Rep. Pat Boyd

Maddy summarySB 7 updates Connecticut's base funding level for public schools (called "Foundation") to increase annually from $11,525 (2014-2026) to $15,500 (2031+) with inflation adjustments. It also revises the "Regional bonus" calculation for towns sending students to regional schools or paying high school tuition. The bill's primary mechanism creates a 13-member working group (including school officials, teachers, students, and community representatives) to study the state's equalization aid formula and recommend improvements for equity and fiscal soundness. This group will examine how state education funding is distributed, aiming to address disparities between school districts. The bill takes effect July 1, 2026, with the working group established immediately upon passage.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires the University of Connecticut president to create a recruitment and retention program for its special police forces and fire department by July 1, 2027, to address staffing shortages and high resignation rates. The program must establish salary schedules that align with comparable municipal and state agencies to eliminate pay disparities and ensure supervisors earn more than those they supervise, while also creating an education benefit for sworn members and their dependents. The president must submit annual reports to state committees and the university board detailing staffing levels, resignations, coverage capabilities, and the financial costs of training personnel who leave within five years. Additionally, the bill mandates that special police positions be classified using objective job-related criteria based on knowledge, skills, effort, accountability, and jurisdiction responsibilities across multiple campuses.

Maddy summaryHB 5046 modifies existing tuition waiver policies at Connecticut's community colleges and universities to specifically support public safety personnel. It waives tuition for current police officers (with 5+ years service) and firefighters (with 5+ years service), as well as for their dependents if the officer or firefighter was killed in the line of duty. The bill also expands waivers to include students enrolled in state fire school programs and police academy coordination courses. These changes apply to Connecticut State Community College and Connecticut State University System programs, effective July 1, 2026. The policy directly affects active and retired public safety workers and their families by reducing education costs.

Maddy summaryHB 5152 modifies rules for open burning to prevent wildfires. It allows residential brush burning on private property with a local permit, but prohibits it during high fire danger, poor air quality, or near forests within 100 feet. Municipal landfills, transfer stations, and recycling centers can burn brush up to six times yearly with fire marshal approval and commissioner review, but must ban burning leaves, demolition waste, or other solid waste. The bill also adds new permitted uses like agricultural cleanup after disasters and wildlife habitat management, while requiring local officials to be certified and setting fees for permits. These changes directly affect homeowners, municipalities, and fire officials managing burn permits.

Maddy summaryHB 5319 creates a 6% state tax credit for qualified small businesses based on their eligible research and development (R&D) expenses, directly affecting S corporations, partnerships, and single-member LLCs with gross income under $70 million. Businesses must apply for a pre-approved "tax credit voucher" to reserve credit capacity (capped at $1.5 million per business and $25 million total annually) before incurring expenses. The credit reduces state tax liability, and any excess can be partially refunded (90% for biotech businesses, 65% for others). This policy aims to incentivize R&D investment by making tax credits accessible without upfront cash costs.

Maddy summarySB 130 allocates $20 million from the General Fund to the Department of Agriculture for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2027, specifically to support dairy farmer sustainability. This funding directly assists dairy farmers in the state by providing financial resources to address industry challenges. The bill is a straightforward funding measure with no additional policy provisions beyond the appropriation.

Maddy summarySB 129 allocates funds from the state General Fund to the Department of Agriculture for dairy farmer sustainability during the 2026-2027 fiscal year. It directly provides financial support to dairy farmers in the state to help stabilize their operations. The key mechanism is a dedicated appropriation to fund programs that support dairy farm sustainability, as stated in the bill's purpose. This policy change offers direct funding assistance to dairy farmers without specifying additional requirements or eligibility details.

Maddy summarySB 186 establishes a $2,000 refundable credit against personal income tax for volunteer firefighters, emergency medical technicians (EMTs), paramedics, and civil preparedness staff. This credit directly benefits these unpaid volunteers by reducing their tax liability, and if the credit exceeds their tax owed, they receive the difference as a cash refund. The bill amends the state tax code to create this refundable credit, providing financial recognition for their service without requiring them to pay additional taxes. It does not alter existing tax rates or apply to paid first responders.

Maddy summarySB 184 would exempt from state sales and use taxes the purchase of clothing items priced under $100. This directly affects consumers buying affordable clothing, as they would no longer pay tax on these items. The bill amends tax law to remove the tax requirement for clothing costing less than $100, applying to both in-store purchases and online orders within the state. It does not change tax rates for other goods or services. The exemption applies to all eligible clothing items sold within the state.

Maddy summarySB 139 increases the state appropriation for the Special Education and Expansion Development Grant by $191 million for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2027. This funding directly supports students with special education needs and helps school districts manage unpredictable costs associated with special education services. The bill amends existing law to boost the grant amount, aiming to stabilize school district budgets and ensure consistent support for these students. It does not alter eligibility or service requirements but provides additional financial resources for existing programs.