Sen. Kesha Ram Hinsdale

Maddy summaryThis bill, known as the Vermont Holocaust Studies Act, requires public schools in Vermont to include Holocaust education in their curricula for grades six through 12 starting in the 2024-2025 school year. The legislation mandates that each supervisory union provide at least six hours of age-appropriate instruction annually, integrated into existing subjects like global citizenship or English language arts. The Vermont Agency of Education will support schools by identifying resources, offering professional development, and advising educators on implementing the required content. The bill defines the Holocaust as the Nazi regime's persecution and murder of approximately six million Jews and millions of others, and outlines specific learning objectives including understanding genocide prevention, human rights protection, and the roles of citizens in combating discrimination.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a new project-based tax increment financing program in Vermont that allows municipalities to apply for state funding to pay for infrastructure improvements. The program is administered by the Vermont Economic Progress Council and is designed to help communities develop projects that include affordable housing, brownfield remediation, new business creation with quality jobs, or transportation improvements. To qualify, a municipality must demonstrate that the infrastructure improvements would not have occurred without the financing and that the project aligns with local development plans. The bill also defines specific terms like "tax increment" and sets rules about how much of the generated revenue must be allocated to the Education Fund. This legislation directly affects cities, towns, and incorporated villages that seek state support for public infrastructure projects.

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 bill proposes to gradually implement Green Mountain Care, Vermont's publicly financed health care program, over a ten-year period starting with primary care in the first year and adding preventive dental and vision services in the second year. It establishes an advisory group within the Green Mountain Care Board to recommend how to sequence and finance additional health services for years three through ten, aiming for comprehensive coverage by the tenth year. The legislation requires the state to seek federal waivers to modify existing health insurance rules and mandates detailed financial analysis to ensure the program is economically sustainable and reduces overall health care spending. It also directs the Green Mountain Care Board to consider cost-sharing options and ensures health care professionals receive adequate reimbursement to recruit and retain staff.

Maddy summaryThis bill would allow Vermont to join the Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology Interstate Compact, enabling licensed audiologists and speech-language pathologists to practice in other member states without needing separate licenses for each location. The compact facilitates this by recognizing licenses from other participating states while maintaining each state's authority to regulate practice and protect public health. It specifically supports military families by allowing providers to practice in states where their spouses are stationed and enables telehealth services across state lines. The legislation also establishes a system for sharing information about disciplinary actions and investigations between member states to ensure consistent oversight.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a new property tax surcharge on nonprimary dwellings in Vermont, which are defined as weatherized homes suitable for year-round living that are neither long-term rentals nor occupied by their owners as primary residences. The surcharge amounts to $0.25 for every $100 of property value and applies to properties that meet specific criteria, such as having permanent heating, insulation, and year-round plumbing, while excluding standard rental units and owner-occupied homes. All revenue collected from this surcharge will be directed to the Vermont Housing and Conservation Board to fund the construction of affordable housing throughout the state. The legislation also establishes a new Vermont Housing and Conservation Trust Fund to manage these funds and clarifies that the surcharge revenue will not be included in the state's Education Fund.

Maddy summaryThis bill would protect people and organizations involved in safer drug consumption programs from criminal prosecution and civil penalties. It defines these programs as supervised spaces where individuals can use preobtained drugs with access to sterile supplies, overdose monitoring, first aid, and referrals to treatment services. The legislation also removes a future expiration date for the exemption that allows possession of small amounts of buprenorphine without criminal penalty. To receive legal protections, program operators must publicly report annual data on participants, supplies distributed, and overdose incidents.

Maddy summaryThis bill proposes several changes to Vermont's cannabis programs, including repealing the Cannabis Control Board Advisory Committee and removing the sunset provision for the Board itself. It allows packaged cannabis products to contain up to 100 milligrams of THC, creates a new license for cannabis propagation, and increases the number of plants patients and caregivers can grow. The legislation also removes the psychotherapy requirement for PTSD patients seeking medical cannabis, eliminates fingerprinting for caregivers while adding checks against child and vulnerable adult abuse registries, and permits caregivers to serve two patients. Additionally, it allows cannabis establishments to do business with each other, clarifies that tobacco paraphernalia sales don't require liquor licenses, and establishes new positions within the Cannabis Control Board for quality control.

Maddy summaryThis bill proposes to remove the 60 percent tetrahydrocannabinol potency limit on liquid concentrate cannabis products that are prepackaged for use with battery-powered devices, allowing licensed retailers to sell them directly to consumers. It also permits the production and wholesale sale of solid and liquid concentrates exceeding 60 percent THC between licensed entities, though these remain prohibited for direct public sale unless they meet the prepackaged battery device criteria. The legislation directly affects licensed cannabis retailers, integrated licensees, and the Vermont cannabis regulatory framework by modifying existing restrictions on concentrated cannabis products.

Maddy summaryThis bill would expand eligibility for Vermont's Medicare Savings Programs by raising income limits for two of the three programs. It increases the income threshold for the Qualified Medicare Beneficiary Program to 150 percent of the federal poverty level and raises the limit for the Qualifying Individual Program to 185 percent of the federal poverty level. The legislation also eliminates the Specified Low-Income Medicare Beneficiary Program entirely. These changes would allow more low-income Vermonters to qualify for financial assistance with their Medicare premiums and cost-sharing. The bill requires approval from the federal Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services before the new eligibility rules take effect.