Rep. Michelle Bos-Lun

Maddy summaryH.229 proposes creating a Vermont Farm and Forestry Operations Security Special Fund to provide grants for weather-related losses. It directly affects Vermont farms and forestry operations that suffer qualifying weather damage (like floods, droughts, or extreme heat), covering up to 50% of uninsured losses with a yearly maximum of $150,000 per operation. The fund, administered by the Agriculture Department, will use streamlined applications requiring basic damage descriptions and financial records, with verification through weather data sources like NOAA. Grants cover specific costs including lost income, infrastructure repairs, replanting, and livestock feed replacement.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires manufacturers to provide written notice to buyers if firefighting gear (including protective equipment and station wear like uniforms) contains PFAS chemicals, starting July 1, 2026. It mandates the notice explain what PFAS is and why it's used, and both seller and buyer must keep copies for three years. The bill then bans the sale or distribution of firefighting gear with intentionally added PFAS starting July 1, 2028. It directly affects firefighting equipment manufacturers, fire departments, and state agencies purchasing such gear in Vermont. The law aims to increase transparency about PFAS exposure while phasing out its use in this specific equipment.

Maddy summaryH 246 requires all postsecondary schools in Vermont to designate a Student Liaison Officer to assist students experiencing homelessness and those exiting the foster care system with financial aid, housing, and academic resources. Schools must implement policies providing these students priority access to class enrollment, on-campus housing (with a half-time enrollment requirement), and housing during breaks. The bill also mandates fee waivers for registration and laboratory costs for eligible students. These requirements will take effect on July 1, 2025.

Maddy summaryHCR 19 is a ceremonial resolution congratulating Vermonter Noah Dines on setting a new world record for vertical skiing, achieving 3,590,097 feet in one year (equivalent to 120 Mount Everest ascents). It has no policy provisions or direct impact on constituents, as it solely expresses legislative recognition of Dines' athletic achievement. The resolution was formally adopted by the Vermont General Assembly on February 7, 2025, and directs the Secretary of State to send a copy to Dines. This is purely symbolic, with no legislative action or funding attached.

Maddy summaryThis House Concurrent Resolution (HCR 29) is a ceremonial gesture congratulating Montgomery runner Elinor Purrier St. Pierre on her eighth-place finish in the women's 1500m at the 2024 Paris Olympics. It recognizes her athletic achievements, including American records and prior Olympic participation, as detailed in the resolution's "whereas" clauses. The resolution directs Vermont's Secretary of State to send a copy of the resolution to Ms. Purrier St. Pierre. As a symbolic tribute with no policy changes or direct effects, it does not alter laws or affect any constituents beyond expressing legislative recognition.

Maddy summaryThis ceremonial resolution honors the Vermont Old Cemetery Association (VOCA) for its 65+ years of preserving Vermont's historic cemeteries. VOCA provides restoration grants, veteran burial support, and educational resources (like its newsletter and book *Burial Grounds of Vermont*) to local cemetery groups and municipalities. The resolution formally recognizes VOCA's work without creating new laws, funding, or policy changes. It serves as a symbolic gesture of appreciation for the organization's contributions to cemetery preservation and public education.

Maddy summaryH.191 prohibits Vermont from housing incarcerated people in private or for-profit correctional facilities, both within the state and out-of-state, by 2034. The bill requires the Department of Corrections to stop contracting with private entities for housing or services by January 2030 and to develop an implementation plan by November 2025 to return inmates currently held out-of-state to Vermont facilities. It allows exceptions only for facilities operated by public or nonprofit entities under interstate compacts or federal contracts. This directly affects Vermont’s Department of Corrections, current inmates in out-of-state facilities, and private prison companies with state contracts.

Maddy summaryJRH 2 is a Vermont legislative resolution urging President Trump to avoid imposing tariffs on goods and services imported from Canada. It directly affects Vermonters by highlighting the state's deep economic ties with Canada, including $2.6 billion in annual imports, 17,000 jobs supported by Canadian investments, and critical energy imports (100% of Vermont Gas Systems' supply). The resolution formally requests the President refrain from tariffs, citing risks to Vermont's economy and longstanding cross-border trade relationships, and directs the Secretary of State to send it to the President, Governor Scott, and Canadian officials.

Maddy summaryThis concurrent resolution designates February 12, 2025, as "Farm to School and Child Awareness Day" at the Vermont State House. It recognizes Vermont's existing Farm-to-School programs, which connect schools with local farmers to provide healthy meals and support agricultural sustainability. The resolution directs the Secretary of State to send a copy to the Vermont Farm to School & Early Childhood Network. As a ceremonial designation, it does not create new laws or funding but highlights ongoing initiatives benefiting schools, early childhood programs, and Vermont farmers.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires online businesses likely to be accessed by children to avoid using design features that are harmful or overly invasive of children's privacy. It defines "covered businesses" as those with online services reasonably likely to be used by minors and mandates that these businesses set privacy settings to the most protective default for children. Key provisions prohibit design features causing compulsive use (like endless scrolling) and require businesses to handle children's personal data with heightened safeguards. The law applies to Vermont-based businesses offering online products or services to minors, aiming to protect children's privacy through proactive design standards.