Sen. Nader Hashim

Maddy summaryThis bill updates Vermont's Open Meeting Law to require most state and local government meetings to be held in a hybrid format, allowing participants to attend both in person and online. It applies to state boards, councils, and commissions, as well as local government bodies, while exempting advisory groups that do not have decision-making power. The law mandates that these meetings be electronically recorded and made publicly available for at least 30 days after minutes are posted, and requires public bodies to designate accessible physical locations for in-person attendance. Local municipalities may request exemptions from recording requirements if they can prove compliance would cause undue hardship based on their size, budget, and staffing. The bill also clarifies definitions related to meetings and public participation, ensuring transparency regardless of whether meetings occur in-person, remotely, or in a hybrid arrangement.

Maddy summaryThis bill modifies Vermont's climate change cost recovery program to allow the state to charge fossil fuel companies for climate adaptation costs without requiring them to be part of a specific support project. It changes how payment schedules work by requiring installments to be paid annually at 10% of the total amount, with interest charges and adjustments based on inflation. The law also extends the time companies have to respond to cost recovery notices from 15 to 30 days and clarifies that existing legal remedies remain available alongside this program. These changes take effect on July 1, 2024, but apply retroactively to costs incurred since January 1, 1995.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes the Psychedelic Therapy Advisory Working Group to study psychedelics for mental health treatment. The group will review existing research on the costs and benefits of using psychedelics in therapy and assess whether Vermont should allow healthcare providers to administer them legally. It will also examine how legal access would affect public health. The Working Group must submit its findings and recommendations to several state committees by November 15, 2024, with support from the Vermont Department of Mental Health and the Vermont Psychological Association.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a 15-month pilot program allowing the use of automated traffic law enforcement cameras in highway work zones to protect workers and reduce speeding. The system will only activate when workers are present, when vehicles exceed the speed limit by more than 10 miles per hour, and when visible signs indicate the cameras are in operation. Vehicle owners who receive citations from the system will face escalating fines of $80 for a second violation and $160 for a third or subsequent violation within 12 months, while the first violation carries no fine. The program requires a public education campaign before it begins in July 2025 and depends on receiving federal funding to proceed.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires Vermont schools to use evidence-based reading assessments for all students in kindergarten through third grade and mandates that those who struggle significantly receive extra reading support. It directs the state education agency to create guidance on these assessments, report progress to lawmakers, and establish notification procedures for parents when screening results indicate a need for intervention. The legislation also requires educators to receive professional training on reading assessments and instruction, updates school literacy planning requirements for independent schools, and adjusts the structure and timeline of the state's literacy advisory council.

Maddy summaryThis bill expands access to Vermont state-funded education grants and tuition benefits for residents with certain immigration statuses. It removes the one-year residency requirement for Advancement Grants and creates a three-year exception for Incentive Grants, allowing eligible individuals to apply without meeting the standard residency timeline. Additionally, the legislation prevents state colleges and universities from discriminating against residents based solely on immigration status when determining in-state tuition eligibility, while requiring VSAC to update its application procedures and maintain confidentiality of collected information.

Maddy summaryThis bill proposes adding a new article to Vermont's state constitution that guarantees equal treatment under the law regardless of race, ethnicity, sex, religion, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, or national origin. The amendment would require the government to ensure all people receive equal protection and prohibit denying rights based on these characteristics. It also explicitly allows for measures designed to help groups that have historically faced discrimination. If voters approve this change in the 2026 election, it would become part of the state's founding legal document.

Maddy summaryThis legislative document is a Senate concurrent resolution that formally honors the nearly 40 years of service by former Vermont Senate Dean Richard T. Mazza. The resolution recognizes his long tenure in the Vermont legislature, including his work on transportation committees and his role in chairing the Transportation Committee. It acknowledges his contributions to Vermont infrastructure, preservation efforts, and his promotion of civility within the Senate. The resolution directs the Secretary of State to send a copy of the document to former Senator Mazza as an official acknowledgment of his service.

Maddy summaryThis Senate concurrent resolution honors Senator Robert A. Starr of the Orleans District for his decades of distinguished public service in Vermont. The document recognizes his long career in local government, including roles on the town zoning board, school board, and civil authority, as well as his extensive legislative service spanning over 45 years. It highlights his leadership on agricultural issues, particularly dairy farming, and his work supporting Vermont's farmland preservation efforts. The resolution directs the Secretary of State to send a copy of the document to Senator Starr as an official acknowledgment of his contributions.

Maddy summaryThis bill is a Senate concurrent resolution that honors Senator Richard McCormack for his dedicated service in the Vermont Senate. It recognizes his 35 years of representing the Windsor Senate District, his work as an environmentalist and educator, and his leadership roles including Senate Committee on Natural Resources and Energy Chair. The resolution formally acknowledges his contributions to public service and directs the Secretary of State to send a copy of the document to Senator McCormack. This type of legislative action serves as a formal recognition rather than creating new laws or policies.