Rep. Craig Fishbein

Maddy summaryHB 5011 eliminates the highway use tax by amending Section 12-493a of the general statutes. This bill directly affects drivers who previously paid this tax on vehicle registration or use. The key change removes the tax requirement from state law, resulting in no additional cost for affected drivers under this provision. The bill focuses solely on repealing the tax without altering other vehicle-related fees or requirements.

Maddy summaryHB 5020 eliminates a 1% additional sales and use tax on meals sold by restaurants, caterers, and grocery stores. The bill amends tax code to remove this specific tax rate, directly affecting businesses that sell prepared food. Key provision: the tax change applies to all meals sold by these establishments, regardless of whether they're dine-in, takeout, or delivered. This policy change simplifies the tax structure for these businesses without altering other tax rates.

Maddy summaryHB 5026 would allow taxpayers to deduct premiums paid for long-term care insurance from their personal income tax. This directly affects individuals who purchase long-term care insurance policies, reducing their taxable income by the amount paid for these premiums. The bill adds this deduction to the state's tax code, meaning eligible taxpayers would subtract their qualifying insurance costs when calculating their income tax liability. It does not change eligibility for long-term care insurance itself, only provides a tax benefit for those who already have coverage. The policy creates a concrete tax reduction for a specific type of insurance expense.

Maddy summaryHB 5027 would allow state legislators to use social media ads instead of physical mailings for official communications with constituents. It directly affects members of the General Assembly by providing a new option for outreach. The key provision amends existing law to permit digital advertising on platforms like Facebook or X as a replacement for traditional mailings. This change aims to reduce mailing costs while potentially improving how legislators connect with voters. The bill does not alter voting rights or create new regulations for constituents.

Maddy summarySB 74 would create a $20 million state tax credit for dairy farmers to help offset income losses during periods when milk prices drop. The credit directly affects dairy farmers in the state who experience cyclical price fluctuations in milk sales. The bill establishes this tax credit as a fixed pool, meaning it would provide financial relief to eligible farmers when milk prices fall below certain levels. This is a direct policy change to support dairy farm revenue stability, not a procedural measure.

Maddy summaryHB 5007 requires the state to fully reimburse municipalities for revenue lost when veterans qualify for a property tax credit under subdivision (83) of section 12-81 of the general statutes. This directly affects municipalities that administer the veterans' property tax exemption, which reduces local tax revenue. The bill's key mechanism is a state-funded reimbursement to offset the financial impact of the exemption. It does not change the veterans' tax credit itself but ensures municipalities are compensated for the revenue loss. (Bill: HB 5007, LCO No. 288)

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.