Rep. Ben McGorty

Maddy summaryHB 5206 establishes a tax credit of up to $2,500 against personal income tax for volunteer firefighters who meet specific service requirements. The credit directly affects volunteer firefighters certified by their fire chief as having completed the required service hours. Key provisions require fire chiefs to verify qualifying service, with the credit applying against the individual's state income tax liability. This policy change provides direct financial relief to eligible volunteer firefighters without altering tax rates or creating new obligations for the state.

Maddy summaryHB 5273 requires children under age 12 to wear personal flotation devices (PFDs) while on any public dock, wharf, or pier in the state, effective October 1, 2026. The law directly affects young children and parents or guardians responsible for them in public waterfront areas. It mandates PFD use per federal standards (33 CFR 175.13), overriding local laws that might conflict. The bill applies only to public structures, not boats or private property.

Maddy summarySB 20 increases the daily payment rate for members and alternate members of the State Board of Labor Relations from $150 to $300 per day. This bill directly affects individuals serving on the State Board of Labor Relations who attend board meetings or perform related duties. The key provision amends section 31-102 of the general statutes to establish the new rate, effective upon enactment. The change applies only to the per diem compensation for board service and does not alter other aspects of the board's operations or responsibilities.

Maddy summaryHB 5309 requires healthcare providers to provide specific counseling to minors (under 18) seeking abortion services, including explaining pregnancy alternatives, birth control resources, and the option to involve parents. The bill mandates that providers give at least 48 hours' written notice to one parent or legal guardian before performing an abortion, unless the minor reports abuse by a parent/guardian - then notice may go to a sibling, stepparent, grandparent, or other adult over 21. Providers must document the counseling and notice process in a signed form kept with the minor's medical record. This law directly affects minors seeking abortion care in Connecticut and the healthcare providers who treat them.

Maddy summaryHB 5010 would amend state tax law to exclude tips or gratuities and overtime pay from taxable personal income. This change directly affects workers who earn these specific income types, such as servers, hospitality staff, and hourly employees receiving overtime. The bill's key provision requires updating the tax code to remove these earnings from the base used to calculate personal income tax. As a result, individuals would pay income tax only on their regular wages, not on declared tips or overtime earnings.

Maddy summarySB 105 eliminates specific fees for occupational and professional licenses, permits, certifications, and registrations. It directly affects speech-language pathologists (removing their license fees), professionals regulated by the Department of Consumer Protection (removing their license, permit, certification, and registration fees), and teachers (removing teaching certificate fees). The bill removes these fees by amending general statutes to delete the associated charges. This is a concrete policy change focused solely on reducing costs for these regulated professions, as stated in the bill's purpose.

Maddy summarySB 189 would remove income limits that currently restrict who can deduct Social Security benefits from their state personal income tax. Currently, taxpayers with higher incomes cannot claim this deduction, but the bill would eliminate those thresholds, making the deduction available to all state residents receiving Social Security benefits regardless of their total income. The bill amends section 12-701 of the state tax code to achieve this change. This policy adjustment directly affects taxpayers who rely on Social Security benefits and file state income tax returns.

Maddy summarySB 129 allocates funds from the state General Fund to the Department of Agriculture for dairy farmer sustainability during the 2026-2027 fiscal year. It directly provides financial support to dairy farmers in the state to help stabilize their operations. The key mechanism is a dedicated appropriation to fund programs that support dairy farm sustainability, as stated in the bill's purpose. This policy change offers direct funding assistance to dairy farmers without specifying additional requirements or eligibility details.

Maddy summaryHB 5089 would exempt overtime wages, tips or gratuities, and Social Security benefits from the state's personal income tax. This directly affects workers who earn overtime pay, receive tips (like in restaurants), or rely on Social Security benefits as part of their income. The bill's key mechanism is amending tax law to remove these specific income sources from taxable personal income. It does not change tax rates for other income types, focusing solely on these exemptions.

Maddy summaryHB 5071 appropriates funds from the General Fund for the 2026-2027 fiscal year to increase Medicaid reimbursement rates for private healthcare providers. This bill directly affects private doctors, clinics, and other medical providers who treat Medicaid patients by raising the payments they receive from the state. The funding implements "phase one" of a Medicaid rate study, aiming to adjust payment rates based on that study's findings. The bill does not change eligibility or coverage but modifies how much providers are paid for services.