Rep. Corey Paris

Maddy summaryHB 5158 prohibits colleges in the state from reducing a student's financial aid package simply because the student receives a scholarship from any source (private or public). It directly affects students receiving scholarships and public/private institutions of higher education. The bill defines "financial aid" to include scholarships, grants, and federal/state aid (but excludes student loans), and allows reductions only if total aid already covers the student's full cost of attendance or to comply with athletic aid rules for NCAA athletes. This takes effect July 1, 2026.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a new Academic Research Funding Commission within the Executive Department to distribute research grants to faculty at Connecticut colleges and universities. The commission will include 13 members appointed by various state officials, including university leaders, legislative leaders, and industry representatives, with co-chairs from the vice presidents of research at UConn and Yale. Its primary function is to award grants that help offset research funding reductions caused by cuts from federal agencies like the National Institutes of Health and National Science Foundation. The commission will operate without compensation for its members, who will receive expense reimbursements, and will establish its own procedures through bylaws.

Maddy summaryThis bill authorizes the University of Connecticut to join the Association of Research Universities by mandating the hiring of at least ten top-tier research faculty members by June 2029. The legislation requires the university to submit annual progress reports to the state legislature and allocates $35 million in state funding for faculty salaries and benefits. Additionally, it grants the State Bond Commission authority to issue up to $20 million in state bonds to finance infrastructure improvements like laboratory space and equipment needed to support the new faculty. These provisions aim to enhance the university's research capabilities and competitive standing while establishing accountability through regular reporting requirements.

Maddy summarySB 8 creates a new Supplemental Graduate Student Loan Program administered by Connecticut's Higher Education Supplemental Loan Authority. It provides state-funded loans to graduate students enrolled in eligible programs (requiring a bachelor's degree) starting July 1, 2026, with funding secured through a $10 million state bond issue. The program uses a dedicated account to issue loans for graduate education, with repayment terms established by the loan authority. This directly affects Connecticut graduate students seeking financial support for advanced degree programs.

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 5187 adjusts the state's budget management rules by changing how the threshold for transferring revenue to volatility funds is calculated, shifting to an inflation-adjusted five-year moving average instead of the current method. It also increases the maximum capacity of the Budget Reserve Fund to 20% of net General Fund appropriations. These changes aim to stabilize state budgeting by better accounting for inflation and allowing a larger reserve for fiscal uncertainty. The bill affects the state's budgeting procedures and the legislature's oversight of the Budget Reserve Fund.

Maddy summaryHB 5133 increases the highest marginal personal income tax rate from 6.99% to 7.99%. This change directly affects high-income earners who currently pay the top tax rate under the state's income tax structure. The bill amends Section 12-700 of the general statutes to implement this specific percentage increase, with no other provisions or mechanisms described in the text. The measure focuses solely on adjusting the tax rate for the highest income bracket.

Maddy summaryHB 5186 adjusts Connecticut's affected business entity tax and related credits for businesses claiming federal qualified business income deductions. It adds a 1% surcharge on the business entity tax and a 10% surcharge on federal deductions claimed by filers in the highest tax bracket. The bill also modifies tax credits: reducing the credit to 83.6% for high-bracket filers while increasing it to 93.01% for lower-bracket filers. These changes directly impact businesses using federal pass-through income deductions, particularly those in Connecticut's top tax rate category.

Maddy summaryHB 5185 would impose a surcharge on capital gains and dividends for Connecticut taxpayers with adjusted gross income meeting the threshold for the state's highest marginal income tax rate. It directly affects high-income earners subject to Connecticut's top tax bracket, specifically targeting net gains from selling investments and dividend income. The bill amends state tax law to add this surcharge to the existing tax calculation for qualifying taxpayers. The policy change is a direct revenue measure applying only to those already paying the highest rate on ordinary income.

Maddy summaryHB 5139 establishes two key estate tax provisions: (1) an estate tax recapture for estates exceeding $15 million in value, requiring additional tax payment if the effective rate falls below 2%, and (2) an alternative minimum estate tax to ensure the effective tax rate never drops below 2%. This bill directly affects high-value estates (over $15 million) by preventing tax avoidance through low effective rates. The recapture mechanism targets estates that would otherwise pay minimal tax relative to their value, while the alternative minimum tax sets a floor on the tax rate. These provisions aim to maintain revenue from large estates under the state's tax code.