Sen. Martine Gulick

Maddy summaryHCR 180 is a ceremonial resolution congratulating the 2025 Essex High School Hornets boys' volleyball team on winning the Vermont State championship. It formally recognizes the team's 3-1 victory over Mount Mansfield Union High School in the championship match and acknowledges the players and co-head coaches. The resolution directs the Secretary of State to send a copy to Essex High School. This is a non-binding, symbolic gesture with no policy changes or funding impacts.

Maddy summaryHCR 179 is a formal expression of congratulations from Vermont's legislature to the Essex High School Hornets girls' volleyball team for winning their fifth consecutive divisional championship in 2025. The resolution specifically recognizes the team's undefeated season (17-0), their 3-0 victory over BFA-St. Albans in the championship match, and their 86th consecutive win. It directs the Secretary of State to send a copy of the resolution to Essex High School. This is a ceremonial measure with no policy changes or direct impact beyond public recognition.

Maddy summaryThis concurrent resolution (HCR 162) is a ceremonial gesture congratulating Colchester High School's football team on winning the 2025 Division II championship. It specifically recognizes the team's victory over Fair Haven in a 27-20 game and lists the players and coaches. The resolution directs the Secretary of State to send a copy of the resolution to Colchester High School. As a symbolic resolution with no policy changes, it does not affect laws or regulations.

Maddy summaryS.316 prohibits credit card networks from charging fees on the portion of a transaction that covers tax or gratuity (tip). This directly affects merchants (like restaurants and retailers), payment card networks (such as Visa or Mastercard), and banks that issue credit cards. The bill requires that any credit card fee must be calculated only on the non-tax, non-gratuity amount of a purchase, preventing networks from charging fees on taxed or tipped portions. The law takes effect on July 1, 2026, and includes civil penalties for violations.

Maddy summaryThis bill, S.301 ("Vermont Civil Rights Sovereignty and Equal Protection Act of 2026"), modernizes Vermont’s civil rights laws by expanding protections against discrimination in public accommodations and housing. It directly affects all Vermont residents by adding gender identity, immigration status, crime victim status, and other characteristics to protected classes, and redefines "harassment" to be unlawful regardless of severity. Key provisions include creating a state-funded Civil Rights Coordinating Council and Special Fund to enforce protections independently of federal policy, and requiring state agencies to combat housing segregation. The bill also updates definitions to clarify that discrimination includes barriers restricting access to housing or services based on protected characteristics.

Maddy summaryS.302 prohibits Vermont public agencies from collecting or disclosing certain personally identifying information, including immigration status and religious affiliation, unless required by federal law. It specifically bans using state resources to assist federal registration programs based on such data and requires agencies continuing to collect immigration information to explain why by December 2026. The bill affects all state and local government entities, including police, schools, and social services, by restricting how they handle sensitive personal data. It includes exceptions for compliance with federal laws like 8 U.S.C. §§ 1373 and 1644, and permits sharing aggregated, non-identifiable data. The law takes effect upon passage.

Maddy summaryThis bill (S 283) changes how Vermont school districts calculate "excess spending" for state aid eligibility and allows early construction of school projects during a state aid moratorium. It excludes capital construction costs from "education spending" calculations (Section 1) and deems school districts that begin construction before July 1, 2026, as having "good cause" to do so without final state approval (Section 2). The bill directly affects Vermont school districts planning construction projects, particularly those wanting to start work before the state aid program begins. These changes take effect immediately upon passage for the spending exclusion and on July 1, 2026, for the construction approval provision.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a study committee to examine the potential for building a new limited-access highway connecting Burlington, Vergennes, Middlebury, and Rutland to Interstate 87, replacing Vermont Route 22A. The committee, composed of transportation officials, local mayors, and regional planning representatives, will analyze Route 22A's current usage, potential highway routes, estimated costs, and funding options like tolls or public-private partnerships. It must submit a report to the legislature by January 15, 2027, detailing findings and recommendations. The study focuses on economic impacts and alternatives for the primary route from Burlington to I-87, without authorizing construction or funding.

Maddy summaryThis bill imposes a 2% surcharge on hotel room rentals, taxable meals, and alcoholic beverages in Vermont. Businesses selling these items must collect the surcharge in addition to existing taxes and clearly label it as funding the School Construction Aid Special Fund. Revenue from this surcharge will be deposited directly into the School Construction Aid Special Fund, which supports public school construction projects. The surcharge applies to the same tax base as Vermont's current meals and rooms tax, effective August 1, 2026.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires Vermont's Department of Public Safety and Department of Corrections to adopt or update policies by October 1, 2026, allowing state police officers and correctional officers to wear religious head coverings while on duty in uniform - subject to exceptions where tight-fitting protective headgear is required for safety. It directly affects sworn law enforcement and correctional officers who wish to observe religious practices. The policy change applies only to head coverings worn during official duties, not to standard uniform requirements. The bill mandates specific deadlines for policy implementation but does not specify which religious practices are covered.