Connecticut Bills

in committee · Connecticut · House Feb 11, 2026

HB 5173: AN ACT INCREASING FUNDING FOR YOUTH SUMMER EMPLOYMENT PROGRAMS.

HB 5173 allocates additional state funding to the Department of Education for youth summer employment programs. The bill directs a specified sum from the General Fund to support these programs during the 2026-2027 fiscal year. This funding would directly support summer job opportunities for young people through existing state-run initiatives.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Education ✓ Labor & Employment

in committee · Connecticut · Senate Feb 11, 2026

SB 175: AN ACT AUTHORIZING BONDS OF THE STATE FOR STUDENT HOUSING AT THE AVERY POINT CAMPUS OF THE UNIVERSITY OF CONNECTICUT.

SB 175 authorizes the state to issue up to $40 million in bonds specifically for designing and building new student housing at the University of Connecticut's Avery Point Campus. This funding directly supports UConn students by expanding housing capacity at that campus location. The bill enables the State Bond Commission to issue these bonds, with proceeds dedicated solely to constructing new on-campus housing facilities.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Education ✓ Housing

in committee · Connecticut · House Feb 11, 2026

HB 5186: AN ACT CONCERNING THE AFFECTED BUSINESS ENTITY TAX AND THE CREDIT RELATED THERETO AND ESTABLISHING A SURCHARGE ON THE AMOUNT OF FEDERAL QUALIFIED BUSINESS INCOME DEDUCTIONS CLAIMED BY CERTAIN FILERS.

HB 5186 adjusts Connecticut's affected business entity tax and related credits for businesses claiming federal qualified business income deductions. It adds a 1% surcharge on the business entity tax and a 10% surcharge on federal deductions claimed by filers in the highest tax bracket. The bill also modifies tax credits: reducing the credit to 83.6% for high-bracket filers while increasing it to 93.01% for lower-bracket filers. These changes directly impact businesses using federal pass-through income deductions, particularly those in Connecticut's top tax rate category.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes

in committee · Connecticut · House Feb 11, 2026

HB 5185: AN ACT ESTABLISHING A CAPITAL GAINS AND DIVIDENDS SURCHARGE.

HB 5185 would impose a surcharge on capital gains and dividends for Connecticut taxpayers with adjusted gross income meeting the threshold for the state's highest marginal income tax rate. It directly affects high-income earners subject to Connecticut's top tax bracket, specifically targeting net gains from selling investments and dividend income. The bill amends state tax law to add this surcharge to the existing tax calculation for qualifying taxpayers. The policy change is a direct revenue measure applying only to those already paying the highest rate on ordinary income.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes

in committee · Connecticut · Senate Feb 11, 2026

SB 185: AN ACT EXEMPTING SMALL BUSINESSES FROM THE SALES AND USE TAXES ON ELECTRICITY AND NATURAL GAS.

This bill (SB 185) would remove sales and use taxes on electricity and natural gas purchases for small businesses. It amends tax law to specifically exempt these utility costs from existing state taxes. The policy directly affects small businesses by reducing their operating costs for essential energy. The change applies to all qualifying small businesses purchasing electricity or natural gas for their operations.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Energy

in committee · Connecticut · Senate Feb 11, 2026

SB 181: AN ACT CONCERNING PERSONAL INCOME TAX REFUNDS.

SB 181 directs $330.8 million from the state's Budget Reserve Fund to the General Fund to provide refunds of personal income tax actually paid by taxpayers who filed federal tax returns for the 2025 tax year. The Department of Revenue Services will calculate individual refunds based on actual tax paid. This one-time refund affects taxpayers who filed federal returns for 2025, using existing state funds rather than changing tax rates or laws. The bill does not create new tax obligations or alter future tax policy.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes

in committee · Connecticut · Senate Feb 11, 2026

SB 182: AN ACT CONCERNING THE PERSONAL INCOME TAX DEDUCTIONS FOR SOCIAL SECURITY BENEFITS.

SB 182 would change how Connecticut taxes Social Security benefits. It proposes two options: either exempt all Social Security benefits from state income tax for every taxpayer, or adjust the income thresholds for tax deductions on these benefits annually based on changes in the consumer price index (inflation). This bill directly affects Connecticut residents who receive Social Security benefits and pay state income tax. The key change would reduce or eliminate the tax burden on these benefits for qualifying individuals.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes

in committee · Connecticut · Senate Feb 11, 2026

SB 143: AN ACT ENTITLING TOWNS TO FULL REIMBURSEMENT UNDER THE EXCESS COST GRANT.

SB 143 amends state law to require full reimbursement for special education costs from towns under the existing excess cost grant program. It directly affects towns that provide special education services by ensuring they receive 100% of eligible costs back, rather than partial reimbursement. The key provision updates Section 10-76g of the general statutes to eliminate current limitations on reimbursement amounts. This is a procedural change to the state’s funding mechanism, not a new program.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Education

in committee · Connecticut · House Feb 11, 2026

HB 5171: AN ACT CONCERNING FUNDING FOR THE CONNECTICUT-GROWN FOR CONNECTICUT KIDS PROGRAM.

This bill allocates $___ from the General Fund to the Connecticut Department of Agriculture for the Connecticut-Grown for Connecticut Kids program during fiscal year 2027. It directly supports local farms and food growers by providing funding for incentives to supply produce to schools and community programs. The key mechanism is a dedicated annual appropriation to sustain the program's operations. This policy change ensures ongoing financial support for connecting Connecticut-grown food with local children's nutrition initiatives.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes

in committee · Connecticut · House Feb 11, 2026

HB 5176: AN ACT INCREASING FUNDING FOR SPANISH COMMUNITY OF WALLINGFORD.

HB 5176 allocates $150,000 from the General Fund to the Department of Social Services for fiscal year 2027. This funding provides a grant-in-aid directly to the Spanish Community of Wallingford. The bill specifies the funds must support education, public health, social services, and job training programs within that community. The appropriation is targeted for the 2027 fiscal year and requires the Department of Social Services to administer the grant.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Immigration

in committee · Connecticut · House Feb 11, 2026

HB 5195: AN ACT ESTABLISHING A TAX CREDIT FOR BUSINESSES THAT INSTALL A MEADOW IN LIEU OF A LAWN.

HB 5195 creates a tax credit for businesses that replace traditional lawns with native meadow landscapes on their properties. This policy directly affects commercial property owners who choose this alternative landscaping option. The bill establishes a financial incentive by allowing qualifying businesses to reduce their state tax liability based on the installation cost of the meadow. The provision aims to promote eco-friendly land management without specifying credit amounts or eligibility thresholds.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Environment

in committee · Connecticut · House Feb 11, 2026

HB 5175: AN ACT CONCERNING FUNDING TO HIRE AUDITORS AT THE DEPARTMENT OF REVENUE SERVICES.

HB 5175 appropriates funds to hire 50 additional auditors for the Department of Revenue Services. The bill directs these auditors to help close the state's tax gap by collecting unpaid taxes and assessing applicable penalties and interest. It specifically allocates money from the General Fund for the 2026-2027 fiscal year to support this hiring effort. The bill directly affects the Department of Revenue Services' operations and aims to increase tax revenue collection.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes

Bill results