Rep. Greg Howard

Maddy summaryHB 5012 eliminates income limits that previously restricted who could deduct Social Security benefits from their state personal income tax. It directly affects residents receiving Social Security benefits who file state tax returns, removing the requirement that their income must fall below a certain threshold to qualify for this deduction. The bill amends Section 12-701 of the general statutes to remove these qualifying income thresholds entirely. This change means more Social Security recipients will automatically qualify for the tax deduction regardless of their income level.

Maddy summaryHB 5013 establishes a registration fee for electric vehicles and plug-in hybrid electric vehicles, and imposes a per-kilowatt-hour tax on electricity purchased at public electric vehicle charging stations. This bill directly affects EV owners through the new registration fee and charging station operators through the electricity tax. Revenue from both the fee and tax must be deposited into the Special Transportation Fund. The legislation aims to generate dedicated funding for transportation infrastructure without specifying how the money will be spent beyond this allocation.

Maddy summaryHB 5011 eliminates the highway use tax by amending Section 12-493a of the general statutes. This bill directly affects drivers who previously paid this tax on vehicle registration or use. The key change removes the tax requirement from state law, resulting in no additional cost for affected drivers under this provision. The bill focuses solely on repealing the tax without altering other vehicle-related fees or requirements.

Maddy summarySB 12 appropriates funds from the Special Transportation Fund to increase Shore Line East rail service between New Haven and Mystic during summer peak season. Specifically, it funds additional Friday, Saturday, Sunday, and holiday trains from late May through early September 2026. This directly affects commuters traveling this corridor and supports tourism along Connecticut's shoreline. The bill aims to reduce traffic congestion on I-95 by providing alternative transportation during the summer months.

Maddy summarySB 74 would create a $20 million state tax credit for dairy farmers to help offset income losses during periods when milk prices drop. The credit directly affects dairy farmers in the state who experience cyclical price fluctuations in milk sales. The bill establishes this tax credit as a fixed pool, meaning it would provide financial relief to eligible farmers when milk prices fall below certain levels. This is a direct policy change to support dairy farm revenue stability, not a procedural measure.

Maddy summaryHB 5029 increases Medicaid provider rates based on phase one of a required rate study (public act 23-186) to ensure rates are competitive with neighboring states and improve access to quality healthcare. It directly affects healthcare providers who treat Medicaid patients, such as hospitals and clinics. The bill mandates rate adjustments to align with regional market standards, aiming to prevent provider shortages and maintain service availability. This policy change focuses on stabilizing provider participation in Medicaid by addressing current rate disparities.

Maddy summaryHB 5028 removes the "Combined Public Benefits Charge" from electricity bills for residential and business customers of electric distribution companies. This bill directly affects all end-use electricity customers in the state by eliminating this specific fee from their monthly bills. The key mechanism shifts the funding source for these public benefits programs from customer bills to the state General Fund. The bill does not change existing public benefits programs but changes how their costs are paid. This is a direct billing change with no impact on program eligibility or service levels.

Maddy summarySB 82 eliminates all application fees charged by state occupational licensing boards and caps annual license renewal fees at $100 for all professions requiring state licensing. This directly affects individuals seeking or renewing licenses for occupations like plumbers, cosmetologists, electricians, or contractors. The bill requires licensing boards to remove all upfront application costs and limits renewal fees to a maximum of $100 per year. It makes no exceptions for specific professions or fee structures, applying uniformly across all state-licensed occupations. The policy change aims to reduce upfront and recurring costs for workers entering or maintaining licensed careers.

Maddy summaryHB 5008 establishes a $2,080 tax credit per full-time equivalent employee for small businesses meeting the U.S. Small Business Administration's definition (typically businesses with fewer than 500 employees). This credit would directly reduce the state tax liability for qualifying small businesses, providing a concrete financial incentive tied to employee count. The bill amends state tax law to implement this credit, which applies to businesses that meet federal SBA criteria. This policy change specifically targets small business employment costs without altering broader tax structures.

Maddy summarySB 17 appropriates $1.5 million to fund the removal of harmful chemicals (PFAS) from fire trucks and equipment. It provides grants to municipalities, independent fire companies, and state agencies for this purpose, including reimbursement for removal work completed before July 1, 2023. The funding is allocated for the 2026-2027 fiscal year through the Department of Emergency Services. This bill directly affects local fire departments and state emergency services by covering costs associated with replacing PFAS-containing equipment.