Sen. Philip Baruth

Maddy summaryThis bill prohibits employers in Vermont from taking adverse employment actions against employees who decline to attend or participate in meetings about the employer's religious or political opinions. It also prevents employers from forcing employees to attend such meetings or view related communications. The law applies to most businesses but includes exceptions for religious organizations, political groups, and communications required by law or necessary for job performance. Employers may still hold voluntary forums on these topics without penalty. The bill takes effect on July 1, 2023.

Maddy summaryThis joint resolution sets a specific date for the Vermont General Assembly to reconvene after a scheduled adjournment. It requires both the Senate and House of Representatives to meet again no later than Tuesday, February 28, 2023, following their adjournment on Friday, February 24, 2023. The measure applies only to this specific legislative session and does not establish a permanent rule for future adjournments. It is a procedural document that ensures the legislature returns to session within a defined timeframe.

Maddy summaryThis bill is a House concurrent resolution that formally congratulates the Essex High School girls' volleyball team on winning their second consecutive Vermont State championship. The resolution recognizes the team's undefeated regular season performance and their decisive 3-0 victory over Champlain Valley Union High School in the championship match. It lists the names of the team members and coaches who achieved this accomplishment. The General Assembly directs the Secretary of State to send a copy of this resolution to Essex High School as an official acknowledgment of their success.

Maddy summaryThis legislative bill is a House concurrent resolution that formally congratulates Shawna Wakeham-Smith on the tenth anniversary of her role as Director of Wish Granting at Make-A-Wish Vermont. The resolution recognizes her decade of leadership in facilitating life-changing wishes for children facing major health challenges and acknowledges her work as a liaison between families and organizations. It directs the Secretary of State to send a copy of the resolution to both Wakeham-Smith and Make-A-Wish Vermont to honor her contributions.

Maddy summaryThis bill directs the Vermont legislature to reconvene no later than Tuesday, February 21, 2023, following a Friday adjournment on February 17, 2023. It specifically applies to both the Senate and House of Representatives, ensuring they meet again within a four-day weekend period. The resolution sets a concrete date for the next legislative session rather than leaving the timing to future decisions. This procedural measure establishes a specific schedule for legislative business during that particular week.

Maddy summaryThis bill sets a specific meeting date for the Vermont State Legislature after a scheduled adjournment on February 10, 2023. It requires both the Senate and House to reconvene no later than Tuesday, February 14, 2023, following the Friday adjournment. The resolution directly affects the legislative body by establishing a fixed timeline for resuming legislative sessions. This is a procedural measure that organizes the legislative calendar rather than changing substantive laws or policies.

Maddy summaryThis bill is a ceremonial resolution honoring the memory of James McNamara, a former Vermont state representative and environmental commissioner from Burlington. It expresses the General Assembly's sincere sympathies to McNamara's family following his death in November 2022. The resolution directs the Secretary of State to send a copy of the document to McNamara's family and to the District 4 Act 250 Environmental Commission. This type of commemorative measure does not create new laws or policies but serves to acknowledge McNamara's public service contributions.

Maddy summaryThis Senate resolution establishes a temporary rule, designated Rule 44A, for the Vermont Senate to manage how certain bills are handled when they miss specific crossover deadlines. The rule applies to most legislation but excludes five key bills: the transportation capital bill, capital construction bill, general appropriations bill, fees bill, and miscellaneous tax/revenue bill. Under this rule, bills that miss the March 17 and March 24, 2023 deadlines are sent to the Committee on Rules, which can then move them to other relevant committees or place them on a notice calendar for future consideration. The temporary rule remains in effect until the 2024 adjourned session convenes, at which point it expires automatically.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires state agencies to install renewable heating systems and non-fossil fuel cooking appliances when replacing existing equipment in buildings they own or control. It applies to the Department of Buildings and General Services, the Department of Forests, Parks, and Recreation, and the Agency of Transportation, mandating that new primary heating and cooking systems use non-fossil fuel sources starting in fiscal year 2024. Agencies may request written exemptions if installing renewable systems is deemed financially impracticable, and they must report any exemptions or continued use of fossil fuel systems to legislative committees annually. The legislation also permits fossil fuel systems to serve as backup heating during peak periods if non-fossil fuel backup options are unavailable.

Maddy summaryThis joint resolution sets a specific date for the Vermont State Legislature to reconvene after a scheduled weekend break. It requires that if both the Senate and House of Representatives adjourn on Friday, February 3, 2023, they must meet again no later than Tuesday, February 7, 2023. The measure directly affects state legislators by establishing a fixed return date rather than allowing an indefinite recess. This procedural resolution ensures continuity of legislative business during the specified period without changing any substantive laws or policies.