Budget & Taxes

in committee · Connecticut · House Feb 9, 2026

HB 5097: AN ACT ELIMINATING THE QUALIFYING INCOME THRESHOLDS FOR THE PERSONAL INCOME TAX DEDUCTIONS FOR SOCIAL SECURITY BENEFITS, PENSION OR ANNUITY INCOME AND CERTAIN INDIVIDUAL RETIREMENT ACCOUNT DISTRIBUTIONS.

HB 5097 eliminates income limits that previously restricted eligibility for tax deductions on Social Security benefits, pensions, annuities, and certain retirement account withdrawals. This change directly affects retirees and senior citizens who receive these income types, allowing them to claim the deduction regardless of their total income level. The bill amends Section 12-701 of the tax code to remove the qualifying income thresholds, simplifying the deduction process. It does not change the deduction amount but expands who qualifies for it.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesEliminates income thresholds for tax deductions on retirement income, providing direct tax relief to retirees who previously couldn't claim deductions due to income limits.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Income Tax Pensions

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in committee · Connecticut · House Feb 6, 2026

HB 5048: AN ACT REQUIRING THE REMOVAL OF THE PUBLIC BENEFITS CHARGE FROM CONSUMER ELECTRIC BILLS.

HB 5048 would remove the "public benefits charge" currently added to electricity bills for residential and business customers. This charge, which funds programs like energy assistance, would no longer appear on customer bills. Instead, the state would pay for these programs using funds from the General Fund (taxpayer money), not from electricity bills. The bill directly affects all end-use electricity customers in the state by eliminating this specific line item on their monthly bills.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesRemoves utility charge from bills, shifting funding to General Fund, reducing customer bills as tax relief for electricity users95% confidence

Sub-Topics Appropriations State Budget

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in committee · Connecticut · Senate Feb 17, 2026

SB 214: AN ACT CONCERNING THE BASIC PROPERTY TAX EXEMPTION FOR VETERANS AND CERTAIN OTHER MILITARY-RELATED INDIVIDUALS.

SB 214 increases the property tax exemption for veterans and certain military-related individuals from $15,000 to $20,000 on properties valued under $750,000. This directly affects qualifying veterans who own homes or other properties meeting the value threshold. The bill modifies existing law to provide a $20,000 reduction off the assessed value of eligible properties. It does not change eligibility criteria but sets a $750,000 cap on property value to qualify for the exemption. The change applies to all qualifying properties owned by veterans or military-related individuals in the state.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesIncreases property tax exemption for veterans, reducing their tax burden. Direct tax relief aligns with supporting fiscal responsibility for lower-income groups.95% confidence ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransIncreases property tax exemption for veterans from $15,000 to $20,000, directly expanding financial benefits under veterans' tax policy.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Property Tax Tax Incentives Veteran Benefits Veteran Education Veteran Housing

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in committee · Connecticut · House Feb 11, 2026

HB 5201: AN ACT INCREASING FUNDING FOR CERTAIN TRANSITION SERVICES OFFERED TO STUDENTS.

HB 5201 allocates $150,000 to the Department of Developmental Services to purchase software licenses for local school districts. The software will support Project SEARCH, a program helping students with disabilities transition to employment or further education. This funding directly affects students participating in Project SEARCH by expanding access to coordinated transition services. The bill’s key mechanism is providing schools with shared software tools to improve service delivery, as stated in its purpose. (3 sentences)

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill allocates $150,000 for Project SEARCH software, increasing state funding for student transition services and advancing public service appropriations.90% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationAllocates $150,000 for software supporting Project SEARCH transition services, expanding educational access for students with disabilities through coordinated school programs.95% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentFunds software for Project SEARCH, aiding students with disabilities in employment transition, directly supporting workforce entry and employment standards.90% confidence

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in committee · Connecticut · Senate Apr 2, 2026

SB 251: AN ACT CONCERNING THE AUDITORS OF PUBLIC ACCOUNTS, AUDITS OF PRIVATE ENTITIES AND PERFORMANCE AND ACCOUNTABILITY STANDARDS FOR STATE AND QUASI-PUBLIC AGENCIES.

SB 251 expands the audit authority of the Auditors of Public Accounts, allowing them to set their own audit schedules and scope for state agencies, public bodies, and private contractors receiving $25,000+ annually in state funds for housing or human services. The bill requires annual audits of the Treasurer and Comptroller, biennial audits of state departments and agencies (with more frequent audits permitted if needed), and mandates that private contractors provide relevant information and allow office visits. Auditors must report findings to the Governor and legislative committees and submit an annual audit plan to the government oversight committee by July 1, 2026. This bill directly affects state government entities, public bodies, and qualifying private contractors.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesMandates audits for state funds and contractors to enhance fiscal accountability and responsible budget management, aligning with fiscal responsibility indicators.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Audits & Accountability

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in committee · Connecticut · Senate Feb 20, 2026

SB 280: AN ACT CONCERNING THE LEGISLATIVE COMMISSIONERS' RECOMMENDATIONS FOR MINOR AND TECHNICAL REVISIONS TO STATUTES RELATING TO VETERANS' AND MILITARY AFFAIRS.

