Rep. Brian Smith

Maddy summaryThis Senate concurrent resolution honors Senator Robert A. Starr of the Orleans District for his decades of distinguished public service in Vermont. The document recognizes his long career in local government, including roles on the town zoning board, school board, and civil authority, as well as his extensive legislative service spanning over 45 years. It highlights his leadership on agricultural issues, particularly dairy farming, and his work supporting Vermont's farmland preservation efforts. The resolution directs the Secretary of State to send a copy of the document to Senator Starr as an official acknowledgment of his contributions.

Maddy summaryThis House concurrent resolution celebrates the 50th anniversary of the National Conference of State Legislatures, an organization founded in 1975 that supports state and territorial legislators and their staff. The resolution recognizes the group's role in advancing state legislative effectiveness, fostering cooperation between states, and providing a unified voice for state legislatures in the federal system. It directs the Vermont Secretary of State to send a copy of the resolution to the National Conference of State Legislatures. The measure is a commemorative action with no policy changes or budgetary impact.

Maddy summaryThis bill is a ceremonial resolution that congratulates the 2023 North Country Union High School Falcons football team for winning the Division II state championship. It does not create new laws or change any policies but instead formally recognizes the team's athletic achievement and their first divisional title in 26 years. The resolution lists the players, coaches, and team manager who earned this honor and directs the Secretary of State to send a copy of the document to the school. This type of legislative action serves to acknowledge local accomplishments without affecting government operations or public policy.

Maddy summaryThis bill is a House concurrent resolution that honors the memory of former Vermont Representative Timothy Yeatman Hayward, who passed away in March 2024. The resolution extends condolences to Hayward's family and directs the Secretary of State to send a copy of the document to them. It acknowledges Hayward's background as a U.S. Marine, his career in banking and public service, and his long involvement in Vermont politics and community leadership. The measure does not create new laws or policies but serves as a formal expression of respect from the General Assembly.

Maddy summaryThis bill is a House concurrent resolution that congratulates North Country Union High School Principal Christopher Young for receiving the 2024 Advocacy Champion of the Year award from the National Association of Secondary School Principals. The resolution recognizes Young's work as Vermont's coordinator for the national organization and his contributions to public education policy discussions at federal, state, and local levels. It directs the Secretary of State to send a copy of the resolution to Principal Young and his school. This is a ceremonial document honoring an individual's professional achievement rather than creating new laws or policies.

Maddy summaryThis bill designates April 18, 2024, as USS VERMONT (SSN 792) Day in Vermont to honor the submarine that was commissioned on that date in 2020. The resolution recognizes the vessel as the third U.S. naval ship named after Vermont and acknowledges the crew's service with Hawaii as their home port. It directs the Secretary of State to send a copy of the resolution to the submarine and its support group. This is a commemorative measure with no regulatory or funding implications.

Maddy summaryThis House concurrent resolution honors Michael Gonneville, a physical education instructor at Northfield Elementary School in Vermont, for his 46 years of teaching and for creating the school's Walking Wednesdays program. The resolution recognizes Gonneville's role in establishing a walking-to-school initiative that has continued for 17 years, connecting students, families, and community members in a mile-long walk from Norwich University to the school. It also acknowledges the program's special tradition where students recite the Pledge of Allegiance with veterans at The Veterans' Place Inc. during their weekly walk. The resolution directs the Secretary of State to send copies to Gonneville, the school principal, and the supervisory union superintendent.

Maddy summaryThis bill is a ceremonial resolution that honors Steve Mason, a former member of the Lowell School Board and North Country Supervisory Union Board in Vermont. It recognizes his 19-year chairmanship of the Lowell School Board and eight years on the supervisory union board for his leadership and commitment to education. The resolution directs the Secretary of State to send a copy of the document to Mason as a formal acknowledgment of his service. This type of bill does not change laws or policies but serves to publicly acknowledge an individual's contributions to their community.

Maddy summaryThis bill, known as Jessica's Law, extends survivor benefits to families of law enforcement officers in Vermont by providing the same $50,000 monetary benefit currently available to survivors of firefighters and emergency personnel. The legislation establishes a new review board composed of state officials and two public members appointed by the governor to evaluate claims and determine eligibility for benefits. Benefits are available to spouses, children, or parents of certified law enforcement officers who die in the line of duty or from work-related illnesses, with the fund established through state appropriations and potential donations. The bill defines "line of duty" for law enforcement to include responding to complaints, investigating disorders, and serving under emergency orders, and sets a 60-day timeline for the board to process claims.

Maddy summaryThis House concurrent resolution commemorates the 100th anniversary of U.S. Navy Torpedoman 2nd Class Henry Breault becoming the first submariner to receive the Medal of Honor. The document honors Breault's heroic act of returning to a sinking submarine to rescue a trapped crewmate, an event that occurred on October 28, 1923, when his vessel collided with a commercial ship in the Panama Canal. The resolution formally recognizes this historical milestone and directs the Secretary of State to send copies of the document to the Submarine Force Library and Museum and to historian Ryan Walker. This legislative action serves as a ceremonial acknowledgment of Breault's service and sacrifice rather than establishing new laws or policies.