Budget & Taxes

signed · Connecticut · House Jun 4, 2026

HB 5247: AN ACT CONCERNING A TEST BED TECHNOLOGIES PROGRAM.

HB 5247 establishes a test bed technologies program to help state agencies evaluate cost-saving technologies through temporary pilot programs. The bill creates an advisory board (with members appointed by the Governor, agency heads, and a nonprofit leader) to review technology proposals, ensuring they are safe, commercially viable, and not developed by businesses already eligible for other state programs. State agencies can run 30-60 day pilot tests using approved technologies, but applicants (technology providers) must cover all costs, provide independent market assessments, and maintain records. The program requires a 2030 report on pilot effectiveness to the legislature, with no mention of changes to the JobsCT tax rebate program in the provided text.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill promotes fiscal responsibility through cost-saving technology pilots for state agencies, directly supporting efficient budget management by evaluating commercial solutions to reduce spending.92% confidence

in committee · Connecticut · House Feb 20, 2026

HB 5285: AN ACT CONCERNING THE ASSESSMENT OF CERTAIN MOTOR VEHICLES.

HB 5285 changes how Connecticut municipalities assess property tax on older motor vehicles. It establishes a standard rate of 10% of a vehicle's original manufacturer's suggested retail price (MSRP) or $500 (whichever is lower) for vehicles 20+ years old. Municipalities may instead adopt a modified rate of 15% of MSRP or $500 for the same vehicles. The law takes effect October 1, 2026, affecting property tax bills for owners of older vehicles across participating towns.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesReduces property tax burden for older vehicle owners via 10% rate (vs. higher rates), providing tax relief aligning with middle-income support indicators.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Property Tax

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in committee · Connecticut · Senate Feb 4, 2026

SB 55: AN ACT DEDICATING THE ADDITIONAL SALES TAX ON MEALS TO CERTAIN PURPOSES.

SB 55 dedicates revenue from an additional 1% sales tax on meals to three specific purposes: 50% to the Tourism Fund, 25% to the municipalities where meals were purchased, and 25% to fund free school lunches. The bill directly affects local governments (through municipal payments), tourism agencies (via the Tourism Fund), and public schools (through school lunch funding). It creates a new, mandatory allocation of this tax revenue stream without changing the tax rate or creating new taxes. The bill focuses on directing existing revenue from a current tax to defined public services.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesDedicates existing meal tax revenue to fund tourism, municipalities, and free school lunches - directly advancing public service funding without new taxes.95% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationAllocates 25% of meal tax revenue to fund free school lunches, directly increasing K-12 school meal funding without defunding or restricting educational access.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Revenue Sales Tax Student Health

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in committee · Connecticut · House Feb 9, 2026

HB 5089: AN ACT EXEMPTING OVERTIME WAGES, TIPS OR GRATUITIES AND SOCIAL SECURITY BENEFITS FROM THE PERSONAL INCOME TAX.

HB 5089 would exempt overtime wages, tips or gratuities, and Social Security benefits from the state's personal income tax. This directly affects workers who earn overtime pay, receive tips (like in restaurants), or rely on Social Security benefits as part of their income. The bill's key mechanism is amending tax law to remove these specific income sources from taxable personal income. It does not change tax rates for other income types, focusing solely on these exemptions.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesExempts overtime, tips, and Social Security from state income tax, providing direct tax relief to lower/middle-income earners and retirees.95% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentExempts overtime, tips, and Social Security from state tax, increasing net income for affected workers without altering wage structures or benefits.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Business Taxes Income Tax Sales Tax Labor Standards Minimum Wage

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in committee · Connecticut · House Feb 20, 2026

HB 5060: AN ACT CONCERNING THE APPRENTICESHIP TRAINING TAX CREDIT.

HB 5060 increases the maximum business tax credit for wages paid to apprentices in the construction trades from $4,000 to $7,500 per apprentice. This directly affects construction companies that hire apprentices, providing them with greater financial incentive to train new workers. The key provision raises the per-apprentice credit limit in the existing tax credit program. The change simplifies the policy by increasing the cap without altering eligibility rules or creating new requirements.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesIncreases business tax credit for apprenticeship training, providing direct tax relief to construction companies under fiscal policy.85% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentIncreases tax credit for apprenticeship training, directly funding workforce development in construction trades and incentivizing employer-sponsored worker training.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Business Taxes Tax Credits Apprenticeships

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in committee · Connecticut · Senate Feb 6, 2026

SB 96: AN ACT ESTABLISHING TAX CREDITS FOR GROCERY STORES BUILT IN LOW-INCOME AREAS.

