Sen. Richard Westman

Maddy summaryThis bill requires legislative approval from the Vermont General Assembly before the Vermont State Colleges can close, reduce, or convert any physical library that existed on January 1, 2023. It also prevents the colleges from reducing library staff positions, employees, or work hours below the levels established on that same date without state approval. The law affects the Vermont State Colleges Corporation and its library operations across all campuses. If passed, the colleges would need explicit permission from lawmakers before making changes to their library facilities or staffing levels.

Maddy summaryThis bill proposes to exempt all U.S. military retirement income and military survivor benefit income from Vermont state income tax. It directly affects active and retired military personnel, as well as surviving spouses and dependents of deceased service members who receive these benefits. The legislation amends Vermont tax code to remove military retirement and survivor income from taxable income calculations, while also clarifying that taxpayers must choose between this exemption and other retirement income exclusions if they qualify for multiple. The bill includes a statement of purpose honoring military service and applies retroactively to January 1, 2023.

Maddy summaryThis bill allows manufacturers of spirits and fortified wines to obtain a special license to ship their products directly to consumers in Vermont. The legislation requires license holders to register each product, sell at state-set retail prices, and limit shipments to 12 cases of fortified wine or four cases of spirits per resident annually. Revenue from sales tax on these direct shipments will fund a special state fund to offset any revenue losses for the Department of Liquor and Lottery. The law takes effect on July 1, 2023, and applies to both in-state and out-of-state manufacturers meeting existing licensing requirements.

Maddy summaryThis bill allows alcoholic beverage manufacturers in Vermont to open tasting rooms at locations separate from their production facilities. It amends state liquor laws to permit license holders to obtain first-class retail licenses for off-site premises, provided the Board of Liquor and Lottery approves the request. The tasting rooms must be used exclusively for selling and consuming the manufacturer's own products on-site. The changes take effect on July 1, 2023, and apply to existing manufacturers holding current production licenses.

Maddy summaryThis bill authorizes Vermont's Department of Liquor and Lottery to operate sports wagering through contracts with private operators while establishing regulatory standards and oversight. It creates a competitive bidding process to select operators and allows the department to negotiate revenue-sharing agreements with those operators. The legislation defines prohibited sports bettors, including athletes and employees involved in sports, and restricts wagering on certain local collegiate and high school events. Additionally, it establishes responsible gaming standards and creates a special fund to support mental health services related to problem gambling.

Maddy summaryThis bill updates Vermont state law to consistently use the term "hard cider" instead of "cider" when referring to alcoholic apple or pear beverages. The change affects definitions, licensing rules for serving samples, festival permit requirements, and tax classifications for these drinks. By standardizing the terminology, the bill clarifies which beverages are subject to specific alcohol regulations and tax rates based on their alcohol content. The law applies to businesses that package, sell, or serve alcoholic cider and takes effect on July 1, 2023.

Maddy summaryThis bill extends existing civil penalties to GPS navigation providers if their systems fail to warn drivers about prohibited vehicle restrictions on the Smugglers' Notch segment of Vermont Route 108. It directly affects companies that sell, subscribe to, or offer free GPS navigation services, including software and route planning tools. Under the new provisions, providers could face a $2,000 fine if their systems do not explicitly notify users of the route's closure restrictions for large vehicles during winter. The bill also requires the Vermont Agency of Transportation to provide notice of these restrictions to GPS providers and install appropriate signage. These changes take effect on July 1, 2023.

Maddy summaryThis bill designates January 23-27, 2023, as the first annual Holocaust Education Week in Vermont. It directly affects Vermont schools and educational institutions by establishing a formal period for Holocaust education activities. The resolution directs the Secretary of State to send copies of the document to the Vermont Holocaust Memorial and the Agency of Education to facilitate the event. This commemorative measure recognizes the historical significance of the Holocaust and aims to increase awareness through organized educational programming during the designated week.

Maddy summaryThis Senate concurrent resolution honors Helen Estroff of Montpelier for her distinguished public service in the Vermont executive branch and her role as Calendar Clerk of the Vermont Senate. The document recognizes her 34-year career, which included positions in state financial oversight, higher education, and transportation, as well as her work ensuring legislative schedules were properly organized and printed. The resolution directs the Secretary of State to send a copy of the document to Ms. Estroff as a formal acknowledgment of her contributions. This measure does not create new laws or policies but serves as an official commendation of her service.

Maddy summaryThis bill is a Senate concurrent resolution that honors Steven D. Marshall of Swanton for his 35 years of service as the Assistant Secretary of the Vermont Senate. The resolution recognizes his professional contributions, including his role in the American Society of Legislative Clerks and Secretaries and his work on revisions to legislative procedure manuals. It directs the Secretary of State to send a copy of the resolution to Marshall as a formal acknowledgment of his exemplary service. This document serves as an official commendation rather than a law that creates new policies or regulations.