Sen. Andrew Perchlik

Maddy summaryThis joint resolution asks the U.S. Postal Service to reopen a full-service post office in downtown Montpelier, Vermont, as quickly as possible. The bill is sponsored by state legislators and directed to the U.S. President and Postmaster General, with copies sent to Vermont's federal representatives. It highlights that the post office has served the city since 1798 and notes that temporary arrangements after a 2023 flood were inadequate due to poor location and lack of basic utilities. The resolution emphasizes the importance of this service for residents, businesses, and government offices in the state capital.

Maddy summaryThis bill is a ceremonial resolution that honors Sergeant at Arms Janet Miller for her service to the Vermont General Assembly. It recognizes her long career, which includes managing security, coordinating events, and overseeing the Legislative Council before she was elected to her current role five times. The resolution also acknowledges her specific contributions during the COVID-19 pandemic, including helping the legislature transition back to in-person meetings. The bill directs the Secretary of State to send a copy of this honor to Janet Miller, who has announced her retirement effective March 1, 2024.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes the Vermont Fair Repair Act to require manufacturers of digital electronic equipment to provide repair information, tools, and parts to independent repair shops and consumers. The law mandates that original equipment manufacturers make available at no charge the documentation, software, and tools needed to diagnose and repair their products, while also ensuring replacement parts are offered at fair and reasonable terms equivalent to those given to authorized repair providers. The legislation specifically defines key terms like independent repair providers and equipment, and includes provisions to prevent manufacturers from retaliating against authorized providers who sell parts to independent repairers. Exemptions are included for medical devices and motor vehicles, and the act applies to equipment originally manufactured for sale in the United States.

Maddy summaryThis Senate concurrent resolution honors the individuals and organizations that led flood recovery efforts in Montpelier and Barre City during the severe flooding of July 2023. The bill recognizes specific leaders who coordinated volunteer teams, established response hubs, and created relief funds to support affected residents and businesses. It directs the Secretary of State to send copies of the resolution to the named organizations and individuals as a formal acknowledgment of their contributions. The measure serves as a commemorative gesture rather than establishing new laws or policies.

Maddy summaryThis Senate concurrent resolution commemorates the 175th anniversary of the National Life Insurance Company's original chartering in 1848. The bill directs the Secretary of State to send a copy of the resolution to the company's executive leadership as a formal acknowledgment of its history and contributions. It highlights the company's founding by notable figures like Henry Clay, its early operations in Vermont, and its recent charitable efforts during the 2023 floods. This legislative action serves as a ceremonial recognition rather than creating new laws or policies.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a new Community Care, Health, and Safety Fund to provide grants for community-based services that reduce harm from drug use and support people with substance use disorders. It eliminates misdemeanor criminal penalties for possessing or dispensing a personal use supply of regulated drugs, requiring instead that individuals be offered information about available services and access to needs assessments. The legislation designates 40 percent of cannabis excise tax revenue and a portion of opioid abatement funds to finance these services, while establishing an advisory board to determine what constitutes a benchmark personal use supply. The bill also authorizes monetary incentives for participation in needs assessments and aims to shift resources from prosecution toward prevention, treatment, and harm reduction strategies.

Maddy summaryThis bill authorizes Vermont municipalities to impose civil penalties on owners of commercial buildings that remain vacant for 180 consecutive days. The legislation allows local building inspectors or authorized officers to assess fines after providing notice to property owners, with penalties calculated for each 180-day period of vacancy. The measure applies to towns, cities, and incorporated villages and takes effect on July 1, 2024.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a temporary Study Committee on Dam Emergency Action Planning to examine how Vermont can improve regional emergency planning for dam failures. The committee would include representatives from the legislature, state agencies, regional planning commissions, and dam owners to review current responsibilities and funding for emergency preparedness. Its main tasks involve identifying high-hazard dams, recommending who should develop regional emergency action plans, and estimating the costs for creating and implementing these plans. The committee must submit its findings and legislative recommendations by December 15, 2023, and will dissolve on March 1, 2024.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a new crime called land improvement fraud in Vermont, targeting contractors who deceive homeowners about construction or landscaping work. It applies to anyone performing work like driveway installation, tree removal, or forestry operations on residential or non-residential property, and it criminalizes actions such as failing to complete agreed-upon work, misrepresenting facts, or charging excessive prices during emergencies. People convicted of this crime face fines and jail time depending on the amount of financial loss caused, and they must either work under supervision of a licensed company or post a $50,000 surety bond to continue working in the industry. The bill also allows law enforcement to seize equipment used in fraudulent activities and requires convicted individuals to register with the Attorney General. Additionally, the legislation expands restrictions on timber trespass by requiring convicted offenders or those with civil judgments to post a bond before they can resume timber harvesting work.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a new Vermont Data Privacy Act to protect the personal information of Vermont residents by creating clear rules for how businesses collect, use, and share consumer data. It defines key terms like personal data, consent, and profiling while explicitly excluding employees and commercial transactions from coverage. The law requires businesses to obtain clear affirmative consent from consumers, prohibits deceptive design practices known as dark patterns, and grants consumers specific rights over their data including access, deletion, and opt-out options. Companies must also implement reasonable security measures to protect personal information and provide mechanisms for consumers to exercise their privacy rights.