Sen. Becca White

Maddy summaryThis joint resolution urges U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services to follow the expedited asylum hearing rules established in the Afghan Supplemental Appropriations Act of 2022. The bill specifically affects Afghan nationals who were paroled into the United States under Operation Allies Welcome and are seeking asylum. Under the referenced law, these applicants are entitled to have their initial asylum interviews conducted within 45 days and final decisions made within 150 days, but many cases have exceeded these timelines. The resolution requests that USCIS Director Ur M. Jaddou and the Vermont Congressional Delegation receive a copy of this urging to ensure compliance with the statutory deadlines.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes municipal and regional civilian oversight boards to receive and investigate complaints against local law enforcement agencies and officers. These new boards would have the authority to hire staff, publish public reports on substantiated investigations, and make recommendations to the Vermont Criminal Justice Council regarding officer discipline and training. The legislation also mandates that law enforcement agencies report certain serious complaints to oversight boards within seven business days and prohibits the approval of chokehold training except for prevention-focused instruction. Additionally, the bill creates a grant program funded by a $500,000 appropriation to help municipalities implement these oversight boards.

Maddy summaryThis Senate resolution expresses support for the ongoing resilience and growth of Abenaki communities in Vermont and encourages greater appreciation and respect for Abenaki culture throughout the year. The measure specifically highlights the historical context of discrimination against Indigenous people in Vermont, including state-sanctioned eugenics practices, and acknowledges recent legislative steps such as state recognition of specific Abenaki tribes, an official apology for past harms, and policies promoting cultural recognition. The resolution directs the Secretary of the Senate to send a copy to the Vermont Commission on Native American Affairs and to each recognized Abenaki tribe and band. It does not create new laws or funding but serves as a formal statement of legislative intent and solidarity.

Maddy summaryThis legislative resolution formally congratulates individuals who achieved significant scouting milestones in 2022. It honors 35 young people who earned the Eagle Scout rank and one individual, Katherine Lewis, who received the Summit Award for Venturing. The General Assembly directs the Secretary of State to send copies of this recognition to each person named in the resolution. This ceremonial document acknowledges their accomplishments but does not create new laws or policy changes.

Maddy summaryThis legislative resolution designates April 18, 2023, as USS VERMONT Day in Vermont to honor the submarine and its crew. The bill formally recognizes the vessel, which was commissioned in 2020 and is the third U.S. Navy ship named after Vermont, and celebrates the service of its officers and enlisted personnel. It directs the Secretary of State to send a copy of the resolution to the USS VERMONT and its support group. This is a commemorative measure that does not change laws or policies but serves to acknowledge military service.

Maddy summaryThis House concurrent resolution congratulates the River Valley Technical Center culinary and management teams for winning the Vermont championship at the 2023 NYSRAEF ProStart Invitational. The bill recognizes the students who competed in this national student competition for culinary and restaurant management careers, which is organized by the National Restaurant Association Educational Foundation. It directs the Secretary of State to send a copy of the resolution to the River Valley Technical Center as a formal acknowledgment of their achievement. The measure does not create new laws or funding but serves as an official commendation from the General Assembly to the participating students and their mentors.

Maddy summaryThis bill is a ceremonial resolution that congratulates Tillie Walden of Norwich on being named the fifth Vermont Cartoonist Laureate. It recognizes her achievements as a cartoonist and author, including multiple awards and her role as a faculty member at the Center for Cartoon Studies. The resolution directs the Secretary of State to send copies of the document to Walden and the Center for Cartoon Studies. This measure does not create new laws or policies but serves to acknowledge Walden's contribution to Vermont's artistic community.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a new state grant program and funding fund to help Vermont municipalities prepare for and reduce the impact of natural disasters, particularly flooding. It directly affects cities, towns, fire districts, and villages that have adopted the state's model flood hazard bylaws, giving them priority for funding. The program will provide grants for technical assistance and projects like watershed restoration that reduce risks to communities, while the fund is financed by an annual assessment on insurance companies writing policies in Vermont. The Department of Public Safety will administer both the grant program and the fund, with an initial $15 million appropriation for 2024 and ongoing funding from insurance premium assessments.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes an optional ranked-choice voting system for presidential primary elections in Vermont towns, cities, and villages. Local municipalities can choose to adopt this system by voting at their annual or special meetings, allowing voters to rank candidates in order of preference rather than selecting just one. The bill outlines specific rules for how votes are counted across multiple rounds, including procedures for eliminating candidates with the fewest votes and transferring their ballots to voters' next choices. Once adopted, the system remains in effect until the local community votes to discontinue it, with transparency requirements for reporting vote totals and inactive ballots.

Maddy summaryThis bill directs Vermont's Pension Investment Commission to divest state pension funds from fossil fuel industry investments by December 31, 2030, while also setting a longer-term goal to eliminate all private fossil fuel investments by December 31, 2040. The legislation applies to the Vermont State Employees' Retirement System, the Vermont Teachers' Retirement System, and the Vermont Municipal Employees' Retirement System, requiring the Commission to develop a divestment plan that considers fiduciary obligations and potential impacts on funding requirements. The bill includes specific definitions for fossil fuel exposure, allows for exceptions for small investments under two percent of the portfolio, and mandates regular reports to state committees on progress and financial impacts. Additionally, the act appropriates $127,000 in 2024 to fund a staff position to support the review, planning, and reporting requirements of the divestment process.