Rep. Josh Elliott

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a new Academic Research Funding Commission within the Executive Department to distribute research grants to faculty at Connecticut colleges and universities. The commission will include 13 members appointed by various state officials, including university leaders, legislative leaders, and industry representatives, with co-chairs from the vice presidents of research at UConn and Yale. Its primary function is to award grants that help offset research funding reductions caused by cuts from federal agencies like the National Institutes of Health and National Science Foundation. The commission will operate without compensation for its members, who will receive expense reimbursements, and will establish its own procedures through bylaws.

Maddy summaryHB 5275 requires construction contractors to be jointly responsible for paying unpaid wages owed to workers by their subcontractors on covered projects. It directly affects construction workers, contractors, and subcontractors working on most private construction, renovation, or rehabilitation projects (excluding public works and small residential homes). The key provision makes contractors liable for subcontractors' unpaid wages, effective October 1, 2026, while allowing contractors to include wage payment clauses in contracts - provided these don’t limit workers’ legal rights. The bill also updates wage recovery procedures under existing law, ensuring workers can seek double wages plus fees for unpaid compensation.

Maddy summarySB 364 requires Connecticut's Division of Emergency Management to create standardized protocols for extreme heat and cold weather by January 1, 2027. The protocols must define specific weather thresholds (like temperatures, heat index, and wind chill) that trigger the opening of public cooling and warming centers, along with transportation access and public communication methods. These protocols will be posted online and shared through Connecticut's 2-1-1 Infoline service. The bill directly affects the state agency, local municipalities, and residents who may use these centers during extreme weather events.

Maddy summaryThis bill authorizes the University of Connecticut to join the Association of Research Universities by mandating the hiring of at least ten top-tier research faculty members by June 2029. The legislation requires the university to submit annual progress reports to the state legislature and allocates $35 million in state funding for faculty salaries and benefits. Additionally, it grants the State Bond Commission authority to issue up to $20 million in state bonds to finance infrastructure improvements like laboratory space and equipment needed to support the new faculty. These provisions aim to enhance the university's research capabilities and competitive standing while establishing accountability through regular reporting requirements.

Maddy summarySB 8 creates a new Supplemental Graduate Student Loan Program administered by Connecticut's Higher Education Supplemental Loan Authority. It provides state-funded loans to graduate students enrolled in eligible programs (requiring a bachelor's degree) starting July 1, 2026, with funding secured through a $10 million state bond issue. The program uses a dedicated account to issue loans for graduate education, with repayment terms established by the loan authority. This directly affects Connecticut graduate students seeking financial support for advanced degree programs.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes two main policy changes regarding federal law enforcement personnel. First, it clarifies that federal officers, employees, or agents do not have immunity from prosecution for actions taken under federal law unless those actions were both authorized by law and necessary to perform their official duties. Second, it extends existing hiring restrictions to federal law enforcement officials, prohibiting local police departments from hiring individuals who were previously dismissed for malfeasance or serious misconduct, or who resigned or retired while under investigation for such issues. The law also requires law enforcement units to notify other agencies and the state training council when a former officer with such a history applies for a position elsewhere. These provisions include exceptions for federal officers who are exonerated of all allegations against them.

Maddy summarySB 265 allocates $70 million in new funding for Connecticut's child care system during the 2026 fiscal year, directly affecting low-income families with children on waiting lists for child care subsidies and licensed providers in eastern Connecticut. It directs $65 million to cover children on the subsidy waiting list - prioritizing those from families already receiving subsidies or with special needs - and allows leftover funds for provider support like workforce retention. An additional $5 million is designated as a bonus for licensed child care providers in eastern Connecticut participating in subsidized programs, aiming to address regional shortages and improve access. The bill modifies existing child care funding mechanisms without creating new programs, focusing on immediate resource allocation.

Maddy summaryHB 5144 appropriates funds to cover the cost difference between federal reimbursement rates for reduced-price school meals and full-price meals. It directly affects public school districts participating in federal meal programs by allowing them to provide free breakfasts to all students and free lunches to students already eligible for reduced-price meals. The bill’s key mechanism is reimbursing districts for the gap between what the federal government pays and the actual cost of serving these meals. This policy change ensures schools can maintain these meal programs without charging eligible students, as specified in the bill’s purpose statement.

Maddy summaryHB 5187 adjusts the state's budget management rules by changing how the threshold for transferring revenue to volatility funds is calculated, shifting to an inflation-adjusted five-year moving average instead of the current method. It also increases the maximum capacity of the Budget Reserve Fund to 20% of net General Fund appropriations. These changes aim to stabilize state budgeting by better accounting for inflation and allowing a larger reserve for fiscal uncertainty. The bill affects the state's budgeting procedures and the legislature's oversight of the Budget Reserve Fund.

Maddy summaryHB 5133 increases the highest marginal personal income tax rate from 6.99% to 7.99%. This change directly affects high-income earners who currently pay the top tax rate under the state's income tax structure. The bill amends Section 12-700 of the general statutes to implement this specific percentage increase, with no other provisions or mechanisms described in the text. The measure focuses solely on adjusting the tax rate for the highest income bracket.