Budget & Taxes (Procurement)

passed · Connecticut · Senate May 5, 2026

SB 469: AN ACT IMPLEMENTING THE RECOMMENDATIONS OF THE STATE CONTRACTING STANDARDS BOARD.

This bill implements recommendations from the State Contracting Standards Board by establishing new funding procedures and staffing requirements for the board. It mandates that the board receive its budget estimates directly from its executive director and prevents the Governor from reducing existing allotments for the board. The legislation also requires state agencies to create more detailed business cases when proposing privatization contracts, including risk assessments, transition plans for employees, and analyses of potential impacts on workers. Additionally, the bill strengthens procurement oversight by requiring agencies to ensure bidders are informed of their rights, screen contractors properly, and submit performance evaluations to a central data repository.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill establishes new funding procedures and prevents Governor from reducing board allotments, indicating support for state budget management and fiscal oversight.75% confidence

Sub-Topics Procurement

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signed · Connecticut · House Jun 4, 2026

HB 5153: AN ACT CONCERNING MINOR REVISIONS TO DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY AND ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION RELATED STATUTES.

HB 5153 creates a new electric vehicle rebate program prioritizing residents in environmental justice communities and low-income households. It allows rebates or vouchers for purchasing or leasing battery electric, plug-in hybrid, or fuel cell vehicles, with income eligibility capped at 300% of the federal poverty level and a 200% bonus for qualifying residents. Vehicles must cost $50,000 or less, and rebates prioritize those in environmental justice communities or participating in state assistance programs. The bill also makes minor adjustments to land conservation grant rules, allowing urban agriculture or habitat restoration on publicly owned land in targeted communities, but this affects less than 20% of annual grant funding.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesAllocates state funds for EV rebates targeting low-income households, directly funding a new program under state budget priorities.90% confidence ✓ EnergySupports EnergyCreates EV rebate program for clean vehicles prioritizing low-income and environmental justice communities, advancing renewable energy adoption and reducing fossil fuel dependence.95% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentCreates EV rebates prioritizing environmental justice communities and low-income households, promoting clean energy adoption and reducing emissions through vehicle incentives.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Procurement Electric Vehicles Energy Storage Conservation Environmental Justice

in committee · Connecticut · Senate Feb 17, 2026

SB 212: AN ACT ESTABLISHING A TAX CREDIT FOR PREMIUM PAYMENTS FOR CERTAIN LONG-TERM CARE INSURANCE POLICIES.

SB 212 creates a tax credit for individuals and groups purchasing long-term care insurance policies. It credits policyholders for any annual premium increase exceeding 2% of their total premium cost, allowing them to offset future tax liability with unused credits. This directly affects long-term care insurance buyers by reducing their out-of-pocket costs when premiums rise significantly. The credit is calculated annually and can be carried forward to offset taxes in subsequent years.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesCreates tax credit for long-term care insurance premiums, reducing taxpayer liability through annual credit for premium increases exceeding 2%.90% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill reduces out-of-pocket costs for long-term care insurance, expanding access to healthcare coverage by making premiums more affordable for policyholders.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Procurement Tax Credits Insurance Long-Term Care

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in committee · Connecticut · Senate Feb 10, 2026

SB 115: AN ACT EXEMPTING COVID-19 AT-HOME TEST KITS FROM THE SALES AND USE TAXES.

This bill exempts the purchase of COVID-19 at-home test kits from state sales and use taxes. It directly affects consumers who buy these kits for personal use, removing the tax burden on these specific products. The key provision amends tax law to exclude these kits from taxable sales, meaning buyers pay no state tax when purchasing them. The exemption applies to both the sale and any subsequent use or consumption of the kits within the state.

Topics ✗ Budget & TaxesOpposes Budget & TaxesExempts sales tax on test kits, reducing state tax revenue and weakening fiscal management per budget/tax policy focus.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareExempts test kits from tax, reducing cost and improving access to essential public health tools for consumers.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Procurement Sales Tax Tax Incentives

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in committee · Connecticut · Senate Feb 17, 2026

SB 206: AN ACT EXEMPTING THE COST OF HEADSTONES UP TO A CERTAIN AMOUNT FROM THE SALES AND USE TAXES.

SB 206 exempts up to $2,500 of the cost of a headstone from state sales and use taxes. This directly affects individuals purchasing headstones for gravesites, reducing their out-of-pocket expenses. The bill amends tax law to exclude the first $2,500 spent on headstones from taxable sales, applying to all eligible headstone purchases. It creates a specific sales tax exemption for this item without altering broader tax policies.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesExempts headstone costs up to $2,500 from sales tax, providing direct tax relief for individuals purchasing burial markers.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Procurement Sales Tax Tax Incentives

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in committee · Connecticut · House Feb 10, 2026

HB 5116: AN ACT REDUCING THE RATE OF THE SALES AND USE TAXES.

HB 5116 would reduce the state's sales and use tax rate from its current level to 6% by amending Chapter 219 of the general statutes. This change would directly affect all consumers purchasing taxable goods and services, as well as businesses collecting and remitting these taxes. The bill's key provision is the specific rate reduction to 6%, replacing the existing tax rate in the law. This is a straightforward policy change to lower the tax burden for everyday transactions.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesReduces sales tax rate from current level to 6%, providing direct tax relief to consumers and businesses per bill summary.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Business Taxes Procurement Sales Tax

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in committee · Connecticut · Senate Feb 4, 2026

SB 71: AN ACT ESTABLISHING A TAX CREDIT FOR PREMIUM PAYMENTS FOR CERTAIN LONG-TERM CARE INSURANCE POLICIES.

SB 71 establishes a state income tax credit for individuals or groups who pay premiums for long-term care insurance policies covering home health care services. It directly affects residents purchasing qualifying long-term care insurance that provides benefits for care received in their homes. The bill allows taxpayers to reduce their state income tax liability by the amount paid in premiums for these specific policies. This policy change provides a financial incentive for securing home-based long-term care coverage.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesProvides tax credit reducing state income tax liability for qualifying long-term care insurance premiums, offering direct tax relief.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill creates tax credit for long-term care insurance premiums, directly expanding access to home health care coverage by reducing costs for consumers, advancing healthcare access.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Income Tax Procurement Tax Credits Insurance Long-Term Care

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