Rep. Mary Mushinsky

Maddy summaryHB 6889 protects specific tenants from no-cause evictions in multi-unit buildings (5+ units) or mobile home parks. It applies to seniors (62+), people with qualifying disabilities, or tenants who've lived there 13+ months. Landlords may only evict for reasons like nonpayment, serious lease violations affecting health/safety, or specific "for personal use" scenarios (requiring 90-day notice and proof no other units are available). The bill also requires rent increases for protected tenants to be "fair and equitable," with disputes resolved through local commissions or courts. It takes effect October 1, 2025.

Maddy summaryHB 5017 requires tire retailers in Connecticut to join a state-approved tire recycling program by January 1, 2026. Retailers who fail to participate will be prohibited from selling tires in the state after that date. The law builds on a 2023 law requiring tire producers to join such programs by 2025, mandating that retailers participate in the same statewide system. The program must establish free public tire drop-off, ensure discarded tires are recycled or resold, and provide public education - financed solely by tire producers. This directly affects all tire retailers operating in Connecticut, making participation mandatory for continued sales.

Maddy summaryHB 6218 prohibits individuals convicted of animal abuse or neglect (or who plead guilty/nolo contendere to such charges) from serving as animal control officers or regional animal control officers in Connecticut. The law, effective October 1, 2025, directly affects current and future officers under existing statutes (sections 22-331 and 22-331a). If convicted, officers must be placed on unpaid administrative leave until all appeals are resolved. This policy change ensures only individuals with no history of animal cruelty can hold these roles, aiming to uphold standards for animal care.

Maddy summaryHB 6915 bans the use of certain second-generation anticoagulant rodenticides (containing brodifacoum, bromadiolone, difenacoum, or difethialone) statewide starting October 1, 2025, affecting most residential, commercial, and general pest control uses. Key exceptions allow continued use for public health activities (e.g., water infrastructure protection, mosquito control), emergency rodent infestations requiring public health approval, specific facilities like medical waste sites and food production facilities, and agricultural operations in designated locations (warehouses, slaughterhouses, etc.). The bill also requires the Environmental Protection Commissioner to develop wildlife protection regulations and submit a 2027 report analyzing impacts on public health, agriculture, and federal compliance. This policy change directly affects pest control businesses, property managers, and agricultural operations while permitting limited uses for public health and critical infrastructure needs.

Maddy summaryHB 6224 requires Connecticut's Commissioner of Energy and Environmental Protection to create a plan by February 1, 2026, to improve water infrastructure and address workforce shortages. Key provisions include streamlining dam permitting, clarifying pre-application processes, prioritizing reviews by dam risk, and resolving liability concerns for water utilities using contractors. The bill specifically mandates incentives to attract and retain certified water treatment operators, directly targeting the shortage affecting water utilities. This plan aims to strengthen water supply reliability and workforce stability for public water systems across Connecticut.

Maddy summaryHB 6280 establishes a Climate Superfund Cost Recovery Program to fund climate adaptation projects by requiring fossil fuel companies to pay for historical emissions. It targets entities that extracted or refined fossil fuels (coal, oil, gas) during 1995-2025 and caused over one billion metric tons of emissions, treating corporate "controlled groups" as single liable entities. Funds collected will finance concrete adaptation projects like flood protection, infrastructure upgrades, and health programs to address climate impacts. The Department of Energy and Environmental Protection administers the program, using strict liability to recover costs for state-wide climate resilience efforts.

Maddy summaryHB 7016 establishes a municipal electric grid modernization grant program to help towns and cities with their own electric utilities upgrade infrastructure. It authorizes up to $____ million in state bonds (to be determined) to fund grants for qualifying municipalities seeking to modernize their electrical grids. The program, administered by Connecticut's Office of Policy and Management, allows eligible municipalities to apply for grants to cover costs like smart grid technology or grid resilience improvements. This bill directly affects municipal utilities under Chapter 98 of Connecticut law, while also expanding the Public Utilities Regulatory Authority’s power to select third parties (like the Connecticut Green Bank or utilities) to implement clean energy programs.

Maddy summarySB 1352 updates the definitions section of the state's energy efficiency code (replacing Section 16a-48) to clarify terms for lighting, refrigeration, HVAC equipment, and other energy-related products. It defines specific items like "commercial refrigerators," "fluorescent lamp ballasts," "low-voltage dry-type transformers," and "traffic signal modules" to ensure consistent application of existing efficiency standards. The bill does not establish new requirements but revises terminology to improve clarity for manufacturers, regulators, and building codes. The changes take effect October 1, 2025, and directly affect entities selling, installing, or regulating these energy-consuming products.

Maddy summaryHB 6804 eliminates property tax exemptions for housing owned by private secondary schools (like high schools) and used by faculty or staff. The bill amends Section 12-81 of the tax code to remove this specific exemption, meaning such housing would now be subject to regular property taxes. This directly affects private secondary educational institutions and their employees who live in school-owned housing. The change applies only to the housing itself, not to other school properties or public institutions. The bill focuses on altering tax treatment without specifying new funding uses or broader policy impacts.

Maddy summarySB 921 would impose a tax on sugar-sweetened beverages (like sodas and energy drinks) sold in the state. The revenue generated from this tax would be dedicated exclusively to fund free breakfast and lunch programs for all public school students, regardless of their family's income level. The bill directly affects beverage manufacturers (who pay the tax) and all public school students (who would receive the meals at no cost). This policy change aims to create universal access to school meals by redirecting tax revenue from a specific industry.