Rep. Craig Fishbein

Maddy summarySB 23 appropriates $310,000 from the General Fund to the Department of Children and Families for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2027. The funding is specifically designated for the department's annual data collection, analysis, and reporting on youth service bureau programs. This bill provides direct financial support to the Department of Children and Families to maintain their data reporting system for youth services.

Maddy summarySB 14 provides $500,000 in state funding from the General Fund to the Department of Emergency Services and Public Protection for the state-wide narcotics task force during the 2026-2027 fiscal year. This funding directly supports efforts to combat illegal fentanyl manufacturing and sales in Hartford, New Haven, Bridgeport, and Waterbury. The bill’s key mechanism is a specific fiscal appropriation to the designated state agency, with no new regulations or program changes beyond the allocated budget. It focuses on resource allocation for existing task force operations targeting fentanyl distribution in those four cities.

Maddy summarySB 18 allocates $5 million from the General Fund to the Department of Social Services for the Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) waiver program during the 2026-2027 fiscal year. This funding directly supports individuals and families seeking ASD services by expanding access to the waiver program. The bill’s primary mechanism is increasing financial resources to reduce lengthy waitlists for these critical services. It specifically targets the ASD waiver program to improve timely access to care, without altering eligibility criteria or service types. The appropriation is effective through June 30, 2027.

Maddy summaryHB 5019 would create a personal income tax deduction of up to $60,000 for individuals paying full-time home health care costs, including medical supplies and in-home services. This deduction directly affects residents who cover these expenses for themselves or qualifying family members needing ongoing care at home. The bill amends tax law to allow this deduction, limiting it to the specified annual cap. It does not change existing tax rates or create new government programs, only offering a potential tax reduction for eligible households.

Maddy summaryHB 5022 eliminates income limits that previously restricted who could claim tax deductions for Social Security benefits, pension or annuity income, and certain retirement account withdrawals. This change directly affects retirees and older adults whose income from these sources would now qualify for the deduction regardless of their total earnings. The bill modifies tax code section 12-701 to remove these qualifying thresholds, simplifying the deduction process. As a result, more individuals receiving these income types will benefit from reduced taxable income under the state's personal income tax system.

Maddy summaryHB 5014 creates a tax credit for businesses that sponsor apprenticeships in information technology. It allows taxpayers to reduce their state income tax liability by a credit for qualified IT apprenticeship programs. The credit applies to apprenticeships started under approved training programs, directly benefiting employers who hire and train IT apprentices. This policy change provides a financial incentive for companies to develop workforce pipelines in technology fields without altering existing tax rates.

Maddy summaryHB 5023 reduces fees for small businesses filing documents with the Connecticut Secretary of the State. It directly affects small business owners who must pay fees for registrations, annual reports, or other filings handled by that office. The bill amends Title 34 of the general statutes to lower these specific filing costs. This change lowers the financial burden for small businesses during routine state administrative processes. The bill focuses on concrete fee reductions without altering business requirements.

Maddy summaryHB 5025 would eliminate the highway use tax by amending section 12-493a of the state's general statutes. This change would remove the tax requirement from state law, ending the obligation for individuals and businesses currently subject to it. The bill directly affects those required to pay the highway use tax, typically related to vehicle usage on state highways. The key mechanism is the deletion of the tax provision from the statute, with no additional requirements or exceptions specified.

Maddy summaryHB 5012 eliminates income limits that previously restricted who could deduct Social Security benefits from their state personal income tax. It directly affects residents receiving Social Security benefits who file state tax returns, removing the requirement that their income must fall below a certain threshold to qualify for this deduction. The bill amends Section 12-701 of the general statutes to remove these qualifying income thresholds entirely. This change means more Social Security recipients will automatically qualify for the tax deduction regardless of their income level.

Maddy summaryHB 5021 exempts from state sales and use taxes any children's clothing costing less than $100. This directly affects parents, caregivers, and retailers who sell such clothing within the state. The bill modifies existing tax law to remove the tax burden on qualifying items, including standard children's apparel like shirts, pants, and dresses. It does not apply to clothing over $100 or non-clothing items, and the change takes effect upon enactment.