Sen. Joe Major

Maddy summaryThis is a ceremonial resolution (HCR 34) that formally congratulates the Green Mountain Union High School Chieftains boys' soccer team for winning the 2024 Division III championship. It does not create new laws or affect policy; it is solely a symbolic gesture of recognition by the Vermont legislature. The resolution directs the Secretary of State to send a copy to the high school, with no financial or regulatory impact. It directly honors the team, coaches, and school for their athletic achievement.

Maddy summaryS 80 establishes Vermont Digital Addictions Awareness Day on the last Saturday in July to raise public awareness about digital addiction, particularly among younger people. The bill directly affects Vermont families and residents by waiving one-day entry fees at all state parks and historic sites on this designated day, encouraging outdoor activities. Key provisions include designating the last Saturday of July as the awareness day (per 1 V.S.A. § 378) and requiring the Commissioner of Forests, Parks and Recreation to waive park fees on that day (per 10 V.S.A. § 2603(c)(5)), though waivers may be limited to Vermont residents based on department funding. The policy change takes effect July 1, 2025, with the goal of promoting outdoor engagement as a counter to excessive digital use.

Maddy summaryThis bill, S.75, funds and expands Vermont’s transportation programs to reduce emissions and improve equity. It allocates $10 million for new electric vehicle incentives, $3 million for mileage-based rebates, $1 million for vehicle replacement programs, and $150,000 for e-bike incentives in fiscal year 2026. The bill also imposes a $0.30 fee on taxable retail deliveries (like online orders) and provides $1.28 million to maintain public transit service levels. Key provisions require agencies to prioritize emissions reductions in project planning, expand electric vehicle charging access, and support "complete streets" infrastructure. These changes directly affect Vermont residents, businesses, transit agencies, and local municipalities through new funding streams and fee structures.

Maddy summaryThis Vermont bill (S 70) requires data brokers - businesses that collect and sell personal information about consumers without a direct relationship (like a customer or employee) - to take specific steps to protect residents' privacy. It mandates that data brokers notify consumers of security breaches involving personal data, certify that data is used for legitimate purposes, and provide an accessible way for consumers to request deletion of their information. The bill directly affects Vermont residents whose personal data is collected by these brokers and sets clear rules for how brokers must handle and protect that information. It does not apply to businesses sharing publicly available business or professional information or those maintaining directory services.

Maddy summaryVermont's S.72 requires the state pension investment commission to review the fossil fuel holdings in three public retirement systems (state employees', teachers', and municipal employees' funds) by December 2025. The bill mandates a plan to fully divest these systems from fossil fuels by December 2030, with a longer-term goal to divest private investments containing fossil fuels by December 2040, unless holdings are below a "de minimis" threshold (less than 2% of portfolios). The commission must submit annual progress reports to legislative committees starting in 2027. This directly affects Vermont's public employee pension funds, not private retirement accounts.

Maddy summaryThis ceremonial resolution honors the Vermont Old Cemetery Association (VOCA) for its 65+ years of preserving Vermont's historic cemeteries. VOCA provides restoration grants, veteran burial support, and educational resources (like its newsletter and book *Burial Grounds of Vermont*) to local cemetery groups and municipalities. The resolution formally recognizes VOCA's work without creating new laws, funding, or policy changes. It serves as a symbolic gesture of appreciation for the organization's contributions to cemetery preservation and public education.

Maddy summaryThis House Concurrent Resolution (HCR 12) is a non-binding ceremonial resolution expressing legislative congratulations to the University of Vermont (UVM) men's soccer team for winning their first NCAA Division I men's soccer championship (College Cup) in 2024. It formally recognizes the team's achievement, including their "Cardiac Cats" nickname and championship victory over Marshall University. The resolution directs the Secretary of State to send a copy to UVM Athletics but does not create any new policy, funding, or legal obligations. It is purely symbolic recognition of the team's athletic accomplishment.

Maddy summaryThis bill implements Vermont's participation in the federal Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) Restaurant Meals Program, allowing eligible SNAP recipients to use their benefits to purchase prepared meals at participating restaurants. Restaurants must meet specific criteria - such as being licensed, promoting locally sourced foods, representing diverse cultural cuisines, and operating in areas with high SNAP participation - to join the program. The bill allocates $100,000 for a new program coordinator position and $75,000 for restaurant startup costs, with implementation beginning July 1, 2025.

Maddy summaryThis bill (S 34) limits mobile home park owners in Vermont to increasing lot rents by no more than one percentage point above the U.S. Consumer Price Index for Housing, instead of a higher previous threshold. It directly affects mobile home residents and park owners by restricting rent hikes and requiring mediation if increases exceed this limit. The key mechanism establishes a mandatory mediation process: if residents dispute an increase, they can petition for mediation within 15 days, and the park owner must provide documentation justifying the hike. The mediator helps resolve disputes before the rent increase takes effect, with the process ending 10 days prior to the increase date. The bill takes effect on July 1, 2025.

Maddy summaryS.33 allocates $450,000 for a two-year pilot program to enhance community nursing services for aging Vermonters. Existing community nurse programs can apply for funding to create health worker positions, expand home visits without limits, fill service gaps, and improve data tracking. Participating programs must report on service outcomes, gaps, and improvements by December 2027, with the pilot starting July 2025. This directly affects aging Vermonters receiving services and community nurse programs seeking to expand their reach.