Rep. Tami Zawistowski

Maddy summaryHB 5124 would require high school students in this state to demonstrate reading proficiency at an eighth-grade level to earn a diploma. This bill directly affects all public high school students seeking graduation by adding a new academic standard to existing requirements. The key provision amends statute 10-221a to mandate that students must read at or above an eighth-grade level as part of their graduation criteria. The bill focuses on establishing a concrete, measurable reading skill requirement for graduation, without specifying assessment methods or additional support. It does not change other graduation requirements or address post-graduation outcomes.

Maddy summaryHB 5122 requires school boards to conduct annual performance evaluations for district superintendents, submit the written results to the board, and make those results publicly available. The bill directly affects school superintendents and their local or regional school boards. Key provisions mandate written evaluations and public transparency, eliminating private evaluation processes. This policy change standardizes evaluation reporting to increase accountability without altering superintendent qualifications or duties.

Maddy summaryHB 5167 prohibits cannabis consumption at any location where alcohol consumption is already banned, such as schools, hospitals, or private properties with alcohol restrictions. It directly affects businesses (like restaurants or event venues) and individuals who use cannabis in these specific locations. The bill achieves this by amending existing statutes to apply the same location-based prohibitions currently used for alcohol to cannabis consumption.

Maddy summaryHB 5166 would prohibit cannabis consumption in any location where tobacco use is already banned, such as indoor public spaces, restaurants, and parks. This directly affects cannabis users and businesses enforcing tobacco restrictions, requiring them to extend those rules to cannabis consumption. The key provision amends existing laws to include cannabis under the same prohibitions as tobacco, without altering current tobacco ban policies. The bill focuses on aligning cannabis regulations with established tobacco restrictions at the point of enforcement.

Maddy summaryThis bill proposes a constitutional amendment to give voters direct power to propose new laws (direct initiative), vote on existing laws (referendum), and remove elected officials (recall). If approved, it would change the state constitution to allow all registered voters to directly influence legislation and hold officials accountable without needing legislative action. The amendment would require voter approval in a statewide election to take effect. This is a procedural proposal that would fundamentally alter how citizens participate in state governance.

Maddy summaryHB 5006 (2025) changes how Connecticut legislators' retirement benefits are calculated. It excludes mileage reimbursements (payments for travel expenses) from the base salary used to determine pension amounts. This directly affects current and future state legislators who receive transportation allowances. The bill amends Chapter 66 of the general statutes to remove these reimbursements from pension calculations, ensuring retirement income is based solely on salary.

Maddy summaryHB 5030 establishes a personal income tax deduction for premiums paid toward long-term care insurance. This bill directly affects taxpayers who purchase long-term care insurance policies, allowing them to reduce their taxable income by the amount paid for these premiums. The key mechanism is a specific deduction added to the state tax code, which would lower the overall tax bill for eligible individuals. This policy change provides a concrete tax benefit for those covering long-term care costs through insurance.

Maddy summaryHB 5031 would create a new personal income tax deduction allowing taxpayers to reduce their taxable income by up to $60,000 annually for full-time home health care costs. This includes expenses for in-home medical services and required medical supplies. The bill directly affects individuals or families paying for ongoing home health care, such as nursing or therapy services. It modifies tax law to provide financial relief for these specific health care expenses, without changing tax rates or brackets.

Maddy summaryHB 5029 eliminates the highway use tax by amending section 12-493a of the general statutes. This bill directly affects individuals and businesses that currently pay this tax on vehicle usage. The key provision is the removal of the tax obligation, with no new fees or mechanisms added. The bill’s purpose is explicitly stated as eliminating the tax, making it a straightforward policy change without additional provisions.

Maddy summaryHB 5054 prohibits state and local governments from using eminent domain to seize private property for certain commercial projects, such as new retail centers or office buildings. It directly affects private property owners who might face government takings and local governments that would no longer have this power for commercial developments. The bill amends state statutes to explicitly ban this use of eminent domain, replacing existing provisions that allowed it for "public use" in commercial contexts. This is a policy change that limits government authority over private property transactions without altering other eminent domain applications.