Rep. Jubilee McGill

Maddy summaryThis bill imposes an 11% excise tax on the retail sale of firearms, firearm precursor parts, and ammunition in Vermont. Licensed firearm dealers and ammunition vendors must collect the tax at the point of sale (during background checks) and remit it quarterly to the state. The tax applies to all retail transactions except those exempt under Vermont law, such as transfers to law enforcement or immediate family members. Revenue from the tax will be deposited into the Domestic and Sexual Violence Special Fund, which supports victim services. The tax takes effect on July 1, 2026.

Maddy summaryH.360 establishes privacy protections for Vermont residents using mobile identification, such as digital driver's licenses or nonmobile credentials. It requires mobile ID systems to let users share only necessary information (e.g., age verification without revealing full birthdate) and obtain explicit consent before disclosing any data. The bill prohibits businesses from forcing mobile ID use for services unless legally required (like age checks for alcohol sales) and mandates that verification systems cannot store, link, or share data about ID checks. These rules apply to the Department of Motor Vehicles and all entities using mobile ID verification.

Maddy summaryH 399 strengthens tenant protections in Vermont by banning rental application fees and requiring landlords to provide written rental agreements for 12+ month leases. The bill limits no-cause evictions with mandatory notice periods (60-90 days based on how long a tenant has lived there), prohibits charging for background checks, and adds citizenship/immigration status to discrimination protections. It creates a Rental Registry and an Office of Tenant’s Rights Advocate to help tenants navigate disputes. Tenants in Vermont rental housing will directly benefit from these concrete changes to agreements, evictions, and discrimination safeguards.

Maddy summaryH 366 establishes new rights for individuals regarding neural data and brain activity, directly affecting people using neurotechnology (like brain-computer interfaces) and the companies developing such devices. The bill requires written consent before collecting or sharing neural data (defined as brain activity measurements), prohibits "consciousness bypass" (using tech to manipulate brain activity without awareness), and allows individuals to revoke consent at any time. It enforces these rules through Vermont’s Consumer Protection Act, imposing civil penalties of up to $10,000 per violation. The law takes effect July 1, 2025, and applies to all entities handling neural data within Vermont.

Maddy summaryH 356 creates the Unemployment Compensation Benefit Modernization Advisory Committee to advise Vermont's Department of Labor on implementing technological upgrades to the unemployment benefits delivery system. The committee, composed of appointed legislators, Department of Labor staff, labor representatives, employers, and legal aid attorneys, will monitor the upgrades, make recommendations, and assist with testing. It must submit quarterly reports to legislative committees starting September 2025, with the committee dissolving by June 2026 or once the system is fully implemented. This bill directly affects how unemployment benefits are delivered to Vermont workers by establishing a formal advisory process for technology changes.

Maddy summaryH 373 proposes pilot programs to expand democratic participation in Vermont's state and local governments. It would create new neighborhood and regional planning assemblies, test methods like random selection (sortition) and structured group discussions (charrettes), require paid time off for election participation, and fund school assemblies to decide school policies. The bill also explores linking community engagement to health outcomes and provides grants for schools to use deliberative processes. These pilot projects would affect towns, cities, villages, schools, and public bodies, but the bill is currently in committee and has not become law.

Maddy summaryH 376 requires all alcoholic beverages sold in Vermont to display clear labels showing alcohol content in U.S. Standard Drinks, along with cancer warnings and serving facts (like calories and sugar). It increases taxes on beer, hard cider, wine, and spirits, with future tax hikes tied to inflation starting in 2027. The bill creates the Treatment and Recovery Fund, which will use all new tax revenue to fund mental health services in schools and alcohol treatment/supportive housing programs. This affects alcohol manufacturers, retailers, and consumers across Vermont by changing labeling rules, raising costs for certain beverages, and directing new tax revenue to public health services.

Maddy summaryH 371 imposes a moratorium on retailers using electronic shelf labels or AI-driven dynamic pricing (where prices change in real-time) for consumer goods like food and household items until January 15, 2027. During this period, the Secretary of Agriculture must report to the legislature on how such pricing works and how to protect consumers from unfair practices. After the moratorium ends, retailers may use electronic shelf labels but cannot change prices dynamically while open to the public or alter prices more frequently than every 24 hours. The bill directly affects retail businesses selling consumer commodities in Vermont and aims to establish clear consumer protections around pricing transparency.

Maddy summaryHCR 30 is a memorial resolution honoring Donald H. Turner Jr., a former Vermont Representative, House Republican Leader, and Milton Town Manager. The resolution expresses the General Assembly's condolences to his family following his death in November 2024 and directs copies of the resolution to his family, the Milton Town Clerk, and the Milton Fire Department. This procedural resolution commemorates his public service, including his 30+ years with the Milton Fire Department and his legislative career representing Milton.

Maddy summaryH 227 creates a two-bed residential peer respite facility in southern Vermont to provide short-term support for people experiencing mental health crises, avoiding hospitalization. The facility will offer two types of stays: one bed for up to four weeks and another for up to two weeks, operated by a provider selected through a state contract. The bill appropriates $515,000 for fiscal year 2026 to fund this facility, requiring the Department of Mental Health to contract with an eligible provider by January 1, 2026. It aims to expand access to peer-supported care in southern Vermont, reducing reliance on emergency hospital settings for crisis care. The facility will become operational on July 1, 2025.