Sen. Philip Baruth

Maddy summaryThis bill directs the Vermont legislature to reconvene no later than Tuesday, April 4, 2023, if both the Senate and House of Representatives adjourn on Friday, March 31, 2023. It establishes a specific weekend adjournment schedule for the legislative session, ensuring lawmakers return to work within four days of the Friday break. The resolution applies directly to the state's elected representatives and sets a concrete date for the next legislative meeting. This procedural measure does not change laws or policies but instead manages the legislative calendar for the specified dates.

Maddy summaryThis joint resolution sets a specific date for the Vermont General Assembly to reconvene after a weekend break. It requires both the Senate and House of Representatives to meet again no later than Tuesday, March 28, 2023, following their adjournment on Friday, March 24, 2023. The measure applies only to this particular legislative session and does not establish a permanent rule for future sessions. It is a procedural directive that ensures legislators return to work promptly after the weekend without creating new laws or policies.

Maddy summaryThis bill is a House concurrent resolution that formally congratulates the 2023 Winooski High School Spartans boys' basketball team on winning the Division III state championship. The resolution recognizes the team's 57-52 victory over Hazen Union High School, their first state title in 12 years, and their undefeated season with 22 wins. It specifically names the 11 players and four coaches who contributed to the championship and directs the Secretary of State to send a copy of the resolution to Winooski High School. This is a ceremonial measure that does not change laws or policies but serves to acknowledge the team's athletic achievement.

Maddy summaryThis bill designates August 31 as Overdose Awareness Day in Vermont to raise awareness about drug overdoses and honor those affected by them. The legislation requires the Vermont State flag to be flown at half-staff on all state-owned flagpoles each August 31 to mark the observance. It also adds these provisions to the state code and includes a clause that will repeal the designation in 2033. The bill takes effect on July 1, 2023, and is based on findings about rising opioid-related deaths in the state.

Maddy summaryThis bill is a ceremonial resolution honoring Marshall Webb, a nonprofit cofounder and environmental advocate who passed away in 2022. It recognizes his contributions to Shelburne Farms, a Vermont center for sustainability education, and acknowledges his personal connection to the organization and the state. The resolution directs the Secretary of State to send a copy to Webb's family and Shelburne Farms as a formal expression of appreciation. This measure does not change laws or policies but serves to publicly acknowledge Webb's legacy and impact on the community.

Maddy summaryThis legislative bill sets a specific meeting schedule for the Vermont State Legislature following a Friday adjournment on March 17, 2023. It requires both the Senate and House of Representatives to reconvene no later than Tuesday, March 21, 2023, ensuring a weekend break of three days. The resolution directly affects state legislators by establishing the timeline for their next session without altering any laws or policies. This procedural measure simply confirms the dates when lawmakers will return to work after the weekend.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes new protections for Vermont employees by granting paid voting leave, requiring good cause for termination, and safeguarding employee free speech rights. It mandates that employers provide at least two hours of paid leave on election days and Town Meeting Day for eligible voters, while also prohibiting retaliation for exercising these rights. The legislation adds a "good cause" standard for firing employees, defining it as a legitimate business reason or employment of less than 90 days, and prevents employers from discriminating against workers for exercising First Amendment rights unless it materially interferes with job performance. Additionally, the bill restricts employers from asking about job status on applications or interfering with employees' efforts to seek other employment, and designates such interference as an unfair labor practice for public sector employers.

Maddy summaryThis Senate resolution extends the deadline for a temporary rule allowing electronic participation in Vermont Senate sessions from March 3, 2023, to January 5, 2024. The amendment directly affects senators who may need to vote or participate in proceedings remotely due to health or other circumstances. By updating the rule's expiration date, the Senate maintains flexibility for remote participation while keeping the provision in place for an additional period. The resolution is a procedural measure that modifies an existing rule without creating new substantive requirements for senators.

Maddy summaryThis Senate resolution temporarily extends the application of Senate Rule 32A, which governs committee meetings, through January 5, 2024. The measure allows Senate committees to conduct electronic meetings concurrently, meaning multiple committees can meet at the same time via video or other electronic means. This provision overrides a previous rule that restricted such electronic meetings to emergency situations only. The resolution directly affects Senate committees and their members by providing a specific timeframe for using these flexible meeting arrangements.

Maddy summaryThis bill would restrict trapping of fur-bearing animals in Vermont to only those authorized for property defense or conducted by licensed nuisance wildlife control operators. It establishes a new nuisance wildlife trapping license and requires anyone setting traps on another person's property to provide prior notice and obtain permission. The law allows landowners, their employees, and government officials to trap animals threatening domestic animals, property, agricultural crops, or public infrastructure, but mandates that traps be checked every 24 hours and that trapped animals be released if uninjured or humanely killed. Anyone taking animals for compensation must hold a valid nuisance wildlife trapping license, and all pelts taken under these provisions must be inspected and certified before storage, sale, or transfer.