Rep. Craig Fishbein

Maddy summaryHB 5435 amends Connecticut law to include dwelling units purchased by households earning ≤80% of the area median income in the calculation for a 10% threshold exemption. This change affects developers of housing projects that would otherwise face affordable housing appeals procedures. The bill adds these income-qualified units to the threshold calculation, potentially expanding the number of projects qualifying for exemption from affordable housing requirements. It directly impacts housing developments targeting lower-income buyers by altering how the exemption threshold is determined under section 8-30g of the general statutes.

Maddy summaryHB 5432 (Introduced by Rep. Piscopo) seeks a federal waiver under Section 1115 of the Social Security Act to require able-bodied Medicaid recipients to work or volunteer to maintain their benefits. This would directly affect Medicaid recipients aged 18-54 who are able-bodied and currently enrolled in the program. The bill's key mechanism is directing the Commissioner of Social Services to apply for this waiver, which would allow the state to impose the work/volunteer requirement. The bill does not change current Medicaid rules but proposes a pathway to implement this condition through federal approval.

Maddy summaryHB 5402 repeals the current "Combined Public Benefits Charge" from electric bills for end-use customers and requires the General Assembly to approve any future similar charge through a formal vote. This bill directly affects residential and commercial electricity customers by removing an existing fee from their monthly bills and preventing new fees without legislative consent. The key provision mandates that electric distribution companies cannot add such charges unless the legislature votes affirmatively to authorize them. The bill aims to shift control over these fees from utility companies to elected representatives.

Maddy summaryHB 5453 requires healthcare providers to notify a minor's parent or guardian before a minor can terminate a pregnancy. Minors who cannot notify parents may seek court approval for confidentiality, with the court ensuring the minor's anonymity and expediting the process to allow timely termination. The bill directly affects minors seeking pregnancy termination services in the state. It establishes a court process as the sole alternative to parental notification, aiming to balance parental involvement with minor access to care.

Maddy summarySB 735 would change the state tax code to exempt all Social Security benefits and pension or annuity income from personal income tax. This directly affects every resident taxpayer who receives these types of income, including retirees and disabled individuals. The bill achieves this by amending Section 12-701 of the general statutes to remove these income sources from taxable income. The policy change would reduce tax liability for affected individuals without altering existing benefit amounts. The bill's purpose is explicitly stated as providing tax relief for these specific income streams.

Maddy summarySB 725 establishes school choice options, gives teachers more authority over classroom instruction, and allows parents to view their children's school curricula. It reduces state requirements that cost local schools money without funding and sets higher statewide academic standards for all public schools. The bill directly affects students, parents, teachers, and school districts by changing how education is delivered and accessed. It requires schools to provide parents with curriculum materials and streamlines local school board responsibilities under state law.

Maddy summarySB 744 repeals Connecticut's campaign finance law provisions that unconstitutionally restrict political speech based on content. It specifically removes limits on what candidates can say about other races, affecting all candidates - whether participating in the Citizens' Election Program or not. The bill aligns state law with the Connecticut Supreme Court's 2023 *Markley v. State Elections Enforcement Commission* ruling by eliminating unnecessary restrictions that went beyond preventing funding of campaign speech for different candidates. This change ensures political speech protections under the First Amendment are fully maintained in campaign finance regulations.

Maddy summarySB 745 requires voters to present photo ID for in-person or absentee voting, with free ID options provided by election officials. It mandates verification of voter residency for absentee ballots, bans unsolicited absentee ballot applications, and requires audits of same-day registration. The bill also establishes mandatory minimum sentences for election law violations and creates a new legislative committee to oversee election laws and constitutional amendments. These changes directly affect voters, election officials, and election enforcement bodies across the state.

Maddy summarySB 760 aims to protect correction officers by increasing safety measures in correctional facilities. The bill requires the Department of Correction to boost staffing levels, impose harsher sanctions for inmate violence (including extended isolation), and mandate that out-of-cell time be productive. It also prioritizes employment and education programs for inmates serving fixed-term sentences over life sentences, while ensuring all violence incidents are thoroughly documented. These changes directly affect correction officers (by reducing workplace violence risks) and incarcerated individuals (through new behavioral and programming requirements).

Maddy summaryHB 5322 would require skilled trades employers to hire one apprentice for every licensed worker they employ, changing current hiring practices. This policy directly affects businesses in skilled trades like plumbing, electrical work, and construction that hire apprentices. The bill amends Section 20-332b of state law to establish this uniform one-to-one hiring ratio nationwide. It does not specify additional requirements or exceptions, focusing solely on the mandated ratio.