Rep. Jason Buchsbaum

Maddy summaryHB 5022 eliminates income limits that previously restricted who could claim tax deductions for Social Security benefits, pension or annuity income, and certain retirement account withdrawals. This change directly affects retirees and older adults whose income from these sources would now qualify for the deduction regardless of their total earnings. The bill modifies tax code section 12-701 to remove these qualifying thresholds, simplifying the deduction process. As a result, more individuals receiving these income types will benefit from reduced taxable income under the state's personal income tax system.

Maddy summaryHB 5023 reduces fees for small businesses filing documents with the Connecticut Secretary of the State. It directly affects small business owners who must pay fees for registrations, annual reports, or other filings handled by that office. The bill amends Title 34 of the general statutes to lower these specific filing costs. This change lowers the financial burden for small businesses during routine state administrative processes. The bill focuses on concrete fee reductions without altering business requirements.

Maddy summaryHB 5021 exempts from state sales and use taxes any children's clothing costing less than $100. This directly affects parents, caregivers, and retailers who sell such clothing within the state. The bill modifies existing tax law to remove the tax burden on qualifying items, including standard children's apparel like shirts, pants, and dresses. It does not apply to clothing over $100 or non-clothing items, and the change takes effect upon enactment.

Maddy summaryHB 5020 eliminates a 1% additional sales and use tax on meals sold by restaurants, caterers, and grocery stores. The bill amends tax code to remove this specific tax rate, directly affecting businesses that sell prepared food. Key provision: the tax change applies to all meals sold by these establishments, regardless of whether they're dine-in, takeout, or delivered. This policy change simplifies the tax structure for these businesses without altering other tax rates.

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 summaryHB 5414 exempts from sales and use taxes the purchase of children's clothing items priced under $100. This directly affects parents, caregivers, and retailers selling such clothing in the state. The bill amends tax code to remove taxation on these specific items, making them tax-free at the point of sale. It applies only to clothing costing less than $100, not all children's apparel. The legislation aims to reduce costs for families buying essential clothing for children.

Maddy summaryHB 5413 eliminates income limits that previously restricted who could claim a personal income tax deduction for Social Security benefits. The bill directly affects taxpayers receiving Social Security benefits who were previously ineligible for the deduction if their income exceeded certain thresholds. It modifies tax code section 12-701 to remove these income limits, allowing all Social Security recipients to claim the deduction regardless of their total income. This is a straightforward change to the tax code with no additional provisions or funding mechanisms. The bill focuses solely on removing the income-based barrier for this specific deduction.

Maddy summaryThis bill (HB 5399) would move the Public Utilities Regulatory Authority (PURA) out of the Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP). It directly affects the state's energy regulatory structure by separating these two agencies. The bill requires updating state statutes to reflect this structural change, with no new policy rules or funding changes. It is a procedural reorganization, not a policy amendment.

Maddy summaryHB 5410 removes an extra 1% sales and use tax on meals sold by restaurants, caterers, and grocery stores that sell prepared food. This change directly affects these businesses and their customers by eliminating the additional tax burden on meal purchases. The bill amends existing tax law to eliminate this specific surcharge, which was previously applied to qualifying meals. The policy change simplifies the tax structure for these establishments without altering other sales tax rules.

Maddy summaryHB 5409 would reduce the fees small businesses pay for required filings with the Secretary of the State. The bill amends state law to lower the cost of specific business filings, such as registrations and annual reports. This change would directly lower the financial burden for small business owners who must submit these documents. The bill's purpose is to make these state filings more affordable for small businesses.