Rep. Amy Morrin Bello

Maddy summaryHB 5845 appropriates state funds to reimburse school districts for the difference between federal reimbursement rates and the actual cost of providing reduced-price lunches and free breakfasts. It directly affects school districts participating in federal meal programs, covering costs for breakfasts served at no charge to all students and lunches at no charge to students eligible for reduced-price meals. The bill provides $____ from the General Fund for fiscal year 2026 to cover this cost gap, ensuring schools aren’t financially burdened by federal reimbursement shortfalls. This is a concrete policy change to maintain meal program access without altering eligibility rules.

Maddy summaryHB 5772 requires the state to automatically adjust income tax thresholds annually based on changes in the Consumer Price Index (CPI). It directly affects taxpayers whose income falls near the boundary between tax brackets, preventing them from moving into higher tax brackets solely due to inflation. The key provision mandates that these thresholds be recalibrated each year using the CPI to reflect rising costs. This change ensures tax brackets stay aligned with inflation without requiring new annual legislation. The bill applies to the state's personal income tax system.

Maddy summaryHB 5771 would impose a 5% surcharge on net gains from selling investments (like stocks or property) and on dividend/interest income for Connecticut taxpayers with adjusted gross income meeting the threshold for the state's highest tax rate. It directly affects high-income earners who already pay Connecticut's top marginal tax rate. The surcharge applies only to investment gains and income above the income level defined in existing law for the top tax bracket. This would increase tax liability specifically on investment earnings for this income group, without changing other tax rates or brackets.

Maddy summaryHB 5557 designates the fifteenth day of the Hindu lunar calendar's month of Kartik each year as "Diwali, the Festival of Lights" for official recognition. This procedural bill amends state statutes to formally acknowledge Diwali as an annual observance without creating new policies, funding, or obligations. It directly affects state records and official calendars by specifying the date for ceremonial recognition. The bill has no substantive impact on residents, businesses, or government operations beyond this symbolic designation.

Maddy summarySB 734 would ban the use of steel jaw leg hold traps and body crushing traps in the state. These traps, often used in wildlife management or pest control, pose a risk of accidental injury to pets and children who might encounter them. The bill amends existing statutes to prohibit the sale, possession, and use of these specific trap types. This change directly affects trappers, landowners, and property managers who currently use such devices, aiming to prevent unintended harm.

Maddy summaryHB 5419 would increase Connecticut's earned income tax credit to 41.5% of the federal credit and expand eligibility to include households earning under 300% of the federal poverty guidelines. This change would directly benefit low-income working families and individuals who currently earn too much to qualify under the existing threshold. The bill modifies existing law to both raise the credit percentage and lower the income limit for claiming the state tax credit. It does not alter the federal credit amount or change other eligibility requirements.

Maddy summaryHB 5338 would require the state Department of Public Health to establish a licensing system for dance/movement therapists. This bill directly affects therapists who practice in the state, as they would need a license to work legally. The key provision mandates the Department of Public Health to develop and administer this licensing process, including setting qualifications and standards. The bill does not specify exact requirements but creates a framework for regulating this profession.

Maddy summaryHB 5251 allocates $240 million from the General Fund to the Department of Education for the 2025-2026 fiscal year to fully fund the special education excess cost grant. This directly affects public school districts that serve students with disabilities, as the grant covers costs exceeding standard funding for special education programs. The bill requires the Department of Education to use these funds to cover the full excess costs for eligible students under existing law (section 10-76g of the general statutes). The funding aims to ensure school districts receive complete reimbursement for specialized services, eliminating current shortfalls in special education support.

Maddy summaryHB 5290 prohibits historic district commissions from denying certificates of appropriateness for solar energy systems installed on rear-facing roofs of structures within historic districts. The bill directly affects property owners and businesses in historic districts seeking to install solar panels, removing a potential barrier to renewable energy adoption. It amends Connecticut's general statutes to require commissions to approve such installations on rear roofs, ensuring solar development aligns with historic preservation standards without undue restriction. This change applies specifically to rear-facing roof installations, not other solar placements.

Maddy summaryHB 5257 amends state law to expand eligibility for special education services to children experiencing developmental delay from age five to age nine. This change directly affects young children with developmental delays who previously lost access to services at age five, allowing them to receive support through age nine. The key provision modifies Section 10-76a of the general statutes to extend the age limit, ensuring earlier and continued access to educational support. The bill aims to provide more time for early intervention and developmentally appropriate learning.