Sen. Tanya Vyhovsky

Maddy summaryThis bill (S 244) proposes to repeal most provisions of 2025 Acts and Resolves No. 73, which was a comprehensive education and tax reform package. It specifically retains changes to tuition eligibility for approved independent schools (16 V.S.A. § 828), State Board of Education appointment rules (16 V.S.A. §§ 161-162), and the creation of regional assessment districts. The bill also creates new property tax classifications for second homes/short-term rentals and seasonal residential properties, taxing them like nonhomestead nonresidential properties. These changes affect Vermont school districts, taxpayers, and education funding structures by undoing prior legislative actions while maintaining specific education governance and tax provisions.

Maddy summaryThis Vermont bill (S.241) prohibits mental health professionals and organizations from offering, providing, or advertising mental health services delivered by artificial intelligence systems, such as chatbots for therapy. It directly affects mental health service providers, AI developers, and companies marketing AI-driven mental health tools. The bill creates a $10,000 civil penalty per violation under consumer protection law and defines "mental health services" to include therapy, counseling, treatment plans, and emotional support. The legislation stems from research showing AI systems have given dangerous advice (including suicide plans) and failed to recognize mental health crises, aiming to ensure services are delivered by licensed professionals.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a Vermont Housing Production Revolving Fund to develop state-owned affordable housing for low and moderate-income households (defined as earning up to 150% of area median income). It authorizes the State Treasurer to issue $50 million in bonds to fund the program, which will provide loans to developers for purchasing or building housing that remains permanently affordable. Repayments of principal, interest, and fees will replenish the fund for future projects, creating a self-sustaining system. The program requires equitable distribution of funds across communities based on economic need and annual reporting to legislative committees.

Maddy summaryS.237 restructures Vermont's Parole Board by establishing a five-member board (one full-time chair and four members) with new staffing requirements, including a staff attorney and additional administrative support. It mandates annual training for board members on topics like criminogenic behavior and trauma-informed practices, requires the board to submit its budget directly to the Governor, and sets new parole eligibility rules: offenders must have no pending criminal charges to qualify. The bill also clarifies victims’ rights to receive notification of parole hearings, testify, and receive the board’s decision, while allowing parolees to voluntarily relinquish parole status or benefit from earned time. These changes directly affect parole board operations, incarcerated individuals seeking release, crime victims, and parolees.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires Vermont's Executive Branch to negotiate remote, in-person, and hybrid work arrangements for State employees through collective bargaining. It amends the State Employees Labor Relations Act to explicitly add "terms and conditions of remote, in-person, and hybrid work standards" as a mandatory subject for bargaining. The change directly affects all permanent and limited-status State employees, ensuring their input on work location policies. The law takes effect immediately upon passage, making work arrangement decisions subject to negotiation rather than unilateral state policy.

Maddy summaryS.229 creates the Legislative Compensation Commission to review and recommend changes to Vermont legislators' pay, benefits, and working conditions. The commission, composed of non-legislators appointed by legislative leaders and the governor, will conduct an initial review and make biennial recommendations on compensation rates, expense reimbursements, and staffing. Crucially, the bill would make General Assembly members eligible for the state employees' health benefit plan under the same terms and cost as executive branch employees. This directly affects current and future Vermont legislators by altering their health insurance access and establishing a formal process for adjusting their compensation structure.

Maddy summaryThis Vermont bill (S.207) prohibits businesses from using "surveillance pricing" to set different prices for consumer products based on data collected through electronic surveillance technology (like AI or tracking tools). It directly affects retailers, online sellers, and service providers in Vermont that sell consumer products (e.g., groceries, electronics, subscriptions). The law bans price discrimination using personally identifiable or aggregated consumer data, except for price differences based solely on actual costs, equal discounts for all customers (with clear notice and consent if personal data is used), or licensed insurance companies following existing rate rules. The bill takes effect July 1, 2026.

Maddy summaryThis bill imposes a temporary moratorium on the construction and site preparation of AI data centers in Vermont until July 1, 2030. It directly affects developers or operators of new AI data centers requiring over 100 megawatts of dedicated power for AI workloads. The moratorium allows the Public Utility Commission to study impacts - including energy use, water consumption, environmental effects, grid reliability, and economic impacts - before developing future regulations. The Commission must submit a report by January 2027 detailing findings and recommendations to the legislature.

Maddy summaryThis bill bans the sale, use, and application of the herbicide paraquat in Vermont, except when the Secretary of Agriculture authorizes it to address a specific crop threat for which no other herbicide is effective. It defines paraquat by chemical name and CAS number to ensure clear identification. The ban takes effect on July 1, 2026. The law aims to protect public health by preventing exposure to paraquat, which studies link to increased risks of Parkinson's disease, non-Hodgkin lymphoma, and childhood leukemia.

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.