Rep. Mark Anderson

Maddy summarySB 144 requires Connecticut's Siting Council to include local representation during reviews of proposed facilities like waste plants or utilities. For each project, the council must add four members appointed by the affected municipality (three local residents and one from a neighboring area) plus one additional local elector appointed by the municipality. These members serve as nonvoting participants to provide community perspective during siting decisions. The bill directly affects municipalities where new facilities are proposed, ensuring local voices are heard in the review process. It becomes effective October 1, 2026.

Maddy summaryHB 5309 requires healthcare providers to provide specific counseling to minors (under 18) seeking abortion services, including explaining pregnancy alternatives, birth control resources, and the option to involve parents. The bill mandates that providers give at least 48 hours' written notice to one parent or legal guardian before performing an abortion, unless the minor reports abuse by a parent/guardian - then notice may go to a sibling, stepparent, grandparent, or other adult over 21. Providers must document the counseling and notice process in a signed form kept with the minor's medical record. This law directly affects minors seeking abortion care in Connecticut and the healthcare providers who treat them.

Maddy summaryHB 5060 increases the maximum business tax credit for wages paid to apprentices in the construction trades from $4,000 to $7,500 per apprentice. This directly affects construction companies that hire apprentices, providing them with greater financial incentive to train new workers. The key provision raises the per-apprentice credit limit in the existing tax credit program. The change simplifies the policy by increasing the cap without altering eligibility rules or creating new requirements.

Maddy summaryHB 5097 eliminates income limits that previously restricted eligibility for tax deductions on Social Security benefits, pensions, annuities, and certain retirement account withdrawals. This change directly affects retirees and senior citizens who receive these income types, allowing them to claim the deduction regardless of their total income level. The bill amends Section 12-701 of the tax code to remove the qualifying income thresholds, simplifying the deduction process. It does not change the deduction amount but expands who qualifies for it.

Maddy summaryHB 5073 allocates $500,000 from the General Fund for fiscal year 2027 to provide grants to municipalities. The bill directly assists local governments by covering increased costs they face when administering early voting. Key provisions include funding for expenses related to early voting operations, such as staffing or equipment, as stated in the bill's purpose to "mitigate increased costs." This is a straightforward funding measure with no additional policy requirements or eligibility criteria specified.

Maddy summaryHB 5093 increases the state's base funding for public schools from $11,525 to $18,681 per student over five years, with automatic annual adjustments for inflation. This change directly affects local school districts and municipalities, as it increases state education grants (equalization aid) that school districts receive. The bill allows towns to lower property tax rates by the exact amount of the increased state funding, reducing the tax burden on homeowners. It aims to provide immediate property tax relief by aligning local tax revenue reductions with the new state grant levels. The policy change is triggered solely by the increased state funding, without requiring new local tax revenue.

Maddy summarySB 72 would eliminate state taxes or fees where the cost to collect them exceeds the revenue they generate. This applies directly to specific taxes or fees meeting this cost-revenue threshold, affecting taxpayers subject to those eliminated charges. The bill’s key mechanism requires automatic removal of such taxes/fees from state statutes through statutory amendment. It does not target specific existing taxes but establishes a general rule for eliminating inefficient revenue streams.

Maddy summarySB 81 requires the Commissioner of Motor Vehicles to develop a plan for privatizing state DMV operations and submit it to the transportation committee by October 1, 2026. The plan would detail how private companies might handle services like driver's license processing and vehicle registration, currently managed by state employees. The bill's stated purpose is to save state funds and improve efficiency through potential privatization. This legislation does not implement privatization but mandates a formal plan for legislative consideration.

Maddy summarySB 26 provides state funding to reimburse municipalities for increased election costs caused by early voting. It appropriates money from the General Fund for the 2026-2027 fiscal year to cover any cost increases municipalities face in administering early voting. The bill directly affects local governments that operate elections, ensuring they are financially compensated for these specific administrative expenses. This is a straightforward reimbursement mechanism, not a policy change to early voting itself.

Maddy summarySB 69 would eliminate Connecticut's Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) by repealing the statute (section 12-704e) that created the program. This change would directly affect low-to-moderate income working individuals and families, particularly those with children, who currently qualify for the credit. The bill's key mechanism is the simple repeal of the existing law, removing the eligibility and calculation rules for the credit. As a result, qualifying residents would no longer receive this refundable tax credit, reducing their annual tax refund or increasing their tax liability. The bill does not create new provisions but removes the current program.