Sen. Alison Clarkson

Maddy summaryThis bill proposes changes to compensation and benefits for Vermont state legislators, including allowing them to participate in flexible spending accounts for health and dependent care expenses. It establishes specific salary amounts for leadership roles like the Speaker and Senate President Pro Tempore, ties future pay adjustments to the mean Vermont wage, and provides compensation for up to 20 days of work during legislative adjournments. The legislation also expands leave of absence rules to permit members to take time off from any job, creates a working group to review legislative staffing and session length, and offers orientation stipends for newly elected members.

Maddy summaryThis bill authorizes Vermont municipalities to require public transit amenities, such as bus stops and shelters, to be included in zoning regulations and site plan reviews for new developments. It amends state zoning laws to allow local governments to mandate connections to existing transit infrastructure and to include public transit facilities in official maps and transportation master plans. The legislation applies to municipalities reviewing development projects beyond single-family homes and aims to integrate transit planning into local land-use decisions. The changes take effect on July 1, 2024, and give communities more tools to ensure new developments support public transportation access.

Maddy summaryThis bill would prohibit Vermont state employees from being enrolled in Medicare Advantage plans through state insurance contracts and restrict the inclusion of such plans in state employee health coverage unless all certified employee organizations agree. It also requires health insurance companies to guarantee acceptance of Medicare supplemental insurance applications for individuals who switch from Medicare Advantage plans, provided they meet specific enrollment timing requirements. Additionally, the legislation would limit advertising and sales of Medicare Advantage plans to people enrolled in Medicaid or Medicare Savings Plans, and ban commissions and fees for selling these plans to Vermont residents.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires municipalities in Vermont to publicly post notices for all employment vacancies. The law mandates that job postings be displayed in the municipal clerk's office, on the municipal website or through an online recruiting service, and in the state Department of Labor's job bank. Each posting must include the job title, required skills or experience, salary range, and application dates with a minimum 10-day application period. The changes take effect on July 1, 2024, and apply to all municipal and county government positions.

Maddy summaryThis bill would limit hospital liens on patient injury settlements in Vermont by prohibiting hospitals from claiming liens when patients have health insurance, including Medicare, Medicaid, or plans where the hospital is a participating provider. It would cap hospital liens at 25 percent of the net amount received by the patient and require hospitals to pay a fair share of legal and administrative costs associated with obtaining the settlement. The changes would apply to patients injured in accidents not covered by workers' compensation and would take effect on July 1, 2023.

Maddy summaryThis bill reorganizes Vermont's health care regulatory structure by transferring certain duties from the Green Mountain Care Board to the Director of Health Care Reform in the Agency of Human Services. It establishes new requirements for health insurers to participate in multipayer alternative payment models and mandates nonbinding mediation before terminating contracts between health care providers and health plans. The legislation also creates processes for certifying Medicare-only accountable care organizations, requires alignment of insurer credentialing practices and data collection, and sets up an advisory group to provide input to the Board. Additionally, the bill outlines procedures for hospital budget reviews, merger approvals, and the establishment of a student nurse apprenticeship program.

Maddy summaryThis bill prohibits the open carry of firearms at polling places, political debates, and public demonstrations in Vermont. It directly affects individuals who wish to carry visible firearms in these specific locations, while allowing law enforcement officers and government employees to carry firearms for official duties. The legislation defines a public demonstration as gatherings of 25 or more people expressing views or grievances and sets penalties of up to one year in prison or a $1,000 fine for violations. The bill takes effect immediately upon passage and does not regulate firearms carried in motor vehicles.

Maddy summaryThis bill directs the Vermont Agency of Education to submit final recommendations on how to fund and govern the state's career technical education system by February 1, 2024. The legislation requires the agency to provide a written report with all necessary details, or if the deadline is missed, a status update explaining delays and new completion dates. The bill does not change funding or governance directly but sets a timeline for the agency to propose those changes based on prior legislative requirements. It takes effect immediately upon passage and is intended to implement recommendations from a previous 2022 law.

Maddy summaryThis bill would allow individuals who purchase property at a tax sale to enter the property within one year of the sale to protect it from damage, illegal activity, or deterioration. The law requires the purchaser to provide at least 10 days written notice to any existing mortgage holder or lien holder before entering the property. Municipalities currently have the authority to enter properties under similar circumstances, but this legislation extends that right to private tax sale buyers. The changes would take effect on July 1, 2024, and apply to real estate transactions governed by Vermont's tax sale procedures.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a Prekindergarten Education Study Committee in Vermont to examine and make recommendations for improving access to affordable, high-quality prekindergarten education for three- and four-year-old children. The committee will consist of representatives from state agencies, education associations, private child care providers, and families, tasked with analyzing quality standards, workforce needs, funding options, and potential transitions to a public school-based system. The committee must submit a report with findings and draft legislative recommendations by December 1, 2023, to the relevant state legislative committees. This measure directly affects child care providers, public school districts, families with young children, and state education agencies by creating a structured process to evaluate and potentially expand prekindergarten services.