Rep. Nick Menapace

Maddy summaryHB 5483 allows Connecticut political parties to voluntarily adopt ranked-choice voting (RCV) for their primary elections, as long as the party files specific rules with the Secretary of the State. Under this bill, voters in participating primaries would rank candidates in order of preference rather than voting for just one candidate. This change directly affects political parties that choose to implement RCV in their nomination processes for elective offices, but it does not require all parties or all elections to use this system.

Maddy summaryHB 5490 extends the time towing companies have to sell towed vehicles from 15 to 60 days, specifically for vehicles valued at $1,500 or less. This change directly affects towing companies and vehicle owners whose cars are towed and left unclaimed, particularly for lower-value vehicles. The bill amends existing law to allow the sale of these vehicles after 60 days instead of the current 15-day period, providing more time for owners to reclaim them before sale. It does not apply to vehicles exceeding the $1,500 value threshold.

Maddy summaryHB 5445 limits the Connecticut Department of Correction’s use of chemical restraints and establishes strict rules for strip searches. It requires probable cause (reasonable suspicion of contraband) before any strip search and mandates that cavity searches be conducted only when necessary and in the least invasive way possible. The bill also requires the Department to report on all uses of these practices to improve transparency. These changes directly affect correctional staff and incarcerated individuals in state facilities.

Maddy summaryHB 5438 establishes Connecticut's ConnectHealth Program, creating a state-run health care option administered through a new Trust account and Advisory Board. It requires the state treasurer (Comptroller) to develop a ConnectHealth Plan offering coverage to employees of small employers, nonprofits, and multiemployer groups. The bill also mandates the Social Services Commissioner to seek a federal waiver amendment to expand dental coverage under the state's medical assistance program. This directly affects small businesses, nonprofit organizations, and their employees by providing a new public health insurance option alongside existing private coverage.

Maddy summaryHB 5460 would provide free bus rides for high school students on state-owned or state-controlled public transportation during two hours before school starts and four hours after school ends. This policy change directly affects all high school students in the state who use these buses during those specific time windows. The bill aims to help students access extracurricular activities and part-time jobs by removing fare costs during these periods. It amends existing transportation statutes to create this exemption, with no additional requirements or funding mechanisms specified in the bill text.

Maddy summaryHB 5430 would expand Connecticut's HUSKY Health program to cover all income-eligible children and young adults up to age 26, regardless of their immigration status. This bill directly affects low-income youth who currently face barriers to health coverage due to immigration status. The key change is removing immigration status as a requirement for eligibility under HUSKY Health, ensuring income-eligible young people can access state-funded health coverage. The bill amends Title 17b of Connecticut's general statutes to implement this change.

Maddy summaryHB 5477 restores a state subsidy for retired teachers' health insurance by requiring the state to pay one-third of the monthly premium cost for their Medicare supplement plans. This directly affects retired teachers who previously received this subsidy but lost it due to prior budget changes. The bill amends state law to mandate the state cover one-third of the full premium, effectively restoring a prior benefit. It does not change eligibility or create new coverage but ensures the state contributes to the cost of existing supplemental insurance.

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 5292 simplifies local permitting for natural infrastructure projects like dune restoration and living shorelines, while encouraging municipalities to adopt sustainable zoning practices to reduce flood risks. It requires local governments to streamline approval processes for these projects and offers technical assistance to help communities integrate resiliency measures into their planning. The bill directly affects cities and towns by changing how they handle zoning and infrastructure permits, with no new taxes or mandates. Its key mechanisms are process simplification, incentives for sustainable zoning adoption, and state-provided technical support. The goal is to promote natural flood mitigation without altering existing land-use authority.

Maddy summaryHB 5247 automatically adjusts annual state funding for nonprofit organizations to match changes in the consumer price index (CPI) or a similar inflation metric. This directly affects nonprofits that receive state appropriations, ensuring their funding keeps pace with rising costs without requiring separate annual legislative action. The key provision replaces manual annual budget adjustments with an automatic formula tied to inflation data. This policy change eliminates the need for lawmakers to vote on yearly funding increases for these organizations.