Rep. Craig Fishbein

Maddy summaryHB 5074 appropriates additional funds from the General Fund to the Department of Energy and Environmental Protection for farmland preservation during the 2026-2027 fiscal year. The bill directly affects farmland preservation programs by increasing available funding for land conservation efforts. Key provision: It allocates specific budget resources to support the state's existing farmland preservation initiatives. This is a funding measure, not a new policy, aimed at strengthening current conservation work without altering program rules.

Maddy summaryHB 5079 repeals a $5 annual fee called the "Passport to the Parks" that was added to motor vehicle registrations. This change directly affects all vehicle owners in the state who previously paid this fee when registering their cars. The bill simply removes the fee from the law, eliminating the charge without creating new programs or requirements. It does not alter park access or funding mechanisms, only eliminating the registration fee. The bill is procedural and focuses solely on removing this specific fee from statute.

Maddy summaryHB 5048 would remove the "public benefits charge" currently added to electricity bills for residential and business customers. This charge, which funds programs like energy assistance, would no longer appear on customer bills. Instead, the state would pay for these programs using funds from the General Fund (taxpayer money), not from electricity bills. The bill directly affects all end-use electricity customers in the state by eliminating this specific line item on their monthly bills.

Maddy summaryHB 5065 would create a personal income tax deduction for stipends paid to volunteer firefighters and volunteer ambulance members. The deduction applies to stipends received from municipalities, volunteer fire departments, or volunteer ambulance associations. This would reduce the taxable income of qualifying volunteers who receive these small payments for their service. The bill directly affects volunteer emergency responders in these roles who currently have no tax relief for such stipends.

Maddy summaryHB 5064 creates a $5,000 annual tax credit for farmers who donate food to charitable organizations, adjusted each year based on inflation using the consumer price index. This credit directly benefits farmers by reducing their state tax liability for food donations and supports charitable organizations receiving surplus food. The bill establishes a concrete financial incentive to encourage food donations, aiming to reduce waste while aiding food-insecure communities. It does not change existing food donation laws but provides a new tax benefit for qualifying donations.

Maddy summaryHB 5051 would allow Connecticut taxpayers to deduct tips or gratuities and overtime pay from their state personal income tax, but only for amounts already deductible on federal income tax returns. This directly affects service industry workers (like servers or hospitality staff) and employees who regularly earn overtime, potentially reducing their state tax burden. The bill’s key mechanism is aligning Connecticut’s tax deduction with federal tax rules, meaning the state would mirror the federal treatment of these income types. It does not create new deductions but expands existing federal-eligible deductions to state tax filings. The bill is sponsored by Representatives Carney, Pavalock-D’Amato, Polletta, and Vail.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a nonrefundable personal income tax credit of up to $150 for individuals who purchase a gun safe for personal use. The credit reduces the amount of state income tax owed but cannot result in a refund if the credit exceeds the tax liability. It directly affects individual taxpayers who buy gun safes, providing a tax benefit for this specific purchase. The policy change creates a new tax incentive without altering firearm regulations or safety standards.

Maddy summarySB 53 authorizes the state to issue up to $50,000 in bonds to fund a garden at York Correctional Institution. The garden will grow fresh produce specifically for inmate consumption, managed by the Department of Correction. This bill directly affects inmates at York Correctional Institution by providing them with access to homegrown food. The funding mechanism uses state bonds under existing statutes, with no new tax increases or policy changes beyond this specific project.

Maddy summarySB 24 appropriates funds from the General Fund to the Department of Education for the Office of Dyslexia and Reading Disabilities' operational costs during the 2026-2027 fiscal year. The bill directly provides financial support to this specific office, which focuses on dyslexia and reading disabilities initiatives. It establishes a dedicated budget for the office's day-to-day operations, without altering existing programs or eligibility requirements. This is a procedural funding measure, not a policy change affecting individuals or schools.

Maddy summarySB 79 prohibits state agencies from charging payors a service fee when payments are made using credit cards, charge cards, or debit cards. This directly affects individuals and businesses paying state fees (like licenses or permits) who would otherwise face extra charges for using card payments. The bill amends statutes to explicitly ban these fees, requiring agencies to accept card payments without additional costs. It does not change how payments are processed, only eliminates the fee for specific payment methods.