Rep. Tesha Buss

Maddy summaryThis bill amends Vermont law to require developers to provide buyers with a copy of the escrow deposit bond that protects their funds. The change affects real estate transactions by ensuring purchasers receive documentation about the financial guarantee backing their deposits. Previously, the law required developers to disclose the bond issuer's identity, but this update shifts the requirement to providing the actual bond document itself. The amendment was passed by both legislative chambers and signed into law by the Governor in April 2024.

Maddy summaryThis House concurrent resolution celebrates the 50th anniversary of the National Conference of State Legislatures, an organization founded in 1975 that supports state and territorial legislators and their staff. The resolution recognizes the group's role in advancing state legislative effectiveness, fostering cooperation between states, and providing a unified voice for state legislatures in the federal system. It directs the Vermont Secretary of State to send a copy of the resolution to the National Conference of State Legislatures. The measure is a commemorative action with no policy changes or budgetary impact.

Maddy summaryThis bill updates Vermont's emergency housing eligibility rules by requiring medical certification for disability documentation. It allows households who cannot prove SSI or SSDI eligibility to use a specific form to document qualifying health conditions for temporary emergency housing. The form must include personal information, a description of the disability, risks to health and safety without housing, and verification from a licensed healthcare provider. This change affects individuals seeking emergency housing assistance and healthcare professionals providing disability certifications.

Maddy summaryThis bill, titled the Medicaid Expansion Act of 2024, expands eligibility for Vermont's Dr. Dynasaur children's health insurance program to include young adults up to age 26, in addition to the current age limit of 21. The expansion applies to residents whose family income is at or below 312 percent of the federal poverty level, and it also extends coverage to pregnant individuals of any age. The legislation authorizes the state to charge monthly premiums for pregnant women and young adults whose family income exceeds 195 percent of the federal poverty level, with collected fees directed toward offsetting program costs. By aligning Dr. Dynasaur eligibility with federal Medicaid standards for young adults, the bill aims to reduce the number of uninsured and underinsured Vermonters in this age group.

Maddy summaryThis bill is a commemorative resolution that celebrates the 40th anniversary of the Catamount Trail, a recreational trail in Vermont. It recognizes the trail's origins in 1984 when three friends established the Catamount Trail Association and began skiing the trail's length. The resolution directs the Secretary of State to send a copy of the document to the Catamount Trail Association. It does not create new laws or change policies but serves to honor the trail's history and ongoing stewardship.

Maddy summaryThis bill designates April 3, 2024, as Prevention Day in Vermont to recognize efforts to prevent substance misuse. It directly affects community organizations, youth, and prevention groups working to address alcohol, marijuana, tobacco, and other substance use issues. The resolution directs the Secretary of State to send a copy of the document to Prevention Works!VT, the organization that hosts the annual event. This is a ceremonial measure that acknowledges the importance of substance misuse prevention rather than creating new laws or policies.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a grant program to provide financial assistance to logging contractors in Vermont for implementing water quality protection and climate adaptation practices on harvest sites. It also creates a study to analyze the economic impact and workforce availability of professional logging and trucking industries in the state, and mandates a free safety training program for logging contractors and timber truckers. The legislation appropriates $5 million for the grant program and $100,000 for the economic study, directing the Department of Forests, Parks and Recreation to administer these initiatives.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes the Vermont Baby Bond Trust, a state-administered fund designed to provide financial support to children born on or after July 1, 2024, who qualify for Medicaid or similar health coverage at birth. The program would allow eligible children to receive bonds that can be used for education, purchasing a home, starting a business, or contributing to retirement accounts once they reach adulthood. The trust would be managed by the State Treasurer, who would invest the funds to generate earnings while keeping the assets separate from general state funds and exempt from state taxes. Money in the trust would only be disbursed for approved purposes and would not count as income or assets when determining eligibility for other assistance programs.

Maddy summaryThis bill is a ceremonial resolution that honors Sergeant at Arms Janet Miller for her service to the Vermont General Assembly. It recognizes her long career, which includes managing security, coordinating events, and overseeing the Legislative Council before she was elected to her current role five times. The resolution also acknowledges her specific contributions during the COVID-19 pandemic, including helping the legislature transition back to in-person meetings. The bill directs the Secretary of State to send a copy of this honor to Janet Miller, who has announced her retirement effective March 1, 2024.

Maddy summaryThis bill aims to reduce regulatory hurdles for businesses operating on working lands in Vermont by modifying requirements under Act 250. It directly affects wood products manufacturers, small forest processors, and farms that run accessory businesses like agritourism or on-site product processing. The legislation would lower soil mitigation fees for wood manufacturers, exempt small sawmills and forest processors from needing permits, and clarify definitions to allow more on-farm activities without permits. Additionally, it would require larger electric generation facilities over 500 kilowatts to obtain an Act 250 permit. These changes seek to modernize regulations to support forest and agricultural industries while maintaining oversight on larger-scale developments.