Budget & Taxes

passed · Connecticut · Senate Apr 23, 2026

SB 447: AN ACT ESTABLISHING A HOMESTEAD PROPERTY TAX EXEMPTION.

This bill establishes a new property tax exemption that reduces the assessed value of primary residences by $50,000 for qualifying homeowners. It directly affects owners of single-family homes, condominiums, and common interest community units who live in the property as their main home. To claim the exemption, homeowners must file an application with their local assessor by November 1 each year, declaring that the dwelling is their primary residence, they own no other primary residence, and they have not claimed this exemption for another property in the same year. The Office of Policy and Management will create and publish the required application form online and may request additional documentation to verify eligibility. This change replaces an existing optional exemption that allowed some municipalities to offer a percentage-based tax reduction on primary residences.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill provides property tax relief by reducing assessed value of primary residences, directly supporting tax relief for homeowners.90% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingBill provides property tax exemption for primary residences, reducing housing costs for homeowners and supporting affordable housing access.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Property Tax Tax Incentives Property Taxes

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in committee · Connecticut · House Apr 14, 2026

HB 5486: AN ACT CONCERNING A DIAPER PARTNERSHIP GRANT PROGRAM.

This bill establishes a state grant program to provide diapers at no cost to children three years old or younger from households with income at or below 200% of the federal poverty level. The program would be administered by the Department of Social Services and funded through a one million dollar appropriation for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2027. Funds would support partnerships between hospital organizations and nonprofit diaper distributors to deliver diapers statewide. The bill also requires recipients to submit reports on distribution numbers, unmet need estimates, health impacts, and future funding recommendations by September 1, 2027.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill establishes a new grant program with $1M appropriation to fund diaper distribution for low-income families, directly increasing funding for public social services.90% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill establishes state-funded diaper grant program for low-income families with young children, improving access to essential health-related supplies and supporting family well-being.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Appropriations Hospitals

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signed · Connecticut · Senate Jun 4, 2026

SB 449: AN ACT CONCERNING THE RECOMMENDATIONS OF THE INTERGOVERNMENTAL POLICY AND PLANNING DIVISION WITHIN THE OFFICE OF POLICY AND MANAGEMENT.

This bill updates how Connecticut distributes state funds to municipalities for capital improvements and economic assistance. It requires the Secretary of the Office of Policy and Management to issue grants to towns by June 30 each year if those towns have used or plan to use all previously received funds, and mandates annual reporting by municipalities on how they spent those grants. The legislation also establishes a small town economic assistance program with a $1 million annual cap per municipality, excludes economically distressed communities from eligibility, and allows certain towns to opt into this program instead of other financial assistance. Additionally, it requires the secretary to publicly post school funding allocations and expands the secretary's authority to identify state-owned real property for potential tax assessment purposes.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill strengthens state budget management by updating fund distribution to municipalities, requiring annual reporting, and establishing economic assistance program with $1M cap, promoting fiscal responsibility and government accountability.90% confidence

in committee · Connecticut · House Apr 20, 2026

HB 5443: AN ACT CONCERNING THE SALES AND USE TAXES RATE FOR AND APPLICABILITY TO CERTAIN MOTOR VEHICLES, PEER-TO-PEER CAR SHARING AND CERTAIN PERSONAL PROPERTY USED IN BURIALS AND CREMATIONS, DEDICATING FUNDING FOR THE TOURISM FUND AND INCREASING THE EXEMPTION AMOUNT FOR SALES TAX-FREE WEEK.

This bill amends Connecticut's sales and use tax rates for specific goods and services, including new provisions for peer-to-peer car sharing and higher taxes on luxury items. It establishes a 9.35% tax rate for short-term vehicle rentals and peer-to-peer car sharing, while reducing the tax rate for military personnel stationed in the state to 4.5%. The legislation also adjusts tax rates for high-value purchases, such as vehicles over $75,000 and jewelry over $5,000, which would be taxed at 7.75% on the full sales price. Additionally, the bill provides tax exemptions for certain biotechnology electricity use and burial-related personal property, while dedicating funding to the state tourism fund and increasing the exemption amount for the annual sales tax-free week.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill adjusts tax rates to generate revenue for state funds while providing targeted relief for military and specific industries, supporting fiscal management.85% confidence ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransBill reduces sales tax for military personnel stationed in state from 9.35% to 4.5%, providing financial benefit to veterans and active duty service members.75% confidence

Sub-Topics Business Taxes Sales Tax

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in committee · Connecticut · Senate Apr 7, 2026

SB 416: AN ACT CONCERNING TRANSPORTATION SYSTEM MODERNIZATION.

This bill establishes a rebate program to help Connecticut residents, businesses, and municipalities purchase or lease new or used electric vehicles, with priority given to low-income households and environmental justice communities. It also creates a matching grant program to help municipalities upgrade traffic signals for better transit efficiency and reduces congestion. Additionally, the bill sets a timeline requiring most school buses to be zero-emission or alternative fuel vehicles by 2035, with accelerated adoption in distressed municipalities.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill establishes rebate and grant programs for EVs and traffic signal upgrades, indicating increased funding for transportation modernization and environmental initiatives.75% confidence ✓ EnergySupports EnergyBill promotes electric vehicle adoption and zero-emission school buses, advancing clean energy and reducing fossil fuel dependence.95% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill promotes electric vehicles, reduces emissions, and funds zero-emission school buses by 2035, directly advancing environmental protection.95% confidence ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationBill establishes rebate programs for electric vehicles, grants for traffic signal upgrades, and mandates zero-emission school buses, directly advancing sustainable transportation infrastructure.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Electric Vehicles Environmental Justice Electric Vehicles

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passed · Connecticut · House May 2, 2026

HB 5498: AN ACT CONCERNING REVISIONS TO STATUTES RELATING TO MUNICIPAL TAX COLLECTION.

