Rep. Aundré Bumgardner

Maddy summaryHB 5194 authorizes the state to issue up to $300,000 in bonds to fund accessibility upgrades for the New England Science and Sailing Foundation. The funds, administered through the Department of Education, will ensure the Foundation's facilities meet federal Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) physical accessibility standards. This bill directly affects the Foundation by providing targeted grant funding for compliance, rather than general operational support. The legislation specifies the funds must be used solely for accessibility improvements and expires after the 2027 fiscal year.

Maddy summarySB 129 allocates funds from the state General Fund to the Department of Agriculture for dairy farmer sustainability during the 2026-2027 fiscal year. It directly provides financial support to dairy farmers in the state to help stabilize their operations. The key mechanism is a dedicated appropriation to fund programs that support dairy farm sustainability, as stated in the bill's purpose. This policy change offers direct funding assistance to dairy farmers without specifying additional requirements or eligibility details.

Maddy summaryHB 5136 dedicates an additional 1% sales and use tax collected on meals sold by restaurants, caterers, and grocery stores to two specific purposes. The revenue must be distributed to the municipalities where the tax was collected and deposited into the state's Tourism Fund (under § 10-395b). This bill directly affects businesses selling prepared meals and the local governments receiving the redistributed funds. It creates a new, mandatory allocation for this tax revenue stream without changing the tax rate itself.

Maddy summaryHB 5134 establishes a refundable child tax credit of $600 per child for families with up to three children. It directly affects low-to-moderate income households, specifically those with federal adjusted gross income under $100,000 for single filers or $200,000 for married couples filing jointly. The credit is refundable, meaning eligible families may receive the full credit amount even if it exceeds their income tax liability. This policy change reduces tax burden for qualifying families with children, using the state’s personal income tax system to provide direct financial support.

Maddy summaryHB 5124 requires the state to fully reimburse municipalities for lost property tax revenue caused by a veterans' tax exemption under Connecticut law (section 12-81(83)). It appropriates funds from the General Fund for the 2026-2027 fiscal year to cover this revenue loss directly affecting local governments. The bill creates a mechanism where municipalities submit claims for reimbursement, and the state pays the full amount of revenue lost due to the exemption. This policy change ensures municipalities aren’t financially burdened by the existing veterans' tax exemption. It applies specifically to the exemption for veterans' property tax relief established in statute.

Maddy summarySB 95 creates a $500 credit against personal income tax for employees working at defense contractors or their direct suppliers/subcontractors. To qualify, individuals must earn under $125,000 annually as single filers or under $250,000 as married couples filing jointly. The credit directly benefits lower-to-moderate income workers in the defense supply chain by reducing their state tax burden. This is a specific tax incentive targeting employees in defense-related industries, not a general tax cut. The bill establishes this credit through an amendment to existing tax law.

Maddy summaryHB 8002 creates a tax-advantaged savings program to help Connecticut first-time homebuyers. It allows individuals or couples to open "first-time homebuyer savings accounts" at financial institutions, with funds contributed by anyone (including employers) to cover eligible costs like down payments and closing costs for a primary residence. Account holders must submit tax returns with account details to claim a state tax deduction or credit, and funds must be used exclusively for qualifying home purchases. The program applies only to one-to-four family residences purchased as primary homes in Connecticut, effective January 2026.

Maddy summaryHB 8003 temporarily adjusts the state's budget reserve fund to allocate new funds covering reductions in federal funding. It directly affects state agencies and programs that rely on federal grants, ensuring continued operations despite decreased federal support. The bill authorizes the use of reserve funds to maintain essential services without requiring new tax revenue or spending cuts. This legislation became law as Special Act 25-1 after the governor signed it on November 18, 2025.

Maddy summarySB 59 requires state agencies managing waterways to develop and implement a plan for dredging projects that serve beneficial uses, such as restoring shorelines or creating wetlands with the dredged material. It directly affects state environmental and water management agencies responsible for coastal and river maintenance. The key provision mandates that any dredging project must include a specific plan outlining how the material will be reused for environmental or community benefit, rather than being disposed of as waste. This law, signed by the governor on July 8, 2025, enacts a concrete policy change to promote sustainable dredging practices.

Maddy summaryHB 7004 would have allowed municipalities to hold public votes (referenda) to challenge specific types of permit approvals, such as those for development projects. This directly affected local governments, property developers, and residents in communities where such permits were issued. The bill's key mechanism required local voters to approve or reject certain permits within a defined timeframe, bypassing standard administrative review for those cases. The measure was vetoed by the governor on July 8, 2025.