Sen. Jorge Cabrera

Maddy summarySB 2 exempts small businesses (with less than $10 million in annual revenue) from sales and use taxes on electricity and natural gas purchases. It redirects revenue from an additional 1% sales tax on meals: 50% to the state Tourism Fund and 50% to the municipalities where the meals were purchased. The bill aims to lower operating costs for small commercial and industrial businesses, which could reduce prices passed on to consumers. These changes directly affect small businesses and local governments through tax adjustments and new revenue allocation.

Maddy summaryThis Senate Joint Resolution (SJ 4) confirms the appointment of Harry Rilling of Norwalk to the Connecticut Port Authority Board of Directors. The resolution formally approves Senate Majority Leader Bob Duff's nomination for a term ending June 30, 2029. It does not create new policies or affect any specific regulations, as it is a routine procedural confirmation of an existing nomination. The Connecticut Port Authority oversees port operations and economic development in Connecticut.

Maddy summarySB 7 updates Connecticut's base funding level for public schools (called "Foundation") to increase annually from $11,525 (2014-2026) to $15,500 (2031+) with inflation adjustments. It also revises the "Regional bonus" calculation for towns sending students to regional schools or paying high school tuition. The bill's primary mechanism creates a 13-member working group (including school officials, teachers, students, and community representatives) to study the state's equalization aid formula and recommend improvements for equity and fiscal soundness. This group will examine how state education funding is distributed, aiming to address disparities between school districts. The bill takes effect July 1, 2026, with the working group established immediately upon passage.

Maddy summaryHB 5113 exempts Connecticut taxpayers from state income tax on forgiven amounts for student loans, medical debt, and credit card debt. The bill adds a new deduction to Connecticut's tax code, allowing taxpayers to exclude debt relief that would otherwise be taxable under federal law. This directly affects residents who receive debt settlement or relief for these specific debt types. The provision takes effect January 1, 2027, and aligns Connecticut tax treatment with federal rules for these debt forgiveness scenarios.

Maddy summarySB 350 increases compensation for members of two Connecticut state boards. It raises the per diem rate for State Board of Labor Relations members from $150 to $300 per day and increases payments for Board of Mediation and Arbitration members from $325 to $500 per day, plus an additional $500 for preparing written decisions. The bill also increases payments for panel session attendance from $200 to $300 per member. These changes take effect October 1, 2026, directly affecting the state board members who serve on these labor dispute resolution bodies.

Maddy summaryHB 5166 updates Connecticut's social work licensure rules, effective July 1, 2026. It requires master social workers to hold a master's degree from an accredited or candidate-status social work program (with specific timeline limits) and pass a national exam, while clinical social workers must have a master's or doctorate from an accredited program, 3,000 hours of post-master's experience (including 100 supervised hours), and pass a clinical exam. The bill also creates pathways for out-of-state license holders to practice via endorsement if their state's requirements match Connecticut's standards, and mandates exam accommodations for applicants with disabilities. These changes directly affect social workers seeking initial licensure or moving to Connecticut from other states.

Maddy summaryThis bill replaces Connecticut's existing anti-discrimination statute with new provisions specifically addressing pregnancy-related discrimination. It directly affects pregnant employees and employers by requiring reasonable accommodations (like modified schedules, breaks, or light duty) and prohibiting termination or denial of leave due to pregnancy. Key mechanisms include defining "pregnancy" broadly to cover childbirth and lactation, clarifying "reasonable accommodation," and establishing standards for "undue hardship" based on employer resources. The bill takes effect October 1, 2026, and explicitly prohibits employment discrimination based on pregnancy in hiring, promotion, or terms of employment. (Note: The bill title mentions "nondisclosure agreements," but the text focuses solely on pregnancy protections; the title appears inaccurate based on the provided content.)

Maddy summarySB 257 limits landlords' reasons for evicting certain tenants, including those aged 62+ with a household member over 62, tenants with qualifying disabilities (or household members with such disabilities), or tenants who have lived in the unit for 12+ months. Landlords may only evict for specific reasons like nonpayment of rent, serious health/safety violations, or material lease breaches - not for the landlord (or family member) moving in, unless strict conditions are met (e.g., 90 days' notice and no available units). Rent increases for these protected tenants must be "fair and equitable" and can be challenged through local commissions or court. The law applies to buildings with five+ units or mobile home parks and takes effect October 1, 2026.

Maddy summarySB 295 defines "legally protected health care activity" in Connecticut to include reproductive health care services (like contraception and pregnancy-related care) and gender-affirming health care services (such as treatment for gender dysphoria) permitted under state law. It allows healthcare providers, patients, or insurers to recover damages - including legal fees - if they face lawsuits or judgments in other states based on these services. The bill also states that Connecticut law governs all cases related to these services within the state, overriding conflicting out-of-state laws. This directly affects healthcare providers, patients receiving these services, and insurers offering coverage for them within Connecticut.

Maddy summaryThis bill confirms the Governor's nomination of Gerald Weiner to serve as a neutral arbitrator on the State Department of Education Arbitration Panel. The resolution approves Weiner's reappointment for a term ending June 30, 2029, or until a successor is appointed and qualified, whichever occurs later. This action directly affects the composition of the panel that handles education-related disputes in the state. The measure is a procedural confirmation that does not alter any existing policies or create new regulations.