Rep. Tony Scott

Maddy summaryHB 6893 appropriates $33.5 million from the General Fund for the Department of Housing to fund existing programs assisting homeless persons, effective July 1, 2025. The funds are specifically designated for services supporting homeless individuals during fiscal year 2026 (ending June 30, 2026). This bill does not create new programs but provides dedicated funding for current homelessness assistance efforts. The allocation has no impact on municipalities and is focused solely on state-level funding for housing-related support services.

Maddy summaryThis bill changes Connecticut law to count all accessory apartments (secondary housing units on the same property as a main home) toward a municipality's 10% threshold for exemption from the affordable housing appeals process. Currently, only accessory apartments with long-term affordability restrictions (e.g., requiring rent to be affordable for low-income households) counted toward this threshold. The bill removes that requirement, meaning any accessory apartment - regardless of affordability rules - will now count toward the exemption. This change, effective July 1, 2025, may help more municipalities qualify for the exemption, potentially reducing legal costs associated with housing appeals.

Maddy summaryHB 5112 prohibits pet stores from buying or obtaining dogs, cats, or rabbits for sale starting October 1, 2025. This directly affects pet store owners who must stop purchasing these animals, though they may still host licensed animal shelters for adoption events under strict conditions. The law allows pet stores to provide space for 501(c)(3) shelters to showcase animals for adoption without compensation, but bans any sale or transfer of these animals by stores. Violations carry a maximum $500 fine. The bill does not restrict private breeders or pet owners.

Maddy summaryHB 6940 establishes a working group to create a uniform legal definition of "affordable housing" as referenced in existing housing law (section 8-30g of the general statutes). The group, led by housing committee chairs and including housing officials like the Commissioner of Housing, must meet within 60 days and submit a report by January 1, 2026. This procedural bill aims to clarify a key term in housing policy without changing current laws or creating new costs, as confirmed by the fiscal note stating "no state or municipal impact."

Maddy summaryHB 7146 changes how Connecticut municipalities publish legal notices. It requires notices to appear in newspapers with "sufficient circulation" (defined as 15% of households based on census data) or, if no such newspaper exists, on the municipality's website for 90 days. Municipalities must identify qualifying newspapers by April 2026 and select one for notice publication, with online posting required if no newspaper meets the circulation standard. This applies to all towns, cities, and boroughs that currently publish legal notices in newspapers, effective July 1, 2026, with a transition period until June 2027.

Maddy summarySB 1190 requires nursing homes and managed residential communities (MRCs) serving primarily older adults (55+) to equip their facilities with an automated external defibrillator (AED) by January 1, 2026. Facilities must keep the AED in a central, accessible location for staff, residents, and visiting family, and maintain it per manufacturer guidelines. Additionally, they must ensure at least one staff member trained in CPR and AED use (per American Red Cross or American Heart Association standards) is present during all operating hours. This applies to all licensed nursing homes and MRCs, excluding state-funded congregate housing. The law takes effect October 1, 2025, with no fiscal impact on state or municipal budgets.

Maddy summaryHB 6998 changes dog licensing requirements from annual to triennial (every three years) for owners of dogs six months or older. Dog owners must pay a $7 license fee for neutered/spayed dogs or $12 for unneutered/unspayed dogs, plus a $1 town fee, and submit a rabies vaccination certificate annually. Failure to license on time incurs a $1 monthly penalty. The bill also updates rabies certificate requirements to align with the new licensing cycle, effective July 1, 2025.

Maddy summarySB 1310 allows hospitals to install climate-controlled, exterior wall bassinets with automatic locks and alarms in emergency departments. These devices enable parents to voluntarily surrender infants 30 days old or younger without providing their name or personal information. Hospital staff must take custody immediately upon notification, and parents may choose to leave a numbered bracelet for future identification if they wish. The law aims to prevent infant abandonment by providing a safe, anonymous surrender option for parents in crisis.

Maddy summaryHB 6744 requires the property tax exemption amount for farm machinery to automatically adjust each year based on inflation, rather than remaining fixed. This directly affects farmers who own qualifying machinery by ensuring their tax exemption keeps pace with rising costs. The bill amends statute 12-91 to mandate this annual adjustment using the official inflation rate. It creates a concrete policy change where exemption amounts are no longer static but updated to reflect economic changes. This change applies to all eligible farm machinery property tax exemptions statewide.

Maddy summaryHB 6758 requires the State Elections Enforcement Commission to complete audits of candidate committees within 12 months after receiving all necessary information following a primary or general election. This bill directly affects candidate committees that undergo post-election audits by setting a strict timeline for the commission to finish its review and issue findings. The key provision mandates that the commission must finalize these audits no later than one year after gathering all required data, replacing any current, longer timelines. The bill focuses on improving transparency and accountability in election oversight by ensuring timely audit completion. It does not change campaign finance rules but establishes a fixed deadline for the commission's audit process.