Sen. Anne Watson

Maddy summaryHCR 196 is a ceremonial resolution honoring U.S. Army Major General Gregory Knight, Vermont's Adjutant and Inspector General, for his 43-year military and public service career. It formally commends his service - including deployments to Iraq, academic achievements, leadership in the Vermont National Guard, and his seven-year tenure as the state's top military officer - and directs the Secretary of State to send a copy of the resolution to him and the Vermont National Guard. This resolution does not create new laws or affect policy; it is a symbolic gesture of recognition. The bill was offered by all members of both the House and Senate.

Maddy summaryHCR 200 is a ceremonial resolution celebrating the life of Nathan Suter, a Montpelier resident and community leader who died in 2025. It honors his contributions as a cofounder of Root Division, director of the Current art center, track coach at Montpelier schools, and board member of organizations like Migrant Justice and the Montpelier Commission for Recovery and Resilience. The resolution directs the Secretary of State to send copies to Suter’s family, Montpelier High School, and the organizations he supported. This is a symbolic tribute with no policy changes or funding impacts.

Maddy summaryThis bill removes Vermont corporations, LLCs, partnerships, and other business entities' ability to spend money on election-related activities or ballot initiatives. It defines "election activity" and "ballot-issue activity" more clearly and revokes any prior legal authority allowing these entities to fund such efforts. The law specifically prohibits corporations from paying, contributing, or expending money for political campaigns or ballot measures, while preserving their core business powers. This applies uniformly across all entity types and aims to align corporate powers with the General Assembly's intent that political spending wasn't granted when entities were formed.

Maddy summaryThis House Concurrent Resolution designates February 11, 2026, as "Disability Advocacy Day" at the Vermont State House. It recognizes the work of disability rights groups like the Vermont Coalition for Disability Rights (VCDR) and highlights ongoing challenges such as educational disparities and barriers in employment, housing, and transportation faced by Vermonters with disabilities. The resolution does not create new laws or funding but formally acknowledges these issues and the contributions of people with disabilities. It directs the Secretary of State to send a copy to VCDR.

Maddy summaryVermont's Senate resolution SR 21 condemns the fatal shootings of two U.S. citizens (Renée Good and Alex Pretti) by federal agents during ICE's Operation Metro Surge in Minnesota. It demands the President immediately suspend the operation, reset immigration enforcement to target only serious criminals, and prioritize constitutional rights. The resolution urges Vermont's congressional delegation to oppose further ICE funding unless reforms include ending militarized tactics, restoring due process, and creating fair pathways to legal status. It also affirms constitutional protections against unreasonable searches and lethal force without legal accountability. The resolution is a non-binding call for federal action, not a law.

Maddy summaryS.316 prohibits credit card networks from charging fees on the portion of a transaction that covers tax or gratuity (tip). This directly affects merchants (like restaurants and retailers), payment card networks (such as Visa or Mastercard), and banks that issue credit cards. The bill requires that any credit card fee must be calculated only on the non-tax, non-gratuity amount of a purchase, preventing networks from charging fees on taxed or tipped portions. The law takes effect on July 1, 2026, and includes civil penalties for violations.

Maddy summaryThis is a ceremonial resolution, not a substantive bill. HCR 161 formally congratulates Montpelier High School's Division III field hockey team for winning the 2025 championship, citing their undefeated 17-0 season and a 2-1 overtime victory in the state final. The resolution directs the Secretary of State to send a copy to Montpelier High School. It has no policy impact or funding provisions - it solely serves as a symbolic recognition of the team's achievement. The resolution was offered by multiple representatives and senators from Montpelier.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates new taxes on high-income Vermonters to fund school construction. It imposes a 2% surcharge on personal income above $250,000 (and 6% above $500,000) and a 4% "wealth proceeds tax" on individuals, estates, or trusts with taxable income exceeding $200,000 (single filers) or $250,000 (married filing jointly). It also doubles property tax rates for nonhomestead residential properties compared to homesteads. All revenue generated flows into a dedicated "School Construction Aid Special Fund" for public school infrastructure projects. The bill directly affects high earners and property owners with significant nonhomestead holdings.

Maddy summaryS.280 increases the property tax rate for nonhomestead residential properties (including second homes and short-term rentals) to $2.00 per $100 of property value, up from a lower rate. It also creates a new classification for nonhomestead seasonal properties (such as seasonal vacation homes), taxing them at the nonhomestead nonresidential rate. Additional revenue from the higher tax rate on nonhomestead residential properties will fund a new special school construction fund. This bill directly affects Vermont property owners who use homes as second residences or short-term rentals by raising their property tax burden.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires school districts without their own elementary or high schools to designate up to three eligible schools to serve as their public schools. Eligible schools include Vermont public schools, out-of-state public schools, or recognized independent schools meeting specific criteria (e.g., regional career training centers or historically designated schools). It repeals the "approved independent school" definition and process while maintaining the "recognized independent school" enrollment system, and adds a new definition for "therapeutic schools" with related special education tuition changes. The bill directly affects small school districts lacking their own K-12 facilities, altering how they access state education funding for student placements.