Sen. Anne Watson

Maddy summaryThis bill narrows Vermont's sales tax exemption for fuel used in homes by removing the exemption for second homes, short-term rentals, and other nonhomestead residential properties. It amends tax code to define "residence" as only properties not listed as "nonhomestead residential" on an annual July 1 list published by the Commissioner. Sellers can rely on this published list to avoid tax liability if they mistakenly exempt fuel sales to nonhomestead properties. The change takes effect July 1, 2029, directly affecting property owners of secondary or rental homes who previously qualified for the tax exemption.

Maddy summaryThis Vermont bill (S.256) criminalizes threatening to disclose intimate images without consent to coerce someone into producing more images, engaging in sexual conduct, or providing something of value. It also expands existing voyeurism laws to cover non-consensual disclosure of images showing a person nude or engaged in sexual conduct, extending criminal statute of limitations for such acts and eliminating it for civil lawsuits. Victims can now seek damages for harm caused by intentional disclosure of their intimate images, including recovery for trauma-related disorders. The law directly affects individuals whose private images are exploited and those who threaten or disclose such images without consent.

Maddy summaryThis Vermont bill (S 247) bans specific plastic-related practices starting in 2029 or 2030. It prohibits chemical conversion of plastics (like turning plastic into fuel via pyrolysis or gasification) and bans the sale of personal care/cleaning products containing plastic microbeads beginning January 1, 2029. It also bans medical solution containers with a common plasticizer (DEHP) from sale starting January 1, 2030, and medical tubing containing DEHP starting January 1, 2035. The bill directly affects manufacturers, distributors, and sellers of these products within Vermont.

Maddy summaryS.238 creates two new revenue streams to fund housing and education: a 2% surcharge on short-term rental stays (like Airbnb) and a tax on sugar-sweetened beverages. The rental surcharge will directly affect short-term rental operators, while the beverage tax applies to manufacturers and sellers of sugary drinks (excluding medical uses). Revenue from both taxes will flow into the Housing Investments Special Fund (to build/repair housing for low-income Vermonters) and the Education Fund. The bill explicitly targets housing for households earning under 120% of the Area Median Income, with a focus on making housing affordable for low-income residents.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires Vermont's Executive Branch to negotiate remote, in-person, and hybrid work arrangements for State employees through collective bargaining. It amends the State Employees Labor Relations Act to explicitly add "terms and conditions of remote, in-person, and hybrid work standards" as a mandatory subject for bargaining. The change directly affects all permanent and limited-status State employees, ensuring their input on work location policies. The law takes effect immediately upon passage, making work arrangement decisions subject to negotiation rather than unilateral state policy.

Maddy summaryThis bill allows municipalities that own or control all land around a public water source (used as a drinking water supply) to regulate that water's use through approved local bylaws. It also requires wakeboat owners to designate a single "home lake" for the calendar year, restricting operation to that lake unless the boat is decontaminated before moving to another water body. These provisions aim to protect water quality and prevent the spread of invasive species. The bill directly affects local governments managing public water systems and wakeboat operators.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes late fees for property owners or responsible parties who miss deadlines for cleaning up contaminated sites. Specifically, it imposes a $500 fee for failing to meet standard remediation timelines (e.g., 30 days to submit a work plan, 90 days to complete investigations) and a reduced $250 fee for those in the new certification program. It also creates a state certification program for environmental professionals handling contamination investigations and cleanup, setting eligibility rules and requirements. The fees collected fund Vermont’s Environmental Contingency Fund. The bill directly affects businesses and property owners liable for hazardous material releases.

Maddy summaryS 216 requires Vermont's Secretary of Natural Resources to create a general permit for ecological restoration projects on state waters by December 1, 2027. This streamlined permit would replace the current complex, multi-agency review process that delays projects like dam removals, river rehabilitation, and floodplain restoration. The bill directly affects water restoration projects and state agencies (Natural Resources, Environmental Conservation, and Fish and Wildlife) by establishing a faster, more efficient approval system. It aims to reduce costs and accelerate projects that address degraded river systems, flood risks, and habitat loss, as noted in the bill's findings. The permit process will be developed in coordination with stakeholders to prioritize ecological restoration needs.

Maddy summaryS.217 requires mattress producers (including manufacturers, importers, and brands selling in Vermont) to create and manage collection programs for discarded mattresses. It establishes a system where producers - either individually or through a stewardship organization - must cover the costs of collecting, recycling, or responsibly disposing of mattresses when consumers discard them. The bill defines key terms like "discarded mattress" (any mattress a consumer abandons or intends to discard) and excludes items such as mattress pads, waterbeds, and baby products from coverage. This shifts responsibility for mattress waste management from local governments and consumers to the producers themselves, creating a structured program for environmentally sound disposal.

Maddy summaryVermont's S.201 requires all postsecondary schools (colleges and universities) operating in the state to adopt an academic freedom policy by August 1, 2027. The policy must guarantee faculty the freedom to discuss relevant course materials, use any reasonable instructional methods, and express views outside work as private citizens - while requiring faculty to clarify when speaking as individuals, not as representatives of the institution. The law takes effect July 1, 2026, and directly affects all Vermont colleges and universities by mandating specific institutional policies aligned with state policy supporting open inquiry and free expression in education.