Sen. Alison Clarkson

Maddy summaryS 151 creates a special legal motion allowing defendants who volunteered without pay for nonprofits or government entities to seek dismissal of baseless lawsuits against them. It requires courts to grant this motion unless the plaintiff proves the volunteer acted recklessly, outside their duties, or caused actual injury. The bill stays discovery during review, limits frivolous filings by awarding attorney fees to the winning party, and defines "uncompensated volunteer work" as services not exceeding $500/year in expense reimbursement. It directly protects volunteers, nonprofits, and government entities from lawsuits that discourage community service. The law takes effect upon passage and requires a 2026 report on its use.

Maddy summaryHCR 90 is a ceremonial resolution congratulating the 2025 Burlington High School girls' basketball team on winning their Division I championship - their first title in 49 years. It expresses the Vermont General Assembly's recognition of the team's achievement and directs the Secretary of State to send a copy of the resolution to Burlington High School. The resolution has no legal effect or policy changes; it is purely symbolic recognition of the team's athletic success. This type of resolution does not affect any laws, funding, or regulations.

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 summaryThis bill (HCR 66) is a ceremonial resolution designating April 10, 2025, as "Tourism Economy Day" at the Vermont State House. It recognizes tourism's economic significance, citing its $4 billion impact and role in supporting over 30,000 jobs. The resolution directs the Secretary of State to share it with tourism organizations like the Vermont Chamber of Commerce and the Department of Tourism and Marketing. As a symbolic gesture, it does not create new laws or policies but formally acknowledges the industry's contributions.

Maddy summaryThis bill (S 145) would amend Vermont's State Employees Labor Relations Act to explicitly include Assistant Attorneys General as "State employees" eligible for collective bargaining. Currently excluded from this right, Assistant Attorneys General working in State's Attorneys' offices would gain the ability to organize unions and negotiate wages, benefits, and working conditions with their employers. The bill achieves this by revising the definition of "State employee" in the law to remove the specific exclusion for Assistant Attorneys General. The change would take effect on July 1, 2025.

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 summaryS 141 prohibits possessing firearms or dangerous weapons in Vermont state buildings, affecting all visitors, employees, and contractors entering such facilities. Key provisions define "dangerous weapon" (excluding pocket knives under 2.5 inches) and "state building" (excluding privately leased portions), with exceptions for law enforcement, National Guard, and authorized educational activities. Violations carry fines up to $2,000 or 1 year in jail, increasing to $10,000 or 5 years if weapons are used to commit crimes. The law takes effect July 1, 2026, after being referred to the Judiciary Committee on April 3, 2025. It does not apply to authorized activities like training classes or official duties by specific personnel.

Maddy summaryHCR 68 is a ceremonial resolution, not a law, that honors Vermont's manufacturing sector. It designates April 2, 2025, as "Manufacturing Day" for an event at the Vermont State House. The resolution celebrates manufacturing's economic impact - highlighting its $3 billion contribution to Vermont's GDP and 30,000 jobs - while directing the Secretary of State to share the resolution with industry groups like the Vermont Chamber of Commerce and Vermont Manufacturing Extension Center. This is a symbolic gesture with no new policies or funding, solely aimed at recognizing the industry's role.

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.

Maddy summaryS 132 requires health care sharing plans operating in Vermont without insurance authorization to submit detailed annual reports to the Commissioner of Financial Regulation starting October 2025. These reports must include participant numbers (individuals, households, employers), financial data (fees collected, reimbursements processed), provider contracts, marketing materials, and third-party relationships. The Commissioner will summarize this information and post it publicly each year. This directly affects non-insurance health sharing organizations serving Vermont residents. The bill creates a transparency mechanism for oversight, not new coverage rules.