Rep. Tami Zawistowski

Maddy summaryHB 5006 eliminates a 1% sales and use tax on meals sold by restaurants, caterers, and grocery stores. The bill directly affects these businesses by removing an additional tax on food sales, reducing their operational costs. Key provision: it amends tax law to remove the specific 1% surcharge applied to meals at these establishments. The purpose is to simplify the tax structure for food service providers without changing general sales tax rates. This is a direct policy change affecting food retailers and their customers through lower prices.

Maddy summaryHB 5029 increases Medicaid provider rates based on phase one of a required rate study (public act 23-186) to ensure rates are competitive with neighboring states and improve access to quality healthcare. It directly affects healthcare providers who treat Medicaid patients, such as hospitals and clinics. The bill mandates rate adjustments to align with regional market standards, aiming to prevent provider shortages and maintain service availability. This policy change focuses on stabilizing provider participation in Medicaid by addressing current rate disparities.

Maddy summaryHB 5009 increases Connecticut's property tax credit for primary residences and motor vehicles by raising the maximum credit from $300 to $1,000 annually. It expands eligibility by increasing the income thresholds taxpayers must meet to qualify for the credit, as outlined in Section 12-704c of state law. This bill directly affects Connecticut homeowners and vehicle owners who pay property tax on their primary residence or vehicle and meet the updated income requirements. The key change simplifies access to the credit for more residents by lowering the income barrier while significantly boosting the maximum benefit amount.

Maddy summaryHB 5005 increases the sales price threshold for motor vehicles subject to a 7.75% sales and use tax rate from $75,000 to "more than $75,000." This means vehicles priced at $75,000 or below will now pay the standard tax rate, while those exceeding $75,000 will be taxed at the higher rate. The bill directly affects high-end vehicle buyers and dealers selling vehicles above this new threshold. It makes no changes to the tax rate itself but adjusts which vehicles qualify for the higher rate.

Maddy summaryHB 5028 removes the "Combined Public Benefits Charge" from electricity bills for residential and business customers of electric distribution companies. This bill directly affects all end-use electricity customers in the state by eliminating this specific fee from their monthly bills. The key mechanism shifts the funding source for these public benefits programs from customer bills to the state General Fund. The bill does not change existing public benefits programs but changes how their costs are paid. This is a direct billing change with no impact on program eligibility or service levels.

Maddy summaryHB 5008 establishes a $2,080 tax credit per full-time equivalent employee for small businesses meeting the U.S. Small Business Administration's definition (typically businesses with fewer than 500 employees). This credit would directly reduce the state tax liability for qualifying small businesses, providing a concrete financial incentive tied to employee count. The bill amends state tax law to implement this credit, which applies to businesses that meet federal SBA criteria. This policy change specifically targets small business employment costs without altering broader tax structures.

Maddy summaryHB 5064 establishes a state grant program to fund agricultural preservation and improve farmland access. The program provides financial assistance to farmers and agricultural entities for projects that protect working farmland from development and help new or existing farmers access land. Key provisions include grant funding for conservation easements, farmland acquisition, and initiatives supporting beginning farmers. This law, now Public Act 25-141 after being signed by the governor on July 1, 2025, directly benefits agricultural landowners and operators seeking to preserve farmland or expand farming operations.

Maddy summarySB 1497 establishes a State Veterinarian position at the Department of Agriculture and updates registration requirements for fertilizers and soil amendments. It requires distributors to register fertilizer brands and soil amendments annually with the Department, including fees (up to $75) and specific labeling details, while exempting identical products already registered. The bill also creates a new tax provision for "eligible farmers" who meet income thresholds, allowing tax benefits for qualifying farm equipment, buildings, and structures used in agricultural production (like wine, Christmas trees, or apple juice operations) for at least five years. These changes directly affect agricultural businesses, distributors, and farmers in Connecticut.

Maddy summaryHB 6075 establishes specific qualifications that instructors must meet to teach in airframe and powerplant (A&P) certificate programs, which train aircraft maintenance technicians. It directly affects aviation maintenance training schools and their instructors by requiring them to hold certain certifications or experience levels. The law replaces prior, less defined standards with clear, measurable requirements for instructor eligibility. This policy change ensures that individuals training future aircraft mechanics meet consistent, federally aligned competency benchmarks. The bill became law as Public Act 25-128 after the governor signed it on June 30, 2025.

Maddy summaryHB 7200 requires public schools and municipal buildings to provide bleeding control training and maintain emergency kits for severe bleeding incidents. It mandates that staff receive instruction on using tourniquets and hemostatic dressings to manage life-threatening wounds. The law applies to all public schools and high-traffic public facilities, replacing voluntary programs with mandatory requirements. Signed into law on June 30, 2025, it became Public Act 25-160.