Maddy summaryThis bill creates the Climate Superfund Cost Recovery Program, which would require fossil fuel companies that operated in Vermont between 2000 and 2019 to pay for their share of climate change costs. The program targets entities involved in extracting coal, oil, or natural gas, charging them based on how much greenhouse gas their products contributed to global emissions. Money collected from these payments would go into a dedicated fund to finance climate resilience projects like flood protections, upgraded infrastructure, and health programs addressing climate-related health risks. The law defines specific types of infrastructure projects eligible for funding and establishes rules for determining which companies must pay and how much they owe.
Sponsored bills
Maddy summaryThis bill requires Vermont school districts and approved independent schools to create and enforce policies for selecting library materials, guided by the First Amendment and established intellectual freedom standards. The legislation specifically prohibits removing library materials based on partisan politics, author or character demographics, personal discomfort, or content addressing sexual health and student educational needs. School library staff will be responsible for curating collections that match students' developmental levels while protecting students' First Amendment rights. The policy must be made available to the public and takes effect on July 1, 2024.
Maddy summaryThis bill would allow certain undocumented students to pay in-state tuition rates and access state-funded financial aid at Vermont's public colleges if they meet standard residency requirements. It prohibits the Vermont State Colleges Corporation from excluding students based solely on immigration status and requires the Vermont Student Assistance Corporation to make state financial aid available to all residents regardless of immigration status. The law specifically includes protections for refugees, those granted parole to enter the U.S., and Afghan Allies Protection Act visa holders, while also clarifying residency rules for military families. The changes would take effect on July 1, 2025, and include provisions ensuring students can apply for and participate in financial aid programs to the full extent allowed by federal law.
Maddy summaryThis bill creates a temporary Data Trusts Study Committee to examine how data trusts could balance consumer privacy rights with the benefits of increased data sharing. The committee will be composed of state legislators, government officials, and experts from legal, business, and technology sectors, and will study whether data trusts could serve as an alternative to Vermont's existing personal information protection companies. The committee must submit its findings and any legislative recommendations by December 15, 2024, and will cease to exist on December 31, 2024.
Maddy summaryThis bill would allow Vermont residents who are not U.S. citizens to qualify for scholarships and operate regulated child care facilities. It removes citizenship requirements for two specific programs: scholarships for current early childhood providers and scholarships for those seeking to become providers, as well as the ability to run a licensed child care center. The changes apply to both existing providers and those looking to enter the field, regardless of their immigration status.
Maddy summaryThis bill requires public schools and approved independent schools in Vermont to include instruction on the history and contributions of marginalized groups in science, arts, and humanities courses. It specifically mandates coverage of Native Americans, LGBTQ+ individuals, people with disabilities, various racial and ethnic backgrounds, different socioeconomic statuses, immigrants, refugees, and diverse religious backgrounds. The State Board of Education must develop specific standards and performance measures for this content by July 1, 2025, and schools must begin implementing these requirements in the 2025-2026 school year. The instruction must be age-appropriate and integrated into existing courses with established student performance standards.
Maddy summaryThis bill expands eligibility for the Downtown Transportation and Related Capital Improvement Fund to include village centers and growth centers in addition to existing downtown development districts. It also allows the fund to cover engineering and design costs for transportation projects, which previously were not included. The changes apply to municipalities that meet specific criteria, such as having a designated village center that participated in the Better Connections Program or is located in Chittenden County with a completed community planning process. Under the new provisions, the Vermont Downtown Development Board can award grants, loans, or loan guarantees for capital transportation projects like roads, parking facilities, and utility line relocation, with grants covering up to 80 percent of project costs. The bill takes effect on July 1, 2024.
Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a comprehensive flood recovery and preparedness framework for Vermont municipalities and businesses affected by the 2023 severe storms. It provides financial relief through tax abatement reimbursements for municipalities that lost State education property tax revenue, grants to offset municipal lost revenues, and a new Flood Recovery Assistance Program offering up to $40 million for business losses including physical damage, lost revenue, and employee wages. The legislation also creates a working group to improve emergency management coordination between state agencies and municipalities, while allowing reconsideration of property tax abatement decisions made during the disaster period.
Maddy summaryThis bill establishes oversight and liability standards for developers and deployers of inherently dangerous artificial intelligence systems in Vermont. It requires these entities to submit safety and impact assessments to the state before deploying such systems and every two years thereafter, with additional requirements when significant changes are made. The legislation defines inherently dangerous AI systems as those that pose serious risks to public safety, health, or economic security, including systems that can make consequential decisions affecting critical areas like employment, housing, and healthcare. The state Attorney General is authorized to enforce compliance through legal action, which may include injunctions or revocation of business certificates for noncompliance. Small businesses using off-the-shelf AI products according to their terms of use are explicitly excluded from these requirements.
Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a regulatory framework for developers and deployers of high-risk and generative artificial intelligence systems in Vermont. It requires developers to use reasonable care to prevent algorithmic discrimination and mandates disclosure of system limitations, intended uses, and data collection practices before providing high-risk AI systems to deployers. The legislation also defines key terms such as consequential decisions, synthetic digital content, and social media platforms to clarify which systems fall under the new regulations.