Rep. John Bartholomew

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.

Maddy summaryHCR 21 is a symbolic resolution expressing the Vermont General Assembly's appreciation for school board members' role in public education. It formally designates February as "School Board Recognition Month" in Vermont to highlight their contributions. The resolution has no legal effect or policy changes - it is purely ceremonial, acknowledging school board members' civic service. The resolution was adopted by both chambers on February 7, 2025, and directs the Secretary of State to share it with the Vermont School Boards Association.

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 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 summaryThis bill limits tuition rates charged by Vermont public schools that receive students from other districts, requiring them to set rates at the average tuition of similar union schools. It prohibits these schools from charging additional fees for special education, facility reservations, or other unaccounted costs. The bill also removes tuition paid by nonoperating school districts from their education spending calculations when determining excess spending under state law. These changes directly affect receiving school districts, sending districts, and nonoperating districts with students.

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 House Concurrent Resolution (HCR 12) is a non-binding ceremonial resolution expressing legislative congratulations to the University of Vermont (UVM) men's soccer team for winning their first NCAA Division I men's soccer championship (College Cup) in 2024. It formally recognizes the team's achievement, including their "Cardiac Cats" nickname and championship victory over Marshall University. The resolution directs the Secretary of State to send a copy to UVM Athletics but does not create any new policy, funding, or legal obligations. It is purely symbolic recognition of the team's athletic accomplishment.

Maddy summaryH 169 amends Vermont's anti-discrimination laws to prohibit landlords from requesting Social Security numbers on residential rental applications and requires them to accept all government-issued identification. It also adds "citizenship and immigration status" to the list of protected characteristics in housing and public accommodations, expanding existing protections against discrimination. The bill directly affects landlords, renters, and businesses serving the public by banning specific discriminatory practices in housing applications and services. Key provisions include banning SSN requests for rentals (§ 4456a) and updating definitions to include immigration status in housing (§ 4501, § 4503) and public accommodations (§ 4502). These changes aim to reduce barriers for renters, particularly immigrants and non-citizens, while clarifying prohibited discrimination.

Maddy summaryThis Vermont bill bans the sale and use of neonicotinoid-treated seeds for soybeans and cereal grains, aiming to protect pollinators like bees that are essential to the state's agriculture and ecosystems. The law prohibits dealers and farmers from selling or planting these treated seeds, with an exemption process available for specific agricultural emergencies that requires pest management training, risk assessments, and record-keeping. Neonicotinoids are a widely used class of insecticides known to be highly toxic to pollinators, and the legislation aligns Vermont with similar restrictions adopted by other states and regions. The bill amends state pesticide laws to define neonicotinoid-treated articles and establishes the Secretary of Agriculture's authority to issue limited exemptions under strict conditions.