Rep. Anne Dauphinais

Maddy summaryHB 5896 would allow local school boards to create and adjust their own curriculum standards, directly affecting school districts across the state. The bill requires that students in these districts still achieve the same proficiency levels on standardized tests as those following the state's recommended curriculum. This gives school boards flexibility to tailor education while maintaining statewide academic benchmarks. The policy change shifts authority for curriculum design from the state to local districts, subject to the test score requirement.

Maddy summaryHB 5876 prohibits school boards or administrators from blocking teachers from informing parents if a student's gender identity differs from their sex assigned at birth. The bill directly affects teachers, parents, and school administrators by removing barriers to this specific communication. Key provisions require schools to allow such disclosures without penalty to teachers. This is a policy change focused on communication rights, not mandating disclosures or altering student records.

Maddy summaryHB 5914 repeals the existing ban on merchants distributing single-use plastic bags and prohibits the use of PFAS chemicals in paper straws. The bill directly affects retail businesses that previously could not provide plastic bags and manufacturers producing paper straws. Key provisions remove restrictions on plastic bags while banning PFAS - a group of synthetic chemicals - in paper straws to address potential environmental and health concerns. This changes current regulations without altering other plastic-related policies.

Maddy summaryHB 5943 removes a specific charge called the "Combined Public Benefits Charge" from electricity bills for residential and business customers. It eliminates this fee from current bills and requires the state legislature to approve any new similar charge before it can be added to future bills. The bill directly affects electricity customers by reducing their bills and electric utilities by removing a revenue source they previously could impose without legislative consent. This change shifts authority from utility companies to the state legislature for any future public benefits-related fees on electricity bills.

Maddy summaryHB 5939 repeals the current "Combined Public Benefits Charge" from electric bills for end-use customers and requires the Connecticut General Assembly to approve any future similar charge. The bill removes existing charges under this name from customer bills and mandates that electric distribution companies cannot add such charges without a vote by the full legislature. This directly affects residential and business electricity bill payers by eliminating a specific charge and changing how future utility fees are authorized. The key change is shifting authority from utility companies to the legislature for these fees, ensuring public oversight before any new charge is implemented.

Maddy summaryThis bill (HB 5960) would allow residential electricity customers - homeowners and renters - to opt out of programs requiring smart meter installation. It directly affects anyone receiving residential electric service by giving them the right to refuse smart meters under current or future utility programs. The key mechanism is amending state statutes to explicitly permit this opt-out, removing barriers to declining the technology. The bill does not change utility requirements for those who choose to keep smart meters.

Maddy summaryHB 5982 eliminates a 7.75% higher sales and use tax rate that previously applied to certain goods. This bill directly affects consumers and businesses selling those specific goods by reducing their tax burden. The key mechanism is amending tax code to remove the 7.75% rate, replacing it with the standard lower tax rate for those items. The change applies only to designated goods covered under the tax code amendment.

Maddy summaryHB 6013 requires local election officials to verify that the signature on the inner envelope of a returned absentee ballot matches the signature on the voter's original absentee ballot application. This applies directly to absentee voters who submit ballots by mail and to election officials processing those ballots. The bill mandates a specific verification process to confirm the person returning the ballot is the same person who requested it. The goal is to ensure ballot security by preventing unauthorized submissions.

Maddy summaryHB 6020 would reduce early voting periods in Connecticut. It changes the law to limit general election early voting from 14 days to 7 days and primary election early voting from 7 days to 3 days. This directly affects voters who choose to cast ballots early before election day. The bill modifies existing voting timelines without altering other voting procedures or requirements. The measure is currently under review by the Government Administration and Elections committee.

Maddy summaryHB 6017 eliminates drop boxes as a method for returning absentee ballots in Connecticut. The bill amends Section 9-140b of the general statutes to remove this option, meaning voters would no longer be able to deposit absentee ballots in designated drop boxes. This change directly affects voters who currently use drop boxes to return absentee ballots, requiring them to instead return ballots by mail or in person at official locations. The bill focuses solely on altering the ballot return process without specifying alternative methods.