Rep. Anne Dauphinais

Maddy summaryThis bill (HB 5399) would move the Public Utilities Regulatory Authority (PURA) out of the Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP). It directly affects the state's energy regulatory structure by separating these two agencies. The bill requires updating state statutes to reflect this structural change, with no new policy rules or funding changes. It is a procedural reorganization, not a policy amendment.

Maddy summaryHB 5415 would amend Connecticut's tax law to exempt grandchildren from paying use tax when purchasing a motor vehicle in a casual sale from a family member. Currently, the exemption covers immediate family like children and spouses, but this bill would add grandchildren to that list. The change applies specifically to private, non-commercial sales between relatives, such as a grandparent selling a car to a grandchild. This adjustment would remove the use tax requirement for such transactions involving grandchildren.

Maddy summaryHB 5410 removes an extra 1% sales and use tax on meals sold by restaurants, caterers, and grocery stores that sell prepared food. This change directly affects these businesses and their customers by eliminating the additional tax burden on meal purchases. The bill amends existing tax law to eliminate this specific surcharge, which was previously applied to qualifying meals. The policy change simplifies the tax structure for these establishments without altering other sales tax rules.

Maddy summaryHB 5397 requires the Connecticut General Assembly to approve any charge included in the "Combined Public Benefits Charge" on electric bills before it can be applied. This bill directly affects electric distribution companies and their end-use customers, as it would remove any existing charge not approved by the legislature and prevent future charges from being implemented without the General Assembly's affirmative vote. The key mechanism is a statutory change that eliminates automatic inclusion of these charges and mandates legislative approval for both current and future components. The bill aims to ensure that all public benefits charges on electricity bills have explicit legislative authorization.

Maddy summaryHB 5396 removes any existing "Combined Public Benefits Charge" from electric bills unless approved by the Connecticut General Assembly. It requires future implementation of such charges only after an affirmative vote by the legislature. This bill directly affects electricity customers, as it changes how certain fees appear on their bills, and shifts authority over these charges from utility companies to the legislature. The key mechanism is eliminating unapproved charges and mandating legislative approval for any new or existing charges in this category.

Maddy summaryHB 5406 eliminates the highway use tax by amending section 12-493a of the state's general statutes. This change removes the tax requirement from state law, directly affecting drivers and businesses currently required to pay this fee. The key mechanism is the deletion of the tax provision from the statute, ending the obligation to pay it. The bill does not create new requirements or alter other tax provisions.

Maddy summaryHB 5435 amends Connecticut law to include dwelling units purchased by households earning ≤80% of the area median income in the calculation for a 10% threshold exemption. This change affects developers of housing projects that would otherwise face affordable housing appeals procedures. The bill adds these income-qualified units to the threshold calculation, potentially expanding the number of projects qualifying for exemption from affordable housing requirements. It directly impacts housing developments targeting lower-income buyers by altering how the exemption threshold is determined under section 8-30g of the general statutes.

Maddy summaryHB 5432 (Introduced by Rep. Piscopo) seeks a federal waiver under Section 1115 of the Social Security Act to require able-bodied Medicaid recipients to work or volunteer to maintain their benefits. This would directly affect Medicaid recipients aged 18-54 who are able-bodied and currently enrolled in the program. The bill's key mechanism is directing the Commissioner of Social Services to apply for this waiver, which would allow the state to impose the work/volunteer requirement. The bill does not change current Medicaid rules but proposes a pathway to implement this condition through federal approval.

Maddy summaryHB 5402 repeals the current "Combined Public Benefits Charge" from electric bills for end-use customers and requires the General Assembly to approve any future similar charge through a formal vote. This bill directly affects residential and commercial electricity customers by removing an existing fee from their monthly bills and preventing new fees without legislative consent. The key provision mandates that electric distribution companies cannot add such charges unless the legislature votes affirmatively to authorize them. The bill aims to shift control over these fees from utility companies to elected representatives.

Maddy summaryHB 5440 would amend Chapter 925 of the general statutes to restore qualified immunity for law enforcement officers. This legal protection shields officers from civil lawsuits when they perform duties within the scope of their authority, unless they violate "clearly established" rights. The bill directly affects police officers and their potential liability in civil court cases. The stated purpose is to reduce ambiguity about proper officer conduct in the field by clarifying this legal standard.