Sen. Brian Collamore

Maddy summaryS.78 establishes the Vermont-Ireland Trade Commission within the State Treasurer’s office to advance trade, investment, and cultural exchange between Vermont and Ireland. The commission, composed of 10 members appointed by the governor, House speaker, and Senate committee, will promote business partnerships, policy collaboration, and infrastructure investment between the two regions. It may raise funds through donations and submit annual reports to the governor and legislature, with appointments required by October 2025. The commission will cease operations on June 30, 2030, and the law takes effect July 1, 2025.

Maddy summaryThis concurrent resolution (HCR 32) formally honors Lucrecia Wonsor for her service as Killington's Town Clerk and Treasurer. It recognizes her career achievements, including certifications, leadership roles in municipal associations, and receiving Vermont's "Town Clerk of the Year" award and a Lifetime Achievement Award from the Vermont League of Cities and Towns. The resolution directs the Secretary of State to send a copy to Wonsor and Killington's current Town Clerk. It has no policy impact or financial effect - it is a ceremonial tribute to her municipal government service.

Maddy summaryThis ceremonial resolution honors the Vermont Old Cemetery Association (VOCA) for its 65+ years of preserving Vermont's historic cemeteries. VOCA provides restoration grants, veteran burial support, and educational resources (like its newsletter and book *Burial Grounds of Vermont*) to local cemetery groups and municipalities. The resolution formally recognizes VOCA's work without creating new laws, funding, or policy changes. It serves as a symbolic gesture of appreciation for the organization's contributions to cemetery preservation and public education.

Maddy summaryThis House Concurrent Resolution (HCR 12) is a non-binding ceremonial resolution expressing legislative congratulations to the University of Vermont (UVM) men's soccer team for winning their first NCAA Division I men's soccer championship (College Cup) in 2024. It formally recognizes the team's achievement, including their "Cardiac Cats" nickname and championship victory over Marshall University. The resolution directs the Secretary of State to send a copy to UVM Athletics but does not create any new policy, funding, or legal obligations. It is purely symbolic recognition of the team's athletic accomplishment.

Maddy summaryThis bill exempts U.S. military retirement income and survivor benefit income received by Vermont residents from state income tax. It directly affects Vermont veterans and their surviving spouses or dependents who receive these benefits. The bill amends Vermont's tax code to add these income types to the list of exclusions from taxable income under § 5811, specifically adding a new exclusion (vii) for military retirement and survivor benefits. The change takes effect retroactively for taxable years beginning January 1, 2026.

Maddy summaryThis Senate resolution honors the life of Senator Richard Sears, who passed away in June 2024 at age 81. The document formally acknowledges his career as a state senator, his work as a youth counselor, and his leadership on the Judiciary Committee where he helped advance legislation on civil unions, marriage equality, and juvenile justice. It also notes his personal history, including being adopted as an infant and later establishing a mentoring program for boys in the justice system. The resolution expresses the Senate's sadness at his passing and directs that a copy be sent to his family.

Maddy summaryThis Senate resolution honors the public service career of Senator Martha Jane Kitchel, recognizing her work in both the Executive Branch and the Vermont Senate. The document highlights her progression from social work to leadership roles in the Department of Social Welfare and later as Secretary of the Agency of Human Services, followed by her legislative service in the Senate. It specifically acknowledges her contributions as Chair of the Senate Committee on Appropriations, where she led budget analysis and supported infrastructure projects like the Lamoille Valley Rail Trail. The resolution formally recognizes her two decades of service and her recent announcement that she will not seek reelection in 2024.

Maddy summaryThis legislative resolution officially recognizes May 6-12, 2024, as National Nurses Week in Vermont and designates May 9, 2024, as ANA-Vermont Hill Day at the State House. The measure honors the nursing profession by acknowledging nurses' contributions to healthcare, particularly during the pandemic, and invites the public to express gratitude to nurses on that date. The resolution directs the Secretary of State to send a copy of the document to ANA-Vermont, the organization overseeing the commemoration. It does not create new laws or funding but serves as a formal acknowledgment of the nursing profession's importance.

Maddy summaryThis bill directs Vermont's Departments of Health and Disabilities, Aging, and Independent Living to create and maintain public education materials about Alzheimer's disease and related disorders for patients, families, caregivers, and healthcare providers. It requires these departments to train healthcare providers on early detection methods, screening benefits for adults 65 and older, and cultural competency while increasing public awareness of early warning signs and the importance of timely diagnosis. The law also mandates a presentation on rare diseases to state health committees and takes effect on July 1, 2024.

Maddy summaryThis bill changes how Vermont courts decide bail and release conditions by requiring judges to consider a defendant's compliance with court orders and past court appearances. It removes a $200 bail limit for certain misdemeanor charges when defendants face additional crimes while awaiting trial and allows new release options like pretrial supervision and expanded home detention. The law also clarifies how firearm use in drug trafficking counts as a violent act for bail decisions and makes community restitution a formal sentencing alternative. Additionally, it requires oversight committees to review funding and operations for pretrial programs and mandates a self-review by the Corrections Monitoring Commission to improve efficiency.