Sen. Thomas Chittenden

Maddy summaryThis bill requires the Vermont Emergency Management Division to conduct a comprehensive assessment of the state's disaster preparedness following the 2023 summer flooding events. The assessment must evaluate early warning systems, evacuation routes and shelters, local emergency management coordination, and emergency communications infrastructure. By January 25, 2025, the Division Director must submit a written report to relevant legislative committees detailing findings and, if needed, propose an improvement plan that could include legislative recommendations. The bill takes effect immediately upon passage and directly impacts the state's emergency management operations and oversight processes.

Maddy summaryThis bill authorizes Vermont municipalities to require public transit amenities, such as bus stops and shelters, to be included in zoning regulations and site plan reviews for new developments. It amends state zoning laws to allow local governments to mandate connections to existing transit infrastructure and to include public transit facilities in official maps and transportation master plans. The legislation applies to municipalities reviewing development projects beyond single-family homes and aims to integrate transit planning into local land-use decisions. The changes take effect on July 1, 2024, and give communities more tools to ensure new developments support public transportation access.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires municipalities in Vermont to publicly post notices for all employment vacancies. The law mandates that job postings be displayed in the municipal clerk's office, on the municipal website or through an online recruiting service, and in the state Department of Labor's job bank. Each posting must include the job title, required skills or experience, salary range, and application dates with a minimum 10-day application period. The changes take effect on July 1, 2024, and apply to all municipal and county government positions.

Maddy summaryThis bill would automatically exempt people aged 70 and older from jury service in Vermont. To qualify for this exemption, individuals must indicate their age on the juror questionnaire when they are summoned. The law requires them to request this exception during the initial screening process, and if approved, their names are removed from the jury list either permanently or for the current two-year service term. This change applies to all citizens meeting standard jury qualifications who meet the age threshold, without requiring additional proof of hardship. The legislation would take effect on July 1, 2024.

Maddy summaryThis bill would allow Vermont to join the Social Work Licensure Compact, enabling licensed social workers to practice across multiple member states without needing separate licenses in each location. The legislation establishes a framework for mutual recognition of social work licenses, facilitates the sharing of disciplinary information between states, and supports telehealth services for increased access to care. Key provisions include protecting public safety through coordinated oversight, reducing administrative burdens for social workers, and providing specific accommodations for military families who may need to relocate frequently.

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 amends Vermont's state laws to strengthen protections against employment and public accommodation discrimination by expanding the definition of harassment and removing the requirement that such behavior be severe or pervasive to be unlawful. It directly affects employers, employment agencies, labor organizations, and individuals by prohibiting discrimination based on race, color, religion, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, ancestry, place of birth, age, crime victim status, and physical or mental conditions. Key provisions include clarifying that a single incident can constitute harassment, allowing claims without needing to compare treatment to another individual, and preventing settlement agreements from restricting an employee's ability to continue working for the employer. The bill also updates wage discrimination rules to ensure equal pay for equal work regardless of protected characteristics and clarifies that harassment can occur outside the workplace.

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.

Maddy summaryThis legislative bill is a ceremonial resolution that congratulates the Burlington High School Seahorses team for winning the 2023 Vermont-NEA Scholars' Bowl state championship. The resolution recognizes the six student team members and their coach for their academic achievements in a competition that tests knowledge across various subjects. It formally acknowledges their victories in the state tournament and expresses good wishes for their upcoming national competition. The bill directs the Secretary of State to send a copy of this recognition to Burlington High School.

Maddy summaryThis Senate concurrent resolution honors Vanessa Davison, a long-time staff member of the Vermont General Assembly, for her 45 years of dedicated service. The resolution recognizes her work ethic, professionalism, and contributions to legislative operations, including managing administrative tasks, operating early computer systems, and serving as Journal Clerk for over 30 years. It formally acknowledges her role in preparing Senate Journals and training her successor to ensure continued quality in legislative record-keeping. The resolution directs the Secretary of State to send a copy to Davison as an official recognition of her retirement after concluding her career in the spring of 2023.