Rep. Michael Boutin

Maddy summaryThis bill welcomes the officers and crew of the U.S. submarine USS VERMONT (SSN 792) to the Vermont State House on March 17, 2026, and designates April 18, 2026, as USS VERMONT Day in the state. The resolution directs the Secretary of State to send a copy of the document to the submarine's commanding officer and support group as an official acknowledgment. It recognizes the vessel's recent achievements, including its participation in the AUKUS security partnership and its completion of maintenance in Australia. The bill also notes that an information display about the submarine will be shown at the State House the day before the designated USS VERMONT Day.

Maddy summaryHCR 178 is a ceremonial resolution honoring former Vermont State Senator William H. Carris of Wells. It commemorates his life and service, including his career as a business leader (founder of Carris Reels, which implemented an employee stock ownership plan), his philanthropy, and his three terms in the Vermont Senate (2006-2016). The resolution extends the General Assembly's sympathy to his family and directs the Secretary of State to send a copy to them. As a non-binding tribute, it has no policy impact or direct effect on constituents or legislation.

Maddy summaryThis bill compensates the City of Barre for overpaying education property taxes between 2021 and 2024. It directs a $150,576 transfer from the General Fund to the Education Fund, then appropriates those funds to the Department of Taxes to pay the city. The payment covers overpayments caused by the city’s tax increment financing district retaining less tax revenue than required during those fiscal years. The bill directly affects the City of Barre’s finances by refunding specific overpayments to its general fund.

Maddy summaryHCR 196 is a ceremonial resolution honoring U.S. Army Major General Gregory Knight, Vermont's Adjutant and Inspector General, for his 43-year military and public service career. It formally commends his service - including deployments to Iraq, academic achievements, leadership in the Vermont National Guard, and his seven-year tenure as the state's top military officer - and directs the Secretary of State to send a copy of the resolution to him and the Vermont National Guard. This resolution does not create new laws or affect policy; it is a symbolic gesture of recognition. The bill was offered by all members of both the House and Senate.

Maddy summaryThis bill is a non-binding symbolic resolution designating February 2026 as "School Board Appreciation Month" in Vermont. It recognizes the work of locally elected school board members, who manage district budgets and make educational decisions affecting students and communities. The resolution directs the Secretary of State to send a copy to the Vermont School Board Association, with no new policies, funding, or obligations created. It serves purely as a commemorative gesture to acknowledge school board service.

Maddy summaryH 903 requires Vermont healthcare providers (physicians and psychiatrists) issuing mental health certification certificates under 18 V.S.A. §§ 7504 and 7508 to consider behavioral information from sources like family, caregivers, school staff, or law enforcement about the patient’s days/weeks prior to evaluation. It prohibits providers from relying solely on a patient’s immediate clinical presentation to determine if they meet the legal standard for "person in need of treatment." Instead, providers must also document additional risk information not visible during the exam, such as patterns of behavior observed outside a clinical setting. This bill directly affects mental health professionals making involuntary treatment certification decisions in Vermont.

Maddy summaryThis bill (H.900) would exempt all Social Security benefits from Vermont's personal income tax. It directly affects Vermont residents who receive Social Security benefits, including retirement, disability, or survivor payments. The key provision removes the state tax liability on these benefits, meaning recipients would no longer pay Vermont income tax on that income. The bill aims to provide tax relief for this specific group of Vermonters.

Maddy summaryThis House Concurrent Resolution designates February 11, 2026, as "Disability Advocacy Day" at the Vermont State House. It recognizes the work of disability rights groups like the Vermont Coalition for Disability Rights (VCDR) and highlights ongoing challenges such as educational disparities and barriers in employment, housing, and transportation faced by Vermonters with disabilities. The resolution does not create new laws or funding but formally acknowledges these issues and the contributions of people with disabilities. It directs the Secretary of State to send a copy to VCDR.

Maddy summaryHCR 181 is a ceremonial resolution congratulating 25 Vermont businesses and organizations that won the 2025 Spirit of the ADA Award. It formally recognizes these recipients - such as Walmart Rutland, Copley Hospital, and the Vermont Granite Museum - for their inclusive employment practices that align with the Americans with Disabilities Act. The resolution directs the Secretary of State to send each winner a copy of the resolution, with no policy changes or new requirements for the recipients. This is purely symbolic recognition, not a legislative action affecting laws or regulations.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a state program allowing Vermont municipalities to operate emergency shelters meeting disaster response standards, directly affecting towns and cities that provide such housing. It requires the state to reimburse municipalities for actual shelter costs, associated municipal services, and additional staffing, with $1,000,000 allocated from the PILOT Special Fund for public safety and medical services related to the program. Unspent 2027 program funds must be used by January 15, 2027, to provide grants for flood-resilient housing improvements and entry-level family housing (400-1,000 sq. ft., up to two bedrooms) in flood-affected communities.