Rep. Conor Casey

Maddy summaryThis bill eliminates Vermont's current limits on tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) potency for cannabis products sold by licensed retailers. It removes the 30% THC cap for cannabis flower and increases the maximum THC per serving in edibles from 5 milligrams to 10 milligrams. The changes aim to align Vermont's regulations with other legal cannabis states and address concerns that current limits restrict consumer choice and encourage underreporting of potency. The bill takes effect July 1, 2026, directly affecting licensed cannabis retailers and consumers purchasing these products.

Maddy summaryThis Vermont bill (H 334) bans most noncompete agreements and "stay-or-pay" provisions that require employees to repay employers upon leaving a job. It prohibits agreements restricting work for competitors after separation, with limited exceptions for business sales or dissolution. Employers must notify affected employees about void agreements and cannot retaliate against workers who refuse such terms. The law applies to all Vermont employers and covers existing contracts that violate these restrictions.

Maddy summaryVermont's H.625 adopts the Interstate Massage Compact, allowing licensed massage therapists from participating states to practice in Vermont without obtaining a separate license. This directly affects massage therapists seeking to work across state lines, particularly military members and their families who relocate frequently. The compact creates a shared regulatory framework through an interstate commission, requiring background checks and continuing competence, while enabling states to share disciplinary information to protect public safety. It streamlines licensing for therapists in member states but does not override individual state laws governing massage therapy practice.

Maddy summaryH.623 replaces Vermont's current registration system for massage therapists, bodyworkers, and touch professionals with a new licensing requirement specifically for massage therapists. It ends registration for bodyworkers and touch professionals (effective July 1, 2027) and requires all massage therapists to obtain a license from the Office of Professional Regulation. The bill also mandates that any business offering massage services - such as spas, clinics, or salons - must be licensed as a "massage therapy establishment." Exemptions include students in massage education programs and licensed professionals practicing within their scope. The law prohibits unlicensed practice of massage or operating an unlicensed establishment.

Maddy summaryThis bill (H.584) amends Vermont's tax code to exclude income from public safety pensions and survivor benefits from state income taxation. It directly affects Vermont police officers, firefighters, and emergency medical technicians (EMTs), as well as their survivors, by removing this income from taxable earnings. The key mechanism adds a specific exclusion to Vermont's definition of "taxable income" under 32 V.S.A. § 5811(21)(B)(vii), ensuring these benefits are not included in the calculation of state income tax. The change takes effect retroactively for taxable years beginning January 1, 2026.

Maddy summaryThis bill changes Vermont's overtime rules by requiring employers to pay eligible employees 1.5 times their regular wage for hours worked over 8 in a single workday, and double their regular wage for hours over 12 in a day. It replaces the current system that only required overtime pay after 40 hours in a workweek. The law directly affects Vermont employers and most hourly workers who are not exempt from overtime rules. The changes will take effect on January 1, 2027.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires Vermont fire departments to pay full-time firefighters overtime at 1.5 times their regular rate for all hours worked beyond an average of 42 hours per week. It applies to state, municipal, and county fire departments, excluding civilian employees, and defines "hours worked" to include all paid leave. Overtime is calculated using the average weekly hours over the prior eight weeks (based on a seven-day week). The law takes effect July 1, 2026, and amends Vermont law at 21 V.S.A. § 388.

Maddy summaryH 397 updates Vermont's emergency management and flood response systems. It requires the Division of Emergency Management to annually report on mitigation plans to legislative committees and revise the State Emergency Management Plan every five years to cover response coordination, preparedness, and local planning templates. The bill expands grant funding for flood mitigation projects, including voluntary buyouts for flood-affected properties, and mandates new assistance for municipalities to access river monitoring and weather alert systems. It also provides municipalities with greater flexibility to borrow funds for emergency-related expenses and manage unspent budget balances. These changes directly affect state agencies, local governments, and communities in flood-prone areas.

Maddy summarySCR 6 is a ceremonial Senate Concurrent Resolution honoring Montpelier City Manager William J. Fraser for his 30 years of service (since 1995). It recognizes his leadership in overseeing Montpelier's $32 million budget, managing 113+ employees, and guiding key projects like a new water treatment facility, police station, and downtown transit center. The resolution formally expresses the General Assembly's appreciation for his service, including emergency response coordination and professional achievements, and directs the Secretary of State to send a copy to Fraser. As a procedural resolution, it does not create new laws or policies but serves as a symbolic tribute.

Maddy summaryThis Vermont House resolution (HR 9) urges all state agencies to protect the privacy and medical confidentiality of Vermonters diagnosed with autism, specifically in response to federal plans for an autism research database. It directly affects autistic Vermonters by seeking to prevent their personal health data - like medical records, insurance claims, and wearable device information - from being collected or shared without informed consent. The resolution emphasizes that autism is a neurological difference, not a disease, and highlights concerns about federal data collection practices that lack explicit privacy safeguards. As a non-binding resolution, it directs state officials to uphold privacy rights and has been formally adopted by the House.