Rep. Esme Cole

Maddy summaryH 490 would reduce the required community service hours for individuals convicted of a second impaired driving offense under Vermont law. It specifically targets people sentenced for a second offense under 23 V.S.A. § 1210(c), aiming to make community service a more appealing sentencing option compared to jail time. The bill cites Vermont’s Restorative Justice Policy (28 V.S.A. § 2a) as justification, arguing aligning the hours encourages community service use. It also references Department of Corrections data to measure potential impacts on incarceration rates, though the bill itself only changes the sentencing requirement.

Maddy summaryHCR 13 is a non-binding memorial resolution honoring Robert Louis Picher, the former Clerk of the Vermont House of Representatives. It commemorates his 30 years of service (1963-1993, plus 2002 acting role), military career, legal background, and community contributions. The resolution expresses the Vermont General Assembly’s condolences to his family and directs the Secretary of State to send a copy to them. This is purely ceremonial with no policy changes or affected constituents.

Maddy summaryH 456 creates a state-funded community support system for individuals recently released from incarceration or with prior criminal justice involvement who face homelessness or need housing. It allocates $1.3 million for housing grants through Pathways Vermont, $1 million for community housing development (prioritizing Black, Indigenous, LGBTQ+, disabled, and women), and $1 million for residential treatment of substance use and mental health conditions. Additional funds support recovery services, restorative justice programs, and community-based case management. The bill redirects resources from new prison construction toward housing, health services, and economic opportunities to reduce recidivism. It directly affects justice-involved individuals experiencing housing instability or needing health support upon release.

Maddy summaryH.426 provides funding for electric vehicle and eBike incentive programs, including $6 million for new plug-in electric vehicle purchases and $150,000 for eBike incentives in fiscal year 2026. It imposes a $0.30 fee on retail deliveries (subject to sales tax) to generate revenue for transportation initiatives and allocates $2.8 million to public transit agencies to maintain service levels. The bill also requires updated transportation standards to include complete streets and green infrastructure, establishes rules for electric vehicle charging equipment installation, and directs evaluations of projects to reduce vehicle miles traveled and emissions. These changes directly affect vehicle buyers, retail delivery vendors, public transit agencies, and municipalities seeking infrastructure funding.

Maddy summaryH 445 creates the Land Access and Opportunity Revolving Fund to support affordable housing for historically marginalized communities in Vermont. It is funded by a 1.5% income tax surcharge on earnings above $500,000 (repealed in 2031), administered by a new Land Access and Opportunity Board. The fund provides grants or loans for tenant-owned housing purchases, multi-unit renovations, cooperative housing development, and transitional housing projects with priority for marginalized groups. Projects must align with community resource integration, sustainable design, and support for those facing homelessness, disabilities, or justice system involvement.

Maddy summaryH 433 establishes a 10-year phased rollout of Green Mountain Care, Vermont's publicly financed health care program for all residents. It begins with universal primary care in Year 1, adds preventive dental and vision care in Year 2, and expands to additional services over the next eight years based on recommendations from the Green Mountain Care Board's Universal Health Care Advisory Group. The bill mandates that the Board verify specific criteria before implementation, including ensuring benefits have at least 80% actuarial value, maintaining economic sustainability, reducing administrative costs, and preventing duplication with existing insurance coverage. All Vermont residents are directly affected as the program aims to provide comprehensive coverage equivalent to the 2011 health care reform blueprint.

Maddy summaryVermont's H 440 bill would protect residential renters by restricting landlords from evicting tenants without a valid reason. Landlords could only terminate tenancies without cause for specific reasons like major renovations (exceeding 50% of unit value), owner-occupancy by the landlord or immediate family, or if a tenant refuses reasonable lease renewal terms. Tenants would receive 60 days' notice for stays under two years or 90 days for longer tenancies, plus relocation assistance equivalent to one month's rent. The bill does not apply to the first six months of a rental agreement.

Maddy summaryHCR 48 is a ceremonial resolution honoring former Vermont House Representative Curt McCormack of Burlington, who died in September 2024. It recognizes his environmental advocacy (including pioneering work on chlorofluorocarbon limits), transportation leadership (as Bicycle-Pedestrian Coordinator and House Transportation Committee Chair), and service as a Peace Corps volunteer in Senegal. The resolution extends condolences to his family and directs the Secretary of State to send a copy to them. This procedural resolution does not create policy changes or affect any constituents.

Maddy summaryThis bill prohibits six specific artificial dyes (Blue 1, Blue 2, Green 3, Red 40, Yellow 5, and Yellow 6) in foods and beverages served during the school day in Vermont public schools and approved independent schools. It does not apply to food or beverages sold off-campus or after school hours until midnight. The law will take effect on July 1, 2027.

Maddy summaryThis bill imposes an 11% excise tax on the retail sale of firearms, firearm precursor parts, and ammunition in Vermont. Licensed firearm dealers and ammunition vendors must collect the tax at the point of sale (during background checks) and remit it quarterly to the state. The tax applies to all retail transactions except those exempt under Vermont law, such as transfers to law enforcement or immediate family members. Revenue from the tax will be deposited into the Domestic and Sexual Violence Special Fund, which supports victim services. The tax takes effect on July 1, 2026.