Rep. Teddy Waszazak

Maddy summaryThis bill creates two new personal income tax brackets in Vermont, applying a 11.75% tax rate to higher income levels. Specifically, it adds a bracket for married couples filing jointly with taxable income over $500,000 but not over $1,000,000, and a separate bracket for heads of households with income over $455,300 but not over $910,600. These changes directly affect high-income Vermont residents whose earnings fall within these new ranges. The bill modifies existing tax tables to adjust the rate structure for the top earners, maintaining the 13.75% rate for even higher income levels.

Maddy summaryH.620 creates a temporary Wealth Tax Commission to study how to tax wealth and investment gains currently excluded from income taxation in Vermont. The commission, composed of two legislative members and two state agency heads, will examine practical issues like valuing nonpublic assets, handling taxpayers moving between states, and coordinating with other states on uniform tax approaches. It must submit a report by November 2027 to the House and Senate finance committees with findings and recommendations. The bill does not implement a wealth tax but directs the commission to research policy options and best practices. This study aims to inform future legislative decisions about potential wealth taxation.

Maddy summaryH 397 updates Vermont's emergency management and flood response systems. It requires the Division of Emergency Management to annually report on mitigation plans to legislative committees and revise the State Emergency Management Plan every five years to cover response coordination, preparedness, and local planning templates. The bill expands grant funding for flood mitigation projects, including voluntary buyouts for flood-affected properties, and mandates new assistance for municipalities to access river monitoring and weather alert systems. It also provides municipalities with greater flexibility to borrow funds for emergency-related expenses and manage unspent budget balances. These changes directly affect state agencies, local governments, and communities in flood-prone areas.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a permanent state grant program at Vermont's Agency of Agriculture to fund the existing "Vermonters Feeding Vermonters" program operated by Vermont Foodbank. The grant will provide annual funding for Foodbank to directly purchase local produce from Vermont farms and distribute it through food banks, while also offering smaller grants to Foodbank's partners for similar purchases (including culturally preferred foods). Annual reports to legislative committees will track food purchases, farms supported, and distribution sites. The program aims to address food insecurity while supporting Vermont's agricultural economy, contingent on future state funding.

Maddy summaryHCR 110 is a House concurrent resolution that designates April 2025 as Black Maternal Care Awareness Month in Vermont. This resolution aims to raise awareness about racial inequities in maternal health outcomes and celebrates efforts to address these disparities, and directs a copy to be sent to the Black Mamas Matter Alliance.

Maddy summaryThis resolution, HCR 81, honors the life and public service of Brenda Churchill, a former Bakersfield Select Board member and advocate for transgender rights. It extends the Vermont General Assembly's condolences to her family and recognizes her contributions to local and state government, including her work on the Vermont Commission on Women.

Maddy summaryThis resolution congratulates Caitlin MacLeod-Bluver of Winooski High School on her selection as the 2025 Vermont Teacher of the Year. It also recognizes Jeremy DeMink of Edmunds Middle School and Sonya Shedd of Wolcott Elementary School as Distinguished Finalists for the award.

Maddy summaryHouse Bill 10 is an act designed to approve amendments to the charter of the City of Barre. This bill formally authorizes changes to the city's foundational governing document, allowing them to take effect. During its passage, the bill was amended to clarify a section related to the city's fiscal year. This specific amendment confirms that the City of Barre's fiscal year begins on July 1st and ends on June 30th.

Maddy summaryThis House concurrent resolution commemorates the 50th anniversary of the conclusion of the Vietnam War, which took place on April 30, 1975. The resolution directs the General Assembly to acknowledge this anniversary and sends copies to the Vermont State Council of the Vietnam Veterans of America, the American Legion Department of Vermont, and the Veterans of Foreign Wars Department of Vermont.

Maddy summaryHCR 113 is a House concurrent resolution that congratulates the winning middle and high school teams of the 2025 Jr Iron Chef VT competition. It recognizes their culinary achievements and promotes Vermont's Farm to School program.