Sen. Richard Westman

Maddy summaryThis bill allows Vermont sheriffs and qualified deputy sheriffs to join Group G of the Vermont State Employees' Retirement System, which currently covers certain corrections and psychiatric facility employees. The change applies to sheriffs and deputy sheriffs employed by participating county departments who hold Level II or III law enforcement certification and perform law enforcement duties as their primary job function. Under the new system, eligible sheriffs and deputies can choose to join Group G starting January 1, 2025, or those employed before that date can make an irrevocable election to join by December 31, 2024. The bill also establishes specific retirement age and service requirements for Group G members, with different rules depending on when they first joined the retirement system.

Maddy summaryThis bill would restructure the Vermont State Colleges Corporation Board of Trustees by reducing the number of legislative trustees from two to one and adding one faculty trustee and one staff trustee to the 15-member board. The new faculty trustee would be appointed by the faculty union, while the staff trustee would be appointed by staff unions, both serving four-year terms. The transition would occur by August 1, 2024, when the two longest-serving legislative trustees would be replaced by these new positions, with the act taking effect on July 1, 2024. This change shifts representation on the board to include more voices from faculty and staff employees of the state colleges system.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires municipalities in Vermont to publicly post notices for all employment vacancies. The law mandates that job postings be displayed in the municipal clerk's office, on the municipal website or through an online recruiting service, and in the state Department of Labor's job bank. Each posting must include the job title, required skills or experience, salary range, and application dates with a minimum 10-day application period. The changes take effect on July 1, 2024, and apply to all municipal and county government positions.

Maddy summaryThis bill proposes adding three new permanent full-time staff positions to the Dam Safety Division within Vermont's Department of Environmental Conservation. To support these new roles, the legislation appropriates $350,000 from the Agency of Natural Resources' 2025 budget. The funding and positions would become effective immediately upon the bill's passage. This change aims to increase staffing capacity for dam safety oversight without altering existing operational procedures.

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.

Maddy summaryThis Senate resolution expresses support for the ongoing resilience and growth of Abenaki communities in Vermont and encourages greater appreciation and respect for Abenaki culture throughout the year. The measure specifically highlights the historical context of discrimination against Indigenous people in Vermont, including state-sanctioned eugenics practices, and acknowledges recent legislative steps such as state recognition of specific Abenaki tribes, an official apology for past harms, and policies promoting cultural recognition. The resolution directs the Secretary of the Senate to send a copy to the Vermont Commission on Native American Affairs and to each recognized Abenaki tribe and band. It does not create new laws or funding but serves as a formal statement of legislative intent and solidarity.

Maddy summaryThis legislative resolution formally congratulates individuals who achieved significant scouting milestones in 2022. It honors 35 young people who earned the Eagle Scout rank and one individual, Katherine Lewis, who received the Summit Award for Venturing. The General Assembly directs the Secretary of State to send copies of this recognition to each person named in the resolution. This ceremonial document acknowledges their accomplishments but does not create new laws or policy changes.

Maddy summaryThis Senate resolution reaffirms the friendship between Vermont and Taiwan and expresses support for strengthening bilateral relations between both U.S. and state levels. The measure highlights existing trade and cooperation, noting that Taiwan is Vermont's second-largest export destination and the two regions have established agreements like driver's license reciprocity. It specifically calls for establishing a memorandum of understanding to increase educational exchanges and cooperation between Vermont and Taiwan. The resolution directs the Secretary of the Senate to send copies to relevant U.S. and Taiwanese officials, including the President and the Vermont Governor.

Maddy summaryThis bill designates August 31 as Overdose Awareness Day in Vermont to raise awareness about drug overdoses and honor those affected by them. The legislation requires the Vermont State flag to be flown at half-staff on all state-owned flagpoles each August 31 to mark the observance. It also adds these provisions to the state code and includes a clause that will repeal the designation in 2033. The bill takes effect on July 1, 2023, and is based on findings about rising opioid-related deaths in the state.

Maddy summaryThis bill is a ceremonial resolution honoring Marshall Webb, a nonprofit cofounder and environmental advocate who passed away in 2022. It recognizes his contributions to Shelburne Farms, a Vermont center for sustainability education, and acknowledges his personal connection to the organization and the state. The resolution directs the Secretary of State to send a copy to Webb's family and Shelburne Farms as a formal expression of appreciation. This measure does not change laws or policies but serves to publicly acknowledge Webb's legacy and impact on the community.