Rep. Laura Sibilia

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 summaryThis bill establishes safety standards and oversight for developers and deployers of inherently dangerous artificial intelligence systems in Vermont. It requires these entities to submit safety and impact assessments to a new Division of Artificial Intelligence within the Agency of Digital Services. The Attorney General can enforce the law by taking legal action against noncompliant developers or deployers, including seeking court orders to stop violations. The bill specifically targets high-risk AI systems, dual-use foundational models, and generative AI systems that pose serious risks to public safety, economic security, or individual rights.

Maddy summaryThis Vermont bill regulates developers and deployers of automated decision systems (ADS) used in consequential decisions - such as hiring, housing, loan approvals, or healthcare access - to prevent algorithmic discrimination. It requires businesses to clearly inform consumers before using ADS in such decisions, explaining what data is measured, how it is used, and how it influences outcomes. The bill prohibits the use of ADS that result in discriminatory treatment based on protected characteristics like race, gender, age, or disability. These requirements apply to businesses operating in Vermont that deploy or develop ADS for decisions materially affecting residents' rights, liberties, or welfare.

Maddy summaryH 313 creates a temporary Ranked-Choice Voting Study Committee to examine implementation challenges for all Vermont elections (state and federal) by 2028, focusing on voter education, election security, and ballot processing. The bill also requires Vermont's major political parties to use ranked-choice voting for U.S. presidential primary elections starting in 2028, where voters rank candidates in order of preference instead of selecting just one. This directly affects voters participating in Vermont's presidential primaries and election officials managing primary ballots. The committee must report findings by January 2026, with recommendations for potential statewide implementation. The bill does not change general election rules, only presidential primary voting procedures.

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.

Maddy summaryThis bill changes Vermont's primary elections to a nonpartisan top-four system. It removes party labels from primary ballots and requires that the four candidates receiving the most votes in each race advance to the general election, regardless of party affiliation. This applies to all statewide and local offices, including governor, legislature, and county positions. The bill eliminates party-specific primaries and replaces them with a single ballot where voters select any candidate without party designation.

Maddy summaryH 332 creates Vermont's Small Business Technical Assistance Exchange, providing grants and professional support to eligible small and mid-sized Vermont businesses. The program offers up to $5,000 per business for services like business operations, digital strategy, manufacturing upgrades, and legal consulting, administered by regional development corporations. To qualify, businesses must be for-profit, Vermont-based, with at least $5,000 annual revenue, and higher-income owners must provide a 50% match. The Exchange prioritizes outreach to rural businesses and historically marginalized groups, including Black, Indigenous, and People of Color Vermonters, New Americans, and others. Annual reports on program performance are required, with funding of $1.25 million appropriated for fiscal year 2026.

Maddy summaryThis bill changes how Vermont's State Board of Education members and the Secretary of Education are appointed. It establishes a new system where the Governor appoints four members (including student members), the Senate Committee on Committees appoints three, and the House Speaker appoints three, with all appointments requiring Senate approval. The bill also prohibits governors from reappointing someone without Senate consent and mandates a national search for a new Secretary of Education within 45 days of a resignation. These changes affect the composition and leadership of Vermont's education governance structure.

Maddy summaryHCR 38 is a ceremonial resolution honoring Clara Robinson, a longtime Jamaica, Vermont community volunteer and leader. It recognizes her decades of service in roles including justice of the peace, school board member, youth group leader, and church trustee, highlighting her dedication to local youth, schools, and community events. The resolution directs the Secretary of State to send copies to Clara Robinson and the Jamaica Town Clerk. This is a purely symbolic gesture with no policy changes or legislative effect.

Maddy summaryThis is a ceremonial resolution (HCR 26) honoring Burlington High School alumna Ilona Maher for winning a bronze medal with the U.S. women's rugby sevens team at the 2024 Paris Olympics. It formally congratulates her on this achievement and directs Vermont's Secretary of State to send a copy of the resolution to her. The resolution has no policy impact - it solely serves to recognize her athletic accomplishment and community ties. It was adopted by the Vermont House and Senate in February 2025 as a symbolic gesture.