Sen. Andrew Perchlik

Maddy summaryThis bill expands access to certain health care services in Vermont by requiring health insurance plans and Medicaid to cover gender-affirming and abortion-related services. It protects health care providers from professional disciplinary action or insurance premium increases when they provide legally protected health care activities. The legislation also allows pharmacists to prescribe emergency contraception, permits vending machines to dispense contraceptives at pharmacies and colleges, and restricts how pregnancy centers can advertise their services. Additionally, it limits when health information about these services can be shared and requires state agencies to track access to reproductive and gender-affirming care.

Maddy summaryThis Vermont bill requires insurance companies to keep individual and small group health insurance markets separate for plan years 2024 and 2025. The law mandates that carriers calculate and file premiums for these two markets independently, applying community rating rules separately to each group. This change directly affects registered insurance carriers and the people who purchase health plans through the individual and small group markets in Vermont.

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 bill is a ceremonial resolution that congratulates the U-32 Raiders boys' ice hockey team for winning the 2023 Division II state championship. It recognizes the team's remarkable victory in the longest-ever Division II championship game, which required two overtimes to decide. The resolution formally acknowledges the players and coaching staff and directs the Secretary of State to send a copy of the document to the team. This measure has no policy impact beyond honoring the team's athletic achievement.

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 repeals the sales tax exemption for advanced wood boilers in Vermont, meaning these heating systems will no longer be exempt from sales tax starting July 1, 2025. The change directly affects homeowners and businesses purchasing advanced wood boilers, which will then be subject to the standard sales tax rate. The legislation amends existing state tax code sections to remove the exemption and makes the repeal effective on June 30, 2023.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes an optional ranked-choice voting system for presidential primary elections in Vermont towns, cities, and villages. Local municipalities can choose to adopt this system by voting at their annual or special meetings, allowing voters to rank candidates in order of preference rather than selecting just one. The bill outlines specific rules for how votes are counted across multiple rounds, including procedures for eliminating candidates with the fewest votes and transferring their ballots to voters' next choices. Once adopted, the system remains in effect until the local community votes to discontinue it, with transparency requirements for reporting vote totals and inactive ballots.

Maddy summaryThis bill directs Vermont's Pension Investment Commission to divest state pension funds from fossil fuel industry investments by December 31, 2030, while also setting a longer-term goal to eliminate all private fossil fuel investments by December 31, 2040. The legislation applies to the Vermont State Employees' Retirement System, the Vermont Teachers' Retirement System, and the Vermont Municipal Employees' Retirement System, requiring the Commission to develop a divestment plan that considers fiduciary obligations and potential impacts on funding requirements. The bill includes specific definitions for fossil fuel exposure, allows for exceptions for small investments under two percent of the portfolio, and mandates regular reports to state committees on progress and financial impacts. Additionally, the act appropriates $127,000 in 2024 to fund a staff position to support the review, planning, and reporting requirements of the divestment process.

Maddy summaryThis legislative resolution congratulates the 2023 Spaulding High School Crimson Tide girls' ice hockey team for winning their first Division I state championship since 2010. The bill formally recognizes the team's achievement after they moved from Division II to Division I and won the championship game against the Burlington/Colchester SeaLakers with a 4-1 victory. It directs the Secretary of State to send a copy of the resolution to Spaulding High School as an official acknowledgment of their accomplishment. The measure does not change any laws or policies but serves as a ceremonial tribute to the team and its coaches.

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.