Rep. Esme Cole

Maddy summaryThis House concurrent resolution honors former President James Earl Carter as a tireless international humanitarian and public servant. The bill recognizes his post-presidential work, including conflict mediation, election monitoring, disease eradication efforts, and advocacy for affordable housing through Habitat for Humanity. It acknowledges his receipt of the 2002 Nobel Peace Prize and his decision to enter hospice care. The resolution directs the Secretary of State to send a copy of the document to former President Carter.

Maddy summaryThis bill officially recognizes March 2023 as Social Work Month in Vermont to honor the contributions of social workers to improving human well-being and addressing social issues. The resolution highlights the profession's role in various settings including schools, hospitals, and government agencies, as well as its work supporting diverse communities and addressing challenges like the opioid crisis. It marks the 60th anniversary of Social Work Month and directs the Secretary of State to send a copy of the resolution to the National Association of Social Workers Vermont Chapter.

Maddy summaryThis bill is a ceremonial resolution honoring Marshall Webb, a nonprofit cofounder and environmental advocate who passed away in 2022. It recognizes his contributions to Shelburne Farms, a Vermont center for sustainability education, and acknowledges his personal connection to the organization and the state. The resolution directs the Secretary of State to send a copy to Webb's family and Shelburne Farms as a formal expression of appreciation. This measure does not change laws or policies but serves to publicly acknowledge Webb's legacy and impact on the community.

Maddy summaryThis bill is a formal resolution that congratulates the 2023 Hartford High School Hurricanes boys' indoor track team for winning their first Division II state championship. The resolution recognizes the team's historic achievement, which included first-place finishes in the 300-meter run and long jump, along with relay victories, resulting in a 101-82.5 final score. It specifically names the 20 team members, head coach Mike Perry, and assistant coach Fatimah Shabazz who earned the title. The General Assembly directs the Secretary of State to send a copy of this resolution to Hartford High School to formally acknowledge their accomplishment.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a Just Transition Working Group to develop a plan for replacing Vermont's correctional facilities with a community-based system focused on restorative justice and rehabilitation. The working group would include legislators, agency representatives, and individuals with lived experience in the criminal justice system to design services addressing housing, education, workforce development, and mental health needs. The plan aims to reduce recidivism by shifting resources from incarceration to community supports, beginning with the Chittenden County Correctional Facility. The bill does not mandate immediate changes but establishes a framework for studying and planning a transition away from traditional incarceration methods.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires the State of Vermont to develop a comprehensive plan for transitioning to a regenerative economy by 2026, which aims to repair and restore natural and human resources rather than simply reducing harm. The legislation mandates that the state be divided into 11 regions, each forming a People's Assembly to create local plans through broad public engagement involving community members, businesses, and organizations. These regional plans must address specific goals including regenerative agriculture, food justice, waste reduction, renewable energy, and racial equity while guiding state investments and policy decisions. The bill establishes a long-term target of achieving 90 percent of a regenerative economy by December 31, 2046, and requires all state funding streams to align with the resulting roadmap.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires Vermont's Departments of Health and Disabilities, Aging, and Independent Living to expand their public education efforts on Alzheimer's disease to also include information about brain health and reducing dementia risks. The Departments must work with the Commission on Alzheimer's Disease and Related Disorders to create accessible educational materials in electronic, print, and in-person formats for the public, patients, families, caregivers, and healthcare providers. These resources will include information about the State Plan on Aging as well as programs focused on prevention, care, and support for individuals and communities. The changes take effect on July 1, 2023.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires Vermont's Departments of Health and for Children and Families to submit a report on how to enable WIC card users to pay at farmers' markets. The report must outline the feasibility, timeline, and costs for providing farmers' market vendors with payment devices that work with electronic benefit transfer cards. The bill affects WIC program participants, farmers' market vendors, and state agencies responsible for nutrition programs. It takes effect on July 1, 2023, and directs the report to be submitted by January 15, 2024.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates an Eviction Diversion Program within the Vermont State Housing Authority to help prevent evictions for nonpayment of rent. The program would provide up to $1,600,000 in funding and hire a coordinator to screen eligible tenants and landlords, connect them with financial assistance, and facilitate mediation to resolve disputes. Tenants qualify if they owe three months or less in rent, have income at or below 100% of the area median, and meet specific hardship criteria such as medical emergencies or job loss. If eligible parties agree to participate, the bill suspends legal eviction timelines while they work toward a resolution, and upon successful mediation, funds up to $3,000 can be paid directly to landlords on behalf of tenants. Additionally, the bill requires courts to seal tenant privacy records in eviction cases until a final eviction order is issued.

Maddy summaryThis bill proposes to raise Vermont's minimum wage to $19.45 per hour starting July 1, 2023, and removes several exemptions that currently allow certain workers, such as taxi drivers and outside salespeople, to be paid less than the standard minimum wage. It also establishes a grant program for small businesses with 20 or fewer employees to offset payroll costs resulting from the wage increase, requiring applicants to demonstrate that their business revenue would decline due to the higher wages. Additionally, the legislation directs the Joint Fiscal Office to conduct a study comparing Vermont's wage policies to those of countries with high minimum wages and high standards of living, with the goal of identifying successful practices that could be adopted in the state.