Rep. Tami Zawistowski

Maddy summaryHB 6735 prohibits foreign governments and certain entities from China or Russia from owning, possessing, or acquiring property within a three-mile radius of military installations or agricultural land in the state. It requires buyers to submit a sworn affidavit confirming they are not restricted foreign entities and mandates foreign principals to notify the Adjutant General 30 days before purchasing near military sites. Violations may result in property forfeiture, with the state able to seize and sell the property, applying proceeds to liens, fines, or returning funds to the original owner. The law directly affects Chinese and Russian government entities, political parties, and corporations operating under their control seeking to buy such properties.

Maddy summaryHB 6786 (AN ACT CONCERNING THE HIRING RATIO FOR SKILLED TRADES) allows licensed contractors in electrical, plumbing, heating, piping, sprinkler fitter, or sheet metal work to temporarily hire more apprentices than standard ratios require if they meet specific criteria. Directly affecting these contractors, the bill creates a formal application process where businesses must prove they’re in good standing, have no recent wage violations, maintain a 40% apprentice completion rate for licensure, and agree to track apprentice work hours. If approved, the hiring relief applies to specific apprentices for up to six years, even if the business later fails to meet the criteria. The Labor Department must review applications within 10 business days and submit annual reports to the legislature on the program’s impact. The bill takes effect October 1, 2025.

Maddy summaryHB 7143 prohibits redevelopment agencies and municipalities from using eminent domain to acquire private property primarily to increase local tax revenue or generate income for private entities. The bill amends statutes to require that redevelopment plans must not serve these commercial purposes, explicitly banning acquisitions "for the primary purpose of increasing local tax revenue or any purpose that produces income from such real property for a private entity." It directly affects redevelopment agencies, municipalities seeking to acquire property for commercial projects, and private developers involved in such plans, requiring them to demonstrate that eminent domain use is necessary for public benefit rather than private gain. The law takes effect October 1, 2025, for property acquired on or after that date.

Maddy summaryHB 6491 prioritizes allocation of rental assistance vouchers to individuals planning to use them in municipalities that have not met a 10% threshold for the affordable housing appeals procedure exemption. The bill requires the housing commissioner to focus voucher distribution on these underserved areas to promote housing choice and encourage use of the program in communities where it has historically been underutilized. Key provisions include directing the commissioner to affirmatively seek full annual expenditure of funds and establish rent levels that support broader program use across all municipalities. This change takes effect October 1, 2025, directly affecting voucher recipients and local housing markets in qualifying municipalities.

Maddy summaryHB 5065 exempts sales of tangible personal property and services to military and veterans-related organizations (specifically those classified under IRS 501(c)(19)) from the state's sales and use taxes. This directly affects qualifying groups like veterans' posts, auxiliary organizations, and similar entities. The bill amends existing tax law to remove the tax burden on purchases these organizations make for their operations within the state. It does not create new funding or alter eligibility for existing tax exemptions. The policy change is limited to sales, storage, use, or consumption of property or services by these specific organizations.

Maddy summaryHB 5544 imposes a registration fee on electric vehicles (EVs) and plug-in hybrid electric vehicles, and levies a per-kilowatt-hour tax on electricity sold at public EV charging stations. This bill directly affects EV owners through the new registration fee and charging station operators through the electricity tax. Revenue generated from both the fee and tax must be deposited into the Special Transportation Fund. The policy change shifts funding for transportation infrastructure to include EV-related fees, rather than relying solely on traditional fuel taxes.

Maddy summaryHB 5549 restores the tax credit rate against the affected business entity tax to 93.01 percent. This bill directly affects businesses that pay the affected business entity tax by increasing the credit they can claim. The key provision amends Chapter 228z of the general statutes to return the credit rate to its prior level. This is a procedural adjustment to correct a previous reduction, not a new policy change.

Maddy summaryHB 5546 exempts clothing for children ten years old and younger from the state's sales and use taxes. This policy change directly affects parents and caregivers who purchase clothing for young children, removing a tax burden on these essential items. The bill amends existing tax law (section 12-412 of the general statutes) to specifically exclude such clothing from taxable sales. The purpose, as stated in the bill, is to provide tax relief for families on necessary children's apparel.

Maddy summaryHB 5026 exempts the sale, storage, use, and consumption of aircraft weighing less than 6,000 pounds (maximum certificated takeoff weight) from state sales and use taxes. This change directly affects owners, buyers, and sellers of small aircraft, such as personal or small business planes. The bill amends existing tax law to create a uniform exemption for this category of aircraft, removing a tax burden previously applied to their purchase and use. It does not apply to larger aircraft or other taxable items.

Maddy summaryHB 5360 prohibits all state agencies from advertising, marketing, or promoting recreational cannabis products, sales, consumption, or cannabis businesses. It directly affects state departments and agencies that might have previously run promotional campaigns related to cannabis. The bill explicitly bans activities encouraging cannabis use (including concentrates and infused beverages), promoting cannabis establishments, or supporting the recreational cannabis market. This amendment to existing cannabis regulations takes effect immediately upon passage and applies to all state agencies as defined by law.