Sen. Becca White

Maddy summaryThis bill designates January 23-27, 2023, as the first annual Holocaust Education Week in Vermont. It directly affects Vermont schools and educational institutions by establishing a formal period for Holocaust education activities. The resolution directs the Secretary of State to send copies of the document to the Vermont Holocaust Memorial and the Agency of Education to facilitate the event. This commemorative measure recognizes the historical significance of the Holocaust and aims to increase awareness through organized educational programming during the designated week.

Maddy summaryThis bill proposes to eliminate life without parole as a sentencing option for individuals who were 25 years of age or younger when they committed their offenses. It also prohibits consecutive sentencing for these younger defendants, meaning their prison terms would run at the same time rather than one after another. For those who were 25 or older at the time of the crime, the bill maintains existing sentencing options including life without parole. The law applies only to crimes committed on or after the bill's effective date, and it modifies how courts determine minimum prison terms based on aggravating or mitigating factors found by a jury.

Maddy summaryThis bill introduces several new regulations on firearms in Vermont, including a 72-hour waiting period for most firearm transfers after a background check, a ban on manufacturing and possessing large capacity ammunition feeding devices, and a requirement that firearms not in immediate possession be locked in a safe or rendered inoperable. It also prohibits possession of semiautomatic assault weapons, bans the use of 3D printers to manufacture firearms and the distribution of related digital instructions, and allows firearms industry members to be sued for public nuisance damages. Additionally, the bill offers homeowners insurance premium discounts to policyholders who can certify their firearms are stored according to the new safe storage requirements. These changes directly affect firearm owners, manufacturers, dealers, and insurance companies within the state.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates the Child and Parent Representation Working Group to study and recommend improvements for legal representation of children and parents in Vermont's child protection system. The working group will include judges, legislators, attorneys, and individuals with lived experience in child protection cases to examine current practices, funding, and best practices from other states. The group must submit interim and final reports by 2024 with specific recommendations for creating separate administrative programs for child and parent representation, including funding plans and performance standards. The working group will dissolve on January 15, 2024, after completing its review and recommendations to the state legislature.

Maddy summaryThis bill allows municipalities in Vermont to apply for special permits that streamline development in designated downtown areas and neighborhood development zones. Under the new provisions, towns can request a master plan permit from the District Commission to pre-approve development projects that meet specific environmental and community standards, reducing the need for individual permit applications for each project. The legislation also creates a Municipal and Regional Planning Fund that would provide competitive grants to municipalities for planning work and development initiatives. These grants would be funded through a portion of property transfer tax revenue and could be used for studies, conservation easements, and other planning purposes. The bill affects local governments and developers by offering a more efficient path for approving projects in designated downtown districts while maintaining oversight through the District Commission.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a new legal mechanism in Vermont to protect survivors of domestic abuse, stalking, or sexual assault from being targeted by abusive litigation. It allows courts to issue orders that restrict individuals who have a history of abusing, stalking, or sexually assaulting someone else from filing or continuing lawsuits primarily intended to harass or intimidate that survivor. The law defines abusive litigation as legal actions that lack legal or factual basis, have been previously dismissed, or are filed by someone with a prior history of similar abusive conduct against the same person. Courts can grant these restrictions without charging filing fees, and the bill includes specific procedures for requesting and hearing these orders while maintaining existing remedies available to parties.

Maddy summaryThis Senate concurrent resolution honors Helen Estroff of Montpelier for her distinguished public service in the Vermont executive branch and her role as Calendar Clerk of the Vermont Senate. The document recognizes her 34-year career, which included positions in state financial oversight, higher education, and transportation, as well as her work ensuring legislative schedules were properly organized and printed. The resolution directs the Secretary of State to send a copy of the document to Ms. Estroff as a formal acknowledgment of her contributions. This measure does not create new laws or policies but serves as an official commendation of her service.

Maddy summaryThis bill is a Senate concurrent resolution that honors Steven D. Marshall of Swanton for his 35 years of service as the Assistant Secretary of the Vermont Senate. The resolution recognizes his professional contributions, including his role in the American Society of Legislative Clerks and Secretaries and his work on revisions to legislative procedure manuals. It directs the Secretary of State to send a copy of the resolution to Marshall as a formal acknowledgment of his exemplary service. This document serves as an official commendation rather than a law that creates new policies or regulations.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes Vermont's Clean Fuels Program by directing the Commissioner of Environmental Conservation to create rules requiring reductions in greenhouse gas emissions from gasoline, diesel, and alternative fuels. The program aims to lower average emissions by 10 percent below 2018 levels by 2030, while allowing flexibility through exemptions for small importers, farm vehicles, and other specific uses. Key provisions include setting lifecycle emissions standards, permitting credit trading to manage compliance costs, and requiring public engagement through six statewide meetings before finalizing rules. The legislation also mandates that the Commissioner consider standards from other states and evaluate safety, feasibility, and environmental impacts when developing the program.

Maddy summaryThis bill expands Vermont's anti-discrimination laws to include protection against discrimination and harassment based on hair type, texture, and style associated with race, as well as weight. It directly affects individuals in public accommodations, housing transactions, and educational settings by adding these characteristics to the list of protected traits. The law prohibits businesses, landlords, and schools from refusing services, denying housing, or creating hostile environments because of a person's hair or weight. These changes amend existing state statutes to explicitly define hair traits and weight as protected categories under fair employment, public accommodations, and housing laws.