Sen. Anne Watson

Maddy summaryThis resolution congratulates Caitlin MacLeod-Bluver of Winooski High School on her selection as the 2025 Vermont Teacher of the Year. It also recognizes Jeremy DeMink of Edmunds Middle School and Sonya Shedd of Wolcott Elementary School as Distinguished Finalists for the award.

Maddy summaryVermont's Senate passed Resolution SR 13 to formally object to the arrest and detention of Mohsen Mahdawi, a White River Junction resident and U.S. green card holder with a decade-long permanent residency. The resolution demands that U.S. immigration authorities afford Mahdawi due process and release him immediately, citing his arrest while en route to a citizenship interview without explanation. It directs Vermont's Senate Secretary to send the resolution to the U.S. Secretary of Homeland Security, ICE leadership, and Vermont's congressional delegation. As a symbolic resolution, it does not change laws but expresses the state's position on this specific case.

Maddy summaryThis resolution congratulates the 2025 Montpelier High School Solons Division II girls’ Nordic ski team for winning their championship. It also directs the Secretary of State to send a copy of the resolution to Montpelier High School.

Maddy summaryHCR 87 is a House concurrent resolution that congratulates the Montpelier High School Solons boys’ basketball program on winning their fifth consecutive Division II championship during the 2024-2025 season. This resolution formally recognizes the team's achievement.

Maddy summaryHCR 83 is a House concurrent resolution that congratulates the 2024 Green Mountain Council Class of Eagle Scouts for achieving the rank of Eagle Scout. It formally recognizes the dedication and accomplishment of 55 named individuals and directs the Secretary of State to send a copy of the resolution to each honored Eagle Scout and the Green Mountain Council.

Maddy summaryHCR 91 is a House concurrent resolution that congratulates the 2025 Burlington High School Seahorses boys' basketball team for winning the Division I championship. It also recognizes the team's coaches and managers for their successful 2024-2025 season.

Maddy summaryHCR 77 is a ceremonial resolution recognizing April 2025 as Fair Housing Month in Vermont. It does not create new laws or policies but formally acknowledges Vermont’s longstanding protections against housing discrimination under its 1987 Fair Housing Act, which covers more categories than federal law. The resolution directs the Secretary of State to share it with the Vermont Human Rights Commission, Champlain Valley Office of Economic Opportunity, and Vermont Legal Aid’s Housing Discrimination Law Project. It aims to raise awareness about housing equity during a time when the state’s enforcement agencies are handling increased fair housing complaints. The resolution has no direct impact on residents or housing providers, as it serves only to honor existing protections.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a "second look" process allowing Vermont courts to review long-term sentences for incarcerated individuals who have served at least 10 years or 50% of a sentence (if at least five years total). It also establishes compassionate release for inmates aged 65+ with serious medical needs, those with terminal/incurable conditions, or those with debilitating health issues who pose no public safety risk. The Department of Corrections must notify eligible inmates and provide petition forms after 40% of their sentence is served, and courts must hold hearings within 45 days if eligibility criteria are met. Petitions require specific documentation and cannot be filed more frequently than every two years after a denial.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires Vermont's Secretary of Natural Resources to study packaging waste management by January 2027. The study will examine current recycling rates, barriers to reducing plastic waste, health/environmental impacts of packaging chemicals, and opportunities for reuse programs. It also bans the use of chemical conversion technologies (like breaking down plastic into fuel or oil) for plastic waste disposal in Vermont. The law takes effect immediately upon passage.

Maddy summaryS 65 amends Vermont law to require the Public Utility Commission to appoint independent entities (instead of utility-specific programs) to develop and monitor energy efficiency programs for electricity, gas, and thermal energy customers. These entities must prioritize greenhouse gas emissions reductions and equitable access for all Vermont residents and businesses, while meeting air quality standards. The bill establishes an Energy Efficiency Fund funded by a new customer charge (shown separately on bills) and supplemental revenues like ISO-NE capacity savings and carbon credits. It sets specific budget requirements for 2027-2030 and mandates that programs support building energy codes and reduce fossil fuel use. The bill directly affects Vermont utilities, ratepayers, and businesses participating in efficiency programs.