Rep. Heather Surprenant

Maddy summaryThis legislative bill is a ceremonial resolution that formally recognizes the 100th anniversary of the Vermont State Parks system. It commemorates the historical significance of the parks, which began in 1924 with a donation of land that became Mt. Philo State Park, and acknowledges the contributions of Civilian Conservation Corps workers and private foundations to their development. The resolution does not create new laws or change policies but serves to honor the parks' legacy and their role in Vermont's outdoor economy. It directs the Secretary of State to send copies of the resolution to relevant state agencies and the Vermont Parks Forever foundation.

Maddy summaryThis bill designates February 8, 2024, as Farm to School and Farm to Early Childhood Awareness Day at the Vermont State House. It recognizes the Rozo McLaughlin Farm-to-School and Vermont Farm to Early Childhood Programs, which connect local farmers with schools and early childhood centers to provide healthier food options. The resolution highlights the programs' benefits, including supporting local agriculture, promoting nutritious meals, and encouraging environmentally friendly farming practices. The General Assembly formally acknowledges these efforts through a ceremonial designation rather than creating new policies or funding.

Maddy summaryThis House resolution honors Vermont television journalist Stewart Ledbetter for his 40 years of news reporting. The bill formally recognizes his career achievements, including his work as a news director, political campaign moderator, and recipient of multiple broadcast awards. It directs the House Clerk to send a copy of the resolution to Ledbetter and WPTZ, the television station where he worked.

Maddy summaryThis bill would allow incarcerated individuals in Vermont to receive time off their sentences for earning higher education degrees or credentials. Under the proposal, offenders would get six months off for completing a certificate program with at least 30 credit hours, one year for an associate or bachelor's degree, 18 months for a master's degree, and two years for a doctoral degree. The legislation also directs that any cost savings from reduced incarceration time be transferred to the state's education budget to support colleges and universities. This change directly affects the Department of Corrections and institutions of higher education in Vermont.

Maddy summaryThis bill prohibits public and school libraries in Vermont from banning or removing books and other library materials based on partisan or doctrinal disapproval. It requires the State Librarian to create rules that protect library collections, aligning with the American Library Association's Library Bill of Rights, and mandates that each library adopt a materials retention policy complying with these rules. Libraries that violate these retention rules would lose eligibility for state grants and funding, as they must submit an affidavit confirming compliance before receiving any state financial support. The legislation applies to both public and school libraries and takes effect on July 1, 2024.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates the Climate Superfund Cost Recovery Program, which would require fossil fuel companies that operated in Vermont between 2000 and 2019 to pay for their share of climate change costs. The program targets entities involved in extracting coal, oil, or natural gas, charging them based on how much greenhouse gas their products contributed to global emissions. Money collected from these payments would go into a dedicated fund to finance climate resilience projects like flood protections, upgraded infrastructure, and health programs addressing climate-related health risks. The law defines specific types of infrastructure projects eligible for funding and establishes rules for determining which companies must pay and how much they owe.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires Vermont school districts and approved independent schools to create and enforce policies for selecting library materials, guided by the First Amendment and established intellectual freedom standards. The legislation specifically prohibits removing library materials based on partisan politics, author or character demographics, personal discomfort, or content addressing sexual health and student educational needs. School library staff will be responsible for curating collections that match students' developmental levels while protecting students' First Amendment rights. The policy must be made available to the public and takes effect on July 1, 2024.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a new online directory for Vermont farms to list job openings and housing options for agricultural workers. Farms that post positions on the directory must provide affordable housing either on-site or nearby, and must disclose details about the job, housing arrangements, farm practices, and pay rates. The state will fund the program with $50,000 for implementation, and the directory will be free for users to access and set up accounts.

Maddy summaryThis bill would allow certain undocumented students to pay in-state tuition rates and access state-funded financial aid at Vermont's public colleges if they meet standard residency requirements. It prohibits the Vermont State Colleges Corporation from excluding students based solely on immigration status and requires the Vermont Student Assistance Corporation to make state financial aid available to all residents regardless of immigration status. The law specifically includes protections for refugees, those granted parole to enter the U.S., and Afghan Allies Protection Act visa holders, while also clarifying residency rules for military families. The changes would take effect on July 1, 2025, and include provisions ensuring students can apply for and participate in financial aid programs to the full extent allowed by federal law.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a temporary Data Trusts Study Committee to examine how data trusts could balance consumer privacy rights with the benefits of increased data sharing. The committee will be composed of state legislators, government officials, and experts from legal, business, and technology sectors, and will study whether data trusts could serve as an alternative to Vermont's existing personal information protection companies. The committee must submit its findings and any legislative recommendations by December 15, 2024, and will cease to exist on December 31, 2024.