Sen. Martin Looney

Maddy summaryThis resolution adopts Connecticut's "Connecticut Conservation & Development Policies Plan 2025-2030" as the state's official plan for managing land, water, and natural resources. It formally recognizes the revised plan that was developed by the Office of Policy and Management, reviewed through public hearings, and approved by the legislative committee on state planning. The plan establishes priorities for conserving and developing Connecticut's natural, cultural, and built environments over the 2025-2030 period. This resolution directly affects state agencies responsible for implementing land-use and environmental policies under the plan.

Maddy summaryHB 7164 establishes a $3 million emergency nonprofit assistance account to fund specific community services. The bill allocates funds directly to nonprofit organizations providing: 45.3% for LGBTQ+ services, 26.7% for reproductive health care, 22.1% for refugee/immigration assistance, and 2.1% for youth empowerment programs. Funding requires a projected fiscal year 2025 surplus of at least $3 million, with 3.8% retained for judicial administration. The account operates as a permanent fund for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2025, with disbursements made by the Chief Court Administrator.

Maddy summarySB 1267 revises Connecticut's housing authority laws to clarify and expand their service areas. It defines an "expanded area of operation" as territory outside a housing authority's home municipality, allowing authorities to serve neighboring towns only if those towns formally agree through resolution. This change directly affects housing authorities, neighboring municipalities, and low/moderate-income housing projects by creating a clear legal process for cross-municipal collaboration. The bill takes effect July 1, 2025, and does not alter funding or new housing requirements.

Maddy summarySB 1383 prohibits landlords from charging tenants for utilities if a residential unit lacks an individual meter for those utilities. It directly affects tenants in multi-unit housing (like apartments) without separate utility meters, preventing landlords from including such charges in rental agreements. The key provision makes any requirement for tenants to pay for utilities without a dedicated meter unenforceable under state law. The bill takes effect July 1, 2025, ensuring tenants are only charged for utilities when their unit has a separate meter.

Maddy summarySB 831 requires large employers (retail, hospitality, food service, or long-term care facilities with 500+ global employees) to provide advance notice of work schedules to specific employees, including retail workers, hospitality staff, and nursing assistants/ordinaries. Employers must give new hires a written schedule estimate before starting work and provide 14 days' notice for all scheduled shifts, with changes requiring written notice before shifts begin. Employees can decline unscheduled shifts without penalty, and employers must revise posted schedules within 24 hours of changes. The law applies only to defined large employers and excludes workers covered by federal minimum wage rules.

Maddy summaryHB 6236 prohibits waterfowl and bird hunting in specific sections of Morris Cove in New Haven. The bill requires the Department of Energy and Environmental Protection to enforce this ban, effective immediately upon passage. This directly affects hunters in the Morris Cove area and aims to improve safety and quality of life for local residents, as stated in the bill's purpose.

Maddy summaryThis resolution approves a $3.75 million settlement agreement in a federal court case (Colleen Lord et al. v. Carlos Padro et al.) involving the state. It authorizes a one-time expenditure from the General Fund's Adjudicated Claims Account to cover the settlement costs. The resolution is procedural - requiring legislative approval for the settlement as mandated by law - but does not create new policies or affect any ongoing state programs.

Maddy summarySB 1366 requires pharmacy benefits managers (PBMs) to disclose prescription drug costs and lower-cost alternatives to patients, prohibiting contracts that penalize pharmacists for sharing this information. It establishes a fiduciary duty for PBMs to prioritize the interests of health plans, pharmacies, and patients, and mandates annual reporting of rebate practices by health carriers. The bill directly affects pharmacists (by allowing cost transparency), patients (through clearer pricing), and PBMs (by imposing new duties and reporting rules). Key provisions include banning contract terms that restrict cost-sharing disclosures (effective 2018), requiring PBMs to avoid conflicts of interest (effective 2025), and mandating rebate reports to the Insurance Commissioner (starting 2021). These changes aim to increase transparency in drug pricing and pharmacy benefit management.

Maddy summarySB 741 establishes a new statewide property tax on high-value residential homes, applying to properties assessed at $3 million or more. It imposes tiered rates: 2 mills (0.2%) on homes valued $3-5 million, 3 mills (0.3%) on $5-10 million homes, and 4 mills (0.4%) on homes worth $10 million or more. Revenue from this tax must fully fund equalization aid grants under Connecticut law (section 10-262h), which support public school funding. This directly affects owners of luxury residential properties above the specified value thresholds.

Maddy summarySB 742 would impose a new 1.75% surcharge on capital gains for Connecticut taxpayers with adjusted gross income meeting the threshold for the state's highest income tax rates (as defined in section 12-700). This surcharge applies specifically to profits from selling investments like stocks or real estate, directly affecting high-income earners who already pay the top marginal tax rates. The bill amends tax law to add this surcharge to existing capital gains tax calculations for qualifying taxpayers. It does not change the base tax rates or thresholds for income brackets.