Rep. Conor Casey

Maddy summaryVermont's House of Representatives passed JRH 8, a non-binding joint resolution condemning a U.S. military operation in Venezuela on January 3, 2026. The resolution demands the immediate release of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro and his wife Cilia Flores from U.S. custody, the withdrawal of all U.S. military forces from the Caribbean Sea and eastern Pacific Ocean, and respect for Venezuela's right to political self-determination. It urges the U.S. government to abandon plans for similar interventions that disrupt other nations' sovereignty. As a symbolic resolution, it directs Vermont's Secretary of State to send a copy to President Trump, Secretary of State Rubio, and Defense Secretary Hegseth.

Maddy summaryH.885 prohibits Vermont municipalities and counties from regulating the use of public land for "life-sustaining activities" (such as resting, sleeping, storing belongings, or protecting oneself from elements), directly affecting individuals experiencing homelessness. Exceptions apply only where a municipality has designated specific downtowns/growth centers for such use or has sufficient alternative shelter space available. The bill defines "life-sustaining activities" broadly to cover basic survival needs and adds "housing status" to anti-discrimination protections in several statutes. It overrides conflicting local ordinances and empowers the Attorney General to enforce compliance. The legislation responds to Vermont’s severe homelessness crisis, citing a 300% increase since 2020 and 4,588 people experiencing homelessness as of June 2025.

Maddy summaryH.870 proposes using eminent domain to acquire two specific properties in Williston, Vermont (188 Harvest Lane and 426 Industrial Avenue), for the sole purpose of developing permanently affordable housing. The bill would authorize the state to take these private properties through eminent domain proceedings, bypassing standard negotiations with current owners. This targeted action directly affects the owners of those two parcels by initiating legal proceedings to transfer ownership. The bill does not create new general rules for eminent domain but specifically enables this single housing project.

Maddy summaryH 865 requires Vermont public servants to disclose travel costs and details to the Ethics Commission for any travel related to their official duties or public role. This includes the purpose, destination, all costs (transportation, lodging, meals), and who paid for each expense (state, personal, or outside sources like lobbyists). Public servants must submit these disclosures within 30 days of travel start (or weekly for trips over 30 days), excluding regular commuting. The bill takes effect July 1, 2026, aiming to increase transparency in public travel spending.

Maddy summaryH.863 imposes a $0.30 fee on retail deliveries (like online orders shipped to Vermont) that are subject to sales tax, collected by vendors and listed separately on receipts. It permits municipalities to levy a local tax on gasoline and diesel fuel sales and allocates funds to transportation programs including electric vehicle incentives, public transit coordination, and creating pollinator habitats along roads. The bill also requires public EV charging stations to accept credit cards and provide real-time availability, and mandates a study on electric bicycle safety. These provisions aim to fund infrastructure improvements, support clean energy transitions, and enhance transportation equity.

Maddy summaryH 859 establishes a Psychedelic Therapy Advisory Board to review research on psychedelic therapy's benefits for mental health and substance use disorders, and to recommend state programs allowing therapeutic use of psychedelics. The bill requires Vermont's Department of Health to contract with a Vermont entity to conduct clinical drug development trials specifically for ibogaine - a treatment being studied for substance use disorders and trauma. The Advisory Board will assess public health impacts, monitor other states' programs, and propose pilot projects for psychedelic-assisted therapy in end-of-life care or for mental health conditions. This directly affects Vermont's healthcare system, mental health providers, and individuals seeking treatment for conditions resistant to current therapies.

Maddy summaryVermont's H.850 requires federal immigration authorities (like ICE) to obtain a judicial warrant naming a specific person before entering nonpublic areas of schools, hospitals, public libraries, or childcare centers. It prohibits employees of these sensitive locations from granting access without such a warrant, directing supervisors to review warrants before allowing entry. The bill also restricts the Department of Corrections from assisting federal immigration authorities beyond what federal law permits, effectively terminating existing cooperation agreements. This policy change directly affects Vermont's schools, healthcare facilities, libraries, childcare centers, and the state's corrections system regarding federal immigration interactions.

Maddy summaryThis bill (H.868) would require Vermont public schools to phase out ultra-processed foods - like packaged snacks, pre-made meals, and sugary drinks - from school meals and replace them with foods made from scratch using whole, fresh ingredients. It directly affects all Vermont public school food programs, including cafeterias serving students. The key mechanism is establishing new guidelines to gradually eliminate ultra-processed items while increasing the use of unprocessed or minimally processed foods. The bill aims to improve student nutrition by prioritizing fresh, whole foods over highly processed options in school meals.

Maddy summaryHCR 177 is a ceremonial resolution honoring Twin Valley High School's Athletic Director and boys' soccer coach Buddy Hayford for achieving 500 career coaching victories. It recognizes his 43-year coaching career, including 10 divisional titles, two state basketball titles, and his status as Vermont's first high school soccer coach to reach 500 wins. This resolution, offered by all House members and sponsoring senators, formally congratulates Hayford and directs the Secretary of State to send a copy to him and his school - **it is not a law but a symbolic gesture of appreciation**.

Maddy summaryH 837, the "Nickel Rounding for Cash Transactions Act," authorizes businesses to round cash transaction totals to the nearest five cents when one-cent coins are unavailable. It specifies rounding down for amounts ending in 1-2 or 6-7 cents and up for 3-4 or 8-9 cents, while requiring businesses to post clear notices and calculate taxes based on the pre-rounding amount. The bill applies only to cash payments (not electronic transactions, wages, or federal-regulated transactions) and ensures rounding doesn’t count as a price increase or deceptive practice. It takes effect July 1, 2026, directly affecting Vermont businesses and customers making cash purchases.