Rep. Kirk White

Maddy summaryThis bill formally recognizes May 2023 as Jewish American Heritage Month in Vermont. It directs the Secretary of State to send a copy of the resolution to Jewish communities in the state. The measure acknowledges the historical contributions of Jewish Americans to Vermont and the nation, noting their early settlement and ongoing cultural significance. It does not change laws or policies but serves as a symbolic recognition of Jewish heritage and history.

Maddy summaryThis bill formally recognizes May as Mental Health Awareness Month in Vermont to raise public awareness about mental health challenges. It does not change laws or allocate funding but serves as a symbolic acknowledgment of the state's mental health needs and statistics. The resolution directs the Secretary of State to send copies of the document to relevant mental health organizations and officials. While it highlights concerning data about suicide rates and access to care, the bill itself is a commemorative measure rather than a policy change.

Maddy summaryThis bill defines and protects certain health care activities related to reproductive health and gender-affirming care from civil and criminal liability. It establishes that licensed health care providers in Vermont can legally offer these services to patients regardless of where the patient is located, as long as the services are permitted under Vermont law. The law also protects insurance coverage for these services and prohibits conversion therapy from being classified as gender-affirming care. The protections apply to the provision, prescription, distribution, and use of FDA-approved medications for pregnancy termination as of January 1, 2023. The bill became effective immediately upon passage and was signed into law by the Governor in May 2023.

Maddy summaryThis bill is a House concurrent resolution that honors Karen Horn of Moretown for her leadership in strengthening local government in Vermont. It recognizes her decades of work with the Vermont League of Cities and Towns, where she advised officials on municipal issues and helped secure transportation funding and tax authority for local governments. The resolution formally acknowledges her contributions to municipal policy and directs the Secretary of State to send a copy of the document to both Horn and the Vermont League of Cities and Towns.

Maddy summaryThis bill updates Vermont's regulations for captive insurance companies, which are insurance entities owned by the businesses they insure. It requires branch captive companies to submit annual reports from their home jurisdictions to the state Commissioner and allows waivers if those reports are deemed sufficient. The legislation also mandates that incorporated protected cells include specific naming conventions like "Incorporated Cell" or "IC" in their titles. Additionally, the bill requires captive insurers to keep original records and documents in Vermont unless the Commissioner approves keeping them elsewhere, and it strengthens pre-licensing requirements by asking applicants to provide detailed information about their assets, management expertise, and operational plans. A portion of premium tax revenues will be transferred to the Department of Financial Regulation to fund captive insurance oversight, with this funding change taking effect on July 1, 2023.

Maddy summaryThis resolution condemns the forced harvesting of organs from prisoners and detainees in China, directly affecting the U.S. House of Representatives and the Chinese government. It formally acknowledges findings from the China Tribunal and other international bodies that document systematic organ harvesting targeting specific groups like Falun Gong practitioners and Uyghurs. The resolution calls on Chinese authorities to respond to these allegations and directs the Clerk to send copies to the Chinese Ambassador, President Biden, and Vermont's congressional delegation.

Maddy summaryThis House resolution expresses support for Abenaki communities in Vermont and encourages greater appreciation of Abenaki culture during Abenaki Recognition and Heritage Week and throughout the year. The bill directly affects the Vermont Commission on Native American Affairs and the four state-recognized Abenaki tribes and bands by directing the House Clerk to send copies of the resolution to these entities. The resolution acknowledges past injustices, including state-sanctioned eugenics and sterilizations, and recognizes existing legislative efforts such as free hunting and fishing licenses for certified Native Americans and the establishment of a Truth and Reconciliation Commission. It serves as a formal statement of support rather than creating new policy requirements or funding allocations.

Maddy summaryThis legislative resolution formally congratulates individuals who achieved significant scouting milestones in 2022. It honors 35 young people who earned the Eagle Scout rank and one individual, Katherine Lewis, who received the Summit Award for Venturing. The General Assembly directs the Secretary of State to send copies of this recognition to each person named in the resolution. This ceremonial document acknowledges their accomplishments but does not create new laws or policy changes.

Maddy summaryThis bill designates April 2023 as Donate Life Awareness Month in Vermont to raise public awareness about organ and tissue donation. It directly affects Vermont residents by encouraging them to register as organ donors through the Department of Motor Vehicles. The resolution directs the Secretary of State to send copies to relevant health and motor vehicle officials and Donate Life Vermont to coordinate awareness activities. The bill highlights the national need for organ donors, noting that many people wait for transplants while others die daily, and celebrates Vermont's high rate of donor registration.

Maddy summaryThis Vermont House resolution reaffirms the state's friendship with Taiwan and expresses support for strengthening bilateral relations between both the United States and Taiwan, as well as Vermont and Taiwan. The bill highlights existing trade relationships, noting that Taiwan is Vermont's second-largest export destination and the U.S.'s eighth-largest trading partner. It specifically calls for a memorandum of understanding between Vermont and Taiwan to increase educational exchanges and cooperation. The resolution directs the House Clerk to send copies to relevant state and federal officials, including President Biden and Taiwan's President Tsai Ing-wen.