Rep. Anne Dauphinais

Maddy summaryConnecticut's HB 5359 would end the state's participation in the National Popular Vote Interstate Compact (NPVIC) by repealing the statute (section 9-175a) that joined the agreement. This compact is an agreement among states to award all electoral votes to the candidate who wins the national popular vote. The bill directly affects Connecticut's electoral process by removing its commitment to follow the national popular vote outcome for presidential elections. The key mechanism is the repeal of the existing law that implemented Connecticut's participation in the compact.

Maddy summaryHB 5370 prohibits healthcare providers from prescribing puberty-blocking drugs or cross-sex hormones to minors for gender dysphoria treatment (outside FDA-approved uses) and bans gender reassignment surgeries for minors. The bill also requires healthcare providers to offer psychotherapy as an alternative for minors experiencing gender dysphoria or incongruence. It directly affects minors under 18 who seek gender-affirming care and their healthcare providers. The law aims to restrict specific medical treatments while mandating psychotherapy support for these minors.

Maddy summarySB 656 requires election registrars to send confirmation notices to the residential address of every voter who cast an absentee ballot after an election. The bill mandates that registrars verify whether the address provided on the absentee ballot application matches where the voter actually resides. This applies directly to all absentee voters and election officials responsible for processing ballots. The key mechanism is a post-election verification step to ensure absentee ballot addresses are accurate, as stated in the bill's purpose.

Maddy summarySB 663 repeals a law that allowed public agencies to hold meetings remotely using electronic equipment instead of in person. This bill directly affects local government bodies, school boards, and other public agencies that previously could conduct meetings remotely under the repealed statute (section 1-225a). The key provision removes the legal allowance for remote meetings, requiring these agencies to hold all meetings in person unless new legislation permits otherwise. The bill reverses policy established in Public Act 21-2, which had permitted remote meetings during the pandemic and subsequent special sessions. This change returns public meetings to the standard requirement of in-person attendance.

Maddy summarySB 664 requires the Connecticut General Assembly to approve (via a two-thirds vote) any governor's emergency declaration for public health or civil preparedness emergencies. It allows any legislator to trigger this vote, directly affecting governors who issue such declarations and legislators who must vote on them. The bill changes existing law by adding a legislative check: governors can no longer renew emergency declarations without the General Assembly's formal approval. This aims to restore legislative oversight over emergency powers, ensuring broader consensus before extended emergency measures take effect.

Maddy summarySB 668 would create a reciprocal licensing agreement between Connecticut and other New England states for skilled trades (like plumbing, electrical work, or carpentry). This bill would allow licensed workers from one New England state to obtain licensure in Connecticut without retaking exams, directly benefiting skilled trade workers seeking employment across state lines. The agreement would be implemented by amending Connecticut’s general statutes to adopt this mutual recognition framework. The bill focuses on streamlining licensing processes, not on new regulatory standards.

Maddy summarySB 667 (2025) requires that all completed and signed absentee ballot applications become public records under Connecticut's Freedom of Information Act (FOIA). This bill amends statutes 9-140 and 9-150b to mandate disclosure of these applications, making them accessible for public inspection. It directly affects voters who submit absentee ballot applications, as their completed forms would no longer remain confidential. The key provision changes the status of these applications from private to public records, aligning them with other documents subject to FOIA requests. This is a procedural change focused on transparency, not altering voting procedures or ballot secrecy.

Maddy summarySB 666 requires the Secretary of the State to create procedures for auditing two specific election-related items: (1) same-day voter registration applications that are accepted, and (2) confirmation notices sent to and returned by local election officials. This bill directly affects state election administrators and local registrars of voters who handle voter registration. The key mechanism is mandating these audits to verify the accuracy of registrations and confirmations processed on election day. The bill focuses solely on establishing this audit process, without changing voter eligibility rules or election procedures.

Maddy summarySB 662 requires Legislative Commissioners to analyze and document any potential conflicts between proposed bills and the state constitution. It applies to all bills introduced in the legislature, mandating that commissioners identify constitutional concerns without making final judgments on their validity. This procedural change aims to provide legislators with factual information about constitutional risks when drafting or voting on legislation, helping them fulfill their oath of office.

Maddy summarySB 653 prohibits unsolicited mailing or delivery of absentee ballot applications to voters. It requires election officials to audit same-day voter registrations and verify that absentee voters reside at the address on their applications. The bill mandates photo ID for in-person and absentee voting, with free ID and free photocopy access at public libraries (state-reimbursed), and requires matching signatures on absentee ballots to application signatures. It also sets minimum prison terms for certain election law violations. These changes directly affect voters, election administrators, and individuals violating election laws.