Rep. Amy Romano

Maddy summaryHB 5010 would amend state tax law to exclude tips or gratuities and overtime pay from taxable personal income. This change directly affects workers who earn these specific income types, such as servers, hospitality staff, and hourly employees receiving overtime. The bill's key provision requires updating the tax code to remove these earnings from the base used to calculate personal income tax. As a result, individuals would pay income tax only on their regular wages, not on declared tips or overtime earnings.

Maddy summarySB 129 allocates funds from the state General Fund to the Department of Agriculture for dairy farmer sustainability during the 2026-2027 fiscal year. It directly provides financial support to dairy farmers in the state to help stabilize their operations. The key mechanism is a dedicated appropriation to fund programs that support dairy farm sustainability, as stated in the bill's purpose. This policy change offers direct funding assistance to dairy farmers without specifying additional requirements or eligibility details.

Maddy summaryHB 5074 appropriates additional funds from the General Fund to the Department of Energy and Environmental Protection for farmland preservation during the 2026-2027 fiscal year. The bill directly affects farmland preservation programs by increasing available funding for land conservation efforts. Key provision: It allocates specific budget resources to support the state's existing farmland preservation initiatives. This is a funding measure, not a new policy, aimed at strengthening current conservation work without altering program rules.

Maddy summaryHB 5064 creates a $5,000 annual tax credit for farmers who donate food to charitable organizations, adjusted each year based on inflation using the consumer price index. This credit directly benefits farmers by reducing their state tax liability for food donations and supports charitable organizations receiving surplus food. The bill establishes a concrete financial incentive to encourage food donations, aiming to reduce waste while aiding food-insecure communities. It does not change existing food donation laws but provides a new tax benefit for qualifying donations.

Maddy summarySB 95 creates a $500 credit against personal income tax for employees working at defense contractors or their direct suppliers/subcontractors. To qualify, individuals must earn under $125,000 annually as single filers or under $250,000 as married couples filing jointly. The credit directly benefits lower-to-moderate income workers in the defense supply chain by reducing their state tax burden. This is a specific tax incentive targeting employees in defense-related industries, not a general tax cut. The bill establishes this credit through an amendment to existing tax law.

Maddy summarySB 74 would create a $20 million state tax credit for dairy farmers to help offset income losses during periods when milk prices drop. The credit directly affects dairy farmers in the state who experience cyclical price fluctuations in milk sales. The bill establishes this tax credit as a fixed pool, meaning it would provide financial relief to eligible farmers when milk prices fall below certain levels. This is a direct policy change to support dairy farm revenue stability, not a procedural measure.

Maddy summaryHB 5007 requires the state to fully reimburse municipalities for revenue lost when veterans qualify for a property tax credit under subdivision (83) of section 12-81 of the general statutes. This directly affects municipalities that administer the veterans' property tax exemption, which reduces local tax revenue. The bill's key mechanism is a state-funded reimbursement to offset the financial impact of the exemption. It does not change the veterans' tax credit itself but ensures municipalities are compensated for the revenue loss. (Bill: HB 5007, LCO No. 288)

Maddy summaryHB 5006 eliminates a 1% sales and use tax on meals sold by restaurants, caterers, and grocery stores. The bill directly affects these businesses by removing an additional tax on food sales, reducing their operational costs. Key provision: it amends tax law to remove the specific 1% surcharge applied to meals at these establishments. The purpose is to simplify the tax structure for food service providers without changing general sales tax rates. This is a direct policy change affecting food retailers and their customers through lower prices.

Maddy summaryHB 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.

Maddy summaryHB 5008 establishes a $2,080 tax credit per full-time equivalent employee for small businesses meeting the U.S. Small Business Administration's definition (typically businesses with fewer than 500 employees). This credit would directly reduce the state tax liability for qualifying small businesses, providing a concrete financial incentive tied to employee count. The bill amends state tax law to implement this credit, which applies to businesses that meet federal SBA criteria. This policy change specifically targets small business employment costs without altering broader tax structures.