Rep. Kerry Wood

Maddy summaryHB 6258 would restrict the use of neonicotinoid insecticides outside of farming. It specifically bans these chemicals for nonagricultural purposes like home gardening, landscaping, and ornamental plant care. The bill amends state statutes to prohibit such uses, aiming to protect pollinators (like bees) and public health. This directly affects homeowners, garden centers, landscapers, and businesses selling pest control products for non-farm applications.

Maddy summaryHB 6274 prohibits the use of steel-jaw leghold traps on bodies of water, such as lakes, rivers, and ponds. This law directly affects trappers who currently use these traps near waterways, banning their deployment in those locations. The bill amends state statutes to create this specific prohibition, focusing on preventing trapping activities in aquatic environments. The measure aims to address concerns about wildlife safety and trapping practices near water, without altering other trapping regulations.

Maddy summarySB 1130 makes it a misdemeanor to intentionally misrepresent a dog as a service animal to gain accommodations under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), including outfitting untrained dogs with service animal gear. It directly affects individuals who falsely claim their pets are service animals to access public spaces, businesses, or other accommodations. The key provision imposes criminal penalties for this specific fraudulent behavior, targeting the use of service animal gear without proper training or certification. The bill aims to protect genuine service animal users by preserving the integrity of ADA protections and preventing disruptions or safety risks caused by unqualified animals.

Maddy summaryHB 5903 would reform how neonicotinoid pesticides are used and regulated in the state, directly affecting farmers, pest control professionals, and gardeners who apply these chemicals. The bill requires amending state statutes to mandate improved public access to data on neonicotinoid applications, including searchable records of locations and usage details. Key provisions include creating a centralized, easily accessible database for the public to view where and when these pesticides are applied. This change aims to increase transparency around pesticide use without specifying new restrictions on the chemicals themselves.

Maddy summaryHB 5902 requires all individuals and businesses breeding animals - including birds and reptiles - to register with the state Department of Agriculture. The bill mandates the Department to establish breeding guidelines, create a public breeder registry, collect registration fees, and conduct annual inspections of registered breeders. This regulation directly affects animal breeders and commercial breeding operations across the state. The law aims to standardize oversight of animal breeding practices under state authority.

Maddy summaryHB 5901 reclassifies beavers from rodents to mammals under state law and prohibits killing beavers or destroying their habitat. The bill directly affects beaver populations and their ecosystems statewide by mandating protections for beaver habitats. Key provisions require the state to develop a plan for restoring and protecting beaver habitats across the state. This legislation aims to provide legal safeguards for beavers and their natural environments through these specific policy changes.

Maddy summaryHB 5900 prohibits the farming of octopus for human consumption and bans using octopus in entertainment settings. The bill directly affects businesses that farm octopus for food (like restaurants or food producers) and venues that use octopus in shows or exhibits (such as aquariums or entertainment parks). It amends state statutes to make these activities illegal, with no exceptions specified. The law focuses solely on banning these two specific uses of octopus, without addressing other octopus-related activities.

Maddy summaryHB 5905 would make it illegal to buy, sell, or trade exotic animals and their body parts within the state. This law directly affects businesses and individuals currently involved in the commercial trade of exotic pets, wildlife products (like skins or bones), and related activities. The key provision is a new state statute that prohibits these transactions, replacing or adding to existing regulations. The bill’s stated purpose is to stop the trade of exotic animals and their parts, with no additional details provided on exceptions or enforcement mechanisms.

Maddy summaryHB 5052 increases the maximum assessed value of farm machinery that qualifies for property tax exemption under state law. This change directly affects farmers and agricultural businesses by expanding the range of machinery eligible for tax relief. The bill amends Section 12-91 of the general statutes to raise the current value threshold, allowing more equipment to be excluded from local property tax assessments. It does not alter other tax rules or create new administrative requirements.

Maddy summaryHB 5957 requires the Public Utilities Regulatory Authority to review the "Combined Public Benefits Charge" on electricity bills and assess whether a 96-hour standard for power restoration after outages imposes undue costs. It directly affects electricity ratepayers by creating a tax credit for those who paid the public benefits charge and prohibits municipal tax assessors from increasing property taxes on homes with solar panels. The bill promotes shared solar/battery projects, encourages smart meter adoption, and mandates more frequent reviews of storm damage costs for ratepayers. It also requires reinvestment of funds from nuclear power plant agreements into energy programs.