Rep. Aundré Bumgardner

Maddy summaryHB 6889 protects specific tenants from no-cause evictions in multi-unit buildings (5+ units) or mobile home parks. It applies to seniors (62+), people with qualifying disabilities, or tenants who've lived there 13+ months. Landlords may only evict for reasons like nonpayment, serious lease violations affecting health/safety, or specific "for personal use" scenarios (requiring 90-day notice and proof no other units are available). The bill also requires rent increases for protected tenants to be "fair and equitable," with disputes resolved through local commissions or courts. It takes effect October 1, 2025.

Maddy summaryHB 7021 appropriates $10 million from the General Fund for Connecticut’s Supplemental Nutrition Commodities Assistance Program, effective July 2025. The program funds Connecticut Foodshare (formerly the Connecticut Food Bank) to buy bulk nutritious food in-state and distribute it free to soup kitchens, food pantries, and emergency shelters. It requires at least 15% of annual funds to purchase produce from Connecticut farmers and mandates a 3% annual funding increase starting July 2026. The bill allows, but does not require, these organizations to charge a 5-cent-per-pound handling fee to cover distribution costs.

Maddy summaryThis bill would allow striking workers to receive unemployment benefits after 14 consecutive days of strike, effective for labor disputes beginning December 14, 2026. Currently, most striking workers are ineligible for benefits during labor disputes. The change applies to workers not involved in the dispute (e.g., non-union employees) or who have not participated in the strike for 14+ days, but excludes situations involving employer lockouts. The law takes effect October 1, 2025, though the eligibility rule starts in 2026.

Maddy summarySB 1228 designates "Indigenous Peoples' Day" as a new legal state holiday, adding it to the list of recognized holidays in Connecticut law. The bill does not specify a date for observance, so the holiday will be celebrated on an unspecified day each year. This change affects state employees (who receive paid time off for legal holidays), banks/credit unions (which close on legal holidays), and public schools (which may choose to close or hold educational programs on the day, following existing rules). The bill takes effect July 1, 2025, and has no fiscal impact because the date remains unspecified.

Maddy summaryHB 5017 requires tire retailers in Connecticut to join a state-approved tire recycling program by January 1, 2026. Retailers who fail to participate will be prohibited from selling tires in the state after that date. The law builds on a 2023 law requiring tire producers to join such programs by 2025, mandating that retailers participate in the same statewide system. The program must establish free public tire drop-off, ensure discarded tires are recycled or resold, and provide public education - financed solely by tire producers. This directly affects all tire retailers operating in Connecticut, making participation mandatory for continued sales.

Maddy summarySB 78 requires the Connecticut Siting Council to include local representation for projects involving new facilities like utilities or waste sites. Specifically, it mandates that for such projects, the council must add four temporary members: three local residents from the proposed facility’s municipality and one from a neighboring community likely affected by the project. These local members serve as nonvoting participants during the review process. The bill directly affects municipalities where proposed facilities are located and ensures their input is formally included in the siting decision-making process. It takes effect October 1, 2025.

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 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 summaryHB 5749 requires new residential and commercial developments, major renovations (increasing wastewater by 25%+), and replacements of failing systems in "environmentally sensitive areas" to install nitrogen-reducing septic systems. These systems must meet performance standards set by the Department of Public Health and undergo annual inspections. The bill applies to properties in designated zones at risk from nitrogen pollution, such as coastal areas, watersheds, and near drinking water sources. It takes effect October 1, 2025, with departments required to establish standards and designate sensitive areas by March 2026.

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.