Connecticut Bills

in committee · Connecticut · Senate May 6, 2025

SB 1447: AN ACT SUBJECTING PEER-TO-PEER CAR SHARING TO THE SALES AND USE TAX AND REPEALING THE STATUTE REQUIRING LEGISLATIVE APPROVAL TO STUDY MILEAGE-BASED USER FEES ON STATE HIGHWAYS.

SB 1447 imposes a 9.35% sales tax on peer-to-peer car sharing services in Connecticut, requiring platforms like Turo to collect this tax on short-term vehicle rentals (30 days or less). This directly affects car-sharing companies and their users by adding a tax equivalent to existing rental vehicle rates. The bill also repeals an outdated requirement that needed legislative approval to study mileage-based highway user fees. The tax applies to all peer-to-peer car sharing transactions occurring on or after July 1, 2025.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes

in committee · Connecticut · House May 6, 2025

HB 6413: AN ACT REQUIRING UNINSURED AND UNDERINSURED MOTORIST COVERAGE FOR DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION EMPLOYEES.

HB 6413 requires the state to add uninsured and underinsured motorist coverage (with minimum $1 million limits for bodily injury or death) to the State Fleet Insurance Policy by July 1, 2026. This directly affects Department of Transportation (DOT) employees who drive for work and are outside their vehicles during employment. The coverage protects these employees if they are injured or killed by drivers without insurance or insufficient coverage while performing job duties outside their vehicles.

Topics ✓ Labor & Employment ✓ Transportation

in committee · Connecticut · House May 6, 2025

HB 6273: AN ACT ESTABLISHING FUNDING FOR FARMERS WHO HAVE CROP LOSS DUE TO SIGNIFICANT ACUTE WEATHER EVENTS.

HB 6273 creates the Farmers' Crop Loss Reimbursement Grant Program within Connecticut's Department of Agriculture. It provides financial reimbursement to farmers who suffer crop losses due to significant acute weather events (like severe storms or floods). The program is funded through $10 million in state bonds, with the Department of Agriculture establishing eligibility rules, application processes, and reimbursement limits. Farmers must apply within 60 days of submitting requests, and the program takes effect July 1, 2025.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes

in committee · Connecticut · House May 6, 2025

HB 7246: AN ACT CONCERNING MODIFICATIONS TO CAMPAIGN FINANCE LAWS AND STATE ELECTIONS ENFORCEMENT COMMISSION AUTHORITY.

HB 7246 updates Connecticut's campaign finance rules by clarifying definitions and disclosure requirements for political communications. It redefines "organization expenditure" to include party candidate listings (like candidate directories in media), campaign materials distributed by party committees, and non-fundraising campaign events. The bill also specifies what constitutes "soliciting" contributions, excluding activities like sharing fundraising links via party committees. These changes require certain campaign materials to display disclaimers (e.g., "paid for by [organization]") and take effect July 1, 2025, directly affecting candidates, party committees, and political committees.

in committee · Connecticut · House May 6, 2025

HB 7262: AN ACT CONCERNING EXPENDITURES OF THE GENERAL FUND.

HB 7262 requires the Office of Fiscal Analysis to review General Fund appropriations in Connecticut's 2026 state budget, specifically identifying spending areas with increases of 10% or more compared to the previous fiscal year. The review must be completed by February 1, 2026, and the findings submitted to the Appropriations Committee. This is a procedural requirement with no new funding or direct impact on state agencies or residents. The bill does not alter spending levels but mandates a transparency report for legislative review.

in committee · Connecticut · House May 6, 2025

HB 7006: AN ACT CONCERNING TUITION WAIVERS FOR NURSING HOME RESIDENTS WHO TAKE ONLINE COURSES AT REGIONAL COMMUNITY-TECHNICAL COLLEGES.

HB 7006 creates a tuition waiver for nursing home residents in Connecticut who enroll in online courses at regional community-technical colleges. The waiver applies only if a course has sufficient non-waiver students enrolled and available space after accommodating them. Residents receiving this waiver may have the waiver reduced if they also receive employer education reimbursement. This policy directly affects Connecticut nursing home residents seeking affordable online education opportunities.

