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.
Sponsored bills
Maddy summaryThis bill is a commemorative resolution honoring Edward Benjamin Koren, a former Brookfield Fire Captain and Vermont Cartoonist Laureate who passed away in April 2023. The resolution extends condolences to his family and directs the Secretary of State to send copies of the document to his family, the Brookfield Volunteer Fire Department, and The New Yorker magazine. It recognizes Koren's dual legacy as a dedicated volunteer firefighter who served his community and a world-renowned cartoonist whose work appeared in major publications and museums. The bill does not create new laws or policies but serves as a formal acknowledgment of his contributions to Vermont and the arts.
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 bill creates a temporary Legislative Energy Storage Study Committee to evaluate the costs and benefits of energy storage for electricity customers, utility providers, and the energy storage industry in Vermont. The committee will include representatives from the legislature, energy storage industry, municipal and cooperative utilities, businesses, investor-owned utilities, renewable energy developers, and an academic expert. Its main tasks are to assess current policies and markets, examine different storage technologies, recommend policy changes, and determine whether Vermont should set energy storage goals for the next five years. The committee must submit a written report with findings and recommendations by December 15, 2023, and will cease to exist on December 31, 2023. The bill appropriates $10,000 to cover per diem compensation and expenses for committee members attending up to six meetings.
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.
Maddy summaryThis bill updates the rules for nominating candidates to Vermont unified union school district boards by standardizing the signature requirements across all three representation models. Under the new provisions, a nomination petition must be signed by either 30 voters or one percent of the legal voters in the relevant area, whichever number is smaller. The changes apply to proposed districts, existing unified districts using modified at-large systems, and fully at-large representation models. The bill also specifies filing deadlines and requirements for candidate consent to appear on the ballot.
Maddy summaryThis bill expands Vermont's cannabis regulatory framework by creating new business licenses for delivery services, special events, and temporary events, while also allowing certain cultivators to sell directly to consumers. It adjusts product standards by increasing the maximum THC allowed per package from 50 to 100 milligrams and per serving from 5 to 10 milligrams, and permits cannabis consumption in public spaces where tobacco use is currently allowed. The legislation also directs additional cannabis excise tax revenue toward the Cannabis Business Development Fund and communities disproportionately affected by past cannabis prohibition, expanding funding to include substance misuse prevention and harm reduction programs.
Maddy summaryThis bill restricts Vermont employers from conducting criminal history checks, credit checks, and drug tests on job applicants and employees unless the information has a direct relationship to the specific job duties. It prohibits employers from asking about credit history on initial applications and requires criminal background checks to occur only after an applicant has been deemed qualified for a position, with narrow exceptions for roles involving financial responsibility, law enforcement, emergency medical services, or positions where federal or state law mandates disqualification based on certain convictions. Drug testing is allowed only after a conditional job offer is made, with written notice provided to the applicant, and for current employees only when there is probable cause of drug use on the job, provided the employer offers an assistance program and the employee is not terminated if they successfully complete rehabilitation. The legislation also protects applicants and employees from retaliation if they file complaints or cooperate with investigations regarding unlawful employment practices related to these screening procedures.
Maddy summaryThis bill proposes to decriminalize possession of a personal use supply of regulated drugs in Vermont by reducing penalties from criminal charges to a civil offense with a $50 fine. Instead of facing criminal prosecution, individuals cited for this offense can avoid the penalty by agreeing to participate in substance use disorder screening and related services. The legislation would also establish a Drug Use Standards Advisory Board to determine benchmark personal use dosages and supplies, and allow for the immediate sealing of criminal records for those previously arrested or convicted of possessing amounts below these benchmarks. Additionally, the bill authorizes pilot programs for drug-checking services that allow individuals to analyze substances for chemical composition and contaminants to prevent overdoses. These changes aim to shift Vermont's approach from a criminal justice model to a public health strategy focused on harm reduction and treatment access.