Rep. Pat Callahan

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 5019 requires battery manufacturers to fund and manage the recycling of consumer batteries after they are discarded, shifting responsibility from taxpayers and local governments. It directly affects battery producers and retailers selling consumer batteries within the state. Key provisions mandate producers to establish collection systems, cover recycling costs, and meet specific recycling rate targets. The bill became law (Public Act 25-34) after the governor signed it on June 10, 2025.

Maddy summarySB 1523 allows farmers and livestock owners to kill wildlife (including black bears) that damage crops or injure/killing livestock without needing a permit. It directly affects agricultural producers facing wildlife conflicts on their property. The bill's key provision exempts these specific lethal actions from standard wildlife protection rules, focusing on immediate property damage. It covers both crop-damaging wildlife and bears harming livestock, without requiring prior authorization. The bill passed the House on June 4, 2025, but was tabled in the Senate.

Maddy summaryHB 7202 establishes two new training initiatives for law enforcement in Connecticut. First, it creates a "social work and law enforcement project" at Southern Connecticut State University to train police and social workers to collaborate, with goals including addressing systemic racism and improving community wellness. Second, it mandates a police training center at Central Connecticut State University focused on crime scene processing and forensic evidence. The bill also significantly increases required training for officers handling juvenile cases (to 27 hours minimum in basic training) and requires new curriculum by 2026 on interacting with people with autism, cognitive impairments, or mental health conditions, developed with input from affected communities. These changes directly affect all Connecticut police officers through updated training requirements.

Maddy summaryHB 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.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates legal immunity for farms offering public agritourism activities (such as corn mazes, farm markets, or hay rides) when participants are injured due to "risks inherent in agritourism," like farm terrain, animal behavior, or normal agricultural equipment. It directly affects agritourism providers (farm owners/operators) and participants who visit these activities. The law grants immunity unless the provider acted negligently, intentionally caused harm, or committed criminal conduct. Exceptions ensure providers remain liable for their own misconduct, not for ordinary farm risks.

Maddy summaryHB 6289 amends Connecticut law to authorize licensed pesticide applicators with Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) drone licenses to use precision drones for analyzing, treating, and applying fertilizers and pesticides to crops. The bill requires the Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP) to update regulations by March 1, 2026, to include drone operations under existing aircraft applicator certification rules. It directly affects commercial and private pesticide applicators who hold both FAA drone operator licenses and pesticide applicator credentials. The law does not change current restrictions on pesticide application near residential areas or alter existing certification fees for traditional aircraft spraying.

Maddy summaryHB 7051 requires the state Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP) to develop a comprehensive black bear management plan in collaboration with the Emergency Services department. The plan must assess bear populations, reduce human-bear conflicts through nonlethal methods, guide public education, and establish protocols for handling bears threatening safety or property. DEEP must submit the initial plan to legislative committees by July 1, 2026, and update it as needed. The bill directly affects state agencies managing wildlife and public safety, aiming to balance bear population sustainability with community protection.

Maddy summarySB 78 requires the Connecticut Siting Council to include local representation for projects involving new facilities like utilities or waste sites. Specifically, it mandates that for such projects, the council must add four temporary members: three local residents from the proposed facility’s municipality and one from a neighboring community likely affected by the project. These local members serve as nonvoting participants during the review process. The bill directly affects municipalities where proposed facilities are located and ensures their input is formally included in the siting decision-making process. It takes effect October 1, 2025.

Maddy summaryHB 6761 prohibits individuals charged with severe animal cruelty - specifically cases involving violence, starvation, or death of an animal - from using accelerated rehabilitation programs. These programs typically allow offenders to avoid criminal penalties through rehabilitation instead of trial. The bill amends Section 54-56e of the general statutes to explicitly exclude such serious animal cruelty charges from eligibility for this alternative. It directly affects defendants facing these specific felony-level animal cruelty charges in court. The change ensures these cases proceed through standard judicial processes rather than alternative resolutions.