Maddy summaryThis bill, known as the Transportation Infrastructure and Resiliency Act of 2024, directs state funding and policy changes to improve roads, support electric vehicle adoption, and enhance transportation options across Vermont. It increases funding for road repair programs, provides grants for eBike and electric vehicle charging infrastructure, and establishes new rules allowing property owners to install charging stations. The legislation also expands funding for bicycle and pedestrian projects, creates a plan for carsharing expansion, and requires the state to develop new revenue sources for transportation and environmental initiatives. Additionally, it allows certain areas to set speed limits below 25 mph and mandates reporting on electric vehicle outreach efforts and charging station availability.
Sponsored bills
Maddy summaryThis bill authorizes Vermont law enforcement agencies to temporarily use automated traffic law enforcement systems until July 1, 2027, to issue speeding tickets to vehicle owners in specific locations. The systems would operate in work zones where traditional enforcement is impractical or unsafe, and at up to two additional high-crash or high-speeding locations, provided traffic engineering analysis confirms safety standards are met. Key provisions require certified officers to operate the equipment, placement of advance warning signs before data collection, and public notice of system locations and operating hours on agency websites. The bill defines technical terms like automated license plate recognition and establishes rules for data collection and use, while explicitly stating these systems are not intended to replace human officers or fix poor road design.
Maddy summaryThis bill requires Vermont electric utilities to provide residential customers with service upgrades needed for substantial domestic electrification, including electric vehicle charging, without charging extra fees. It establishes a standard level of service that allows homeowners to electrify their homes and charge electric vehicles at home without incurring additional customer-specific charges from their utility company. The Public Utility Commission must ensure this standard is available to all regulated electric distribution utilities by December 31, 2024, with utility tariffs updated by December 31, 2025. The legislation aims to remove financial barriers to adopting cleaner energy technologies, particularly in rural areas where such upgrades are more costly.
Maddy summaryThis bill would allow Vermont to join the Physician Assistant Licensure Compact, an agreement among multiple states that makes it easier for licensed physician assistants to practice across state lines. Under the compact, a physician assistant holding a valid license in one participating state could obtain temporary permission to practice in other participating states without applying for a new full license in each location. The system maintains patient safety by ensuring that the physician assistant remains under the jurisdiction of the state where the patient is located during a medical visit and allows licensing boards to share information about disciplinary actions. The compact also includes special provisions to help military families by simplifying the licensing process for active-duty personnel and their spouses who move between states.
Maddy summaryThis bill establishes the Community Resilience and Biodiversity Protection Act to create a statewide framework for conserving Vermont's natural landscapes and protecting biodiversity. It defines three types of protected land areas - ecological reserve areas, biodiversity conservation areas, and natural resource management areas - and sets conservation goals to protect 30 percent of the state's land by a specified target date. The legislation requires the state to prioritize conservation efforts that maintain connected ecosystems, support sustainable land management practices, and ensure access to land for Indigenous peoples and historically marginalized communities. By creating these protections, the bill aims to help Vermont address climate change impacts, reduce flood risks, and preserve natural habitats while balancing conservation with housing and economic development needs.
Maddy summaryThis bill formally recognizes May 2023 as Jewish American Heritage Month in Vermont. It directs the Secretary of State to send a copy of the resolution to Jewish communities in the state. The measure acknowledges the historical contributions of Jewish Americans to Vermont and the nation, noting their early settlement and ongoing cultural significance. It does not change laws or policies but serves as a symbolic recognition of Jewish heritage and history.
Maddy summaryThis bill formally recognizes May as Mental Health Awareness Month in Vermont to raise public awareness about mental health challenges. It does not change laws or allocate funding but serves as a symbolic acknowledgment of the state's mental health needs and statistics. The resolution directs the Secretary of State to send copies of the document to relevant mental health organizations and officials. While it highlights concerning data about suicide rates and access to care, the bill itself is a commemorative measure rather than a policy change.
Maddy summaryThis bill establishes the Art in State Buildings Program in Vermont to commission and install permanent works of art in state buildings and facilities undergoing new construction or renovation. The program requires that for projects costing $1 million or more, an art selection panel including community representatives and arts professionals will recommend artists, with priority given to Vermont-based creators. The Vermont Council on the Arts, working with the Department of Buildings and General Services, will administer the program and manage contracts for artwork design, fabrication, and installation. All artwork acquired through the program will become the sole property of the State of Vermont upon completion.
Maddy summaryThis bill defines and protects certain health care activities related to reproductive health and gender-affirming care from civil and criminal liability. It establishes that licensed health care providers in Vermont can legally offer these services to patients regardless of where the patient is located, as long as the services are permitted under Vermont law. The law also protects insurance coverage for these services and prohibits conversion therapy from being classified as gender-affirming care. The protections apply to the provision, prescription, distribution, and use of FDA-approved medications for pregnancy termination as of January 1, 2023. The bill became effective immediately upon passage and was signed into law by the Governor in May 2023.
Maddy summaryThis bill is a House concurrent resolution that honors Karen Horn of Moretown for her leadership in strengthening local government in Vermont. It recognizes her decades of work with the Vermont League of Cities and Towns, where she advised officials on municipal issues and helped secure transportation funding and tax authority for local governments. The resolution formally acknowledges her contributions to municipal policy and directs the Secretary of State to send a copy of the document to both Horn and the Vermont League of Cities and Towns.