Rep. Kenneth Goslant

Maddy summaryThis bill expands Vermont's animal cruelty laws to explicitly include sexual conduct with animals as a punishable offense. It defines "sexual conduct" broadly (e.g., touching an animal's sex organs, inserting objects, or filming such acts without veterinary purpose) and adds new aggravated cruelty provisions when minors are involved. Convicted individuals face mandatory animal possession bans for at least five years and may be required to pay for animal care costs incurred during investigations. Penalties range from up to one year in jail or $2,000 fines for standard cruelty to up to five years in jail or $5,000 fines for aggravated offenses involving sexual conduct.

Maddy summaryThis bill is a House concurrent resolution that honors Representative Kevin "Coach" Christie of Hartford for his civic leadership and extends best wishes for his future. It recognizes his long history of public service, including his work as an educator, his role on the Hartford School Board, and his legislative focus on education and social equity. The resolution directs the Secretary of State to send a copy of the document to Representative Christie.

Maddy summaryThis bill is a ceremonial resolution that honors the life and public service of former Representative Francis Matthew "Topper" McFaun. It recognizes his long career in Vermont, which included roles in the executive branch, local government, and coaching, as well as his nearly 11 years serving in the House of Representatives. The resolution formally acknowledges his contributions to the community and directs the Secretary of State to send a copy of the document to him.

Maddy summaryThis bill is a formal recognition by the Vermont legislature of the value of the Department of Fish and Wildlife's fish culture program. It highlights how the state's five fish hatcheries produce over 1.5 million fish annually to support sustainable populations and provide recreational fishing opportunities. The resolution notes that these efforts also benefit local economies, promote public health, and encourage conservation education. Ultimately, the bill directs the Secretary of State to send a copy of this acknowledgment to the department.

Maddy summaryThis bill is a House concurrent resolution that expresses the General Assembly's best wishes for a speedy and complete recovery to Representative Anne Donahue. It directly affects Representative Donahue, who recently suffered a brain aneurysm but is recovering well as of March 2026. The resolution highlights her long-standing contributions to mental health care, including her work on the Vermont Psychiatric Care Hospital and efforts to address historical injustices related to eugenics. Additionally, it directs the Secretary of State to send a copy of the resolution to Representative Donahue.

Maddy summaryThis bill asks the Vermont General Assembly to officially recognize May 2026 as National Tennis Month in the state. It directly affects the United States Tennis Association and local tennis programs by directing the Secretary of State to send a copy of the resolution to USTA New England. The measure is a commemorative action that highlights the sport's growth and benefits without changing any laws or policies.

Maddy summaryThis bill is a ceremonial resolution that honors Eric Palmer, the Director of Fisheries for the Vermont Fish and Wildlife Department, for his leadership and contributions to the state's fisheries management. It recognizes his career achievements, including the successful restoration of lake trout in Lake Champlain and his role in advancing staff development and conservation projects. The resolution formally thanks him for his service as he concludes his tenure in 2026 and directs the Secretary of State to send a copy of the honor to him.

Maddy summaryThis bill asks the Vermont General Assembly to officially recognize May 2026 as National Foster Care Month within the state. It does not create new laws or change how foster care is administered, but rather serves to honor the work of foster families and raise awareness about the foster care system. The resolution directs the Secretary of State to send a copy of the document to the Department for Children and Families.

Maddy summaryVermont's H.70 would add land enrolled in the state's Use Value Appraisal Program to the official "conserved land" inventory. This program allows landowners to pay lower property taxes in exchange for maintaining agricultural or forest land. The bill updates legal definitions so this land counts toward Vermont's conservation goals of protecting 30% and 50% of land by 2030 and 2050, respectively. It directly affects landowners in the Use Value Appraisal Program and state conservation planning efforts. The law would take effect on July 1, 2025.

Maddy summaryThis Senate concurrent resolution honors the life and service of former Washington County Senator Mary Just Skinner. It formally expresses the General Assembly's condolences to her family following her unexpected death in January 2026. The bill directs the Secretary of State to send a copy of the resolution to her family as a gesture of respect.