HB 5013 establishes a registration fee for electric vehicles and plug-in hybrid electric vehicles, and imposes a per-kilowatt-hour tax on electricity purchased at public electric vehicle charging stations. This bill directly affects EV owners through the new registration fee and charging station operators through the electricity tax. Revenue from both the fee and tax must be deposited into the Special Transportation Fund. The legislation aims to generate dedicated funding for transportation infrastructure without specifying how the money will be spent beyond this allocation.
SB 139 increases the state appropriation for the Special Education and Expansion Development Grant by $191 million for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2027. This funding directly supports students with special education needs and helps school districts manage unpredictable costs associated with special education services. The bill amends existing law to boost the grant amount, aiming to stabilize school district budgets and ensure consistent support for these students. It does not alter eligibility or service requirements but provides additional financial resources for existing programs.
SB 370 requires Connecticut's Commissioner of Administrative Services to adjust the hourly pay for adjunct fire instructors at the Connecticut Fire Academy each year starting July 1, 2026. The adjustment must match the percentage increase from the most recent state-wide wage agreement between the state and its employee bargaining coalition, including any cost-of-living adjustments. This directly affects adjunct fire instructors employed by the Connecticut Fire Academy, ensuring their pay rises in line with general state employee compensation changes. The bill takes effect on July 1, 2026, and applies to all subsequent fiscal years.
SB 97 creates a personal income tax credit equal to 25% of the value of food donated by taxpayers during a taxable year. This credit directly affects individuals and businesses that donate food to eligible recipients (such as charities or food banks). The key mechanism is a dollar-for-dollar reduction in tax liability based on the donated food's value, calculated annually. The bill aims to incentivize food donations by making them financially beneficial for donors without altering existing tax rates or creating new requirements for recipients.
SB 101 would create a new statewide property tax on residential properties valued over $3 million. It sets three tax rates based on property value: 0.2% (2 mills) for homes worth $3-5 million, 0.3% (3 mills) for $5-10 million properties, and 0.4% (4 mills) for homes valued at $10 million or more. This tax would apply uniformly across the state to qualifying high-value residential properties, directly affecting owners of such homes. The bill specifies the tax rates but does not detail how the revenue would be allocated.
HB 5026 would allow taxpayers to deduct premiums paid for long-term care insurance from their personal income tax. This directly affects individuals who purchase long-term care insurance policies, reducing their taxable income by the amount paid for these premiums. The bill adds this deduction to the state's tax code, meaning eligible taxpayers would subtract their qualifying insurance costs when calculating their income tax liability. It does not change eligibility for long-term care insurance itself, only provides a tax benefit for those who already have coverage. The policy creates a concrete tax reduction for a specific type of insurance expense.
SB 363 allows municipalities to charge commercial property owners a fee of $5 per square foot annually for properties that remain vacant in designated districts for more than 180 days in a year. It directly affects commercial property owners in specific zones (like downtown areas) who leave properties unused, while exempting properties under active renovation, facing regulatory delays, or impacted by disasters. The fee is due alongside regular property taxes and can be appealed through existing legal channels. This bill creates a direct financial incentive for property owners to occupy or develop vacant commercial spaces in targeted areas.
HB 5112 exempts taxpayers from state personal income tax on debt relief received for student loans or medical debt. It directly affects individuals who have had these debts forgiven by state or federal programs. The bill amends tax law to exclude the amount of debt relief (from both state and federal sources) from taxable income. This creates a concrete policy change: taxpayers no longer owe state income tax on forgiven student or medical debt amounts.
HB 5122 authorizes the state to issue up to $2.5 million in bonds to fund technological and electrical upgrades at municipal firehouses. The bill directly affects local fire departments by providing them with state grants for infrastructure improvements. Funds will be distributed through the Department of Emergency Services and Public Protection, specifically for non-structural upgrades like modernizing electrical systems or adding safety technology to firehouse facilities. The bill does not change existing funding mechanisms but creates a new grant program for these specific upgrades.
HB 5292 exempts sales of tangible personal property or services to qualifying military and veterans' organizations from state sales and use taxes. The bill specifically targets organizations recognized under IRS Section 501(c)(19) (veterans' organizations) and requires them to provide documentation, such as a Treasury Department determination letter or an existing exemption permit, to prove eligibility at the time of purchase. This exemption applies to items used exclusively for the organization's established purposes, with the organization liable for taxes if items are misused. The change takes effect October 1, 2026, for all sales occurring on or after that date.