SB 280 makes minor technical revisions to statutes affecting veterans' services in Connecticut. It clarifies staffing requirements for the Office of Advocacy and Assistance, specifying it must have at least 19 staff (including 14 veteran service officers who must be veterans themselves) and 3 clerical personnel. The bill also establishes a dedicated "Hispanic-American Veterans of Connecticut" commemorative account within the General Fund to fund bilingual services for veterans, allowing private donations to support this account. These changes are purely procedural and technical, with no new funding or policy shifts, as stated in the bill's purpose.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesEstablishes dedicated General Fund account to fund bilingual veteran services, allocating state funds for a specific program.90% confidence ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransClarifies staffing with veteran service officers and funds bilingual veteran services via dedicated account, strengthening access to benefits.90% confidence

Sub-Topics State Budget Memorials & Recognition

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in committee · Connecticut · House Feb 10, 2026

HB 5123: AN ACT AUTHORIZING BONDS OF THE STATE FOR A CLOUD-BASED FILING SYSTEM FOR THE TOWN OF PLYMOUTH.

HB 5123 authorizes the state to issue up to $20,000 in bonds to fund a cloud-based filing system for Plymouth Town. The funds would be provided as a grant through the Office of Policy and Management to Plymouth's local government. This bill directly affects Plymouth Town by providing targeted financial support for upgrading its document management system. The key mechanism is a state bond authorization specifically for this local government technology project, with no broader policy changes or eligibility criteria beyond the town's need.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesAuthorizes state bonds ($20k) for targeted government spending on Plymouth's document management system, directly advancing fiscal allocation for public infrastructure.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Debt & Bonds

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in committee · Connecticut · House Apr 15, 2026

HB 5031: AN ACT MAKING DEFICIENCY APPROPRIATIONS FOR THE FISCAL YEAR ENDING JUNE 30, 2026.

HB 5031 allocates $70,010,000 from the General Fund to cover budget shortfalls for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2026, directly affecting state agencies. Key provisions include $14.5 million for the Department of Housing’s homeless services, $5.5 million for mental health personal services, $5.775 million for emergency services, and $6 million for inmate medical services under Corrections. The bill funds ongoing operations and critical programs rather than creating new policies. It is a routine budget adjustment to address existing fiscal gaps, not a new legislative initiative.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesAllocates $70M to cover budget shortfalls and fund critical programs (homeless services, mental health, emergency, inmate medical), directly supporting state operations and essential services without tax changes.95% confidence ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeAllocates $6M for inmate medical services under Corrections, directly funding a correctional program within the criminal justice system.85% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareAllocates $5.5M for mental health services, $5.775M for emergency services, and $6M for inmate medical services, directly funding critical healthcare programs without restrictions.92% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingAllocates $14.5M to Department of Housing for homeless services, directly funding housing assistance and addressing homelessness.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Appropriations State Budget Corrections Mental Health Homelessness

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in committee · Connecticut · House Mar 30, 2026

HB 5390: AN ACT CONCERNING THE REGIONAL PLANNING INCENTIVE ACCOUNT.

HB 5390 establishes a $7 million annual fund to support regional planning councils in Connecticut. Starting July 1, 2026, each council formed under Section 4-124j will receive funding based on a population formula, plus a fixed $200,000 to hire housing planning staff and another $200,000 to fund either a stormwater/flood mitigation coordinator or a waste/recycling coordinator position. The bill clarifies that councils may allocate the second $200,000 to fund both coordinator roles if needed. This directly affects regional councils by providing dedicated funding for specific planning and infrastructure roles.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesAllocates $7M annual state fund for regional planning councils, increasing public service funding for housing, stormwater, and waste management programs.95% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentFunds stormwater/flood mitigation and waste/recycling coordinators, directly supporting pollution control and conservation efforts.90% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingAllocates $200k annually to hire housing planning staff, directly funding housing development planning efforts within regional councils.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Coastal & Flood Protection Recycling Water Quality

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in committee · Connecticut · House Feb 4, 2026

HB 5028: AN ACT REMOVING THE PUBLIC BENEFITS CHARGE FROM ELECTRIC BILLS.

HB 5028 removes the "Combined Public Benefits Charge" from electricity bills for residential and business customers of electric distribution companies. This bill directly affects all end-use electricity customers in the state by eliminating this specific fee from their monthly bills. The key mechanism shifts the funding source for these public benefits programs from customer bills to the state General Fund. The bill does not change existing public benefits programs but changes how their costs are paid. This is a direct billing change with no impact on program eligibility or service levels.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesRemoves public benefits charge from electricity bills, providing direct tax relief to residential and business customers by shifting funding to state General Fund.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Fees & Licensing State Budget

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