Rep. Rebecca Holcombe

Maddy summaryH.652 prohibits all landfill leachate discharges - whether treated or untreated - from entering the Lake Memphremagog watershed. This includes direct discharges from landfills or transfers to wastewater treatment facilities within the watershed. The bill targets PFAS-contaminated leachate, citing studies showing Lake Memphremagog has the highest PFOS levels in Vermont (2.8 ppt) and fish with PFAS at 1,000 ppt. It directly affects landfill operators and wastewater facilities in the watershed, banning any discharge that could harm the lake’s water quality or public health.

Maddy summaryHCR 157 is a ceremonial resolution congratulating Thetford Academy's boys' track and field team for winning their sixth consecutive Division III state championship and setting Vermont records at the 2025 New England Interscholastic Outdoor Track and Field Championship. The resolution specifically recognizes their victory in 10 individual events, relay races, and field events, which earned them 164.5 points - far ahead of the runner-up - and three new state records. The resolution formally directs the Secretary of State to send a copy to Thetford Academy as a symbolic gesture of legislative recognition. This is a non-binding, commemorative measure with no policy impact or funding changes.

Maddy summaryHCR 158 is a purely ceremonial resolution congratulating the Thetford Academy Panthers for winning the 2025 Vermont Division III high school baseball championship. It formally recognizes the team's victory over White River Valley in the championship game and acknowledges the players and coaching staff. The resolution has no policy impact or binding effect - it simply expresses the General Assembly's congratulations and directs the Secretary of State to send a copy to Thetford Academy. No individuals or groups are affected by new requirements or funding.

Maddy summaryThis concurrent resolution honors Melvin and Susan Coburn for their nearly 50 years of running Coburns’ General Store in South Strafford, a historic community hub that offered services like groceries, a post office, bank, and laundromat. It also congratulates the Strafford Community Trust for successfully raising $1.8 million to purchase the store through a community fundraising campaign, ensuring its continued operation as a nonprofit. The resolution has no legal effect or policy changes - it is purely ceremonial, recognizing the Coburns' service and the Trust's efforts to preserve the store's legacy.

Maddy summaryH 589 establishes a six-year statute of repose for lawsuits involving defects in real property improvements (like construction or renovations) in Vermont. It requires such claims - covering design, construction, or supervision - to be filed within six years of "substantial completion," defined as when the property is ready for its intended use. The bill excludes fraud cases, which remain subject to Vermont’s standard statute of limitations under Section 555. This change affects property owners, contractors, and developers by setting a fixed deadline for legal action related to construction defects. The law takes effect July 1, 2026.

Maddy summaryH 397 updates Vermont's emergency management and flood response systems. It requires the Division of Emergency Management to annually report on mitigation plans to legislative committees and revise the State Emergency Management Plan every five years to cover response coordination, preparedness, and local planning templates. The bill expands grant funding for flood mitigation projects, including voluntary buyouts for flood-affected properties, and mandates new assistance for municipalities to access river monitoring and weather alert systems. It also provides municipalities with greater flexibility to borrow funds for emergency-related expenses and manage unspent budget balances. These changes directly affect state agencies, local governments, and communities in flood-prone areas.

Maddy summaryHCR 141 is a ceremonial resolution passed by Vermont's House and Senate to honor Edward M. Hathaway, a former EPA engineer who died in March 2025. The resolution expresses condolences to his family and directs the Secretary of State to send a copy of the resolution to them. It recognizes Hathaway's 36-year EPA career, including his role supervising Superfund cleanup projects in Vermont (Ely Copper Mine and Elizabeth Mine), where he facilitated projects totaling over $100 million. The resolution has no policy impact - it is solely a memorial gesture with no legislative action or funding changes.

Maddy summaryHouse Concurrent Resolution 142 honors Steven D. Faccio of Strafford for his inspiring leadership and dedicated career as a conservation biologist. The resolution formally recognizes his significant contributions to the protection of Vermont's natural environment and its wildlife.

Maddy summaryThis resolution, HCR 81, honors the life and public service of Brenda Churchill, a former Bakersfield Select Board member and advocate for transgender rights. It extends the Vermont General Assembly's condolences to her family and recognizes her contributions to local and state government, including her work on the Vermont Commission on Women.

Maddy summaryThis resolution congratulates Caitlin MacLeod-Bluver of Winooski High School on her selection as the 2025 Vermont Teacher of the Year. It also recognizes Jeremy DeMink of Edmunds Middle School and Sonya Shedd of Wolcott Elementary School as Distinguished Finalists for the award.