Rep. Michael Boutin

Maddy summaryH 761 prohibits the electronic issuance of temporary motor vehicle registrations and number plates in Vermont. It repeals the existing provision (23 V.S.A. § 518) that allowed electronic temporary plates and amends display requirements to mandate physical plates for temporary registrations. This directly affects Vermont drivers who need temporary plates for vehicles (e.g., during new purchases or relocation), requiring them to receive physical plates instead of digital alternatives. The bill takes effect on July 1, 2026, and focuses solely on the method of issuance without altering other registration rules.

Maddy summaryH.774 would freeze Vermont's education property tax rates at 2026 levels for the next three years (2027-2029), directly affecting all homeowners and property owners who pay these taxes. The bill requires tax rates to remain at 2026 levels regardless of local budget needs during this period. To ensure education funding stays fully supported, the bill mandates that any shortfall from the frozen rates be covered by redirecting money from the state's General Fund. This policy change provides immediate tax stability for property owners while guaranteeing continued education spending.

Maddy summaryHCR 172 is a commemorative resolution honoring Jon Gailmor, a Vermont folk singer and former Elmore Town Moderator who died in 2025. The resolution expresses the Vermont General Assembly’s condolences to his family and Elmore residents, recognizing his contributions as a musician who celebrated Vermont through songs like "A Town Meeting Tune" and his 15+ years serving as Elmore's town moderator. It directs the Secretary of State to send copies of the resolution to Gailmor’s family and the Elmore Town Clerk. This is a ceremonial measure with no policy impact.

Maddy summaryH.754 establishes stricter penalties for repeat violent offenders, requiring a mandatory minimum three-year prison term (with no parole or early release) for a third felony crime of violence conviction. It increases penalties for assaults against protected professionals (including police, firefighters, healthcare workers, and emergency personnel), with second offenses carrying up to 10 years in prison and aggravated assaults up to seven years. The bill also mandates that victims be notified and allowed to speak at plea hearings or sentencing regarding their views on the crime and restitution. These provisions directly affect defendants convicted of violent crimes, protected professionals, and victims in Vermont criminal cases.

Maddy summaryH.734 requires Vermont-based nonprofit organizations spending over $10,000 annually on issue advocacy, lobbying, or election-related activities to disclose their major funders and affiliated entities. It creates new categories for nonprofits - “advocacy organizations” (for those exceeding the $10,000 threshold) and “grassroots lobbying entities” (for efforts urging the public to contact lawmakers). The bill mandates annual reporting of these details to increase transparency around how nonprofits influence policy and elections in Vermont. This directly affects nonprofits operating in Vermont that engage in significant advocacy or lobbying, not general charitable nonprofits or political campaigns.

Maddy summaryThis bill (H 735) allows the Vermont Real Estate Commission to issue temporary licenses to a broker's legal representative if the broker becomes unable to work due to incapacity (e.g., illness or injury). It directly affects licensed real estate brokers who experience incapacity and their designated legal representatives. The key provision creates a process for the Commission to grant these temporary licenses, enabling the legal representative to handle the broker's pending transactions and duties without requiring a full license application. This avoids delays in closing real estate deals during the broker's temporary inability to work. The bill does not change existing licensing requirements for active brokers.

Maddy summaryThis bill authorizes Vermont towns and cities to adopt local regulations governing surface water use for public drinking water supplies, but only when the municipality owns all land adjacent to the water source. It specifically applies to public water systems serving the municipality, excludes transboundary lakes or ponds, and allows local ordinances to override state rules from the Secretary of Natural Resources if conflicts arise. The law amends existing state statute (24 V.S.A. § 2291) to add this new municipal power, directly affecting local governments managing drinking water sources within their owned watersheds. This change provides towns with greater control over water use impacting their public water systems.

Maddy summaryH.678 creates a pilot program to finance 250 new housing units in Washington and Lamoille Counties using municipal debt. The program would be funded by dedicating 100% of property tax increments from municipal or education properties within those counties. This aims to lower rental costs or make homeownership more affordable for new developments. The bill directly affects residents and developers in these two counties by providing a new funding mechanism for housing projects.

Maddy summaryH.638 establishes a voluntary certification program for recovery residences in Vermont through the Department of Health. It defines recovery residences as peer-support living spaces for people recovering from substance use disorders and sets six standards for certification, including meeting safety/sanitation rules, having a complaint process, and maintaining certification via a Vermont-approved organization. Certified residences must annually report data to the Department (e.g., resident numbers, employment changes) and undergo inspections with 10 days' notice. The bill directly affects recovery residences operating in Vermont, requiring them to meet these standards to participate in the program.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires Vermont school districts to pay full tuition to the state-maintained virtual learning provider for any student enrolled full-time in virtual education, upon request by a parent or legal guardian. It directly affects families seeking virtual learning options, regardless of whether virtual education is included in the student's personalized learning plan. The key provision amends school funding laws (16 V.S.A. §§821 and 822) to mandate this tuition payment for both elementary and high school students. The virtual learning provider is overseen by the Agency of Education under 16 V.S.A. §948. The law takes effect July 1, 2026.