Sen. Bob Norris

Maddy summaryHCR 83 is a House concurrent resolution that congratulates the 2024 Green Mountain Council Class of Eagle Scouts for achieving the rank of Eagle Scout. It formally recognizes the dedication and accomplishment of 55 named individuals and directs the Secretary of State to send a copy of the resolution to each honored Eagle Scout and the Green Mountain Council.

Maddy summaryThis Senate concurrent resolution (SCR 4) commemorates the 75th anniversary of the federal Sport Fish Restoration Act (1950) and recognizes the success of the American System of Conservation Funding. It does not create new laws or change funding; instead, it formally acknowledges how federal excise taxes on fishing equipment have supported conservation projects for decades. The resolution directs Vermont's Secretary of State to send copies to the Vermont Fish and Wildlife Commissioner, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, and Vermont's congressional delegation. It specifically honors the historical role of these federal acts in funding fish habitat restoration, including efforts relevant to New England's Atlantic salmon recovery.

Maddy summaryThis concurrent resolution recognizes March 2025 as National Athletic Training Month in Vermont. It acknowledges athletic trainers as licensed health care professionals who provide injury prevention, acute care, and rehabilitation services in schools, clinics, military settings, and other workplaces across Vermont. The resolution directs the Secretary of State to send a copy to the Vermont Association of Athletic Trainers (VAAT) and formally honors their contributions to public health. As a symbolic gesture, it does not create new laws or funding.

Maddy summaryS.21 would require all Vermont public schools, independent schools, career centers, and prekindergarten programs to prohibit student use of cell phones and personal electronic devices during school hours. Schools must develop policies allowing devices only for documented medical needs or as specified in a student's individualized education program (IEP) or 504 plan. The bill also prohibits schools from using social media to communicate with students or requiring students to use social media for school activities. These provisions take effect December 1, 2025.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates Vermont's State Aid for School Construction Program, providing state funds to help school districts cover borrowing costs for eligible construction projects. The program offers varying levels of aid based on bonus incentives tied to criteria like cost efficiency, geographic accessibility, 21st-century facility standards, and prioritizing existing infrastructure use. The Agency of Education manages the program, including setting priority rules, reviewing applications, and maintaining public project data. A new eight-member advisory board - comprising agency officials and appointed education/construction experts - will advise on program implementation and priorities. The law requires annual reporting to the legislature and encourages joint projects between districts to maximize resource use.

Maddy summaryS.110 repeals Vermont's Affordable Heat Act and removes the citizen suit provision from the Global Warming Solutions Act. It changes the state's greenhouse gas reduction requirements from legally binding targets to goals while maintaining the same emission reduction targets: 26% below 2005 levels by 2025, 40% below 1990 levels by 2030, and 80% below 1990 levels by 2050. The bill also replaces the Renewable Energy Standard with a Clean Energy Standard, which may broaden the definition of eligible clean energy sources. These changes affect Vermont's regulatory approach to climate policy, impacting state agencies, energy providers, and public compliance with emissions goals.

Maddy summaryThis bill (S 101) prohibits Vermont from adopting California’s stricter vehicle emission standards under the Clean Air Act. It amends Vermont law to explicitly ban the use of California’s waiver for new motor vehicle emissions rules, requiring the state to follow federal baseline standards instead. The bill repeals Vermont’s existing Low Emission Vehicle and Zero Emission Vehicle Rules and updates climate planning requirements to exclude California standards. It directly affects auto manufacturers selling in Vermont and Vermont’s environmental regulations, taking effect July 1, 2025.

Maddy summaryThis bill clarifies the Secretary of Natural Resources' authority to regulate, permit, and enforce discharges from concentrated animal feeding operations (CAFOs) in Vermont. It adds specific definitions for CAFO types (large/medium), discharges, and pollutants to determine when permits are required, directly affecting large CAFOs (e.g., facilities with 1,000+ cattle) and medium CAFOs (e.g., 300-999 cattle). Key mechanisms include defining "continuous discharge" and "daily discharge" for monitoring, and specifying that discharges into waterways or non-compliant land applications trigger permit requirements. The changes establish clearer standards for water quality oversight without altering existing permit thresholds.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires Vermont's Department of Motor Vehicles to update the Periodic Inspection Manual to clarify that cosmetic rust, corrosion, or torn metal on a vehicle (not affecting structural integrity or safety) cannot cause a vehicle to fail its annual safety inspection. It directly affects Vermont vehicle owners (especially owners of older vehicles with minor cosmetic rust), mechanics conducting inspections, and the DMV. Key provisions mandate the DMV to adopt manual amendments by January 1, 2026, including clear distinctions between cosmetic rust and safety-threatening damage, plus visual examples and training for mechanics. The changes aim to prevent unnecessary inspection failures due to non-safety-related cosmetic issues.

Maddy summaryHCR 30 is a memorial resolution honoring Donald H. Turner Jr., a former Vermont Representative, House Republican Leader, and Milton Town Manager. The resolution expresses the General Assembly's condolences to his family following his death in November 2024 and directs copies of the resolution to his family, the Milton Town Clerk, and the Milton Fire Department. This procedural resolution commemorates his public service, including his 30+ years with the Milton Fire Department and his legislative career representing Milton.