Sen. Chris Bray

Maddy summaryThis bill is a House concurrent resolution honoring the memory of Vergennes Fire Chief James M. Breur, who passed away in March 2023. The resolution recognizes his 45-year career in firefighting, which began in 1978, and his leadership roles in local and state fire organizations. It formally extends condolences to Breur's family and directs the Secretary of State to send a copy of the resolution to his family and the Vergennes Fire Department. The document serves as an official commemoration rather than a policy change, acknowledging his contributions to fire safety and community service.

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 bill creates a temporary Legislative Energy Storage Study Committee to evaluate the costs and benefits of energy storage for electricity customers, utility providers, and the energy storage industry in Vermont. The committee will include representatives from the legislature, energy storage industry, municipal and cooperative utilities, businesses, investor-owned utilities, renewable energy developers, and an academic expert. Its main tasks are to assess current policies and markets, examine different storage technologies, recommend policy changes, and determine whether Vermont should set energy storage goals for the next five years. The committee must submit a written report with findings and recommendations by December 15, 2023, and will cease to exist on December 31, 2023. The bill appropriates $10,000 to cover per diem compensation and expenses for committee members attending up to six meetings.

Maddy summaryThis bill designates August 31 as Overdose Awareness Day in Vermont to raise awareness about drug overdoses and honor those affected by them. The legislation requires the Vermont State flag to be flown at half-staff on all state-owned flagpoles each August 31 to mark the observance. It also adds these provisions to the state code and includes a clause that will repeal the designation in 2033. The bill takes effect on July 1, 2023, and is based on findings about rising opioid-related deaths in the state.

Maddy summaryThis bill is a ceremonial resolution honoring Marshall Webb, a nonprofit cofounder and environmental advocate who passed away in 2022. It recognizes his contributions to Shelburne Farms, a Vermont center for sustainability education, and acknowledges his personal connection to the organization and the state. The resolution directs the Secretary of State to send a copy to Webb's family and Shelburne Farms as a formal expression of appreciation. This measure does not change laws or policies but serves to publicly acknowledge Webb's legacy and impact on the community.

Maddy summaryThis Vermont bill expands the State Auditor's authority to review financial records of state contractors, allowing the Auditor to examine documents relevant to contract performance. The law requires state contracts to include terms granting the Auditor discretion to access contractor records, while protecting non-public information from public inspection. It also updates existing statutes to clarify that all state departments and contractors must provide requested records for audit purposes. The changes take effect on July 1, 2023, and apply to any entity providing services to the state government.

Maddy summaryThis bill would repeal Vermont's current prostitution laws that criminalize consensual adult sex work while maintaining strict penalties for human trafficking. It directly affects adults who engage in sex work for hire by removing criminal charges for voluntary participation, while keeping severe felony penalties for those who recruit, transport, or coerce others into commercial sex acts through force, fraud, or coercion. The legislation clarifies that "coercion" includes threats of harm, financial abuse, withholding identification documents, drug administration to impair judgment, and debt bondage, ensuring these serious crimes remain illegal. By repealing the outdated 1900s-era prostitution statutes, the bill aims to align Vermont's laws with modern understandings of bodily autonomy while preserving protections against trafficking and exploitation.

Maddy summaryThis bill proposes to decriminalize possession of a personal use supply of regulated drugs in Vermont by reducing penalties from criminal charges to a civil offense with a $50 fine. Instead of facing criminal prosecution, individuals cited for this offense can avoid the penalty by agreeing to participate in substance use disorder screening and related services. The legislation would also establish a Drug Use Standards Advisory Board to determine benchmark personal use dosages and supplies, and allow for the immediate sealing of criminal records for those previously arrested or convicted of possessing amounts below these benchmarks. Additionally, the bill authorizes pilot programs for drug-checking services that allow individuals to analyze substances for chemical composition and contaminants to prevent overdoses. These changes aim to shift Vermont's approach from a criminal justice model to a public health strategy focused on harm reduction and treatment access.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a two-year pilot program in Vermont to provide monthly $1,000 cash transfers to youth leaving the foster care system. The program is voluntary, and participants must complete annual surveys to assess their progress in finances, health, employment, housing, and education. The cash transfers are designed to be tax-free and will not count toward eligibility for other state and federal benefits like SNAP, medical assistance, or financial aid. Funding of $650,000 is allocated for the 2024 fiscal year, and the Department for Children and Families must submit a final report by November 2025 with findings and recommendations.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a new Chloride Contamination Reduction Program within Vermont's Agency of Natural Resources to address water quality concerns caused by road salt and salt alternatives. The program requires the Secretary of Natural Resources to develop training and certification for commercial and municipal salt applicators, establishing best management practices that promote efficient salt use and prevent runoff into state waters. Key provisions include creating a public database to track salt purchases and applications, setting reduction targets for chloride levels in water, and providing liability protections for certified applicators who follow established practices. The bill also mandates record-keeping requirements for salt applications and gives the Secretary authority to revoke certifications for violations of the program's rules.