Rep. Kerry Wood

Maddy summaryHB 6973 allows towns, cities, or boroughs to negotiate with volunteer firefighters and ambulance service members how much they pay toward group health insurance premiums, instead of requiring volunteers to cover 100% of the cost. It applies to active members of volunteer fire/ambulance organizations in municipalities that already offer employee group health plans. Volunteers must still elect coverage, meet active-status requirements, and pay a negotiated share of the premium (not 100%). The bill takes effect October 1, 2025, and does not require municipalities to offer this option.

Maddy summaryHB 6915 bans the use of certain second-generation anticoagulant rodenticides (containing brodifacoum, bromadiolone, difenacoum, or difethialone) statewide starting October 1, 2025, affecting most residential, commercial, and general pest control uses. Key exceptions allow continued use for public health activities (e.g., water infrastructure protection, mosquito control), emergency rodent infestations requiring public health approval, specific facilities like medical waste sites and food production facilities, and agricultural operations in designated locations (warehouses, slaughterhouses, etc.). The bill also requires the Environmental Protection Commissioner to develop wildlife protection regulations and submit a 2027 report analyzing impacts on public health, agriculture, and federal compliance. This policy change directly affects pest control businesses, property managers, and agricultural operations while permitting limited uses for public health and critical infrastructure needs.

Maddy summaryHB 7080 establishes a Center of Excellence for Neuromodulation Treatments for Veterans at the University of Connecticut Health Center. The bill directly affects Connecticut veterans by creating access to targeted nerve stimulation treatments (like electrical or chemical therapies for neurological conditions) through this new center. It appropriates $2 million from the General Fund for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2026, to establish the center and provide these treatments. The center may also collaborate with other state hospitals to deliver these services to veterans.

Maddy summaryHB 5112 prohibits pet stores from buying or obtaining dogs, cats, or rabbits for sale starting October 1, 2025. This directly affects pet store owners who must stop purchasing these animals, though they may still host licensed animal shelters for adoption events under strict conditions. The law allows pet stores to provide space for 501(c)(3) shelters to showcase animals for adoption without compensation, but bans any sale or transfer of these animals by stores. Violations carry a maximum $500 fine. The bill does not restrict private breeders or pet owners.

Maddy summaryHB 7176 modifies Connecticut's sales tax rates for specific goods and services. It imposes a 7.75% tax on luxury items like vehicles over $75,000, jewelry over $5,000, and high-end clothing/accessories over $1,000. The bill also maintains a 4.5% tax rate for military members on vehicle purchases (with proof of active duty) and adds a 1% tax on restaurant meals and beverages. These changes affect retailers selling luxury goods, hotels, restaurants, and consumers purchasing these specific items or services.

Maddy summarySB 63 requires future offshore wind developers to implement stronger wildlife and fisheries protections. It mandates that projects include enhanced mitigation measures (like retraining for affected fishermen) and make mandatory payments into an independent fund. The fund, managed by a dedicated oversight committee - not the developers - will cover ongoing harm to fisheries, wildlife, and the environment from wind project operations. This applies to all new offshore wind proposals after October 2026.

Maddy summaryHB 6830 requires all members and employees of Connecticut's inland wetlands agencies to complete a free, comprehensive training program developed by the Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP). Existing members/staff must complete initial training by January 1, 2027, and retrain every four years or per elected/appointed term (whichever is longer), while new members/staff must train within one year of joining. The bill mandates annual reporting by agencies (starting March 1, 2027) to confirm compliance, though failure to complete training does not invalidate agency actions. The training will be available online via DEEP's website, replacing the current requirement that only one person per agency complete training annually.

Maddy summaryHB 6774 requires long-term care facilities (including nursing homes, residential care homes, hospices, and assisted living agencies) to conduct background checks on employees, contractors, and volunteers with "direct access" to residents - meaning physical access that could enable abuse or neglect. The bill mandates checks against criminal history records and patient abuse registries before hiring or contracting, with results reported to the Department of Public Health. Facilities may accept background checks completed within the past three years if no disqualifying offenses were found, and the Department may temporarily suspend requirements during emergencies. The law takes effect October 1, 2025, updating existing background check standards for facility staff.

Maddy summaryHB 6236 prohibits waterfowl and bird hunting in specific sections of Morris Cove in New Haven. The bill requires the Department of Energy and Environmental Protection to enforce this ban, effective immediately upon passage. This directly affects hunters in the Morris Cove area and aims to improve safety and quality of life for local residents, as stated in the bill's purpose.

Maddy summaryHB 5904 requires the Department of Public Health to share investigation details with pet owners and complaint filers during and after investigations into alleged veterinarian misconduct against a pet. The bill amends existing law to mandate this information-sharing, replacing prior confidentiality rules that prevented disclosure to these parties. Specifically, it directs the department to provide updates and findings to both the person who filed the complaint and the pet owner throughout the investigation process. This change ensures affected pet owners and complainants receive direct information about the status and outcome of investigations involving their animals. The bill does not alter the investigation process itself but focuses on transparency for those directly impacted.