Sen. Eric Berthel

Maddy summarySB 872 would require all public high schools and colleges in the state to bar students from competing on gender-specific sports teams if their birth certificate gender does not match the team's designation. This bill directly affects transgender and non-binary athletes seeking to participate on teams aligned with their gender identity rather than their sex assigned at birth. The key provision mandates that schools must deny participation based solely on a person's birth certificate gender, as specified in amended statutes. The stated purpose cites protecting "the health, safety and scholarship opportunities of female athletes" as the rationale for this policy change.

Maddy summarySB 1000 requires individual and group health insurance policies to cover specific obesity treatments, including weight-loss surgeries like bariatric procedures. This mandate applies to all health insurance plans governed under Chapter 700c of the general statutes. The bill specifically aims to ensure coverage for medically necessary obesity treatments, as stated in its purpose. It directly affects health insurers and policyholders seeking these covered services.

Maddy summaryHB 5831 appropriates $10 million from the General Fund to Connecticut's Department of Social Services for the Nutrition Assistance Program in fiscal year 2026, with a 15% annual increase thereafter. The bill amends existing law to allow soup kitchens, food pantries, and emergency shelters to charge a handling fee of up to five cents per pound (instead of being required to pay it) to cover costs through the Connecticut Food Bank. This funding directly supports the supplemental nutrition commodities program serving low-income residents. The key change simplifies cost recovery for food assistance providers while increasing state funding for the program.

Maddy summaryHB 5671 would authorize a limited black bear hunting season in Connecticut through a lottery system for hunters. The bill directly affects hunters seeking permits and aims to manage the black bear population to protect residents. Its key provision requires all hunting permits to be issued via a random lottery, not first-come-first-served. The stated purpose is to balance wildlife management with public safety by controlling bear numbers. This legislation amends state hunting laws to establish this specific, restricted hunting season.

Maddy summaryThis bill (HB 5647) renames a bridge over U.S. Route 7 in Brookfield, Connecticut, from the "Petty Officer 1st Class Dale Lewis Memorial Bridge" to the "Petty Officer 1st Class Jason D. Lewis Memorial Bridge." The change honors Jason D. Lewis, with no other policy provisions or affected parties beyond the bridge's official designation. It is a purely commemorative act with no substantive legislative impact.

Maddy summarySB 835 aims to improve healthcare quality and affordability by making several key changes to Connecticut's healthcare system. It removes most certificate of need requirements for hospital service expansions (except for radiology equipment, service reductions, or ownership transfers), mandates public hearings for applications, and requires the state to review applications within 120 days. The bill also adds oversight checkpoints to insurance rate approvals and directs a study on tiered insurance plans based on federal health benefits standards. These changes directly affect hospitals, health care providers, and insurers by streamlining service expansions and altering insurance regulation processes.

Maddy summarySB 786 authorizes Connecticut's Public Utilities Regulatory Authority to designate eligible telecommunications carriers (including commercial radio or cellular providers and resellers) to participate in the federal Lifeline program. This program provides discounted phone and internet service to low-income households. The bill modifies state law to allow the Authority to formally select which companies can offer these federal benefits to qualifying residents. It does not create new benefits but streamlines the state's role in connecting eligible carriers to the existing federal program.

Maddy summarySB 780 requires Connecticut's Department of Education to create mandatory exit exams for each grade level in public schools. Students must achieve a passing score on these exams to advance to the next grade. The bill directly affects all public school students in grades where these exams are implemented, aiming to ensure grade-level readiness before promotion. This policy change replaces current promotion standards with a uniform exam requirement across all grade levels.

Maddy summarySB 746 (2025) aims to improve state government efficiency by revising how agencies operate, hire staff, and handle audits. It requires state agencies to submit detailed vacancy reports after eight months, provide organizational charts, and report on staff levels. The bill transfers hiring responsibility from the Department of Administrative Services to individual agencies and mandates public hearings on audit reports. It also reestablishes two oversight committees and increases criminal penalties for certain ethical violations by state employees. These changes directly affect all state agencies and their administrative processes.

Maddy summarySB 737 aims to lower living costs through tax cuts and regulatory changes. It would reduce income tax rates, cap property taxes, limit licensing fees to $100, and ease business tax burdens - including allowing full expensing of equipment purchases. The bill also restricts municipal mandates (requiring two-thirds legislative approval for new ones), changes University of Connecticut admissions to prioritize Connecticut residents, ends state benefits for undocumented immigrants, and revises retirement calculations for state employees by excluding voluntary overtime. These provisions directly affect residents, businesses, municipalities, and state employees.