Sen. Eric Berthel

Maddy summaryHB 5213 establishes a working group to evaluate how financial institutions process paychecks and the time required for payroll checks to clear. The group, including banking committee members, the Banking Commissioner, and representatives from banks and credit unions, must submit findings by January 1, 2027. This bill creates a study process but does not change current payroll processing rules or impose new requirements on financial institutions.

Maddy summaryThis bill defines "mortgage loan" as a loan secured by a first mortgage on one-to-four-family residential property in the state, used to purchase that property. It directly affects mortgage lenders and homebuyers by requiring lenders to provide specific written notices at least 10 days before closing. The notice must explain that standard homeowners insurance doesn’t cover flood damage, floods can occur anywhere (even outside designated zones), and buyers should consider flood insurance. Lenders must use plain language, have buyers sign for receipt, and keep copies in records. The law takes effect July 1, 2026.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires Connecticut banks seeking branch approvals or acquisitions to demonstrate strong community reinvestment performance. Before granting such approvals, the Banking Commissioner must confirm banks have met federal community reinvestment standards and submit a public plan detailing how they'll serve low-income neighborhoods. The plan must include specific strategies for credit access, nondiscriminatory services, and branch distribution in underserved areas, and be reviewed by the public for 30 days. This applies to branch applications under sections 36a-125 and 36a-145 of Connecticut law.

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 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 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 summarySB 45 adjusts sales tax rules for certain vehicles by raising the price threshold for the higher tax rate from $75,000 to over $75,000. It also removes the higher tax rate entirely for commercial vehicles (like delivery trucks or company vans). This change directly affects buyers of expensive personal vehicles (over $75,000) and commercial fleet operators. The bill modifies Chapter 219 of the general statutes to implement these tax adjustments. It does not change tax rates for standard vehicles below the new threshold.

Maddy summarySB 47 would create a personal income tax deduction of up to $25,000 for tips or gratuities reported by workers in occupations that customarily receive tips (as defined by the IRS, such as servers or bartenders). This deduction directly affects service industry workers who declare tip income on their tax returns. The bill amends tax law to allow these taxpayers to reduce their taxable income by the amount of declared tips, potentially lowering their overall tax bill. It applies only to tips actually reported to the IRS, not unreported income.

Maddy summarySB 49 eliminates the highway use tax by amending Section 12-493a of the general statutes to remove this tax provision from state law. It directly affects vehicle owners who previously paid this tax as part of registration or road usage fees. The bill’s key mechanism is the deletion of the tax requirement from existing statutes, removing the obligation for taxpayers. This policy change would end the collection of the highway use tax without creating new fees or exemptions. The bill’s purpose statement explicitly states it aims to eliminate the highway use tax entirely.