Maddy summaryThis bill requires the Vermont Pension Investment Commission to review and divest state pension funds from investments in the fossil fuel industry. It directly affects the Vermont State Employees' Retirement System, the State Teachers' Retirement System, and the Municipal Employees' Retirement System. The Commission must complete an initial review by August 2023, submit a divestment plan by November 2023, and finish divesting fossil fuel holdings by December 2030, with annual progress reports required until 2031. The legislation defines fossil fuel companies based on reserves, coal plant ownership, core business activities, and revenue sources, while prohibiting new fossil fuel investments after July 2031. The bill also appropriates $100,000 in FY 2024 to support the planning and reporting process.
Sponsored bills
Maddy summaryThis bill creates a new permanent position of Dementia Coordinator within Vermont's Agency of Human Services to help coordinate state efforts and community partnerships in supporting people with dementia and their families. The Coordinator would update the state's Alzheimer's action plan, manage grant funding for expanded services, streamline government programs to reduce duplication, oversee dementia-specific training, and collect and share data to improve care quality. The role requires a master's or bachelor's degree in human services, public health, or public administration with professional experience, and the Commission on Alzheimer's Disease and Related Disorders would recommend qualified candidates. An initial $150,000 appropriation funds the position in fiscal year 2024, with the Coordinator required to submit an annual report on dementia care status and legislative recommendations by December 1. The act takes effect on July 1, 2023.
Maddy summaryThis bill requires drivers to complete a vulnerable user safety course before obtaining a driver's license in Vermont, covering topics like respecting pedestrians and cyclists, safe operation near vulnerable road users, and the dangers of distracted driving. It also establishes a legal definition for electric cargo bicycles and mandates that they be regulated the same way as regular electric bicycles, exempting them from motor vehicle registration, licensing, and insurance requirements. Additionally, the bill allows municipalities and state agencies to prohibit electric cargo bicycles on certain bicycle paths and trails, while permitting local restrictions on faster electric bicycle classes for safety reasons.
Maddy summaryThis bill restricts trapping of fur-bearing animals in Vermont to specific situations, allowing it only for property defense, agricultural crop protection, or by licensed nuisance wildlife control operators. It establishes a new nuisance wildlife trapping license and requires property owners to notify neighbors before setting traps on their land. The law also mandates that traps be checked every 24 hours, requires reporting of trapped animals within 12 hours, and limits pelt possession to personal noncommercial use when taken for property protection. Additionally, the bill requires trapping education certification for new license holders and gives the Department of Fish and Wildlife authority to inspect pelts and investigate trapping reports.
Maddy summaryThis bill requires the state to conduct a feasibility study for building a bicycle path alongside U.S. Route 5, covering approximately 190 miles from the Massachusetts border to the Canadian border. The study must examine construction and maintenance costs, potential funding sources, logistical challenges, construction timelines, and the project's impact on Vermont's tourism industry and local municipalities. The analysis will determine whether a continuous route or a segmented, phased approach is more practical for implementation.
Maddy summaryThis bill restricts the use of studded snow tires on Vermont highways between November 1 and May 15, with specific exceptions for out-of-state vehicles, farm tractors, and emergency vehicles. It amends existing state law to prohibit operating vehicles with studded tires during the winter season, except for the listed exemptions. Violations of this ban result in a warning for first offenses and a civil penalty of at least $100 for subsequent violations. The law takes effect on July 1, 2023.
Maddy summaryThis bill creates a temporary working group to study and develop guidelines for eco-sanitation systems, including waterless toilets and low-flow greywater systems, which would primarily affect property owners and operators in Vermont. The five-member group, composed of experts from the University of Vermont, composting associations, and state environmental agencies, must meet up to six times between July 2023 and February 2024 to create best management practices and educational materials. The Secretary of Natural Resources is required to adopt these guidelines and update state wastewater and water supply rules to allow for reduced design flow requirements and exemptions for systems operating according to the new standards.
Maddy summaryThis bill allows homeowners in Vermont to use low-impact wastewater systems for small, low-water-use residences like yurts or rustic cabins that rely on hand-carried or hand-pumped water. The law permits these systems when structures have three or fewer plumbing fixtures, a daily wastewater flow of 25 gallons or less, and use waterless toilets such as composting or incinerating units. It simplifies the permitting process by removing the requirement to identify a replacement area on the property and waiving separate toilet permits for these systems. The bill also establishes a reduced $100 fee for permits covering low-impact disposal systems compared to higher fees for conventional wastewater projects.
Maddy summaryThis bill would require Vermont's Medicaid program to cover doula services for pregnant individuals, including support during prenatal visits, labor and delivery, and the postpartum period. To qualify for reimbursement, doulas must be certified by an approved national organization, complete additional training on Medicaid participation and special populations, pass a background check, and maintain liability insurance. The bill sets a maximum coverage limit of $850 per pregnancy, with specific allocations for prenatal visits, labor and delivery support, and postpartum care, while excluding reimbursement for travel expenses. The Department of Vermont Health Access would establish a registry of qualified doulas and create rules to implement these requirements, with the law taking effect on July 1, 2023, or upon federal approval of a state plan amendment, whichever occurs later.
Maddy summaryThis bill proposes to gradually implement Green Mountain Care, a publicly financed health care program for all Vermont residents, over a ten-year period. It would begin with primary care coverage in the first year, add preventive dental and vision care in the second year, and expand to additional services in subsequent years based on recommendations from an advisory group. The legislation requires the Green Mountain Care Board to analyze and report on financing sustainability, economic impact, and cost containment measures before full implementation. It also seeks a federal waiver to adjust health insurance benefits and funding to avoid duplication with Green Mountain Care coverage.