This bill updates Connecticut state laws governing how municipalities collect and manage property taxes. It requires towns and cities to send tax bills that clearly explain how much state funding they receive and warn that state grants will be reduced if local spending increases by more than 2.5 percent or the inflation rate, whichever is higher. The law also establishes a new committee to train and certify tax collection staff, ensuring consistent standards across the state. Additionally, it clarifies rules for reducing taxes for low-income residents and bankrupt railroads, requiring official approval and annual reporting of such abatements. These changes take effect on October 1, 2026, and apply to all towns, cities, and boroughs in Connecticut.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill promotes fiscal responsibility by requiring clear tax explanations and linking state grants to local spending limits, enhancing municipal budget management and accountability.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Property Tax

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in committee · Connecticut · Senate Apr 20, 2026

SB 453: AN ACT CONCERNING A CLIMATE CHANGE RELATED SURCHARGE ON CERTAIN INSURANCE POLICIES.

This bill imposes a 5% surcharge on insurance policies covering fossil fuel infrastructure such as oil wells, pipelines, refineries, and coal facilities, effective January 1, 2027. The collected funds will be deposited into a new climate resilience account managed by state officials. These funds will be used to provide flood risk data to communities, run public awareness campaigns about flooding risks, and offer grants for building climate-resilient infrastructure to reduce flood damage. The policy directly affects insurance companies issuing policies for fossil fuel operations and communities that may receive funding for flood mitigation projects.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill creates new revenue through surcharge to fund climate resilience programs, flood risk data, public awareness, and infrastructure grants, advancing fiscal management and public service funding.85% confidence ✗ EnergyOpposes EnergyBill imposes surcharge on fossil fuel infrastructure insurance, effectively increasing costs and restricting fossil fuel development while funding climate resilience.85% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill imposes surcharge on fossil fuel infrastructure to fund climate resilience, flood risk data, and climate-resilient infrastructure grants, directly supporting environmental protection.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Fees & Licensing Coal Oil & Gas Climate Change Coastal & Flood Protection

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in committee · Connecticut · Senate Apr 20, 2026

SB 498: AN ACT CONCERNING PENALTIES FOR TARDY PAYCHECKS FOR PERSONAL CARE ATTENDANTS AND EXPANDING PUBLIC ACCESS TO STATE PROGRAMS.

This bill requires the Department of Social Services to publish quarterly reports on financial and operational data for the fiscal intermediaries that manage Medicaid-funded personal care attendant programs, including timesheet accuracy, payroll errors, and customer service response times. It also mandates an annual compliance audit of these intermediaries by the Auditors of Public Accounts to ensure contract adherence. Additionally, the bill directs the Office of Policy and Management to conduct a cost-benefit analysis by October 1, 2026, to determine whether the state should take over fiscal intermediary duties from private contractors and whether personal care attendants without medical assistance eligibility should gain access to state-subsidized health insurance. These measures aim to increase transparency, improve program oversight, and evaluate potential administrative changes for self-directed home care services.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill strengthens fiscal oversight of Medicaid programs through reporting and audits, promoting fiscal responsibility and accountability in public spending.75% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill strengthens oversight of Medicaid-funded personal care attendant programs, improving financial transparency and operational accountability for healthcare services.75% confidence

Sub-Topics Audits & Accountability Insurance Long-Term Care Medicaid

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in committee · Connecticut · Senate Mar 19, 2026

SB 428: AN ACT CONCERNING RESEARCH FUNDING AT INSTITUTIONS OF HIGHER EDUCATION IN THE STATE.

This bill creates a new Academic Research Funding Commission within the Executive Department to distribute research grants to faculty at Connecticut colleges and universities. The commission will include 13 members appointed by various state officials, including university leaders, legislative leaders, and industry representatives, with co-chairs from the vice presidents of research at UConn and Yale. Its primary function is to award grants that help offset research funding reductions caused by cuts from federal agencies like the National Institutes of Health and National Science Foundation. The commission will operate without compensation for its members, who will receive expense reimbursements, and will establish its own procedures through bylaws.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill establishes new funding mechanism for higher education research, directly addressing state budget allocation for academic institutions and creating dedicated funding streams.75% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill creates new commission to distribute research grants to faculty, directly funding higher education institutions and supporting academic research programs.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Higher Education

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in committee · Connecticut · Senate Apr 20, 2026

SB 513: AN ACT CONCERNING A PAYROLL TAX AND STRUCTURAL EFFICIENCY IN THE COLLECTION OF SUCH TAX AND ESTABLISHING AN ADMINISTRATIVE EFFICIENCY ACCOUNT FOR THE REDUCTION OF CERTAIN CONSUMER CHARGES.

This bill establishes a new payroll tax program effective January 1, 2027, that allows certain state employees to voluntarily reduce their taxable wages in exchange for a state tax credit. Under the program, eligible employees earning more than $50,000 annually (or $80,000 for heads of household) can elect to participate, which would lower their gross pay but provide them with a credit against their state income tax liability. Employers of participating employees would pay a higher payroll tax rate that increases with the employee's income level, ranging from 5% to 10.5% depending on earnings brackets. The bill defines covered employees as those subject to state wage withholding and includes provisions for union members who can elect participation if their collective bargaining agreement allows it. The program is designed to improve state revenue collection efficiency while giving employees a choice to participate in the tax structure.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill creates new revenue collection mechanism through payroll tax program, promoting fiscal responsibility and state budget efficiency85% confidence

Sub-Topics Business Taxes Income Tax Sales Tax

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