Rep. John O'Brien

Maddy summaryH 303 bans the land application of septage (septic tank waste), sludge (wastewater treatment byproduct), and biosolids (treated sewage solids) for agricultural use. It also prohibits selling compost or soil products containing these materials. The law applies directly to farmers, waste treatment facilities, and businesses producing agricultural products. The ban takes effect July 1, 2025, replacing current testing requirements for land application.

Maddy summaryThis bill updates Vermont's Use Value Appraisal Program, which helps farmers pay lower property taxes by valuing farmland at its agricultural use value instead of market value. It changes the eligibility requirement to require at least 25% of a farmer's annual income from farming (including a new provision for those earning 25% from raising horses) and reduces the land use change tax rate from 10% to 6% when agricultural land is developed. These changes aim to make the program more accessible to a wider range of agricultural operations, including horse-related businesses. The bill directly affects farmers and landowners seeking to enroll agricultural land in the program or develop previously enrolled land.

Maddy summaryHCR 21 is a symbolic resolution expressing the Vermont General Assembly's appreciation for school board members' role in public education. It formally designates February as "School Board Recognition Month" in Vermont to highlight their contributions. The resolution has no legal effect or policy changes - it is purely ceremonial, acknowledging school board members' civic service. The resolution was adopted by both chambers on February 7, 2025, and directs the Secretary of State to share it with the Vermont School Boards Association.

Maddy summaryH.229 proposes creating a Vermont Farm and Forestry Operations Security Special Fund to provide grants for weather-related losses. It directly affects Vermont farms and forestry operations that suffer qualifying weather damage (like floods, droughts, or extreme heat), covering up to 50% of uninsured losses with a yearly maximum of $150,000 per operation. The fund, administered by the Agriculture Department, will use streamlined applications requiring basic damage descriptions and financial records, with verification through weather data sources like NOAA. Grants cover specific costs including lost income, infrastructure repairs, replanting, and livestock feed replacement.

Maddy summaryHCR 19 is a ceremonial resolution congratulating Vermonter Noah Dines on setting a new world record for vertical skiing, achieving 3,590,097 feet in one year (equivalent to 120 Mount Everest ascents). It has no policy provisions or direct impact on constituents, as it solely expresses legislative recognition of Dines' athletic achievement. The resolution was formally adopted by the Vermont General Assembly on February 7, 2025, and directs the Secretary of State to send a copy to Dines. This is purely symbolic, with no legislative action or funding attached.

Maddy summaryThis House Concurrent Resolution (HCR 29) is a ceremonial gesture congratulating Montgomery runner Elinor Purrier St. Pierre on her eighth-place finish in the women's 1500m at the 2024 Paris Olympics. It recognizes her athletic achievements, including American records and prior Olympic participation, as detailed in the resolution's "whereas" clauses. The resolution directs Vermont's Secretary of State to send a copy of the resolution to Ms. Purrier St. Pierre. As a symbolic tribute with no policy changes or direct effects, it does not alter laws or affect any constituents beyond expressing legislative recognition.

Maddy summaryThis ceremonial resolution honors the Vermont Old Cemetery Association (VOCA) for its 65+ years of preserving Vermont's historic cemeteries. VOCA provides restoration grants, veteran burial support, and educational resources (like its newsletter and book *Burial Grounds of Vermont*) to local cemetery groups and municipalities. The resolution formally recognizes VOCA's work without creating new laws, funding, or policy changes. It serves as a symbolic gesture of appreciation for the organization's contributions to cemetery preservation and public education.

Maddy summaryThis bill bans all forms of geoengineering in Vermont, including solar radiation modification (like stratospheric aerosol injection), cloud seeding, and other atmospheric experiments that release pollutants. It directly affects anyone conducting such activities - individuals, companies, or government entities - within Vermont's airspace or territory. Key provisions require Vermont State Police or sheriffs to issue immediate cease-and-desist orders for violations and mandate reports of suspected violations to law enforcement. The bill defines prohibited activities broadly to cover interventions using aerosols, chemicals, electromagnetic radiation, or "chaff" (including PFAS-containing materials) that could harm health, environment, or agriculture.

Maddy summaryThis concurrent resolution designates February 12, 2025, as "Farm to School and Child Awareness Day" at the Vermont State House. It recognizes Vermont's existing Farm-to-School programs, which connect schools with local farmers to provide healthy meals and support agricultural sustainability. The resolution directs the Secretary of State to send a copy to the Vermont Farm to School & Early Childhood Network. As a ceremonial designation, it does not create new laws or funding but highlights ongoing initiatives benefiting schools, early childhood programs, and Vermont farmers.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires online businesses likely to be accessed by children to avoid using design features that are harmful or overly invasive of children's privacy. It defines "covered businesses" as those with online services reasonably likely to be used by minors and mandates that these businesses set privacy settings to the most protective default for children. Key provisions prohibit design features causing compulsive use (like endless scrolling) and require businesses to handle children's personal data with heightened safeguards. The law applies to Vermont-based businesses offering online products or services to minors, aiming to protect children's privacy through proactive design standards.