Sen. Becca White

Maddy summaryThis bill (S 66) regulates motor vehicle noise by prohibiting certain exhaust modifications and requiring mufflers for engine compression brakes. It bans straight pipes, gutted mufflers, and unapproved exhaust systems on most vehicles, while requiring motorcycles (post-1985) to meet federal noise standards. Truck operators must equip compression brakes (like "Jake brakes") with mufflers to prevent excessive noise, failing which vehicles will fail safety inspections. The law affects drivers of modified cars, trucks, and motorcycles, with new rules taking effect July 1, 2026. It also requires a report by December 2025 on proposed noise level limits and enforcement procedures.

Maddy summaryThis Vermont bill increases the state's minimum wage to $25.00 per hour starting January 1, 2026, with annual adjustments tied to inflation, and eliminates the lower "tipped minimum wage" that previously allowed hospitality workers (like servers in restaurants) to be paid less than the standard rate if tips covered the difference. It also requires inmates in Vermont correctional facilities to be paid at least the minimum wage for all work performed, with wages held in a separate fund and subject to limited deductions for maintenance or victim payments. The bill directly affects most Vermont workers - particularly tipped employees in hotels, motels, and restaurants - and inmates in state correctional facilities. The new minimum wage takes effect January 1, 2026, and corrections policies must align by that date.

Maddy summaryThis bill, S 121 (Kratom Consumer Protection Act), requires all kratom product processors and distributors in Vermont to register with the Department of Health and comply with specific safety and labeling rules. It prohibits kratom products containing dangerous substances, synthesized materials, or child-attractive packaging, and mandates independent lab testing for safety. All kratom products must display clear labels warning against use by those under 21, pregnant/breastfeeding individuals, and stating kratom may be habit-forming, alongside FDA disclaimers and usage instructions. The law directly affects businesses selling kratom products in Vermont, requiring annual registration, safety verification, and public disclosure of approved products via a Department of Health registry. The bill is currently pending referral to the Health and Welfare Committee.

Maddy summaryS 120 creates the Community Care, Health, and Safety Special Fund using 40% of cannabis tax revenue and opioid settlement funds to support community harm reduction services for people with substance use disorder. It eliminates misdemeanor penalties for possessing or dispensing small personal amounts of drugs, instead requiring law enforcement to provide service referrals and health assessments. The bill establishes a Drug Use Health and Safety Advisory Board to define "personal use" quantities and prioritize health services over criminal penalties. This policy shift aims to reduce overdose deaths by redirecting resources from prosecution toward evidence-based harm reduction and treatment.

Maddy summaryS 119 requires early childhood educators in Vermont to obtain state licensure to work with children from birth through age eight. It establishes three license levels (I, II, III) with specific responsibilities, such as Early Childhood Educator I working under supervision, while II and III can serve as lead educators or provide guidance. The bill creates a Vermont Board of Early Childhood Educators to oversee licensing, define practice standards, and enforce rules, excluding teachers already licensed under existing education programs. This directly affects early childhood educators in both public and nonpublic settings who currently do not hold state licenses.

Maddy summaryS.29 establishes Vermont's Chloride Contamination Reduction Program under the Agency of Natural Resources to train commercial salt applicators (paid professionals) and municipal salt applicators (town/municipal employees) in best practices for efficient salt or salt alternative use. The program requires certification, sets standards to minimize salt runoff into waterways, mandates record-keeping of application details, and establishes annual salt usage data collection and reduction targets. Certified applicators are presumed compliant with water quality laws when following program guidelines, and the program includes liability protections for certified users who implement these practices. The bill aims to reduce chloride pollution in Vermont's water systems through standardized training, reporting, and measurable salt reduction goals.

Maddy summaryS.21 would require all Vermont public schools, independent schools, career centers, and prekindergarten programs to prohibit student use of cell phones and personal electronic devices during school hours. Schools must develop policies allowing devices only for documented medical needs or as specified in a student's individualized education program (IEP) or 504 plan. The bill also prohibits schools from using social media to communicate with students or requiring students to use social media for school activities. These provisions take effect December 1, 2025.

Maddy summaryThis bill extends the Psychedelic Therapy Advisory Working Group's term and expands its membership and responsibilities. The group will continue reviewing research on psychedelics for mental health treatment, monitor other states' programs, and develop a pilot project for psilocybin therapy in serious illness and end-of-life care. It must submit a report by November 15, 2025, to legislative committees before potential future action. The bill does not change current laws but supports further study to inform future policy decisions.

Maddy summaryThis bill allows Vermont's State Registrar to correct a death certificate to match the deceased person's gender identity at the time of death. It directly affects transgender and non-binary individuals whose gender identity wasn't reflected on their death certificate, as well as their family members or healthcare providers seeking to update the record. The law permits corrections upon application by healthcare professionals, medical examiners, or close family members (spouse, parent, adult child, etc.), with the Department of Health required to create rules specifying acceptable evidence (like advanced directives) and forms for the process. The bill takes effect on July 1, 2025, and is currently under review by the Health and Welfare Committee.

Maddy summaryThis bill increases the mandatory $4 dog license fee surcharge to $6 per license to fund Vermont's Dog, Cat, and Wolf-Hybrid Spaying and Neutering Program. It transfers administration of the program from the Agency of Agriculture to the Department for Children and Families' Office of Economic Opportunity. Key changes include requiring pet owners to pay a $50 co-payment per animal, adding rabbits to the program's definition of "companion animals," allowing up to five animals per owner to be served, and setting new rules for veterinarian reimbursement and voucher validity (8 weeks). The program will be updated to include these changes, effective July 1, 2025.