Sen. Ruth Hardy

Maddy summaryThis proposal would add a new article to the Vermont Constitution guaranteeing employees the right to organize and collectively bargain with their employers. The amendment allows workers to form labor organizations to negotiate wages, hours, working conditions, and workplace safety protections. It also permits labor organizations to collect dues from members and prevents laws from interfering with collective bargaining agreements that require union membership as a condition of employment. If ratified by voters in November 2026, this change would establish a constitutional right to collective bargaining in Vermont.

Maddy summaryThis bill is a ceremonial resolution that congratulates the 2023 Green Mountain Council Class of Eagle Scouts in Vermont for achieving the rank of Eagle Scout. It recognizes these young individuals for their dedication and service, noting that earning this rank is a significant accomplishment. The resolution directs the Secretary of State to send a copy of the document to each of the 50 scouts named in the text. This measure does not create new laws or policy changes but serves as a formal acknowledgment of their achievements.

Maddy summaryThis House concurrent resolution celebrates the 50th anniversary of the National Conference of State Legislatures, an organization founded in 1975 that supports state and territorial legislators and their staff. The resolution recognizes the group's role in advancing state legislative effectiveness, fostering cooperation between states, and providing a unified voice for state legislatures in the federal system. It directs the Vermont Secretary of State to send a copy of the resolution to the National Conference of State Legislatures. The measure is a commemorative action with no policy changes or budgetary impact.

Maddy summaryThis bill prohibits defendants from using a plaintiff's own negligence as a legal defense in personal injury lawsuits involving sexual acts or conduct. It amends Vermont's negligence laws to prevent courts from reducing damages based on how much fault the plaintiff had in the sexual situation. The change applies to any negligence claim where the incident involves sexual acts or conduct as defined in state law. This means plaintiffs seeking compensation for injuries from such incidents cannot have their claims reduced because they were partially at fault. The law takes effect immediately upon signing.

Maddy summaryThis legislative resolution commemorates Vermont's April 8, 2024 total solar eclipse, a rare astronomical event visible across much of the state. It officially recognizes the historic nature of the eclipse, noting that the last total solar eclipse visible in Vermont occurred nearly a century ago in 1932. The resolution directs the Secretary of State to send a copy of the document to the Vermont Space Grant Consortium and the Fairbanks Museum and Planetarium, which are partners in educating the public about the event. This ceremonial measure serves to acknowledge the significance of the eclipse for Vermont residents and visitors rather than to change any laws or policies.

Maddy summaryThis bill restructures Vermont's fish and wildlife management by creating a 16-member Fish and Wildlife Board that advises the Department of Fish and Wildlife on rules and policies. The board includes representatives from each county, two at-large members, and requires members to have expertise in wildlife biology and consider climate change impacts. Proposed regulations must be reviewed by the board before public hearings, and the board can recommend revisions with written explanations if the department does not adopt its suggestions. The bill also establishes a process for determining antlerless deer hunting seasons based on scientific studies and public testimony, with specific permit allocation rules for landowners and hunters.

Maddy summaryThis bill designates March 26, 2024, as Robert Frost Day in Vermont to honor the state's first Poet Laureate on the 150th anniversary of his birth. The resolution recognizes Frost's literary achievements, including four Pulitzer Prizes, his deep connection to Vermont landscapes, and his contributions to education at institutions like Bread Loaf School of English. The General Assembly formally acknowledges Frost's legacy by naming this specific date in his honor. The Secretary of State will send copies of the resolution to the Robert Frost Stone House in Shaftsbury and the Bread Loaf School of English in Ripton.

Maddy summaryThis bill authorizes Vermont to join the federal Restaurant Meals Program, allowing eligible SNAP recipients to use their benefits at participating restaurants instead of buying groceries. It requires the state to develop eligibility criteria for restaurants and provides funding for a new staff position to help restaurants apply and participate. The legislation also mandates a transition plan by January 2025 to adjust 3SquaresVT benefit calculations to 30 percent of the federal moderate-cost food plan, which would increase benefits for some recipients.

Maddy summaryThis bill updates Vermont's official mapping system by establishing clear definitions for the Vermont State Plane Coordinate System and its two legacy versions, the 1927 and 1983 systems. It requires that all land surveys, maps, and legal documents using these coordinate systems explicitly state which specific system was used to ensure accuracy and consistency. The legislation also mandates that new projects use the Vermont Coordinate System 1983 after January 1, 2000, and will transition to newer systems as they become available from the National Geodetic Survey. These changes primarily affect surveyors, land developers, government agencies, and anyone creating or recording property boundaries in Vermont.

Maddy summaryThis bill designates March 13, 2024, as National K9 Veterans Day in Vermont to honor military working dogs and their handlers. It recognizes the contributions of approximately 1,600 trained dogs who serve in roles such as patrol, drug detection, and explosives detection across the U.S. Armed Forces. The resolution directs the Secretary of State to send a copy of the document to the U.S. Air Force 341st Training Squadron in San Antonio, Texas. This measure is ceremonial and does not change any laws or policies.