Topics ✓ Education ✓ Technology

in committee · Connecticut · House May 6, 2025

HB 6979: AN ACT CONCERNING THE DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC HEALTH'S RECOMMENDATIONS REGARDING PHYSICIAN RECRUITMENT.

HB 6979 requires physicians in Connecticut to annually register with the Department of Public Health during their birth month, with specific fees based on practice status. It creates a "retired" license designation for physicians who have retired from active practice, allowing renewal at a reduced fee (10% of class I fee or $95, whichever is greater) while restricting retired licenses to volunteer services without pay. The bill also mandates new regulations defining "retired from the profession" and establishing procedures for retired physicians to return to active practice or reinstate expired licenses. These provisions directly affect licensed physicians, particularly those transitioning to or from retirement, and take effect October 1, 2025.

in committee · Connecticut · Senate May 6, 2025

SB 1188: AN ACT ESTABLISHING A PROPERTY TAX EXEMPTION FOR PROPERTY LOCATED ON CERTAIN INDIAN LANDS.

SB 1188 creates a property tax exemption for real property and tangible personal property located on reservation land held in trust for federally recognized Indian tribes. This exemption applies to all property tax assessments beginning October 1, 2025, and will be effective for all subsequent assessment years. The bill directly affects tribal lands managed under federal trust status by removing property tax obligations for these properties. It modifies Section 12-81 of the general statutes by adding a new exemption category (84) specific to tribal trust lands.

Topics ✗ Budget & Taxes

in committee · Connecticut · House May 6, 2025

HB 6439: AN ACT CONCERNING A FEE WAIVER AT PUBLIC INSTITUTIONS OF HIGHER EDUCATION FOR CERTAIN VETERANS AND MEMBERS OF THE NATIONAL GUARD.

HB 6439 creates a tuition waiver for active Connecticut National Guard members at public higher education institutions. It waives both tuition and extension fees for members certified as "in good standing" by the Adjutant General who are enrolled in undergraduate degree programs. This directly affects Connecticut National Guard members seeking college education, providing financial relief for their tuition costs. The waiver applies to all regional community-technical colleges and includes coverage for educational extension programs. The bill amends existing statutes to add National Guard members to the list of eligible groups for tuition waivers, alongside veterans and other specific categories.

Topics ✓ Education ✓ Veterans

in committee · Connecticut · House May 6, 2025

HB 6922: AN ACT IMPLEMENTING THE RECOMMENDATIONS OF THE DEPARTMENT OF ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES REGARDING THE SCHOOL BUILDING PROJECTS STATUTES.

HB 6922 updates Connecticut's process for applying for state grants to build or renovate school facilities. It requires school districts to confirm they considered natural light, wireless technology, and school safety standards in project plans. Projects that assist in meeting desegregation requirements from the Sheff v. O'Neill case get extended deadlines for applications and approvals. This bill directly affects towns, school districts, and eligible colleges/magnet schools seeking these grants.

Topics ✓ Education

in committee · Connecticut · House May 6, 2025

HB 6408: AN ACT EXPANDING COMPENSATION TO DEPENDENTS FOR A DEATH RESULTING FROM AN ACCIDENT.

HB 6408 expands workers' compensation for dependents when an employee dies in an accident. It changes how payments are divided when there are no "presumptive dependents" (like spouses or children), instead focusing on people who were financially dependent on the deceased. The bill ensures wholly dependent individuals (e.g., a dependent child) receive full compensation, while partially dependent people (e.g., a relative who relied on some support) get at least $20 weekly but no more than what they previously received. Next of kin (like siblings or parents) will now share payments based on their level of dependence, not equally as before. The law takes effect July 1, 2025.

Topics ✓ Labor & Employment

in committee · Connecticut · House May 6, 2025

HB 6870: AN ACT ADDRESSING PATIENTS' PRESCRIPTION DRUG COSTS.

HB 6870 creates a process for the state to potentially import prescription drugs from Canada to lower costs for residents. It requires the Department of Consumer Protection to study the feasibility of such a program by October 2027, then seek federal approval for the program if the study finds it viable. If approved by federal regulators, participating wholesalers could import and distribute eligible drugs meeting safety and federal tracing requirements, directly affecting patients seeking affordable medications. The bill does not implement the program itself but establishes the framework for future action.

Topics ✓ Healthcare

Bill results