Sen. Randy Brock

Maddy summaryThis bill delays the July 1, 2024 start date for expanded juvenile court jurisdiction in Vermont until the state confirms it has adequate resources to handle the increased caseload. The delay is contingent on the Secretary of Human Services notifying legislative committees that five specific conditions are met, including operating a permanent crisis stabilization program, hiring additional family services workers, expanding the Balanced and Restorative Justice budget, ensuring residential program access, and securing funding for a child welfare information system. Additionally, the bill requires that certain serious charges against youth aged 14 to 21, such as human trafficking, drug trafficking, and domestic assault, begin in the Criminal Division of the Superior Court rather than the Family Division, unless the prosecutor chooses to file directly as a youthful offender petition. These changes affect how juvenile cases are processed and which court divisions handle them, while ensuring support systems are in place before expanded jurisdiction takes effect.

Maddy summaryThis bill strengthens penalties for unemployment insurance fraud in Vermont by requiring individuals who falsely obtain benefits to repay the overpaid amount, pay a 15% penalty, and face an additional administrative fine of up to $5,000. It also imposes a five-year ban on receiving unemployment benefits for those found to have intentionally made false statements or misrepresented material facts during their claims process. The legislation allows the state commissioner to pursue unpaid fines through civil court and provides opportunities for affected individuals to appeal penalties through existing procedures. These measures take effect on July 1, 2024, and apply to anyone who willfully provides false information to increase or initiate unemployment benefits.

Maddy summaryThis bill modifies Vermont's bail and pretrial release laws to increase accountability for individuals who violate court conditions while awaiting trial. It removes the $200 limit on bail amounts for defendants who commit new offenses while on pretrial release and allows courts to consider past compliance with release conditions when setting new terms. The legislation also establishes a faster hearing process for release violations, bars repeat offenders from diversion programs, and requires annual reporting on restorative justice referrals by state agencies.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a working group to explore ways to bring more international medical school graduates into Vermont's healthcare workforce. The group will examine models like Tennessee's temporary licensing system and develop proposals for an expedited licensure process that prioritizes patient safety. Additionally, the bill appropriates $50,000 in fiscal year 2025 to reimburse international medical school graduates for study materials and books needed to obtain Vermont medical licenses. The working group must submit its findings and recommendations by January 15, 2025, and the license reimbursement funds will be distributed on a first-come, first-served basis until depleted.

Maddy summaryThis legislative resolution congratulates the 2023 Georgia Elementary and Middle School Chargers seventh- and eighth-grade girls' softball team for their undefeated 13-0 season. The document formally recognizes the individual players and their head coach, Seth Hungerford, for their athletic achievements and mentoring. It directs the Secretary of State to send a copy of the resolution to the school, serving as an official acknowledgment of the team's success.

Maddy summaryThis bill authorizes Vermont municipalities to create and enforce local rules requiring owners to maintain buildings that pose risks to public health and safety. It allows towns and cities to compel cleaning or repairs of dangerous properties and establish specific health and safety standards for buildings within their jurisdiction. If a municipal official determines a building is uninhabitable or hazardous, the municipality can recover maintenance costs by placing a tax lien on the property, provided the owner receives proper notice and has access to an appeals process. The legislation applies to all incorporated towns, cities, and villages in Vermont and takes effect immediately upon passage.

Maddy summaryThis bill authorizes municipal stormwater utilities in Vermont to form cooperative agreements with other municipalities to share financial resources and establish joint ratemaking structures. It allows these utilities to collaborate on administrative matters and develop rates based on equivalent residential units calculated from impervious surface areas. The legislation also creates a grant program providing up to $100,000 to groups of cooperating municipalities outside Chittenden County for technical assistance in establishing utility governance and ratemaking. A total of $400,000 is appropriated in fiscal year 2025 to fund these grants, with the act taking effect on July 1, 2024.

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 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 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.