Rep. Greg Howard

Maddy summaryHB 5253 would amend state law to require the State Board of Education to include two active classroom teachers on its membership. These teachers must be certified, employed by a local or regional school district, and spend at least half their time teaching K-12 students in a classroom. The bill aims to ensure the board includes perspectives directly from educators currently working with students. This changes the board's composition by mandating specific teacher representation, rather than adding a new program or funding.

Maddy summaryHB 5255 requires Connecticut's State Board of Education to issue professional teaching certification to any educator already certified in another state (including the District of Columbia), without additional requirements. This directly affects out-of-state teachers seeking to work in Connecticut schools. The key provision eliminates separate certification processes for qualified educators from other jurisdictions. The bill aims to address Connecticut's teacher shortage by expanding the pool of eligible educators.

Maddy summaryHB 5131 requires the state to cover all costs for surveys or maintenance of Wyassup Lake conducted by the Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP), shifting these expenses from local residents to the state budget. This bill directly affects residents near Wyassup Lake who previously paid for such state-mandated work. The key provision changes who bears the financial responsibility, ensuring the state pays for DEEP-required surveys or maintenance activities at Wyassup Lake. It does not alter environmental standards or create new regulations, only specifying the state as the payer.

Maddy summaryHB 5129 would amend state law to permit law enforcement officers to carry their official service firearms on school grounds while off-duty. This directly affects off-duty officers who currently may not carry weapons on school property and school districts that manage access policies. The key provision removes the restriction preventing officers from carrying their duty-issued firearms during personal time while on school premises. The bill does not change rules for civilians or require schools to allow officers to carry; it only modifies the existing prohibition for officers. The stated purpose is to allow officers to carry their standard equipment without needing to be actively on duty.

Maddy summaryHB 5178 increases penalties for possessing child sexual abuse material (replacing the term "child pornography") based on the depicted victim's age: under 5, 5-12, or 12-16 years old. The bill amends Chapter 952 of the general statutes to establish tiered penalties reflecting the age of the child shown in the material. It directly affects individuals convicted of possessing such material, with harsher penalties applying when the depicted victim is younger. The change aims to strengthen legal consequences for this offense while updating terminology to "child sexual abuse material."

Maddy summaryHB 5171 requires the Connecticut Housing Finance Authority to prioritize issuing loans for properties purchased in towns or cities with 7,500 residents or fewer. This policy change directly affects the Authority’s loan allocation process and residents in smaller Connecticut municipalities. The bill amends statutes to mandate that new loans for home purchases must first serve communities below this population threshold. It does not restrict loans elsewhere but directs the Authority to give preference to smaller communities when making new loan decisions.

Maddy summaryHB 5177 changes the legal standard for when peace officers, Department of Correction staff, and Board of Pardons and Paroles officials may use deadly force. It replaces the requirement that force be "objectively reasonable" with a standard based on whether "a reasonable officer or official would use such force given the facts and circumstances known at the time." This shifts evaluation from an external, objective standard to a subjective one focused on the officer's own perception during the incident. The bill directly affects law enforcement and correctional personnel who use deadly force in the line of duty. The stated purpose is to ensure officers are properly evaluated under this revised standard.

Maddy summaryHB 5187 allows municipal tax collectors to publish tax payment notices in any newspaper with general circulation within their municipality, removing the previous requirement that notices appear only in state-published newspapers. This change directly affects municipal tax collectors and taxpayers who receive these notices, as it expands their publishing options. The bill amends Section 12-145 of the general statutes to permit notices in locally circulated newspapers, regardless of where the newspaper is published. The key provision is eliminating the state publication limitation, making it easier for tax collectors to comply with notice requirements.

Maddy summaryHB 5210 would allow gun clubs and firearm ranges to sell ammunition to any person without requiring them to hold a valid ammunition certificate. This change directly affects gun clubs, firearm ranges, and individuals purchasing ammunition at these locations. The bill amends existing law to remove the certificate requirement specifically for sales made at these facilities. It does not alter ammunition sales rules for other venues or require background checks.

Maddy summaryHB 5216 requires the installation of six-inch-wide edge lines on all limited access highways in the state. This bill directly affects highway infrastructure and road safety by mandating wider road markings. The key provision amends existing law to specify the width of edge lines, aiming to decrease fatal traffic crashes through improved visibility. The bill focuses solely on the physical requirement for the road markings, with no additional provisions or funding mechanisms described.