This bill establishes tax credits for developers building new grocery stores in designated low-income areas with limited grocery access. It directly affects grocery store developers planning to construct in these underserved neighborhoods. The key provision offers financial incentives through tax credits to encourage new store development. The policy aims to improve grocery access in communities currently lacking sufficient retail food options.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill provides tax credits (tax relief) to developers building grocery stores in low-income areas, directly using fiscal policy to incentivize investment and address food access gaps.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Sales Tax Tax Credits Tax Incentives Tags Economic Development

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in committee · Connecticut · Senate Feb 4, 2026

SB 75: AN ACT ESTABLISHING A CAREGIVER TAX CREDIT AGAINST THE PERSONAL INCOME TAX.

SB 75 establishes a $500 tax credit against personal income tax for taxpayers who pay for the care of a family member aged 50+ receiving Social Security disability benefits or aged 60+ (with income limits of $200,000 for single filers and $400,000 for married couples filing jointly). The credit directly affects caregivers supporting eligible relatives while meeting federal income thresholds. Key provisions include the fixed credit amount, specific eligibility criteria for the care recipient, and the income limits for qualifying taxpayers. This bill creates a direct tax reduction for qualifying caregivers, with no additional mechanisms or funding details specified.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesProvides $500 tax credit for caregivers supporting eligible relatives, reducing tax burden for middle-income families within defined income limits.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Business Taxes Income Tax Tax Credits

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in committee · Connecticut · Senate Feb 4, 2026

SB 67: AN ACT ESTABLISHING A CAP ON THE AGGREGATE AMOUNT OF PERSONAL INCOME TAX REVENUE THE STATE MAY COLLECT.

SB 67 establishes a legal limit on the total amount of personal income tax revenue the state can collect annually. If tax collections exceed this cap, the state must refund the excess amount proportionally to all personal income taxpayers. The bill directly affects every individual or household paying state personal income tax by guaranteeing refunds when revenue surpasses the set threshold. This policy change creates a binding fiscal constraint on the state’s ability to raise revenue through its income tax system.

Topics ✗ Budget & TaxesOpposes Budget & TaxesBill caps state personal income tax revenue, forcing refunds when exceeded, directly restricting state's revenue collection ability in budget & taxes.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Business Taxes Income Tax State Budget

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in committee · Connecticut · Senate Mar 23, 2026

SB 245: AN ACT ELIMINATING CERTAIN TAX INCENTIVES FOR DATA CENTERS.

SB 245 eliminates tax exemptions for new data center projects in the state by ending eligibility for tax breaks under Chapters 203 and 219 of the law. It directly affects data center owners, operators, or colocation tenants planning to establish new facilities after July 1, 2026. The bill repeals a provision allowing applications for tax exemptions, making such applications ineligible after the effective date. Existing agreements remain unaffected, as the change only prohibits new applications starting July 1, 2026. This is a procedural tax code adjustment with no new funding or programs.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill closes tax loophole for data centers by eliminating exemptions, aligning with fiscal responsibility and closing tax breaks per indicators.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Business Taxes Tax Incentives

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in committee · Connecticut · Senate Feb 11, 2026

SB 127: AN ACT INCREASING FUNDING FOR HIGHER EDUCATION.

SB 127 increases state funding for Connecticut's public higher education system by appropriating $91 million for the University of Connecticut, $76 million for the Board of Regents for Higher Education, and $72 million for Connecticut State Colleges and Universities and Connecticut State Community Colleges. The funding, allocated for the 2026-2027 fiscal year, directly supports these institutions' operations and programs. The bill's stated purpose is to provide additional resources to help more Connecticut students afford college. This represents a concrete policy change in state budget allocations for public higher education.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill explicitly appropriates $239M for public higher education operations, directly increasing state government spending on essential public services under Budget & Taxes.95% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationSB 127 explicitly increases state funding for Connecticut's public higher education system ($91M UConn, $76M Board of Regents, $72M state colleges) to support operations and programs, directly advancing educational funding.95% confidence

Sub-Topics State Budget Higher Education

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