Sen. Martine Gulick

Maddy summaryThis bill is a Senate concurrent resolution that honors Steven D. Marshall of Swanton for his 35 years of service as the Assistant Secretary of the Vermont Senate. The resolution recognizes his professional contributions, including his role in the American Society of Legislative Clerks and Secretaries and his work on revisions to legislative procedure manuals. It directs the Secretary of State to send a copy of the resolution to Marshall as a formal acknowledgment of his exemplary service. This document serves as an official commendation rather than a law that creates new policies or regulations.

Maddy summaryThis bill expands Vermont's anti-discrimination laws to include protection against discrimination and harassment based on hair type, texture, and style associated with race, as well as weight. It directly affects individuals in public accommodations, housing transactions, and educational settings by adding these characteristics to the list of protected traits. The law prohibits businesses, landlords, and schools from refusing services, denying housing, or creating hostile environments because of a person's hair or weight. These changes amend existing state statutes to explicitly define hair traits and weight as protected categories under fair employment, public accommodations, and housing laws.

Maddy summaryThis bill would remove state-level bans and penalties on the purchase, use, and possession of tobacco products in Vermont, including products like bidis and electronic cigarettes that contain nicotine. It updates legal definitions to clarify what counts as tobacco products and tobacco substitutes, ensuring consistency across state statutes. The legislation maintains existing age restrictions, prohibiting anyone under 21 from possessing, purchasing, or attempting to purchase tobacco products, while also keeping penalties for retailers who sell to minors. The bill includes provisions for compliance testing by the Division of Liquor Control and mandates annual reporting on enforcement efforts to relevant state committees.

Maddy summaryThis bill allows state employees in Vermont to choose their collective bargaining representatives through a card check process, where a union is certified if it receives support from at least 50 percent plus one of the employees in a bargaining unit. The legislation modifies existing state laws to permit this alternative to secret ballot elections, which would otherwise be required for determining union representation. It applies to state employees, teachers, and administrators, establishing specific procedures for verifying petition signatures and certifying unions without a vote if the signature threshold is met. The bill also sets conditions ensuring that card check certification only occurs when no other union is currently recognized as the exclusive representative for the bargaining unit.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires public schools and regional career and technical education centers in Vermont to install water bottle filling stations in new buildings or during major renovations. The law applies to construction projects starting on or after July 1, 2023, and defines major renovations as projects costing $500,000 or more or those involving substantial plumbing work. Schools must provide at least one station for every 200 people, ensure each floor has access to a station, and place them near high-traffic areas like cafeterias and gyms. The bill also mandates that these stations dispense clean, filtered water and allows students and staff to bring reusable water bottles made of durable materials with spill-proof lids.