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.
Sponsored bills
Maddy summaryThis bill requires postsecondary schools in Vermont to designate a Student Liaison Officer to assist students experiencing homelessness and those exiting the foster care system with navigating financial aid and available services. The legislation mandates that these institutions create policies to give priority access to class enrollment and on-campus housing for these student populations, while also allowing waivers for registration and laboratory fees. Schools must ensure homeless students can access housing during school breaks and that enrollment policies account for barriers like work obligations and transportation challenges. The law takes effect on July 1, 2024, and applies to all postsecondary institutions operating within Vermont.
Maddy summaryThis bill removes fees for vital records, nondriver identification cards, and driver's licenses for Vermont residents experiencing homelessness and for those under 22 who were previously in foster care. To qualify, individuals experiencing homelessness must submit an affidavit confirming their status, while foster care recipients need to prove their placement history through a child-placing agency. The changes apply to certified copies of birth certificates, nondriver ID cards, and operator's privilege cards, setting their cost to zero for eligible applicants. The law takes effect on July 1, 2024, and is intended to reduce financial barriers to obtaining essential identification documents for these specific populations.
Maddy summaryThis bill requires Vermont's Housing Division to track and report on progress toward statewide and regional housing targets established in the Statewide Housing Needs Assessment. The legislation mandates the development of specific metrics, including timelines with deadlines and regional measures covering investment rates, price, quality, and zoning compliance. Through 2030, the Division must publish annual reports detailing progress against these targets, assess whether advancement is satisfactory, and provide recommendations to accelerate housing development if needed. The bill affects the Department of Housing and Community Development, regional planning commissions, and housing developers by creating a structured accountability system for meeting housing goals.
Maddy summaryThis bill would expand Vermont's 3SquaresVT program by allowing eligible SNAP recipients to use their benefits at participating restaurants through the federal Restaurant Meals Program. It also requires the state to develop a plan for calculating minimum 3SquaresVT benefits at 30 percent of the federal moderate-cost food plan, which would increase the amount of assistance provided. The legislation creates a new staff position and allocates $85,000 to help restaurants apply for and participate in the program while establishing eligibility criteria that prioritize local food availability and diverse cultural options. The bill takes effect on July 1, 2024, with a transition plan due to state committees by January 1, 2025.
Maddy summaryThis bill would require Vermont's Secretary of Human Services to request federal approval to include home-delivered meals as a covered Medicaid service. The change would directly affect elderly and disabled Vermonters who currently receive nutrition services through area agencies on aging but do not have home-delivered meals reimbursed under their Medicaid plans. The bill specifies that meals must be part of an individual's service plan and meet nutrition standards set by the Older Americans Act. If approved, this change would take effect on July 1, 2024, aligning Vermont with approximately 32 other states that already cover home-delivered meals under their Medicaid waiver programs.
Maddy summaryThis bill creates a new Community Resilience and Disaster Mitigation Grant Program and Fund to help Vermont municipalities prepare for and reduce the impact of natural disasters. The program would provide grants to cities, towns, and other local governments for projects like slope stabilization, watershed restoration, and drought mitigation, with priority given to communities facing higher vulnerability. Funding comes from a $15 million appropriation in fiscal year 2024 and an annual assessment on insurance companies writing policies in Vermont, capped at $4.3 million. The Department of Public Safety would administer both the grant program and the fund, which must keep records and submit annual reports on how money is spent.
Maddy summaryThis bill establishes the Resilient Communities Fund to provide financial assistance to Vermont municipalities for planning and responding to floods, fires, environmental hazards, and other disasters, with priority given to projects that match federal grants and serve vulnerable communities. It requires the Division of Vermont Emergency Management to identify specific areas needing additional funding based on past disasters, current risks, and local capacity, and mandates a study to improve coordination between state and local disaster response efforts. Additionally, the bill directs the Secretary of Natural Resources to create rules for development permits in flood hazard areas and authorizes the creation of a State Urban Search and Rescue Team for rapid emergency response.
Maddy summaryThis bill requires municipalities in Vermont to allow tiny houses as permitted uses in zoning regulations. It specifies that one tiny house can be placed on a lot of one acre or more, while two tiny houses are permitted on lots of two acres or more. The legislation also includes a provision that tiny houses do not need wastewater capacity if they are occupied by family members of someone living in an existing single-family home on the same lot. This change directly affects local zoning authorities and homeowners considering tiny house construction or placement.
Maddy summaryThis bill requires health insurance plans in Vermont to cover diagnostic tests used for screening purposes using the same terms as they cover screening tests for the same condition. It applies to all health insurance plans and ensures that cost-sharing requirements like copayments and deductibles are identical for diagnostic and screening tests. The legislation aims to eliminate disparities in coverage between diagnostic and screening tests for the same disease or illness.