Rep. Heather Surprenant

Maddy summaryThis bill allocates $200,000 from the state's General Fund to reimburse the Burlington Fire Department for emergency medical services provided to individuals experiencing drug overdoses. The money is distributed through the Department of Health as a grant to the City of Burlington, with the requirement that these funds supplement rather than replace existing city funding for the fire department. The legislation takes effect on July 1, 2024, and is intended to help cover the costs associated with responding to overdose incidents in Burlington.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a comprehensive flood recovery and preparedness framework for Vermont municipalities and businesses affected by the 2023 severe storms. It provides financial relief through tax abatement reimbursements for municipalities that lost State education property tax revenue, grants to offset municipal lost revenues, and a new Flood Recovery Assistance Program offering up to $40 million for business losses including physical damage, lost revenue, and employee wages. The legislation also creates a working group to improve emergency management coordination between state agencies and municipalities, while allowing reconsideration of property tax abatement decisions made during the disaster period.

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.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires that juvenile delinquency cases involving youths aged 14 to 22 begin in the Family Division of the Superior Court rather than the Criminal Division, with certain exceptions for specific serious offenses. The law allows the Family Division to transfer cases to the Criminal Division after a hearing if the youth is older or if the offense is particularly severe, and it mandates that prosecutors file felony charges for minors in the Family Division first. The changes apply to both new cases and those involving violations of release conditions, ensuring that all juvenile proceedings initially originate in the Family Division unless specific criteria for transfer are met.

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, known as the Transportation Infrastructure and Resiliency Act of 2024, directs state funding and policy changes to improve roads, support electric vehicle adoption, and enhance transportation options across Vermont. It increases funding for road repair programs, provides grants for eBike and electric vehicle charging infrastructure, and establishes new rules allowing property owners to install charging stations. The legislation also expands funding for bicycle and pedestrian projects, creates a plan for carsharing expansion, and requires the state to develop new revenue sources for transportation and environmental initiatives. Additionally, it allows certain areas to set speed limits below 25 mph and mandates reporting on electric vehicle outreach efforts and charging station availability.

Maddy summaryThis House concurrent resolution honors Vermont National Guard Deputy Adjutant General Kenneth Gragg for his distinguished career in public service. The document recognizes his 46 years of military and civilian service, including his leadership in financial management, construction projects, and pandemic response efforts. It directs the Secretary of State to send a copy of the resolution to Gragg as a formal acknowledgment of his contributions. This is a ceremonial measure with no new laws or policy changes, serving only to publicly recognize his achievements.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a new grant program administered by the Agency of Human Services to help municipalities and other organizations acquire or renovate existing buildings for permanent supportive housing. The program provides up to $4.5 million in 2025 funding for projects that convert buildings into multiple studio apartments with kitchens and bathrooms, while requiring energy-efficient renovations. Each funded site must employ or contract two staff members to provide daily on-site support services such as case management, support groups, and connections to community resources. The bill targets individuals experiencing chronic homelessness, those recovering from mental health or substance use disorders, aging out of foster care, and other vulnerable populations. Eligible applicants must submit proposals identifying specific buildings, outlining costs and local contributions, and demonstrating accessibility to healthcare and transportation.

Maddy summaryThis bill, titled the Protecting Soils and Waters from Forever Chemicals Act, prohibits the land application of septage throughout Vermont and restricts landfill disposal of waste containing perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) when state standards are exceeded or when facilities lack proper certification. The legislation requires all solid waste management facilities to obtain state certification before operating, with specific exemptions for certain domestic wastewater treatment plants that meet defined conditions. Additionally, the bill bans the use of sludge as daily cover at landfills and mandates that the Secretary of Natural Resources and the Secretary of Agriculture, Food and Markets develop a memorandum of understanding by January 15, 2025, to enforce PFAS soil standards. These changes directly affect wastewater treatment facilities, landfills, and municipalities that manage septage and sludge waste.

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.