Sen. Jason Perillo

Maddy summaryHB 5273 requires children under age 12 to wear personal flotation devices (PFDs) while on any public dock, wharf, or pier in the state, effective October 1, 2026. The law directly affects young children and parents or guardians responsible for them in public waterfront areas. It mandates PFD use per federal standards (33 CFR 175.13), overriding local laws that might conflict. The bill applies only to public structures, not boats or private property.

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 summarySB 20 increases the daily payment rate for members and alternate members of the State Board of Labor Relations from $150 to $300 per day. This bill directly affects individuals serving on the State Board of Labor Relations who attend board meetings or perform related duties. The key provision amends section 31-102 of the general statutes to establish the new rate, effective upon enactment. The change applies only to the per diem compensation for board service and does not alter other aspects of the board's operations or responsibilities.

Maddy summarySB 100 reduces the two lowest personal income tax rates for eligible taxpayers. It eliminates the 2% tax rate for single filers earning under $100,000 annually and lowers the 4.5% rate to 3% for those in that bracket. Similarly, it removes the 2% rate for married couples filing jointly earning under $200,000 and reduces the 4.5% rate to 3% for them. The bill directly affects low-to-moderate income earners by decreasing their tax burden on the lowest income levels. These changes apply to taxable income falling within the specified thresholds under the state's income tax code.

Maddy summarySB 77 would create a personal income tax deduction of up to $60,000 for individuals paying full-time home health care costs. It directly affects residents who cover expenses like in-home medical services and medical supplies for themselves or a dependent. The bill amends tax law to allow these costs to reduce taxable income, lowering the amount of tax owed. This is a concrete policy change focused on reducing tax liability for specific health care expenses, without altering eligibility or benefit amounts.

Maddy summarySB 105 eliminates specific fees for occupational and professional licenses, permits, certifications, and registrations. It directly affects speech-language pathologists (removing their license fees), professionals regulated by the Department of Consumer Protection (removing their license, permit, certification, and registration fees), and teachers (removing teaching certificate fees). The bill removes these fees by amending general statutes to delete the associated charges. This is a concrete policy change focused solely on reducing costs for these regulated professions, as stated in the bill's purpose.

Maddy summarySB 181 directs $330.8 million from the state's Budget Reserve Fund to the General Fund to provide refunds of personal income tax actually paid by taxpayers who filed federal tax returns for the 2025 tax year. The Department of Revenue Services will calculate individual refunds based on actual tax paid. This one-time refund affects taxpayers who filed federal returns for 2025, using existing state funds rather than changing tax rates or laws. The bill does not create new tax obligations or alter future tax policy.

Maddy summaryThis bill allocates $___ from the General Fund to the Connecticut Department of Agriculture for the Connecticut-Grown for Connecticut Kids program during fiscal year 2027. It directly supports local farms and food growers by providing funding for incentives to supply produce to schools and community programs. The key mechanism is a dedicated annual appropriation to sustain the program's operations. This policy change ensures ongoing financial support for connecting Connecticut-grown food with local children's nutrition initiatives.

Maddy summarySB 99 creates a refundable tax credit against personal income tax equal to the motor vehicle property tax paid by qualifying taxpayers. It directly affects low-to-moderate-income individuals: single filers with adjusted gross income under $100,000 and married couples filing jointly with income under $200,000. The credit is refundable, meaning eligible taxpayers receive cash back even if the credit exceeds their income tax liability. The bill specifically applies to motor vehicle property tax, not home property tax (though the text references a separate residence tax limitation, which is unrelated to this vehicle credit). This is a concrete policy change that reduces the tax burden for vehicle owners meeting the income thresholds.

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.