Rep. Greg Howard

Maddy summaryHB 5201 would change Connecticut's definition of a "large capacity magazine" from holding more than 10 rounds of ammunition to holding more than 15 rounds. This directly affects firearm owners and retailers who possess or sell magazines meeting the new definition. The key provision amends Section 53-202w of state law to raise the threshold for what qualifies as a "large capacity magazine." The bill does not create new restrictions but adjusts the existing legal standard for magazine capacity.

Maddy summaryThis bill would allow licensed security guards while performing their duties and individuals with a federal law enforcement ID under the Law Enforcement Officers Safety Act to purchase, possess, and bring large capacity magazines into the state. It amends current law to create an exception for these two groups, who are otherwise restricted from having such magazines. The bill does not affect the general ban on large capacity magazines for other residents.

Maddy summaryThis bill restores police officers' ability to request consent to search a motor vehicle when they have reasonable suspicion that weapons, contraband, or evidence of a crime may be inside. It amends Section 54-33o of the general statutes to allow this request, reversing a prior restriction. The policy change applies during traffic stops where officers have specific, justifiable reasons for suspicion. Drivers retain the right to refuse such searches, but officers can now proactively seek consent under these conditions.

Maddy summaryHB 5041 modifies how the 10% threshold for affordable housing appeals is calculated. It adds properties that aren't deed-restricted but qualify as affordable (for households earning ≤80% of median income) to the calculation, using the prior year's interest rates and property appraisals. This change directly affects developers and housing authorities processing affordable housing appeals under Connecticut's current procedure. The bill expands the pool of eligible units considered toward the threshold requirement without altering the 10% target itself.

Maddy summaryHB 5043 creates an exemption from the affordable housing appeals process for municipalities that have designated aquifer protection areas. It amends Section 8-30g of the general statutes to remove the requirement that these municipalities must go through the standard appeals procedure when reviewing affordable housing projects. This directly affects municipalities with aquifer protection areas, allowing them to bypass this specific review step for housing developments. The bill aims to streamline housing approvals in areas where groundwater protection is a priority, without altering other housing regulations.

Maddy summaryHB 5042 amends a state law to include villages within the definition of "municipality" for the affordable housing land use appeals procedure. This means villages, which were previously excluded, will now be eligible to use the same process as cities and towns when challenging land use decisions affecting affordable housing projects. The bill does not change the appeals procedure itself but expands its application to cover villages. As a result, villages will have the same legal pathway as municipalities to address barriers to affordable housing development.

Maddy summaryHB 5053 changes the deadline for filing property tax assessment appeals from February 20th to August 1st. This bill directly affects property owners in Connecticut who wish to challenge their tax assessments by requiring them to submit appeals earlier in the year. The key provision amends Section 12-111 of the general statutes to set the new August 1st deadline and adjust related timelines. The bill makes no changes to tax rates or assessment methodology, only to the filing deadline. This procedural change simplifies the appeals process by extending the window for property owners to appeal their assessments.

Maddy summaryHB 5046 changes the hiring ratio requirement for certain skilled trades, requiring employers to maintain a 1:1 ratio of licensed workers to registered apprentices at job sites. This directly affects construction and trades employers who hire apprentices in regulated fields. The bill amends Section 20-332 of the general statutes to establish this specific ratio as the standard. It aims to strengthen workforce training by ensuring apprentices have direct supervision from licensed professionals.

Maddy summaryHB 5018 (2025) amends state law to limit the "Passport to the Parks Fee" to one registered motor vehicle per household. This means households would only pay this fee once for access to state parks, regardless of how many vehicles they own. The bill changes section 14-49b of the general statutes to restrict the fee assessment to a single vehicle per household. It directly affects residents who pay this annual fee for park access, simplifying the billing structure. The change does not eliminate the fee but limits its application to one vehicle per household.

Maddy summaryHB 5034 creates a personal income tax deduction of up to $2,000 for volunteer firefighters, fire police officers, and ambulance members who receive stipends from their local municipality, fire department, or ambulance association. This deduction directly affects volunteer emergency personnel who earn these stipends as part of their service. The bill amends tax code to allow these individuals to subtract the stipend amount (capped at $2,000 annually) from their taxable income. The policy provides a concrete tax benefit for qualifying volunteers without changing broader tax rates or requirements.