Rep. Joe Gresko

Maddy summaryThis bill allows the sale and distribution of sterile plant cultivars that would normally be prohibited, provided state officials determine they cannot reproduce or spread under Connecticut's typical environmental conditions. The legislation requires the Commissioner of Energy and Environmental Protection to set standards for assessing sterility and includes provisions to revoke approval if a plant poses an ecological risk. Additionally, the bill modifies rules for energy facility permits and farmland preservation programs to ensure they do not exclude projects involving sterile cultivar production. These changes aim to balance agricultural and environmental protections with the ability to introduce sterile plant varieties into the state.

Maddy summaryHB 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.

Maddy summaryHB 5340 establishes a new program to expand access to residential renewable energy by requiring electric distribution companies to offer tariffs for purchasing energy from small-scale, on-premise renewable systems (under 25 kilowatts). It directly affects low-income residential customers and those in affordable housing developments (defined as households earning ≤60% of area median income or meeting specific housing affordability criteria). The bill mandates the Public Utilities Regulatory Authority to create this program by July 2027, setting rates and terms that consider grid reliability, installation costs, and benefits to both participants and non-participants. The program will allow residential customers to sell excess renewable energy back to utilities under standardized terms for up to 20 years.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a new Office of Small Business Affairs within Connecticut's Department of Economic and Community Development to provide dedicated support to small businesses, with particular focus on those owned by minorities and economically disadvantaged individuals. The office will coordinate existing state programs, serve as a central contact point for business owners seeking financial and technical assistance, and maintain an updated online resource directory. A designated employee will offer concierge services to help small businesses navigate available economic development projects and programs. The legislation takes effect on October 1, 2026, and requires an annual budget of approximately $109,500 in the first year.

Maddy summarySB 147 directs the Commissioner of Energy and Environmental Protection to study whether extended producer responsibility programs are needed for recycling solar panels and vapes, focusing on material reuse, fire safety, and cost comparisons. The study will assess the volume of solar panels expected to be discarded in the next five years, fire risks from vape disposal, current disposal costs versus potential program costs, and required infrastructure for such programs. It also expands the existing paint stewardship program to include aerosol paints under the definition of "architectural paint." The Commissioner must submit a report with findings and recommendations by January 1, 2027.

Maddy summaryHB 5333 updates Connecticut's fishing regulations to protect marine species and clarify enforcement. It increases fines for illegally catching striped bass (up to $500 for repeat offenses), bans using horseshoe crabs or their eggs as bait, and prohibits hand-harvesting horseshoe crabs except for scientific permits. The bill also allows restaurants to sell lobsters under 6.25 inches if caught in federal areas permitting such harvest, requires catch-and-release for striped bass from December to April, and bans bait fishing in the Housatonic River downstream of Derby Dam during that period. These changes directly affect commercial and recreational fishermen, restaurants, and conservation efforts.

Maddy summaryThis bill prohibits the intentional release of helium or lighter-than-air balloons into the atmosphere in Connecticut and requires retailers to attach weights to balloons to prevent them from rising. It affects individuals, organizations, and businesses that release balloons, as well as stores that sell them, by making balloon releases into the air illegal infractions. The law also mandates that any balloon sold to consumers must have a weight attached to keep it from floating away. Violations of these rules would result in fines, with the specific penalty amounts determined by court judges. The changes would take effect on October 1, 2026.

Maddy summarySB 148 clarifies the process for closing shellfish harvesting areas due to contamination or pollution. It requires the department to establish exact boundaries for closed areas and ensure closures take effect only after publishing notices in local newspapers, filing documents with town clerks and health directors, posting signs at the site, and updating the department’s website. The bill also specifies that during a health emergency, the Commissioner of Agriculture can immediately close affected areas by notifying health authorities and publishing a public notice. This directly affects shellfish harvesters, coastal communities, and health departments by standardizing how closure information is communicated. The bill repeals outdated language in existing statutes to modernize the notification system.

Maddy summaryHB 5375 transfers public health program funding from the Insurance Fund to the General Fund over five years (starting July 1, 2026), replacing the previous fee structure. It requires domestic insurers and health care centers providing specific health insurance types to pay an annual public health fee based on their enrolled lives in Connecticut, calculated to fund designated programs. These programs include syringe services, AIDS services, breast/cervical cancer detection, tuberculosis care, and children's health initiatives. The fee amount is determined annually by the Insurance Commissioner using a formula based on the total funding needed and the reported number of covered lives. The bill repeals the existing fee statute (Section 19a-7p) and establishes new reporting and payment requirements for insurers.

Maddy summaryHB 5291 requires municipal fire departments to notify the Department of Emergency Services and Public Protection (DESP) within 10 business days of appointing a new or interim fire chief, providing specific contact details like name, address, and phone numbers on a form prescribed by DESP. The bill also updates evidence rules for chemical tests in DUI and related criminal cases, mandating that test results be admissible only if the defendant had a chance to contact a lawyer before testing, results were delivered within 24 hours, approved equipment was used, and a second test was performed within 10 minutes. These changes directly affect fire departments that must report appointments and law enforcement/courts handling such prosecutions. The bill takes effect October 1, 2026.