Rep. John O'Brien

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 proposes a tax on the distance agricultural products travel before being sold in Vermont, aiming to inform consumers about the carbon impact of food transportation. It would apply to items like fruits, vegetables, dairy, and meat, charging $0.001 per mile from the original packing location to the retail sale point. Transporters would need to provide invoices showing the origin and mileage for each shipment. Revenue from the tax would be split three ways: one-third to the state's general fund, one-third to a climate awareness fund, and one-third to a food resiliency fund that includes Universal School Meals.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires students graduating from Vermont public high schools to demonstrate civics knowledge as a condition of receiving a diploma. The law offers two pathways: passing the standard U.S. citizenship civics test with a minimum score of 60 percent, or completing one semester of community service with a local government organization under a mentor's supervision. The requirement applies to all public high school and career technical center students, though students with individualized education programs may participate at the discretion of their IEP team. The measure would take effect for students graduating in the 2025-2026 academic year or later.

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 establishes a study committee to examine how perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances in landfill leachate affect natural resources across Vermont. The committee will be tasked with evaluating the presence and impacts of these chemical substances found in liquid waste from landfills. The legislation directly involves state environmental officials and land management agencies responsible for monitoring landfill operations. No specific regulatory changes or funding allocations are included in this measure, which focuses solely on creating a framework for further investigation.

Maddy summaryThis bill gives Vermont towns the option to maintain legal trails without requiring them to do so, while also granting local selectboards the authority to regulate how these trails are used. It defines legal trails as public rights-of-way that were formerly town highways or were newly designated for access or recreation, and clarifies that towns are not required to maintain them or owe a duty of care to trail users. The legislation allows selectboards to set rules on permitted vehicle types, install gates, and establish penalties for noncompliance, but does not authorize land condemnation for recreational trail purposes.

Maddy summaryThis bill would remove criminal penalties for possessing, dispensing, or selling psilocybin in Vermont and create a Psychedelic Therapy Advisory Working Group to study the potential for regulated therapeutic use. The legislation cites research suggesting psilocybin may help treat mental health conditions like depression, PTSD, and substance use disorders, and it amends state law to exclude psilocybin from the definition of hallucinogenic drugs. The newly formed working group would include legislators, medical professionals, researchers, and community members to review evidence, examine programs in other states, and recommend whether Vermont should establish a regulated system for healthcare providers to administer psychedelics therapeutically. The group must submit its findings and recommendations by November 15, 2024, to relevant legislative committees.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates the Vermont Rental Housing Improvement Program to provide grants and forgivable loans to private landlords for rehabilitating rental housing units, with a focus on non-code-compliant or newly created units. The program is administered by the Department of Housing and Community Development through statewide or regional nonprofit housing organizations, which distribute funds to eligible landlords who must contribute at least 20 percent in matching funds or in-kind services. Recipients cannot use assisted units for short-term rentals and must prioritize leasing to households exiting homelessness or refugee resettlement programs for five years, with alternative income-based tenant requirements if qualifying households are unavailable. The bill also establishes transparency requirements, mandating that recipient identities and award amounts be published quarterly online, and limits individual grants or loans to a maximum of $50,000 per unit.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a policy for the State of Vermont to allow the Abenaki people access to state-owned or leased lands for agricultural, hunting, fishing, trapping, and cultural, religious, and spiritual activities. It requires state agencies to consult with the Commission on Native American Affairs and Abenaki tribal leadership to identify suitable properties and determine appropriate access methods while protecting sacred sites. The legislation also clarifies that it does not override existing property rights or require taking vested interests, and it mandates that the Secretary of Administration create rules to implement these provisions.