Rep. Craig Fishbein

Maddy summaryHB 5434 amends a state law to include workforce housing - regardless of deed restrictions - in the calculation for a 10% threshold exemption from affordable housing appeals. This means housing projects with workforce units will now count toward the exemption threshold, potentially allowing more developments to bypass the appeals process. The change directly affects developers and local governments involved in housing projects seeking this exemption under current law. The bill focuses on clarifying the calculation method without altering the exemption’s core requirements.

Maddy summaryHB 5420 would repeal Connecticut's participation in the National Popular Vote Interstate Compact (NPVIC), withdrawing the state from an agreement among participating states to award all electoral votes to the presidential candidate who wins the national popular vote. This bill directly affects Connecticut's method for allocating its 7 electoral votes in presidential elections, ending its commitment to the compact. The key mechanism is repealing Section 9-175a of Connecticut’s general statutes, which currently implements the state’s participation in the NPVIC. If enacted, Connecticut would no longer automatically cast its electoral votes for the national popular vote winner, reverting to its traditional winner-takes-all electoral process.

Maddy summaryHB 5395 removes all references to California law, codes, or regulations from Connecticut's energy conservation, air pollution, and emission standards statutes. It specifically deletes requirements for Connecticut's Department of Energy and Environmental Protection Commissioner to model state standards after California's. The bill directly affects state agencies responsible for setting environmental regulations but does not change existing emission or energy standards. This is a procedural change to Connecticut's statutes, eliminating statutory ties to California's regulatory framework.

Maddy summaryThis bill (HB 5399) would move the Public Utilities Regulatory Authority (PURA) out of the Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP). It directly affects the state's energy regulatory structure by separating these two agencies. The bill requires updating state statutes to reflect this structural change, with no new policy rules or funding changes. It is a procedural reorganization, not a policy amendment.

Maddy summaryHB 5415 would amend Connecticut's tax law to exempt grandchildren from paying use tax when purchasing a motor vehicle in a casual sale from a family member. Currently, the exemption covers immediate family like children and spouses, but this bill would add grandchildren to that list. The change applies specifically to private, non-commercial sales between relatives, such as a grandparent selling a car to a grandchild. This adjustment would remove the use tax requirement for such transactions involving grandchildren.

Maddy summaryHB 5410 removes an extra 1% sales and use tax on meals sold by restaurants, caterers, and grocery stores that sell prepared food. This change directly affects these businesses and their customers by eliminating the additional tax burden on meal purchases. The bill amends existing tax law to eliminate this specific surcharge, which was previously applied to qualifying meals. The policy change simplifies the tax structure for these establishments without altering other sales tax rules.

Maddy summaryHB 5397 requires the Connecticut General Assembly to approve any charge included in the "Combined Public Benefits Charge" on electric bills before it can be applied. This bill directly affects electric distribution companies and their end-use customers, as it would remove any existing charge not approved by the legislature and prevent future charges from being implemented without the General Assembly's affirmative vote. The key mechanism is a statutory change that eliminates automatic inclusion of these charges and mandates legislative approval for both current and future components. The bill aims to ensure that all public benefits charges on electricity bills have explicit legislative authorization.

Maddy summaryHB 5426 requires solar leasing and finance companies operating in Connecticut to provide consumers with payoff or transfer paperwork within seven days of a request. If a company fails to meet this deadline, it must pay the consumer a $250 rebate. The bill directly affects consumers who want to transfer or pay off their solar leases, ensuring timely access to necessary documents. This policy creates a clear, enforceable timeline for companies and provides a financial remedy for non-compliance.

Maddy summaryHB 5396 removes any existing "Combined Public Benefits Charge" from electric bills unless approved by the Connecticut General Assembly. It requires future implementation of such charges only after an affirmative vote by the legislature. This bill directly affects electricity customers, as it changes how certain fees appear on their bills, and shifts authority over these charges from utility companies to the legislature. The key mechanism is eliminating unapproved charges and mandating legislative approval for any new or existing charges in this category.

Maddy summaryHB 5427 would prohibit the sale of kratom products to anyone under 21 years of age. This law directly affects retailers and vendors selling kratom, requiring them to verify customer age and refuse sales to those under 21. The key provision amends state statutes to establish a minimum age of 21 for purchasing kratom, aligning with existing restrictions for alcohol and tobacco. The bill aims to prevent underage access to kratom products through this clear age restriction.