Rep. Conor Casey

Maddy summaryThis House Concurrent Resolution (HCR 20) formally honors Vermonters involved in creating the Tony Award-winning musical *Hadestown* and recognizes Montpelier High School's participation in Washington County teen theater productions of the musical. It specifically acknowledges Anaïs Mitchell (a Vermont native), collaborators like Ben T. Matchstick, and Montpelier High School Theater Director Maren Langdon Spillane for their roles in the musical's creation and a 2024-2025 teen performance partnership with U-32 Middle and High School. The resolution directs the Secretary of State to send a copy to Montpelier High School and the theater director, serving as a ceremonial tribute with no policy or funding changes.

Maddy summaryThis House Concurrent Resolution (HCR 12) is a non-binding ceremonial resolution expressing legislative congratulations to the University of Vermont (UVM) men's soccer team for winning their first NCAA Division I men's soccer championship (College Cup) in 2024. It formally recognizes the team's achievement, including their "Cardiac Cats" nickname and championship victory over Marshall University. The resolution directs the Secretary of State to send a copy to UVM Athletics but does not create any new policy, funding, or legal obligations. It is purely symbolic recognition of the team's athletic accomplishment.

Maddy summaryH.164 would change how Vermont distributes local option tax revenue to municipalities, increasing the share from 70% to 80% for the communities generating that revenue. It also requires that any surplus in the PILOT Special Fund (a fund for payments in lieu of taxes from state-owned properties) be distributed proportionally to the municipalities that contributed to the surplus. The bill directs the Joint Fiscal Office to prepare a report on transitioning to a system where the state retains only the minimal amount needed to administer the fund, aiming to eliminate future surpluses. This bill directly affects all Vermont municipalities receiving local option tax revenue and those contributing to the PILOT Special Fund.

Maddy summaryH 169 amends Vermont's anti-discrimination laws to prohibit landlords from requesting Social Security numbers on residential rental applications and requires them to accept all government-issued identification. It also adds "citizenship and immigration status" to the list of protected characteristics in housing and public accommodations, expanding existing protections against discrimination. The bill directly affects landlords, renters, and businesses serving the public by banning specific discriminatory practices in housing applications and services. Key provisions include banning SSN requests for rentals (§ 4456a) and updating definitions to include immigration status in housing (§ 4501, § 4503) and public accommodations (§ 4502). These changes aim to reduce barriers for renters, particularly immigrants and non-citizens, while clarifying prohibited discrimination.

Maddy summaryThis House Concurrent Resolution (HCR 9) formally honors Vermonters involved in creating the Tony Award-winning musical *Hadestown* and Vermont youth theater groups performing teen versions of the show. It specifically recognizes creators like Anaïs Mitchell (Middlebury College alum), Michael Chorney, and Ben T. Matchstick, along with Vermont youth ensembles including Peoples Academy, Very Merry Theatre, and U-32/Montpelier High School productions supported by *Hadestown* creators. The resolution has no legal effect - it is purely ceremonial, celebrating their artistic achievements and community impact without enacting new policy. It directs the Secretary of State to send copies to the honorees.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires health care sharing organizations that aren't licensed insurance providers in Vermont to annually report detailed financial and operational data to the state's Financial Regulation Commissioner. It affects entities offering "health care sharing plans" that facilitate payment for health care costs but operate outside standard insurance regulations. Organizations must submit specific information including participant numbers (individuals, households, employers), total fees collected, reimbursement requests processed, denied claims, and details about third-party partners. The Commissioner will compile these reports into a public annual summary posted online. This aims to increase transparency for Vermont residents using these non-insurance health care arrangements.

Maddy summaryThis bill expands eligibility for Vermont's Dr. Dynasaur program to cover pregnant individuals with incomes up to 312% of the federal poverty level (FPL), effective January 2026. It also requires the Agency of Human Services to study and report by January 2026 on the feasibility and costs of expanding Dr. Dynasaur to all Vermont residents under 26 with incomes at or below 312% FPL, and Medicaid to adults aged 26-64 with incomes at or below 312% FPL. The bill appropriates $600,000 for implementing the pregnant individual eligibility change, with $180,000 from the General Fund and $420,000 in federal funds. The report must address federal waiver needs, cost estimates, and implementation timelines for potential broader expansions. This is a policy change focused on expanding healthcare access for specific income groups, not a procedural measure.

Maddy summaryH.112 provides medical debt relief for Vermont residents by appropriating $1 million to contract with a nonprofit to purchase and erase qualifying medical debt. It directly affects Vermonters with household incomes at or below 400% of the federal poverty level or those owing medical debt equal to 5% or more of their household income. The bill prohibits credit bureaus from reporting medical debt on credit reports and bans healthcare providers from submitting such debt to credit agencies. It requires debt relief contractors to remove adverse credit information after debt abolition, ensuring no cost or tax impact for affected residents.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a new Division of Planning and Evaluation within Vermont's Green Mountain Care Board. The division will create annual reports on healthcare costs, access, and quality; develop a five-year strategic plan for improving population health and rural healthcare access; and set spending targets for total healthcare costs. It directs the Board to implement this plan, align hospital budgets with strategic goals, and develop standardized financial reporting with hospitals. The bill also adds new staff/resources to the Board and proposes alternative funding sources for healthcare payments as existing models expire.

Maddy summaryThis bill allows Vermont farms to host weddings, concerts, and similar events as part of their accessory on-farm businesses. It exempts these events from requiring a state land-use permit if the local town has adopted performance standards and site plan review. The change applies to construction for event spaces and farm stays (overnight accommodations for guests participating in farm activities). The bill takes effect July 1, 2025.