Rep. Brian Cina

Maddy summaryHCR 48 is a ceremonial resolution honoring former Vermont House Representative Curt McCormack of Burlington, who died in September 2024. It recognizes his environmental advocacy (including pioneering work on chlorofluorocarbon limits), transportation leadership (as Bicycle-Pedestrian Coordinator and House Transportation Committee Chair), and service as a Peace Corps volunteer in Senegal. The resolution extends condolences to his family and directs the Secretary of State to send a copy to them. This procedural resolution does not create policy changes or affect any constituents.

Maddy summaryThis bill prohibits six specific artificial dyes (Blue 1, Blue 2, Green 3, Red 40, Yellow 5, and Yellow 6) in foods and beverages served during the school day in Vermont public schools and approved independent schools. It does not apply to food or beverages sold off-campus or after school hours until midnight. The law will take effect on July 1, 2027.

Maddy summaryH.423 appropriates $1 million from the General Fund to the Agency of Agriculture, Food and Markets for the Vermont Working Lands Enterprise Board to fund projects from the Vermont Agriculture and Food System Strategic Plan (2021-2030). This directly supports Vermont farmers, food businesses, and local food systems by prioritizing initiatives that strengthen connections between producers, processors, and markets. The funding aims to improve food security, climate resilience, and community health through concrete project grants, as outlined in the Strategic Plan’s goals. The bill takes effect July 1, 2025.

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 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 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.