Sen. Philip Baruth

Maddy summaryThis Senate resolution extends the deadline for a temporary rule allowing members of the Vermont Senate to participate in sessions electronically. The amendment changes the expiration date of Rule 9B(b) from January 5, 2024, to March 1, 2024. This provision directly affects Vermont state senators by permitting them to join legislative sessions remotely through electronic means. The change is a procedural update to an existing temporary rule rather than a new policy initiative.

Maddy summaryThis Senate resolution temporarily extends the rules allowing for electronic committee meetings in Vermont until Friday, March 1, 2024. It overrides a previous rule that limited such electronic meetings to emergency situations, enabling regular committees to meet virtually during this period. The measure affects Senate committees by permitting them to conduct business online rather than in person. This procedural change facilitates remote participation without altering the underlying legislative process.

Maddy summaryThis bill changes how members of Vermont's State Board of Education are appointed by distributing the ten seats among three different appointing authorities. Under the new process, the Governor would appoint four members, the Senate Committee on Committees would appoint three, and the House Speaker would appoint three, with all non-student members serving six-year terms that cannot be extended through reappointment. The bill also establishes a transition period starting July 1, 2024, where current board members can finish their existing terms while new appointments follow a staggered schedule to gradually implement the new distribution system. Additionally, the legislation maintains the requirement for two secondary student members on the board, with one having voting privileges in their second year of service. The bill aims to create a more balanced appointment structure while preserving existing diversity and expertise requirements for board members.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a Prekindergarten Education Study Committee in Vermont to examine and make recommendations for improving access to affordable, high-quality prekindergarten education for three- and four-year-old children. The committee will consist of representatives from state agencies, education associations, private child care providers, and families, tasked with analyzing quality standards, workforce needs, funding options, and potential transitions to a public school-based system. The committee must submit a report with findings and draft legislative recommendations by December 1, 2023, to the relevant state legislative committees. This measure directly affects child care providers, public school districts, families with young children, and state education agencies by creating a structured process to evaluate and potentially expand prekindergarten services.

Maddy summaryThis bill adjusts how Vermont state legislators are paid for the remainder of the 2023 legislative session. Instead of receiving weekly compensation, lawmakers will be paid a daily rate equal to one-fourth of their standard weekly pay for each day their legislative chamber meets and they attend. The resolution also limits members to no more than four days of compensation per week. This change applies to all Members of the General Assembly and aims to provide reasonable pay while preserving state funds during the session's final days.

Maddy summaryThis joint resolution directs the Vermont Senate and House of Representatives to adjourn their 2023 legislative session between June 20 and June 22, 2023, with plans to reconvene on January 3, 2024. The bill allows lawmakers to return only to vote on adjourning the session or to address impeachment proceedings against Franklin County State's Attorney John Lavoie and/or Franklin County Sheriff John Grismore. It requires both chambers to grant mutual consent for their respective sessions to continue or end during this period, following Vermont constitutional requirements. This procedural measure formally concludes the current legislative term while reserving the option to address specific legal matters before the next session begins.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes compensation and expense reimbursement for House managers who would prosecute impeachment articles against Franklin County State's Attorney John Lavoie and Franklin County Sheriff John Grismore. It authorizes these managers to act on behalf of the House of Representatives while the legislature is not in session to prepare, present, and prosecute any impeachment resolutions to the Senate. The managers would receive daily pay at one-fourth of the standard legislative compensation rate and expense reimbursement, limited to four days per week when the House is not seated. This resolution applies only if the House of Representatives votes to impeach the named officials following the Special Committee's investigation.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes statewide standards for law enforcement interrogations in Vermont to reduce false confessions and wrongful convictions. It requires electronic recording of all custodial interrogations for felony and misdemeanor cases, with limited exceptions for emergencies or equipment failures. The legislation also prohibits law enforcement from using threats or physical harm during any interrogation and restricts the use of deception when questioning juveniles under 18, while creating a presumption against admissibility for statements obtained through deceptive tactics involving young adults aged 18 to 21. Additionally, the bill mandates that the Vermont Criminal Justice Council develop and enforce a statewide model interrogation policy applicable to all law enforcement agencies and constables.

Maddy summaryThis bill sets a specific schedule for the Vermont legislature to adjourn and reconvene in 2023. It requires the Senate and House to close their sessions on May 12 or 13, 2023, and reopen on June 20, 2023, at 10 a.m. The measure directly affects state legislators by establishing these dates for the legislative calendar. This is a procedural resolution that outlines when the legislative body will meet rather than changing substantive laws.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates an optional state income tax for pass-through entities like partnerships, S corporations, and LLCs to help them qualify for a federal tax deduction on state and local taxes. Under the proposed system, eligible businesses with only individual members can elect to pay a tax calculated using the second-highest individual income tax rate, which allows them to claim a federal deduction for state taxes paid. In exchange for the entity paying this tax, individual members receive a refundable credit equal to 90% of their share of the tax paid, reducing their personal Vermont tax liability. The bill also exempts nonresident members from filing Vermont individual income tax returns if the entity has paid the new tax on their income.