Sen. Rob Plunkett

Maddy summaryThis bill creates Vermont's Voting Rights Act to protect voters from discrimination. It requires municipalities to get Attorney General approval before changing election districts or methods (a "pre-clearance" system), bans racial gerrymandering, and prohibits at-large voting systems that weaken minority voting power. The law mandates language assistance for voters in minority languages and new voting accessibility for seniors and people with disabilities. It also criminalizes voter intimidation and spreading false election information. The bill directly affects all Vermont towns, cities, and school districts that hold elections.

Maddy summaryThis Vermont bill (S 64) creates a new "advanced therapeutic procedures specialty" for optometrists, allowing them to perform specific eye treatments currently restricted to ophthalmologists. It permits optometrists with this specialty to conduct procedures like removing superficial eye foreign bodies, minor lesion excisions (e.g., chalazia), corneal crosslinking, certain laser treatments (capsulotomy, iridotomy), and targeted injections (e.g., for chalazia or subconjunctival therapy). The bill explicitly prohibits optometrists from performing complex surgeries such as LASIK, corneal transplants, retinal procedures, or injections into the vitreous chamber. This directly affects licensed optometrists in Vermont who pursue the specialty and expands patient access to certain eye care services within defined boundaries.

Maddy summaryVermont's S.157 establishes a voluntary certification program for recovery residences (temporary housing for people recovering from substance use disorders) through the Department of Health. To become certified, residences must meet standards including peer-support certification, compliance with health/safety rules, transparent complaint procedures, and annual reporting of resident data like stay length and employment outcomes. The bill also requires certified residences to follow specific exit policies for residents violating safety or substance use rules, with strict conditions for immediate transfers. This applies directly to recovery residences seeking certification, not to residents themselves, and mandates annual data reporting to both the Department of Health and state legislative committees.

Maddy summaryThis legislative bill is a Senate concurrent resolution that formally honors Professor Jessica Holmes for her public service on Vermont's Green Mountain Care Board. The document recognizes her contributions to healthcare regulation, including her work on reducing wait times and managing resources, as well as her role as interim chair during leadership transitions. It highlights her professional background in health economics and her academic achievements at Middlebury College, Yale, and Colgate. The resolution directs the Secretary of State to send a copy of the honor to Professor Holmes, serving as a commemorative gesture rather than a change in law or policy.

Maddy summaryThis bill formally congratulates Arthur and Kathy Whitman for receiving the 2026 Shaftsbury Ordinary Hero Award. It recognizes their long-term contributions to the community, including their work as business owners, volunteers for local events, and past service on the town Selectboard. The resolution directs the Secretary of State to send a copy of the document to the couple as an official acknowledgment of their civic achievements.

Maddy summaryThis bill is a ceremonial resolution that honors Nicholas Monte, a chocolatier from Bennington County, Vermont, for his contributions to the local chocolate industry. It recognizes his career milestones, including the founding of the Village Peddler and Village Chocolate Shoppe, his participation in community events, and his receipt of industry awards. The resolution formally acknowledges his achievements and directs the Secretary of State to send copies of the document to Monte and his businesses.

Maddy summaryThis legislative bill is a House concurrent resolution that formally honors Patricia Gibbons for her nearly 50-year teaching career in the Town of Bennington. The document recognizes her service at the Village School of North Bennington, where she taught reading and inspired students from third through sixth grade. It directs the Secretary of State to send a copy of the resolution to Ms. Gibbons, the school, and the local village board of trustees.

Maddy summaryThis legislative resolution congratulates Inspirational Bible Book & Gifts in Bennington, Vermont, on reaching its 50th anniversary as the state's last remaining traditional Christian bookstore. The document outlines the store's history, noting its origins in selling religious materials from various locations before establishing a permanent home in 1982, and highlights how it has adapted to modern market changes. By directing the Secretary of State to send a copy of the resolution to the business, the bill serves as a formal acknowledgment of the store's longevity and its continued operation despite economic challenges in the religious retail sector.

Maddy summaryThis bill is a formal resolution that congratulates Wassick Tire Service in Bennington on reaching its 80th anniversary. It recognizes the business's long history, which began in 1946 by Steve Wassick Sr. after he returned from military service, and notes its evolution into a family-owned operation led by his descendants. The resolution highlights the company's consistent service to the community and its past recognition from local awards and the Vermont Veterans' Home. Ultimately, the bill directs the Secretary of State to send a copy of the resolution to the business as a gesture of appreciation.

Maddy summaryThis legislative resolution formally congratulates W. Anthony Sheppard, a music professor at Williams College and resident of Pownal, Vermont, on being selected as a 2026 Guggenheim Fellow. The bill recognizes his appointment to the prestigious fellowship program, which honors individuals making significant contributions to the arts, sciences, and humanities. It directs the Secretary of State to send a copy of the resolution to Professor Sheppard to acknowledge the state's support for his academic achievements.