Maddy summaryThis bill proposes amendments to Vermont's education law, primarily affecting how school construction projects are bid and which postsecondary institutions are recognized for federal financial aid purposes. The first major change raises the threshold for high-cost school construction contracts from $500,000 to $2,000,000, requiring school boards to publicly advertise for contractors and establish prequalification criteria before bidding on projects exceeding this amount. The bill also updates the list of accredited postsecondary institutions in Vermont that are exempt from certain state charter requirements, while clarifying that this recognition does not affect their existing charters. Additionally, the legislation adjusts the effective date for a previous Holocaust education data collection requirement to July 1, 2025.
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Maddy summaryThis Senate resolution honors the life of Senator Richard Sears, who passed away in June 2024 at age 81. The document formally acknowledges his career as a state senator, his work as a youth counselor, and his leadership on the Judiciary Committee where he helped advance legislation on civil unions, marriage equality, and juvenile justice. It also notes his personal history, including being adopted as an infant and later establishing a mentoring program for boys in the justice system. The resolution expresses the Senate's sadness at his passing and directs that a copy be sent to his family.
Maddy summaryThis Senate resolution honors the public service career of Senator Martha Jane Kitchel, recognizing her work in both the Executive Branch and the Vermont Senate. The document highlights her progression from social work to leadership roles in the Department of Social Welfare and later as Secretary of the Agency of Human Services, followed by her legislative service in the Senate. It specifically acknowledges her contributions as Chair of the Senate Committee on Appropriations, where she led budget analysis and supported infrastructure projects like the Lamoille Valley Rail Trail. The resolution formally recognizes her two decades of service and her recent announcement that she will not seek reelection in 2024.
Maddy summaryThis Vermont bill directs the Office of Professional Regulation to review whether doulas should be regulated through registration, certification, or licensure, with results due by January 2025. It also requires the Department of Vermont Health Access to calculate the estimated costs of adding doula services to Medicaid coverage and recommend whether to include them in the state's health plan. The bill defines a qualified doula as one who is registered, certified, or licensed by the state, and mandates that any Medicaid coverage for these services only apply to doulas meeting those standards.
Maddy summaryThis bill is a House concurrent resolution that formally congratulates Shaftsbury First Assistant Fire Chief Michael Taylor on receiving the 2024 Shaftsbury Ordinary Hero Award. The resolution recognizes Taylor's 24 years of service with the Shaftsbury Fire Department, highlighting his leadership roles, extrication team responsibilities, and contributions to the community. It directs the Secretary of State to send a copy of the resolution to Taylor and the fire department, serving as official state acknowledgment of his achievements rather than establishing new policies or regulations.
Maddy summaryThis bill honors Barbara Reilly for over 40 years of dedicated service at the Vermont Veterans' Home. It recognizes her work in the kitchen, housekeeping, and activities programs, where she built close relationships with veterans and their families. The resolution directs the Secretary of State to send a copy of the honor to Ms. Reilly. This is a commemorative measure with no policy changes or budgetary impact.
Maddy summaryThis legislative resolution honors Michele Burgess for her 47-plus years of dedicated service at the Vermont Veterans' Home. The document recognizes her career progression from institutional orderly to activities department supervisor, highlighting her contributions to resident programs and veteran liaison work. It directs the Secretary of State to send a copy of the resolution to Burgess as a formal acknowledgment of her retirement. This is a commemorative measure that does not create new laws or change existing policies.
Maddy summaryThis bill modifies Vermont's climate change cost recovery program to allow the state to charge fossil fuel companies for climate adaptation costs without requiring them to be part of a specific support project. It changes how payment schedules work by requiring installments to be paid annually at 10% of the total amount, with interest charges and adjustments based on inflation. The law also extends the time companies have to respond to cost recovery notices from 15 to 30 days and clarifies that existing legal remedies remain available alongside this program. These changes take effect on July 1, 2024, but apply retroactively to costs incurred since January 1, 1995.
Maddy summaryThis Vermont law, known as the "Vermont Ghost Guns Act," prohibits individuals from possessing, transferring, or manufacturing firearms, firearm frames, or receivers without a serial number. The bill requires that any unfinished firearm parts or completed guns be imprinted with a serial number by a federally licensed firearms dealer, importer, or manufacturer before they can be legally owned or sold. Exceptions are made for licensed dealers, law enforcement, antique firearms, permanently inoperable guns, and weapons made before 1968. Violations result in civil penalties for simple possession of unserialized parts and criminal charges including fines and imprisonment for transferring or manufacturing unserialized firearms, with harsher penalties for carrying such weapons during violent crimes.
Maddy summaryThis bill proposes adding a new article to Vermont's state constitution that guarantees equal treatment under the law regardless of race, ethnicity, sex, religion, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, or national origin. The amendment would require the government to ensure all people receive equal protection and prohibit denying rights based on these characteristics. It also explicitly allows for measures designed to help groups that have historically faced discrimination. If voters approve this change in the 2026 election, it would become part of the state's founding legal document.