Rep. Gina Galfetti

Maddy summaryH 448 amends Vermont's State Employees’ Retirement System to create a new Group G membership category for specific state workers, including correctional facility staff, mental health care providers, and public safety employees. It changes retirement benefits for Group G members to a formula of 2.5% of average final compensation per year of service (capping at 50-60% depending on role), replaces their previous contribution rates with a pay-quartile system (starting at 11.23% in 2024 and decreasing to 8.93% by 2026), and expands creditable service for temporary/seasonal state work and prior military service without requiring additional contributions. These changes directly affect current and future Group G employees in designated state roles. The bill also establishes a statutory contractual right for all retirement system members.

Maddy summaryH.429 would expand the jurisdiction of Vermont's Human Rights Commission to include handling discrimination complaints against members of the state legislature (General Assembly) and elected statewide officials. Currently, these officials are excluded from the Commission's authority, meaning such complaints could not be formally addressed through this process. The bill directly affects state legislators and statewide elected officials by making them subject to the Commission's complaint procedures for unlawful discrimination. This change would create a formal mechanism for addressing discrimination claims against these public officials within the existing Human Rights Commission framework. The bill was referred to the Committee on General and Housing on February 28, 2025, and remains in early legislative review.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a new process for Vermont's Office of Professional Regulation to issue licenses more quickly to out-of-state professionals who have practiced continuously for three years in a jurisdiction that does not require similar licensing for their profession. It directly affects qualified applicants from other states or territories without equivalent licensing systems, provided they meet Vermont's standard qualifications and criminal background requirements. The law amends state code to establish this expedited pathway, effective September 1, 2025.

Maddy summaryHCR 48 is a ceremonial resolution honoring former Vermont House Representative Curt McCormack of Burlington, who died in September 2024. It recognizes his environmental advocacy (including pioneering work on chlorofluorocarbon limits), transportation leadership (as Bicycle-Pedestrian Coordinator and House Transportation Committee Chair), and service as a Peace Corps volunteer in Senegal. The resolution extends condolences to his family and directs the Secretary of State to send a copy to them. This procedural resolution does not create policy changes or affect any constituents.

Maddy summaryH 402 would amend Vermont's Municipal Labor Relations Act to allow municipal supervisory employees to organize and collectively bargain, removing their current exclusion from the law. It also expands the definition of "municipal public safety employee" to include support staff working in public safety departments (like dispatchers or technicians), granting them bargaining rights. These changes would directly affect municipal supervisory staff and public safety support workers across Vermont towns and cities. The bill would take effect on July 1, 2025, if enacted.

Maddy summaryThis bill extends two key deadlines for Barre's tax increment financing (TIF) district. It delays the city's deadline for incurring new debt related to the district from March 2026 to March 2028, and extends the period during which the city can retain tax increments (future tax increases above a base level) until June 2039. The TIF mechanism allows Barre to use projected future tax growth from a designated area to fund current development or infrastructure projects within that district. The extension directly affects the City of Barre's ability to manage its TIF district finances and project timelines.

Maddy summaryH.57, "Jessica's Law," would extend Vermont's existing $80,000 survivor benefit for emergency personnel to law enforcement officers. It requires the state to pay this benefit to surviving spouses, children, or parents when a certified law enforcement officer dies "in the line of duty" or from an occupation-related illness. The bill amends existing law to include law enforcement officers under the same eligibility criteria and benefit structure currently applied to firefighters and emergency personnel. The benefit would be administered by a state review board and take effect on July 1, 2025.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires Vermont's Environmental Division of the Superior Court to hear housing permit appeals within 30 days of filing and issue decisions within 120 days after the hearing. It directly affects housing developers and municipalities seeking faster resolution on permit disputes under Chapter 117 of state law. The bill adds one new judge and one new law clerk to the Environmental Division, with $300,000 in funding for fiscal year 2026 to support these positions. The changes take effect July 1, 2025, aiming to expedite housing-related legal processes.

Maddy summaryHCR 30 is a memorial resolution honoring Donald H. Turner Jr., a former Vermont Representative, House Republican Leader, and Milton Town Manager. The resolution expresses the General Assembly's condolences to his family following his death in November 2024 and directs copies of the resolution to his family, the Milton Town Clerk, and the Milton Fire Department. This procedural resolution commemorates his public service, including his 30+ years with the Milton Fire Department and his legislative career representing Milton.

Maddy summaryH 317 prohibits credit card networks and payment processors from charging merchants fees on the tax or tip portion of a transaction. It requires merchants to report tax and gratuity amounts during payment processing, and if they don't, they may face fees on the full transaction amount. Merchants can correct inaccurate reports within 30 days, and payment networks must refund fees on tax/tip amounts if documentation is provided within 180 days. The law applies to all Vermont merchants accepting credit cards and takes effect July 1, 2025. Violations carry $1,000 penalties per transaction.