Sen. Thomas Chittenden

Maddy summaryThis House Concurrent Resolution (HCR 12) is a non-binding ceremonial resolution expressing legislative congratulations to the University of Vermont (UVM) men's soccer team for winning their first NCAA Division I men's soccer championship (College Cup) in 2024. It formally recognizes the team's achievement, including their "Cardiac Cats" nickname and championship victory over Marshall University. The resolution directs the Secretary of State to send a copy to UVM Athletics but does not create any new policy, funding, or legal obligations. It is purely symbolic recognition of the team's athletic accomplishment.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires Vermont's Department of Human Resources to implement reference-based pricing for inpatient and outpatient hospital services (excluding critical access hospitals) in the state employees' health plan starting in 2026. It limits annual premium growth for the plan to no more than medical inflation in the Northeast region and allows school employers to join the plan to cover their employees. The policy directly affects current state employees, school employees whose employers participate, and the state government as the health plan administrator. The Department must report annually on the program's cost impact to the legislature.

Maddy summaryThis bill makes permanent the Agency of Transportation's authority to use automated traffic enforcement systems (like speed cameras) in road work zones. It repeals temporary provisions from a 2024 law that limited this authority, ensuring the systems can continue operating without needing annual legislative renewal. The policy change directly affects drivers in Vermont work zones where these systems are deployed and the Agency of Transportation, which manages their implementation.

Maddy summaryThis bill suspends the ambulance agency provider tax for fiscal years 2026-2028, directly relieving ambulance agencies from paying this fee. To offset the lost revenue, the bill requires transferring an equivalent amount from the PILOT Special Fund to the General Fund each year. The suspension applies to all ambulance agencies, while the fund transfer ensures the General Fund maintains its projected revenue level. The bill takes effect July 1, 2025, and affects state budget allocations without altering ambulance service regulations.

Maddy summaryThis bill extends the deadline for owners of impervious surfaces (like paved areas over 3 acres) to obtain stormwater permits from 2027 to 2036. It allows municipalities that assume full control of stormwater systems to charge users impact fees to cover system costs. The bill also extends a 0.22% clean water surcharge on property transfers until 2036 and creates a grant fund to help municipalities manage stormwater projects in residential areas or "orphan" systems. These changes primarily affect property owners, municipalities, and developers involved in stormwater management.

Maddy summaryThis bill raises the monetary thresholds requiring a certificate of need for health care projects in Vermont. It increases the cost triggers from $1.5 million to $10 million for non-hospital facility expansions and $3 million to $10 million for hospital capital projects. The bill also adds a new $50 million threshold for large projects and exempts health care services or facilities resulting from direct state contracts. These changes apply to all health care facilities needing prior approval for major investments or service expansions, effective July 1, 2025.

Maddy summaryThis Vermont bill (S 11) creates a new type of "stewardship trust" specifically for business purposes, allowing owners to transfer business interests (like stocks or partnerships) without needing a definite beneficiary. It directly affects business owners and estate planners who want to pass companies to future generations while maintaining control over how the business is managed. Key provisions establish a three-member "stewardship committee" (with fiduciary duties) to oversee the trust, appoint trust enforcers to protect the trust’s purpose, and allow the committee to make major decisions like removing trustees or directing distributions. The trust must be managed for both economic and non-economic business goals, and its terms dictate how property is distributed upon termination.

Maddy summaryThis bill exempts U.S. military retirement income and survivor benefit income received by Vermont residents from state income tax. It directly affects Vermont veterans and their surviving spouses or dependents who receive these benefits. The bill amends Vermont's tax code to add these income types to the list of exclusions from taxable income under § 5811, specifically adding a new exclusion (vii) for military retirement and survivor benefits. The change takes effect retroactively for taxable years beginning January 1, 2026.

Maddy summaryThis Senate resolution honors the life of Senator Richard Sears, who passed away in June 2024 at age 81. The document formally acknowledges his career as a state senator, his work as a youth counselor, and his leadership on the Judiciary Committee where he helped advance legislation on civil unions, marriage equality, and juvenile justice. It also notes his personal history, including being adopted as an infant and later establishing a mentoring program for boys in the justice system. The resolution expresses the Senate's sadness at his passing and directs that a copy be sent to his family.

Maddy summaryThis Senate resolution honors the public service career of Senator Martha Jane Kitchel, recognizing her work in both the Executive Branch and the Vermont Senate. The document highlights her progression from social work to leadership roles in the Department of Social Welfare and later as Secretary of the Agency of Human Services, followed by her legislative service in the Senate. It specifically acknowledges her contributions as Chair of the Senate Committee on Appropriations, where she led budget analysis and supported infrastructure projects like the Lamoille Valley Rail Trail. The resolution formally recognizes her two decades of service and her recent announcement that she will not seek reelection in 2024.