Rep. Henry Genga

Maddy summaryHB 7174 establishes a legislative working group to study how to strengthen protections for vegetated riparian buffers (vegetation along waterways) in Connecticut. The group, including representatives from environmental groups, homebuilders, farmers, municipalities, and water utilities, will review other states' approaches, assess current state programs, and examine legal implications by January 15, 2026. It will recommend specific changes to statutes or regulations to improve watercourse health while balancing private property rights and climate goals. This bill does not enact new protections but creates a process for future policy development.

Maddy summarySB 1527 implements a recommendation from the state Auditors of Public Accounts regarding nonlapsing accounts - funds that carry over year-to-year without expiring. The bill requires state agencies to follow new management rules for these accounts to improve fiscal oversight and transparency. It directly affects all state departments handling nonlapsing funds, such as those for ongoing programs or capital projects. The bill became law as Public Act 25-110 after the governor signed it on June 24, 2025.

Maddy summarySB 1320 implements recommendations from the Department of Administrative Services regarding building safety and accessibility rules. It updates requirements for acting building officials, modifies certain parking space regulations, and changes the process for elevator safety certifications. These changes directly affect building owners, property managers, and elevator maintenance companies who must comply with the new standards. The bill became law as Public Act 25-108 after the governor signed it on June 24, 2025.

Maddy summaryHB 7098 requires the state to refund tuition paid to Stone Academy for students who attended the academy before its closure. It directly affects former students who paid tuition to Stone Academy during its operation. The bill establishes a process for these students to receive refunds from state funds, ensuring they are reimbursed for tuition paid prior to the academy's closure. This legislation became effective as Public Act 25-88 after the governor signed it on June 23, 2025.

Maddy summarySB 1284 gives local governments new authority to regulate recreational vehicles (like ATVs and dirt bikes) and prohibit "street takeovers" through municipal ordinances. It allows towns to set fines (up to $2,000 for repeat offenses) and seize vehicles for violations, while requiring notice to owners before forfeiture and protecting innocent owners/lienholders. The bill also defines "street takeover" and lets municipalities ban such gatherings, imposing fines and impounding vehicles used in violations until fines are paid. Violations could lead to driver's license suspensions for repeat offenses under linked state law. These changes take effect in July 2025 for vehicle rules and October 2025 for street takeover provisions.

Maddy summarySB 8 would have amended unemployment benefit rules to protect workers during labor disputes by removing a provision that previously denied benefits if a dispute lasted 14 days after December 2026. It directly affected workers who lost jobs due to strikes or lockouts, ensuring they could retain benefits unless they participated in or financially supported the dispute. The bill changed eligibility rules to clarify that lockouts (defined as employers refusing work during negotiations) wouldn’t automatically disqualify workers from benefits. However, Governor Ned Lamont vetoed the bill on June 23, 2025, preventing these changes from taking effect. The veto means current unemployment rules remain in place for workers facing labor disputes.

Maddy summaryHB 5001, now Public Act 25-67, updates Connecticut's standards for special education services to improve quality and accessibility. It directly affects students with disabilities, their families, and school districts by establishing new requirements for service delivery and accountability. The bill includes specific provisions for individualized education program (IEP) reviews, staff training, and parent communication protocols. While the exact mechanisms aren't detailed in the provided context, the law mandates these structural changes to enhance support for students. As a substantive law, it replaces prior requirements for special education services across Connecticut public schools.

Maddy summarySB 1239 creates the Fallen Hero Fund to provide ongoing health insurance coverage for surviving spouses and dependents of first responders (like police, firefighters, and EMTs) who die while performing their duties. The bill establishes a permanent program where the fund covers the full cost of health insurance premiums for these survivors. This law, now Public Act 25-61 after being signed by the governor on June 10, 2025, directly affects the families of fallen first responders by ensuring they maintain health coverage without out-of-pocket costs.

Maddy summarySB 1259 authorizes a study to identify strategies for supporting and increasing student enrollment at the University of Connecticut's Waterbury campus. The bill directs state officials to examine specific approaches to improve enrollment at this campus location. It does not implement new policies or funding but creates a formal process to analyze enrollment challenges and potential solutions. This is a procedural bill focused solely on conducting the study, not on changing campus operations or student access.

Maddy summaryThis bill revises Connecticut's alcohol regulations by redefining "case price" (specifying exact bottle counts for different sizes, like six 1.75L bottles per case) and updating permit rules to require annual renewal for most businesses, with limited exceptions for 6-month permits. It also clarifies farm winery permits, allowing direct shipping of wine to Connecticut consumers (with a 15-gallon container limit) and expanding on retail sales options at farm premises. These changes directly affect alcohol retailers, manufacturers, and farm wineries by altering packaging standards, permit terms, and direct sales capabilities. The bill takes effect October 1, 2025.