Rep. Pat Boyd

Maddy summarySB 98 establishes a tax credit program for Connecticut dairy farmers, modeled after Massachusetts' existing program. The bill directly affects Connecticut dairy farmers by providing them with tax relief to support their operations. Key provisions include creating a state-level tax credit that mirrors the structure of the Massachusetts dairy farmer tax credit, though specific credit amounts or eligibility details are not specified in the provided text. This policy change aims to bolster the state's dairy industry through targeted financial assistance.

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 7231 allows Sunday hunting on private lands, directly affecting landowners and hunters who use private property for recreational hunting. It lifts the previous prohibition on Sunday hunting in these areas, changing existing restrictions. The bill became law on July 8, 2025, after being signed by the governor as Public Act 25-138.

Maddy summaryHB 6277 (now Public Act 25-129) allows animals held at certain higher education institutions - such as university veterinary programs or research facilities - to be directly adopted by the public, rather than being transferred to shelters or euthanized. The bill establishes a streamlined process for these institutions to facilitate adoptions, removing prior barriers that required animals to be moved to external facilities first. This law applies specifically to institutions maintaining animal care programs and was signed into effect by the governor on July 8, 2025.

Maddy summarySB 1358 adjusts funding rates for state-contracted nonprofit human services providers (such as childcare centers, mental health clinics, and elder care agencies) to match annual inflation. This prevents their budgets from shrinking as costs rise, ensuring they can maintain services without cuts. The law directly affects these nonprofits by requiring state agencies to update contract payments each year based on the official inflation rate. It became law as Public Act 25-151 after the governor signed it on July 8, 2025. The change applies retroactively to contracts renewed or adjusted in 2025.

Maddy summaryHB 7053 creates a working group to develop standardized legal definitions for "first responder" and "essential worker" across state laws. The group, composed of relevant state agency representatives, must finalize these definitions within 120 days. This bill directly affects state agencies and future legislation that relies on these terms, ensuring consistent application in laws and programs. It does not change existing definitions or create new rights but establishes a process for uniformity. The bill became law after the governor signed it on July 8, 2025.

Maddy summaryThis bill authorizes Connecticut to issue up to $125 million in state bonds (for fiscal years 2026-2027) to reduce energy cost protections for low-income households to pre-pandemic levels (2016-2020). It also allocates $50 million in bonds ($30M for 2026, $20M for 2027) to fund electric vehicle charging infrastructure and customer wiring upgrades. The funds will support programs administered by the Public Utilities Regulatory Authority, including residential EV charging for households at or below 300% of the federal poverty level. These provisions aim to lower energy costs for vulnerable residents and expand clean energy access through specific infrastructure investments.

Maddy summaryHB 5064 establishes a state grant program to fund agricultural preservation and improve farmland access. The program provides financial assistance to farmers and agricultural entities for projects that protect working farmland from development and help new or existing farmers access land. Key provisions include grant funding for conservation easements, farmland acquisition, and initiatives supporting beginning farmers. This law, now Public Act 25-141 after being signed by the governor on July 1, 2025, directly benefits agricultural landowners and operators seeking to preserve farmland or expand farming operations.

Maddy summarySB 1497 establishes a State Veterinarian position at the Department of Agriculture and updates registration requirements for fertilizers and soil amendments. It requires distributors to register fertilizer brands and soil amendments annually with the Department, including fees (up to $75) and specific labeling details, while exempting identical products already registered. The bill also creates a new tax provision for "eligible farmers" who meet income thresholds, allowing tax benefits for qualifying farm equipment, buildings, and structures used in agricultural production (like wine, Christmas trees, or apple juice operations) for at least five years. These changes directly affect agricultural businesses, distributors, and farmers in Connecticut.

Maddy summaryHB 7200 requires public schools and municipal buildings to provide bleeding control training and maintain emergency kits for severe bleeding incidents. It mandates that staff receive instruction on using tourniquets and hemostatic dressings to manage life-threatening wounds. The law applies to all public schools and high-traffic public facilities, replacing voluntary programs with mandatory requirements. Signed into law on June 30, 2025, it became Public Act 25-160.