Rep. Seth Bronko

Maddy summaryHB 5741 requires that new or renovated buildings with four or more stories include at least one elevator large enough to fit a medical stretcher used by emergency personnel. This applies directly to building owners and developers constructing or renovating qualifying multi-story structures. The bill mandates that these elevators must be built and maintained to meet this specific size standard, ensuring accessibility for emergency medical transport.

Maddy summaryHB 5736 restores law enforcement officers' ability to use the smell of cannabis as a legal basis for stopping or searching a vehicle during a traffic stop or to search a person inside a vehicle. It amends statute 54-33p to reverse a prior restriction, allowing officers to cite the odor of cannabis as justification for an investigatory stop or search. This directly affects law enforcement officers conducting traffic stops and individuals who may be stopped based on this odor. The bill focuses on the specific legal standard for stops, not broader cannabis policy changes.

Maddy summaryHB 5733 lowers the age of culpability for enticing minors to commit crimes from 23 to 18 years old, meaning individuals targeting anyone under 18 for criminal acts can now face charges. It increases penalties: first offenses become class D felonies (up from class A misdemeanors), and repeat offenses escalate to class C felonies (up from class D). The bill directly affects people who attempt to recruit or coerce minors under 18 into criminal activity. Its key mechanism is updating age thresholds and penalty tiers to strengthen legal consequences for such behavior. The purpose is to deter and more severely punish those who exploit minors for criminal purposes.

Maddy summaryHB 5734 prohibits criminal networks where an adult (18+) organizes others - including minors (under 17) - to steal motor vehicles or other property. The bill targets organizers who conspire to engage in repeated unlawful taking or disposal of property, classifying the first offense as a class C felony and subsequent offenses as class B felonies. This law directly affects individuals organizing theft networks involving juveniles, aiming to deter both car theft and the exploitation of minors in such crimes. The bill’s key mechanism increases penalties for repeat offenders while specifically addressing the role of adult organizers in recruiting younger participants.

Maddy summaryHB 5132 would change state law to allow hunting on Sundays using shotguns or rifles on both public lands (like state parks) and private property. Currently, Sunday hunting is restricted in many areas, so this bill would remove that limitation for shotgun and rifle hunting. It directly affects hunters who wish to hunt on Sundays on public or private land without needing special permission. The bill does not alter other hunting regulations or seasons.

Maddy summaryHB 5180 reduces the annual filing fee for three business structures from $80 to $20: limited partnerships, limited liability companies (LLCs), and limited liability partnerships (LLPs). This change applies directly to these businesses when they submit their required annual reports to the state. The bill amends specific statutes (34-38, 34-243u, and 34-413) to implement the fee reduction. The policy change simplifies compliance costs for these business entities without altering their operational requirements.

Maddy summaryHB 5204 requires the Police Officer Standards and Training Council to revise the state's model pursuit policy, allowing police officers to pursue individuals suspected of committing certain property crimes. This change directly affects law enforcement officers by expanding their authority during pursuits related to property offenses like theft or vandalism. The bill's key provision mandates the policy revision to align with the stated purpose of better protecting the public through these pursuits. It does not specify which property crimes qualify or alter existing criminal penalties.

Maddy summaryHB 5203 would amend Chapter 925 of state law to restore qualified immunity for law enforcement officers. This legal protection shields officers from civil lawsuits unless they violate "clearly established" rights. The bill directly affects police officers by clarifying their legal boundaries during field operations. Its stated purpose is to reduce ambiguity and provide clearer guidance for officers' actions. The bill is currently referred to the Public Safety and Security Committee.

Maddy summaryHB 5081 would eliminate the highway use tax, a fee currently paid by vehicle owners for highway usage. The bill amends section 12-493a of the general statutes to remove this tax, meaning drivers would no longer owe this charge. This change directly affects vehicle owners who pay the tax as part of vehicle registration fees. The bill does not specify alternative funding for highway maintenance or other tax changes.

Maddy summaryHB 5082 eliminates an additional 1% sales and use tax on meals sold by restaurants, caterers, and grocery stores that sell prepared food. This change directly affects these businesses by reducing their tax burden and would lower the cost for customers purchasing meals at these locations. The bill amends existing tax law to remove this specific tax rate, simplifying the tax structure for food sales without creating new requirements or exemptions.