Sen. Tony Hwang

Maddy summarySB 951 establishes ranked-choice voting for certain elections in Connecticut. It allows voters to rank candidates by preference, with tabulation eliminating last-place candidates in sequential rounds until one candidate has majority support in the final round. The bill specifically permits this system for presidential preference primaries and gives municipalities the option to use it for single-member local offices (like mayor or city council seats). This change directly affects voters in those specific elections by altering how their votes are counted.

Maddy summarySB 835 aims to improve healthcare quality and affordability by making several key changes to Connecticut's healthcare system. It removes most certificate of need requirements for hospital service expansions (except for radiology equipment, service reductions, or ownership transfers), mandates public hearings for applications, and requires the state to review applications within 120 days. The bill also adds oversight checkpoints to insurance rate approvals and directs a study on tiered insurance plans based on federal health benefits standards. These changes directly affect hospitals, health care providers, and insurers by streamlining service expansions and altering insurance regulation processes.

Maddy summarySB 800 increases the asset limits for HUSKY C Medicaid eligibility in Connecticut. It raises the maximum allowable assets from $1,600 to $10,000 for unmarried individuals and from $2,400 to $15,000 for married couples. This change directly affects older and disabled residents who previously faced stricter financial thresholds for qualifying. The bill aims to expand access to Medicaid-funded health care by making eligibility more inclusive for low-income households.

Maddy summarySB 746 (2025) aims to improve state government efficiency by revising how agencies operate, hire staff, and handle audits. It requires state agencies to submit detailed vacancy reports after eight months, provide organizational charts, and report on staff levels. The bill transfers hiring responsibility from the Department of Administrative Services to individual agencies and mandates public hearings on audit reports. It also reestablishes two oversight committees and increases criminal penalties for certain ethical violations by state employees. These changes directly affect all state agencies and their administrative processes.

Maddy summarySB 737 aims to lower living costs through tax cuts and regulatory changes. It would reduce income tax rates, cap property taxes, limit licensing fees to $100, and ease business tax burdens - including allowing full expensing of equipment purchases. The bill also restricts municipal mandates (requiring two-thirds legislative approval for new ones), changes University of Connecticut admissions to prioritize Connecticut residents, ends state benefits for undocumented immigrants, and revises retirement calculations for state employees by excluding voluntary overtime. These provisions directly affect residents, businesses, municipalities, and state employees.

Maddy summarySB 725 establishes school choice options, gives teachers more authority over classroom instruction, and allows parents to view their children's school curricula. It reduces state requirements that cost local schools money without funding and sets higher statewide academic standards for all public schools. The bill directly affects students, parents, teachers, and school districts by changing how education is delivered and accessed. It requires schools to provide parents with curriculum materials and streamlines local school board responsibilities under state law.

Maddy summarySB 745 requires voters to present photo ID for in-person or absentee voting, with free ID options provided by election officials. It mandates verification of voter residency for absentee ballots, bans unsolicited absentee ballot applications, and requires audits of same-day registration. The bill also establishes mandatory minimum sentences for election law violations and creates a new legislative committee to oversee election laws and constitutional amendments. These changes directly affect voters, election officials, and election enforcement bodies across the state.

Maddy summarySB 736 increases tax credits for biotech companies by raising the R&D credit exchange rate to 100% (from a lower rate) and removing the cap on how much credit they can use. It also creates a new credit specifically for R&D expenses incurred by biotech businesses structured as partnerships or S-corps (pass-through entities). This bill directly affects biotechnology companies and their pass-through business structures in the state. The changes aim to enhance financial support for R&D activities within the biotech sector.

Maddy summarySB 756 requires Connecticut's Department of Consumer Protection to study whether individuals performing title searches on real property should be licensed or regulated. The study would evaluate current requirements and potential new rules, directly affecting title searchers who currently operate without state licensing. The department must submit a final report to relevant legislative committees within the timeframe specified by law, but the bill does not create new licensing rules itself.

Maddy summarySB 759 modifies multiple criminal justice policies. It requires mandatory GPS monitoring for defendants with bail set at $500,000 or more, mandates fingerprinting for juveniles charged with violent or sexual offenses (with records automatically erased at age 18), and reinstates police authority to stop vehicles for cannabis use. The bill also restores qualified immunity for law enforcement officers, creates a gun trafficking task force, and repeals certain use-of-force restrictions from a 2020 police accountability law. These changes directly affect law enforcement practices, juvenile offenders, and individuals facing high-bail cases.