resolution to Ms. Purrier St. Pierre. As a symbolic tribute with no policy changes or direct effects, it does not alter laws or affect any constituents beyond expressing legislative recognition.

Maddy summaryThis ceremonial resolution honors the Vermont Old Cemetery Association (VOCA) for its 65+ years of preserving Vermont's historic cemeteries. VOCA provides restoration grants, veteran burial support, and educational resources (like its newsletter and book *Burial Grounds of Vermont*) to local cemetery groups and municipalities. The resolution formally recognizes VOCA's work without creating new laws, funding, or policy changes. It serves as a symbolic gesture of appreciation for the organization's contributions to cemetery preservation and public education.

Maddy summaryThis House Concurrent Resolution (HCR 12) is a non-binding ceremonial resolution expressing legislative congratulations to the University of Vermont (UVM) men's soccer team for winning their first NCAA Division I men's soccer championship (College Cup) in 2024. It formally recognizes the team's achievement, including their "Cardiac Cats" nickname and championship victory over Marshall University. The resolution directs the Secretary of State to send a copy to UVM Athletics but does not create any new policy, funding, or legal obligations. It is purely symbolic recognition of the team's athletic accomplishment.

Maddy summaryH.164 would change how Vermont distributes local option tax revenue to municipalities, increasing the share from 70% to 80% for the communities generating that revenue. It also requires that any surplus in the PILOT Special Fund (a fund for payments in lieu of taxes from state-owned properties) be distributed proportionally to the municipalities that contributed to the surplus. The bill directs the Joint Fiscal Office to prepare a report on transitioning to a system where the state retains only the minimal amount needed to administer the fund, aiming to eliminate future surpluses. This bill directly affects all Vermont municipalities receiving local option tax revenue and those contributing to the PILOT Special Fund.

Maddy summaryThis bill (H.150) reinstates an exemption allowing firearm transfers at gun shows to bypass Vermont's standard 72-hour waiting period. It directly affects gun show organizers, vendors, and attendees participating in firearm transactions at events sponsored by firearm-focused organizations (like competitive shooting clubs or collector groups). The key mechanism adds a specific exemption to Vermont law, stating that firearm transfers at qualifying gun shows are not subject to the 72-hour waiting period requirement. This policy change reverses a prior removal of this exemption, returning to a previous regulatory approach for gun show transactions.

Maddy summaryH 159 proposes to repeal Vermont's Renewable Energy Standard (RES), which required electricity providers to source increasing percentages of renewable energy. If passed, this bill would eliminate the legal requirement for Vermont's electricity providers to meet specific renewable energy procurement targets. The repeal would remove provisions mandating that providers purchase renewable energy to meet the RES, effectively ending the state's mandatory renewable energy goals. This directly affects all Vermont electricity providers subject to the RES, though it does not address existing renewable energy projects or contracts.

Maddy summaryH 128 requires the State's Attorney to request a specific release condition when someone not legally renting a dwelling is charged with unlawful drug activity there. The bill mandates that courts may prohibit such individuals from coming within a fixed distance of the dwelling as part of their release terms. This directly affects people facing drug charges in properties they do not lease or own. The provision applies to arraignment on next business day after citation or arrest for drug activity in non-tenant dwellings. The law takes effect July 1, 2025.

Maddy summaryVermont's JRH 1 is a joint resolution applying to Congress for a Convention of the States under Article V of the U.S. Constitution. It requests that such a convention propose constitutional amendments specifically focused on imposing fiscal restraints on the federal government, limiting federal power and jurisdiction, and establishing term limits for federal officials and members of Congress. The resolution states this application remains active until two-thirds of U.S. states apply for the same purpose, and directs the Secretary of State to send copies to federal officials and other state legislatures. This is a procedural step seeking to initiate a potential constitutional convention, not a direct policy change affecting residents.

Maddy summaryH 92 requires Vermont's Human Services Board to make fair hearing proceedings more transparent and accessible for people challenging decisions about benefits or services. The bill mandates two key changes: (1) allowing applicants a reasonable uninterrupted speaking time during hearings, and (2) requiring hearing officers and agency attorneys to use plain language instead of legal jargon. This directly affects individuals who dispute human services decisions, such as those involving welfare, disability, or housing assistance. The bill aims to simplify the process without altering the underlying eligibility rules.