Rep. Michelle Bos-Lun

Maddy summaryThis bill updates Vermont's laws to strengthen protections for threatened and endangered species by requiring the Secretary of Natural Resources to revise the state species list every three years and to designate critical habitat for each listed species. It prohibits the sale, transport, or import of these species within the state and restricts their taking to specific purposes like scientific research or enhancing their survival. The legislation also mandates that the Secretary develop rules to help farmers and foresters avoid harming species or their habitats while consulting with affected landowners and neighboring jurisdictions.

Maddy summaryThis bill designates April 10 as Ken Squier Day to honor the late Vermont broadcaster and auto racing commentator. The legislation recognizes Squier's contributions to radio through his ownership of WDEV and founding of the Radio Vermont Group, as well as his pioneering work with the Motor Racing Network and NASCAR Hall of Fame induction. It also acknowledges his community leadership roles, including chairing the Vermont Symphony Orchestra Board and his extensive involvement in local sports broadcasting. The bill adds a new section to Vermont's statutes formally establishing the commemorative day without requiring any additional government funding or administrative changes.

Maddy summaryThis bill proposes a new 11 percent excise tax on the retail sale of firearms, firearm precursor parts, and ammunition in Vermont, which would be paid by sellers at the time of each transaction. The tax applies to both licensed firearm dealers and ammunition vendors, with licensed dealers required to collect the tax during background checks and remit it quarterly to the state. All revenue generated from this tax would be deposited into the Domestic and Sexual Violence Special Fund, which supports grants for domestic and sexual violence prevention services. The legislation excludes transfers exempt from background checks, such as those to law enforcement agencies or immediate family members, and would take effect on July 1, 2025.

Maddy summaryThis bill would reinstate community restitution as a sentencing option for people convicted of crimes in Vermont. It directs the Department of Corrections to create rules for this program and ensure it is available across all 14 counties with proper staffing and funding. Under the bill, courts could order offenders to perform structured work for municipalities, state agencies, or local nonprofits as an alternative to other sentencing options like probation or jail time. The program would allow individuals to make amends to their communities through labor while remaining under correctional supervision.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires health insurance plans in Vermont, including Medicaid, to provide comprehensive coverage for obesity treatment. It directly affects individuals with obesity and the insurance companies that serve them. The law mandates coverage for FDA-approved anti-obesity medications, lifestyle interventions like nutrition counseling and exercise planning, bariatric surgery, and ensures equal cost-sharing for obesity care compared to other medical conditions. Coverage decisions must be based on medical necessity rather than solely on body mass index calculations, and prior authorization processes should not create unnecessary barriers to care. The changes will take effect for plans issued on or after January 1, 2025.

Maddy summaryThis bill aims to increase housing availability in Vermont by modifying state land use laws, municipal zoning regulations, and tax policies. It directly affects developers, municipalities, and housing providers by creating exemptions for certain housing projects under Act 250, which governs land use in the state. Key provisions include raising the threshold for housing projects that trigger state review in smaller municipalities, exempting conversions of hotels and other buildings into affordable housing from certain regulations, and allowing some municipalities with strong zoning laws to handle development reviews locally instead of through state commissions. The legislation also repeals previous rules that required special permits for priority housing projects and establishes new criteria for when housing construction counts toward state jurisdiction thresholds.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires that juvenile delinquency cases involving youths aged 14 to 22 begin in the Family Division of the Superior Court rather than the Criminal Division, with certain exceptions for specific serious offenses. The law allows the Family Division to transfer cases to the Criminal Division after a hearing if the youth is older or if the offense is particularly severe, and it mandates that prosecutors file felony charges for minors in the Family Division first. The changes apply to both new cases and those involving violations of release conditions, ensuring that all juvenile proceedings initially originate in the Family Division unless specific criteria for transfer are met.

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.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a statewide rental housing registry in Vermont, requiring landlords of long-term and short-term rentals to register their properties with the Department of Housing and Community Development. Landlords must provide detailed information about each unit, including owner contact details, location, year built, and accessibility features, and pay an annual fee of $35 per unit unless they already register with a local health and safety program. The collected fees will fund registry administration and support hiring additional inspectors to conduct housing safety inspections. Local governments that already maintain rental registries can share their data with the state to avoid duplicate registration requirements.

Maddy summaryThis bill directs Vermont's Department of Health to create free opioid overdose response training videos and distribute naloxone, a medication that reverses opioid overdoses, to businesses and organizations likely to encounter people experiencing overdoses. The legislation also requires the department to expand community prevention programs, improve access to treatment services, educate healthcare providers and recovery program participants on overdose prevention, and establish public kiosks where naloxone can be dispensed. These measures aim to increase public awareness and access to life-saving resources for individuals at risk of opioid-related overdoses across the state. The law is set to take effect on July 1, 2024.