Sen. Bob Norris

Maddy summaryThis House concurrent resolution celebrates the 50th anniversary of the National Conference of State Legislatures, an organization founded in 1975 that supports state and territorial legislators and their staff. The resolution recognizes the group's role in advancing state legislative effectiveness, fostering cooperation between states, and providing a unified voice for state legislatures in the federal system. It directs the Vermont Secretary of State to send a copy of the resolution to the National Conference of State Legislatures. The measure is a commemorative action with no policy changes or budgetary impact.

Maddy summaryThis bill updates court rules to protect young children who have suffered serious physical abuse by limiting how many times they must describe their traumatic experiences in legal proceedings. It extends existing protections for child victims of sexual offenses to children under 16 who are victims of cruelty causing serious bodily injury, allowing their statements to be used as evidence in court. The legislation also permits hearsay statements from children aged 12 and under to be admitted as evidence in cruelty cases involving serious bodily injury, similar to rules already in place for sexual offense cases. These changes aim to reduce the emotional burden on young victims while ensuring their accounts can still be considered in legal cases.

Maddy summaryThis bill is a House concurrent resolution that honors the memory of former Vermont Representative Timothy Yeatman Hayward, who passed away in March 2024. The resolution extends condolences to Hayward's family and directs the Secretary of State to send a copy of the document to them. It acknowledges Hayward's background as a U.S. Marine, his career in banking and public service, and his long involvement in Vermont politics and community leadership. The measure does not create new laws or policies but serves as a formal expression of respect from the General Assembly.

Maddy summaryThis bill designates April 18, 2024, as USS VERMONT (SSN 792) Day in Vermont to honor the submarine that was commissioned on that date in 2020. The resolution recognizes the vessel as the third U.S. naval ship named after Vermont and acknowledges the crew's service with Hawaii as their home port. It directs the Secretary of State to send a copy of the resolution to the submarine and its support group. This is a commemorative measure with no regulatory or funding implications.

Maddy summaryThis bill is a House concurrent resolution that congratulates the Desorcie family on 60 years of continuous ownership of Desorcie's Market in Highgate Center. The resolution recognizes the store's long history, which spans from its founding in 1910 through multiple family generations, including the Tremblay family before the Desorcie family took over in 1964. It acknowledges the market's role as a community hub that provides fresh meats, home delivery, and event catering while serving as a local landmark. The resolution directs the Secretary of State to send a copy to the market, but it does not create new laws or require any government action beyond this ceremonial acknowledgment.

Maddy summaryThis bill designates March 13, 2024, as National K9 Veterans Day in Vermont to honor military working dogs and their handlers. It recognizes the contributions of approximately 1,600 trained dogs who serve in roles such as patrol, drug detection, and explosives detection across the U.S. Armed Forces. The resolution directs the Secretary of State to send a copy of the document to the U.S. Air Force 341st Training Squadron in San Antonio, Texas. This measure is ceremonial and does not change any laws or policies.

Maddy summaryThis bill allows probation and parole officers in Vermont to carry firearms while on duty, provided they complete a specialized training course. The legislation requires officers to successfully finish a curriculum developed by the Vermont Criminal Justice Training Council, covering firearm use, force application, reporting, and liability. Once trained and certified, officers may carry firearms for defensive purposes during their official duties. The law takes effect on July 1, 2023, and applies to correctional officers assigned to the Field Supervision Unit.

Maddy summaryThis bill is a ceremonial resolution that honors Sergeant at Arms Janet Miller for her service to the Vermont General Assembly. It recognizes her long career, which includes managing security, coordinating events, and overseeing the Legislative Council before she was elected to her current role five times. The resolution also acknowledges her specific contributions during the COVID-19 pandemic, including helping the legislature transition back to in-person meetings. The bill directs the Secretary of State to send a copy of this honor to Janet Miller, who has announced her retirement effective March 1, 2024.

Maddy summaryThis legislative bill is a ceremonial resolution that formally recognizes the 100th anniversary of the Vermont State Parks system. It commemorates the historical significance of the parks, which began in 1924 with a donation of land that became Mt. Philo State Park, and acknowledges the contributions of Civilian Conservation Corps workers and private foundations to their development. The resolution does not create new laws or change policies but serves to honor the parks' legacy and their role in Vermont's outdoor economy. It directs the Secretary of State to send copies of the resolution to relevant state agencies and the Vermont Parks Forever foundation.

Maddy summaryThis bill allows Vermont residents who are honorably discharged veterans to request a "veteran" designation on their driver's licenses and identification cards by submitting proof of service and status confirmation from the Office of Veterans' Affairs. It also authorizes the Department of Motor Vehicles and the Office of Veterans' Affairs to jointly determine specialty license plates that recognize specific military awards, combat service, or veteran status, including options for Purple Heart recipients, Pearl Harbor survivors, former prisoners of war, and disabled veterans. The legislation requires applicants to provide Department of Defense Form 214 or equivalent documentation to verify their veteran status before the designation is added to their credentials. Additionally, the bill mandates that one side of any veteran specialty plate feature an American flag or a veteran-related emblem selected by the Commissioner and the Office of Veterans' Affairs.