Rep. Aundré Bumgardner

Maddy summaryThis bill creates legal immunity for farms offering public agritourism activities (such as corn mazes, farm markets, or hay rides) when participants are injured due to "risks inherent in agritourism," like farm terrain, animal behavior, or normal agricultural equipment. It directly affects agritourism providers (farm owners/operators) and participants who visit these activities. The law grants immunity unless the provider acted negligently, intentionally caused harm, or committed criminal conduct. Exceptions ensure providers remain liable for their own misconduct, not for ordinary farm risks.

Maddy summaryThis symbolic resolution (HR 10) recognizes the cultural heritage of Taíno descendants in Connecticut. It affirms their historical and ongoing contributions to the state without conferring tribal status, land claims, or sovereignty. The resolution supports collaboration with Taíno cultural organizations to promote awareness and language revitalization, with no fiscal impact on state or municipal budgets. (House Favorable, Committee Report: March 26, 2025)

Maddy summaryThis is a symbolic resolution (not a law) condemning the 1638 Treaty of Hartford, which historically sought to erase Pequot cultural identity by banning their return to ancestral lands, abolishing their tribal name, and forcing assimilation or enslavement. It has no current policy impact or effect on any individuals or communities, as it solely expresses the legislature's historical condemnation of past actions. The resolution was passed unanimously by the Government Administration and Elections Committee and has no fiscal implications.

Maddy summaryHB 7012 establishes a 10-member working group to address antisemitism in public schools, effective July 1, 2025. The group will assist schools by helping update safety policies, providing educator training on antisemitism, and developing curriculum resources about Jewish heritage and Holocaust education - aligning with existing social studies requirements. It directly affects students, families, educators, and school personnel in public schools across the state. The working group must submit its first report by February 1, 2026, to the education committee.

Maddy summaryHB 5111 requires mobile manufactured home park owners in Connecticut to create and publicly post an itemized list of all "ancillary fees" (such as maintenance or service fees not included in rent) by October 1, 2025. Park owners must update this list regularly and display it on their website and within the park. The bill also mandates that park owners provide residents with a plain-language disclosure statement summarizing their rights and obligations under the law, developed by the Department of Consumer Protection. This directly affects park owners (who must comply with transparency requirements) and residents (who gain clearer information about fees and their rights). The law aims to increase transparency in mobile home park billing practices.

Maddy summaryHB 7159 creates "yellow envelopes" to help first responders (police, firefighters, and emergency medical personnel) better communicate with people who have cognitive impairments or physical disabilities. The bill requires the Motor Vehicle Commissioner to design these envelopes - holding ID documents and containing communication guidance - and develop awareness materials like wallet cards and stickers. People with disabilities (or their guardians) can request these free envelopes and materials from first responder offices, such as police stations or ambulance services. The law aims to improve interactions during emergencies by providing clear, accessible resources for both responders and individuals with disabilities.

Maddy summarySB 1243 exempts veterans with a state-issued veteran ID (like a driver's license marking veteran status) from paying bus fares on state-operated routes. It also creates a program allowing public high schools (grades 9-12) to obtain discounted or free bus passes for students, requiring schools to negotiate contracts with the Department of Transportation to cover costs. The DOT must publish program details online by August 2025 and report annually on pass usage and expenses. This directly affects veterans seeking free bus access and school districts participating in the student pass program.

Maddy summaryHB 6914 revises Connecticut's Harbor Management Act to clarify that state and municipal officials must consider written recommendations from harbor management commissions (e.g., in comment letters) when making regulatory decisions or approving development in a harbor's jurisdiction. This applies only to recommendations derived from an already-approved harbor management plan, which already binds officials to follow its content unless they demonstrate cause for deviation. The bill does not create new regulations but ensures existing plan recommendations are formally considered in future decisions. It has no fiscal impact on state or municipal budgets, as confirmed by the bill analysis.

Maddy summaryHB 7172, titled "AN ACT CONCERNING THE SEWAGE RIGHT-TO-KNOW ACT," requires Connecticut's Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP) to create a real-time public notification system for sewage spills and permitted bypasses. The system, effective by December 1, 2026, will allow residents to choose alerts via phone, email, or text within two hours of DEEP receiving a report - without relying on social media. It directly affects the public by providing faster, accessible information about sewage incidents impacting waterways or communities. The bill amends statute 22a-424a(c)(4) to mandate this transparency, ensuring timely updates for residents near wastewater systems.

Maddy summaryHB 6955 requires construction contractors to pay workers directly if subcontractors fail to pay their wages, effective October 1, 2025. It applies to most commercial construction projects (excluding public works and most residential renovations, like single-family homes or small apartment complexes under 15 units). Contractors become jointly liable for unpaid wages owed by subcontractors, though they may include contract terms for subcontractor nonpayment as long as workers' legal rights remain intact. The bill updates wage recovery laws to clarify contractor responsibility and strengthen enforcement for unpaid labor on covered projects.