Sen. Phil Baruth

Maddy summaryThis joint resolution adjusts the Vermont legislature's schedule for January 2026. It requires the Senate and House to reconvene by Tuesday, January 13, 2026, if they adjourn on Friday, January 9, 2026, ensuring they skip only the weekend rather than a full week. The bill affects only the timing of legislative sessions and has no policy impact beyond scheduling.

Maddy summaryThis joint resolution sets a specific date for the Vermont legislature to reconvene after adjourning on February 27 or 28, 2026. It requires the Senate and House of Representatives to meet again no later than March 10, 2026. The bill directly affects the state legislature's schedule and is purely procedural, with no substantive policy changes. (JRS 31, Senate Chamber, February 2026)

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a special "Vermont Green FC" license plate option for eligible vehicles, including pleasure cars, light trucks under 26,001 pounds, and state agency vehicles. Vehicle owners who choose this plate pay a $45 initial fee and $45 annual renewal fee, with 77% of the initial fee and 84% of renewal fees deposited into a new Vermont Green FC Special Fund. The fund, managed by a board including representatives from the Climate Action Office and outdoor business groups, provides grants to support environmental justice initiatives and Vermont’s outdoor recreation economy. All fees collected directly fund these specific public purposes, with no administrative costs deducted from the grants.

Maddy summaryVermont's S.201 requires all postsecondary schools (colleges and universities) operating in the state to adopt an academic freedom policy by August 1, 2027. The policy must guarantee faculty the freedom to discuss relevant course materials, use any reasonable instructional methods, and express views outside work as private citizens - while requiring faculty to clarify when speaking as individuals, not as representatives of the institution. The law takes effect July 1, 2026, and directly affects all Vermont colleges and universities by mandating specific institutional policies aligned with state policy supporting open inquiry and free expression in education.

Maddy summaryThis Senate resolution (SR 19) extends the temporary rule allowing Vermont Senate members to participate in sessions remotely via electronic means. It amends Rule 9B to keep this option active until Tuesday, March 10, 2026. The change directly affects senators who may use video or audio technology to attend sessions without being physically present. This is a procedural adjustment to existing Senate rules, not a policy change affecting the public.

Maddy summaryThis procedural bill (JRS 30) requires Vermont's Senate and House of Representatives to convene together on January 7, 2026, at 2:00 PM for a Joint Assembly. It directly affects the state legislature by scheduling a traditional meeting to formally receive the Governor's State-of-the-State address. The bill contains no policy changes - it solely sets the date and time for this ceremonial legislative event.

Maddy summaryThis Vermont bill (S 160) bans the possession of bump-fire stocks, machine guns, and rapid-fire devices that increase a firearm's rate of fire. It directly affects Vermont residents who own these devices, prohibiting them under penalty of up to one year in jail or a $1,000 fine. The bill establishes a voluntary, anonymous collection program for bump-fire stocks before its effective date of October 1, 2018. Key definitions clarify terms like "bump-fire stock" (a device that mimics machine gun fire on semi-automatic firearms) and "rapid-fire device" (including auto sears that enable multiple shots per trigger pull).

Maddy summaryThis Senate Resolution (SR 18) extends the temporary rule allowing electronic committee meetings beyond the usual emergency period. It directly affects Vermont Senate committees by permitting them to continue holding electronic meetings under Permanent Senate Rule 32A through March 10, 2026. The key provision overrides the standard rule that limits Rule 32A to emergency declarations, making electronic meetings permissible for all committee work during this extended period.

Maddy summaryThis is a ceremonial Senate resolution (SR 17) honoring Chrissy Gilhuly for her 7+ years of nonpartisan legislative staff service in the Vermont General Assembly. It recognizes her roles as Supervisor of Committee Services, Joint Fiscal Office Staff Associate, and Senate Operations Manager/Journal Clerk, and extends best wishes as she transitions to a new position at the Agency of Administration. The resolution has no policy impact - it is purely symbolic recognition of her professional contributions.

Maddy summaryThis resolution specifies that Vermont's 2025 legislative session must end by June 16-17, with automatic reconvening on January 6, 2026, unless Senate and House leaders call an earlier session. It is a procedural scheduling measure for the legislature itself, setting the default timeline for the end of the session and the start of the next term. The bill does not change policies or affect residents; it only governs the legislative calendar. As a procedural resolution, it applies solely to the General Assembly's internal scheduling.