Rep. Laurie Sweet

Maddy summaryHB 5430 modifies the process for filing claims against the state by allowing the Claims Commissioner to grant permission to sue without a hearing under specific conditions. Claimants must submit a motion and an affidavit confirming a reasonable inquiry and good faith belief in their claim, while the state can only oppose claims on jurisdictional grounds or immunity. The bill sets a 18-month deadline for claims to be resolved, requiring referral to a special deputy if unresolved, with a 90-day decision window after referral. This affects individuals seeking to sue the state and streamlines administrative handling of claims.

Maddy summarySB 8 creates a new Supplemental Graduate Student Loan Program administered by Connecticut's Higher Education Supplemental Loan Authority. It provides state-funded loans to graduate students enrolled in eligible programs (requiring a bachelor's degree) starting July 1, 2026, with funding secured through a $10 million state bond issue. The program uses a dedicated account to issue loans for graduate education, with repayment terms established by the loan authority. This directly affects Connecticut graduate students seeking financial support for advanced degree programs.

Maddy summarySB 285 creates a tax credit for family caregivers who provide unpaid care to eligible relatives. It allows caregivers with incomes under $50,000 (individual) or $100,000 (couple) to claim a credit covering 50% of qualifying expenses - such as home modifications, medical equipment, hiring aides, or respite care - up to $2,000 annually. Expenses like general home repairs (e.g., painting, plumbing) are excluded, and the total credit pool is capped at $1.8 million per year. The credit is nonrefundable, meaning it only reduces tax liability but cannot result in a cash refund.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires eligible Connecticut school districts to provide free breakfasts to all students and free or reduced-price lunches to students already qualifying under federal meal programs, starting July 1, 2026. It applies to local/charter schools and magnet operators participating in federal School Breakfast or Lunch Programs but not using the federal Community Eligibility Provision. Schools providing these meals will receive state grants from the Department of Education to cover costs, replacing previous funding mechanisms. The policy directly affects school districts serving students in grades K-12 who meet federal eligibility criteria.

Maddy summarySB 330 allows spouses (and others) to be paid for providing personal care to elderly individuals enrolled in Connecticut's state-funded home-care program. It directly affects married seniors aged 65+ who qualify for the program but aren't eligible for Medicaid, meet income/assets limits, and are at risk of unnecessary nursing home placement. The bill adds a provision (replacing part of existing law) authorizing the Social Services Commissioner to establish training and documentation rules for compensated caregivers, including spouses. This changes the program by explicitly permitting spouse caregivers to receive payment for services they provide, rather than requiring them to be unpaid family members. The policy takes effect July 1, 2026.

Maddy summaryHB 5144 appropriates funds to cover the cost difference between federal reimbursement rates for reduced-price school meals and full-price meals. It directly affects public school districts participating in federal meal programs by allowing them to provide free breakfasts to all students and free lunches to students already eligible for reduced-price meals. The bill’s key mechanism is reimbursing districts for the gap between what the federal government pays and the actual cost of serving these meals. This policy change ensures schools can maintain these meal programs without charging eligible students, as specified in the bill’s purpose statement.

Maddy summaryHB 5187 adjusts the state's budget management rules by changing how the threshold for transferring revenue to volatility funds is calculated, shifting to an inflation-adjusted five-year moving average instead of the current method. It also increases the maximum capacity of the Budget Reserve Fund to 20% of net General Fund appropriations. These changes aim to stabilize state budgeting by better accounting for inflation and allowing a larger reserve for fiscal uncertainty. The bill affects the state's budgeting procedures and the legislature's oversight of the Budget Reserve Fund.

Maddy summaryHB 5133 increases the highest marginal personal income tax rate from 6.99% to 7.99%. This change directly affects high-income earners who currently pay the top tax rate under the state's income tax structure. The bill amends Section 12-700 of the general statutes to implement this specific percentage increase, with no other provisions or mechanisms described in the text. The measure focuses solely on adjusting the tax rate for the highest income bracket.

Maddy summarySB 101 would create a new statewide property tax on residential properties valued over $3 million. It sets three tax rates based on property value: 0.2% (2 mills) for homes worth $3-5 million, 0.3% (3 mills) for $5-10 million properties, and 0.4% (4 mills) for homes valued at $10 million or more. This tax would apply uniformly across the state to qualifying high-value residential properties, directly affecting owners of such homes. The bill specifies the tax rates but does not detail how the revenue would be allocated.

Maddy summarySB 104 would impose a 1.75% surcharge on net gains from selling capital assets (like stocks or real estate) for Connecticut taxpayers with adjusted gross income meeting the threshold for the state's highest and second-highest marginal tax brackets. It directly affects high-income earners whose income level triggers the top tax rates under current law. The surcharge applies only to capital gains, not ordinary income, and is calculated as a percentage of the net gain from qualifying sales. This is a specific tax rate change affecting a defined income group, not a broad policy overhaul.