Rep. John Arrison

Maddy summaryThis bill would remove existing bans and penalties on the purchase, use, and possession of tobacco products in Vermont, including electronic cigarettes and other nicotine-delivery devices not approved by the FDA for medical purposes. It updates legal definitions to clarify what counts as a tobacco product and tobacco substitute, while maintaining age restrictions that prohibit anyone under 21 from buying, possessing, or attempting to purchase these items. The legislation also establishes civil penalties for retailers who sell to minors and requires annual compliance testing by the Division of Liquor Control to ensure at least 90% accuracy in age verification for buyers between 17 and 20 years old.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires employers in Vermont to pay tipped workers the standard minimum wage starting January 1, 2024, instead of allowing a reduced "tipped minimum wage." It applies to employees in hotels, motels, tourist places, and restaurants who regularly receive more than $120 per month in tips. The legislation also sets a transitional phase where tipped workers must receive at least half the minimum wage beginning July 1, 2023, before reaching full minimum wage coverage in 2024. The standard minimum wage itself continues to increase annually by either 5% or the Consumer Price Index, whichever is smaller, ensuring tipped workers benefit from these raises once the transition is complete.

Maddy summaryThis bill directs the Vermont State Highway Safety Office to prepare a written report by January 15, 2024, recommending how the state should adjust its approach to educating about, enforcing, and prosecuting distracted driving violations for noncommercial drivers. The report must consult with various state agencies and organizations, examine current enforcement methods like fines and license suspensions, and specifically consider strategies for drivers under 18 years old. The legislation does not change any existing laws but requires officials to analyze what is working and what needs improvement in addressing distracted driving.

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 increases fines and adds more points to driving records for drivers who use portable electronic devices, such as phones, while operating a moving vehicle. It directly affects all drivers in Vermont who are caught texting or using handheld devices while driving. The law raises the minimum fine for a first violation from $25 to $100 and increases the maximum fine from $200 to $250, while also raising fines for repeat offenses and adding more points to driving records. Drivers who violate these rules in school zones or work zones face even higher penalties, including additional fines and more points on their license. The bill also clarifies that drivers who cause an accident due to texting will face a minimum $500 fine and 10 points on their driving record.

Maddy summaryThis bill is a ceremonial resolution that honors organizations and individuals working to improve rural broadband access in Vermont. It recognizes the Communications Union Districts (CUDs) and related groups like the Vermont Communications Union Districts Association and the Vermont Community Broadband Board for their efforts in building broadband networks. The resolution acknowledges past legislative actions that created funding and oversight structures to support these broadband initiatives. It does not change any laws or policies but serves to formally recognize the achievements of these groups in expanding internet access to over 200 municipalities.

Maddy summaryThis bill designates January 23-27, 2023, as the first annual Holocaust Education Week in Vermont. It directly affects Vermont schools and educational institutions by establishing a formal period for Holocaust education activities. The resolution directs the Secretary of State to send copies of the document to the Vermont Holocaust Memorial and the Agency of Education to facilitate the event. This commemorative measure recognizes the historical significance of the Holocaust and aims to increase awareness through organized educational programming during the designated week.

Maddy summaryThis bill allows municipal boards of abatement in Vermont to waive very small tax amounts when needed to balance municipal financial accounts. It directly affects towns and their finance departments by authorizing them to abate de minimis taxes, water charges, sewer charges, interest, or collection fees under specific circumstances. The key provision adds a new category to existing abatement rules, permitting the waiver of minor tax discrepancies that arise when reconciling municipal accounts according to standard accounting practices. This change takes effect on July 1, 2023, and applies to all municipalities in the state.