Rep. Kirk White

Maddy summaryThis bill defines "first responders" to include a broad range of personnel such as firefighters, law enforcement, emergency medical staff, public health workers, and utility operators for use in state emergency management planning. It requires local emergency management organizations and planning committees to incorporate information about utilizing these first responders into their emergency management plans. The legislation also establishes regional emergency management committees that include representatives from various organizations and authorizes the Governor to mobilize and coordinate first responders during emergencies. Additionally, the bill expands the Governor's authority to take preparatory steps and assume operational control of first responders when declaring a state of emergency.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes the Resilient Communities Fund to provide financial assistance to Vermont municipalities for planning and responding to floods, fires, environmental hazards, and other disasters, with priority given to projects that match federal grants and serve vulnerable communities. It requires the Division of Vermont Emergency Management to identify specific areas needing additional funding based on past disasters, current risks, and local capacity, and mandates a study to improve coordination between state and local disaster response efforts. Additionally, the bill directs the Secretary of Natural Resources to create rules for development permits in flood hazard areas and authorizes the creation of a State Urban Search and Rescue Team for rapid emergency response.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires Vermont's Emergency Management agency to create and maintain a list of operational self-storage facilities during a state of emergency. The legislation mandates that storage facilities provide their name, address, contact information, and current unit availability to the state, which will then share this data through Vermont 211 or another approved agency. Facilities must update their availability information at least once every 24 hours while an emergency is in effect. Additionally, the bill prohibits storage facilities from charging unconscionably high prices during emergencies, defining such prices as those that show a gross disparity compared to normal rates charged before the emergency declaration. The law takes effect on July 1, 2024.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates and expands the Municipal Planning and Resilience Grant Program to help Vermont towns and regional planning commissions prepare for climate-related hazards like flooding. The program will receive funding from a dedicated state fund, with 20 percent of revenues going to municipalities and 70 percent to regional planning commissions for performance-based contracts. Municipalities must vote to allocate local funds for planning purposes and submit plans for approval to qualify for grants, which can be used for acquiring development rights, conservation easements, or implementing climate resilience projects. The bill also establishes two new permanent full-time positions to administer the grants and assist with financing climate resilience projects.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a refundable income tax credit of $500 for qualified emergency responders in Vermont, including licensed emergency medical personnel, first responders, and volunteer firefighters who are in good standing with the state. The credit applies to taxable years beginning on or after January 1, 2024, and is designed to recognize the public service provided by these individuals who deliver lifesaving measures. The legislation also requires the Vermont Fire Service Training Council to establish standards defining active service for volunteer firefighters to determine eligibility for the credit. This measure directly affects licensed medical personnel, first responders, and volunteer firefighters who meet the specified qualifications and serve within the state.

Maddy summaryThis bill allows Vermont municipalities to receive reimbursement for state education property taxes they abated for property owners affected by severe storms and flooding between July and October 2023. It also permits municipalities to be reimbursed for reasonable interest expenses incurred when borrowing funds to make these tax payments, capped at eight percent. Additionally, the bill excludes federal disaster relief payments from household income when calculating the homestead property tax credit for the 2023 and 2024 tax years, helping homeowners maintain eligibility for tax credits despite receiving disaster assistance.

Maddy summaryThis bill would allow Vermont to join the Physician Assistant Licensure Compact, an agreement among multiple states that makes it easier for licensed physician assistants to practice across state lines. Under the compact, a physician assistant holding a valid license in one participating state could obtain temporary permission to practice in other participating states without applying for a new full license in each location. The system maintains patient safety by ensuring that the physician assistant remains under the jurisdiction of the state where the patient is located during a medical visit and allows licensing boards to share information about disciplinary actions. The compact also includes special provisions to help military families by simplifying the licensing process for active-duty personnel and their spouses who move between states.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes the Community Resilience and Biodiversity Protection Act to create a statewide framework for conserving Vermont's natural landscapes and protecting biodiversity. It defines three types of protected land areas - ecological reserve areas, biodiversity conservation areas, and natural resource management areas - and sets conservation goals to protect 30 percent of the state's land by a specified target date. The legislation requires the state to prioritize conservation efforts that maintain connected ecosystems, support sustainable land management practices, and ensure access to land for Indigenous peoples and historically marginalized communities. By creating these protections, the bill aims to help Vermont address climate change impacts, reduce flood risks, and preserve natural habitats while balancing conservation with housing and economic development needs.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a Prekindergarten Education Implementation Committee to develop a plan for providing full-day prekindergarten education to all four-year-old children in Vermont by July 1, 2026. The committee, composed of representatives from education agencies, school associations, private providers, and families, will examine how to expand access through public schools or contracted private providers while considering costs, quality standards, and special education needs. The committee must submit its implementation plan and draft legislative language by December 1, 2024, and will cease to exist on February 1, 2025. The bill also appropriates $107,500 in fiscal year 2024 to fund the committee's operations and potential contractor assistance.

Maddy summaryThis bill expands Vermont's apprenticeship system by updating definitions and requirements to better support workforce development. It directly affects employers, job seekers, and training programs by clarifying terms like "accessibility," "diversity," and "nontraditional apprenticeship populations" to promote inclusive hiring practices. Key provisions establish new standards for pre-apprenticeship programs, allow for advanced standing credits based on prior work experience, and require sponsors to include underserved communities in their training initiatives. The legislation also creates interim credentials to recognize specific skill completions during an apprenticeship and strengthens oversight for program registration and compliance.