Rep. Liz Linehan

Maddy summaryHB 5155 requires Connecticut's Department of Energy and Environmental Protection to create an online database tracking pesticide sales and use by December 2028, replacing older reporting methods. The database will make public access to historical pesticide data (from Chapter 441 of state law) and include pesticide-treated seed information collected with the Department of Agriculture. It allocates $100,000 for development in fiscal year 2027. This directly affects pesticide sellers and users (who must report through the new system) and provides the public with clearer access to where, what, and how much pesticides are used statewide.

Maddy summaryHB 5144 appropriates funds to cover the cost difference between federal reimbursement rates for reduced-price school meals and full-price meals. It directly affects public school districts participating in federal meal programs by allowing them to provide free breakfasts to all students and free lunches to students already eligible for reduced-price meals. The bill’s key mechanism is reimbursing districts for the gap between what the federal government pays and the actual cost of serving these meals. This policy change ensures schools can maintain these meal programs without charging eligible students, as specified in the bill’s purpose statement.

Maddy summaryHB 5134 establishes a refundable child tax credit of $600 per child for families with up to three children. It directly affects low-to-moderate income households, specifically those with federal adjusted gross income under $100,000 for single filers or $200,000 for married couples filing jointly. The credit is refundable, meaning eligible families may receive the full credit amount even if it exceeds their income tax liability. This policy change reduces tax burden for qualifying families with children, using the state’s personal income tax system to provide direct financial support.

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 summaryHB 6248 increases the penalty for illegally taking striped bass in Connecticut waters to a flat $250 fine per violation, replacing previous tiered fines ($154 for inland waters, $75 for marine waters). It applies directly to anglers who violate state regulations on striped bass size limits, daily catch limits, or seasonal restrictions. The bill classifies violations as non-criminal infractions, allowing offenders to pay the fine by mail instead of facing court. This change affects anyone fishing for striped bass in Connecticut's waters who exceeds legal limits or harvests fish illegally.

Maddy summaryHB 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.

Maddy summaryHB 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.

Maddy summaryHB 6231 restricts the euthanization of feral cats to only public health dangers (like rabies) or severe injury requiring humane euthanasia by a licensed vet. It requires municipalities to create registration systems for feral cat keepers (people regularly feeding or housing feral cats), mandating rabies vaccinations and sterilization for those cats. The bill also prohibits individuals convicted of animal abuse from serving as animal control officers and establishes a working group to study how animal rescue organizations can assist municipal shelters, including reducing animal holding times and improving officer training. These changes directly affect cat keepers, animal control officers, and municipal animal control facilities.

Maddy summaryHB 6052 amends Connecticut's Home Solicitation Sales Act to explicitly include residential solar photovoltaic systems (solar panels) as covered "consumer goods" under the law. This means solar companies selling directly to homeowners through door-to-door or in-home presentations must now follow the same consumer protections as other home solicitation sales, including the 3-day cooling-off period for cancellations. The bill directly affects solar installation companies and homeowners purchasing residential solar systems through home visits. Key mechanisms include redefining "consumer good" to specifically list solar systems and clarifying that sales of these systems fall under the existing Home Solicitation Sales Act rules, which require written contracts and cancellation rights. The law takes effect October 1, 2025.

Maddy summaryHB 6226 limits how long municipal shelters and pounds can hold animals seized under court order to 90 days. After 90 days, shelters must partner with an approved animal rescue organization to provide temporary foster care in a safe home. Shelters must accept assistance from these approved groups, including allowing their representatives to inspect facilities and help care for the animals. The bill aims to ensure seized animals receive reasonable care and a temporary foster placement while awaiting legal resolution.