Sen. Jeff Gordon

Maddy summarySB 36 lowers the annual vehicle registration fee for Connecticut residents from $24 to $20 ("Passport to the Parks Fee"). It simultaneously raises the nonresident annual parking pass fee at all state parks, forests, boat launches, and recreational facilities from $112 to $175. The bill directly affects Connecticut residents (receiving a $4 annual reduction) and nonresidents (paying $63 more annually for parking access). These specific fee adjustments are implemented through amendments to existing statutes governing vehicle registration and park access fees.

Maddy summarySB 76 creates a $500 tax credit per eligible child or dependent against personal income tax. It directly affects taxpayers with qualifying dependents, including children under 17, disabled dependents or spouses living with them, or seniors 65+ who aren’t a spouse. The credit phases out for single filers and heads of household earning over $200,000, and for married couples filing jointly earning over $400,000, reducing by 10% for each $1,000 of income above those thresholds. This policy provides direct tax relief for families with qualifying dependents while limiting benefits for higher-income households.

Maddy summarySB 65 authorizes the state to issue up to $1.5 million in bonds to fund accessibility improvements at Stafford Town Hall, complying with federal Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) standards. The funds would be provided as a grant from the Office of Policy and Management to the Town of Stafford. This bill directly affects Stafford residents and town officials by enabling physical upgrades to make the town hall accessible. It does not create new regulations but provides financial resources for existing ADA requirements. The bill focuses solely on funding, not on policy changes or outcomes.

Maddy summarySB 26 provides state funding to reimburse municipalities for increased election costs caused by early voting. It appropriates money from the General Fund for the 2026-2027 fiscal year to cover any cost increases municipalities face in administering early voting. The bill directly affects local governments that operate elections, ensuring they are financially compensated for these specific administrative expenses. This is a straightforward reimbursement mechanism, not a policy change to early voting itself.

Maddy summarySB 35 requires state reimbursement to school districts for all extra costs incurred providing special education services beyond standard funding. It directly affects local and regional school boards by ensuring they receive full payment for these "excess costs" instead of partial reimbursement under current rules. The bill amends existing law to mandate that districts be paid 100% of the difference between actual special education costs and the state's allocated grant amount. This changes the current system to fully cover these expenses, making districts "whole" as stated in the bill's purpose.

Maddy summarySB 34 increases the per-student foundation amount used to calculate state education funding from $11,525 to $16,065. This change directly affects public schools and local school districts by altering how state education grants are calculated. The bill amends a specific statute to raise this foundation amount, aiming to provide property tax relief to homeowners. The key mechanism is adjusting the funding formula to shift more cost responsibility to the state, potentially reducing local property tax burdens.

Maddy summaryThis bill would lower Connecticut's general sales tax rate from 7% to 6% and eliminate a separate 1% tax on meals sold at restaurants, caterers, and grocery stores. It directly affects businesses selling taxable goods and meals, as well as consumers who pay these taxes. The key changes are reducing the overall sales tax rate and removing the additional tax specifically for food purchases. The bill aims to decrease the tax burden for these transactions.

Maddy summarySB 15 allocates $6 million from the General Fund to the Department of Aging and Disability Services for elderly nutrition programs during the 2026-2027 fiscal year. The funding directly supports existing state nutrition services for seniors, including meal programs and related assistance. This bill is a straightforward budgetary measure with no new policy requirements or eligibility changes. It specifically increases financial resources for the department to maintain or expand current elderly nutrition services.

Maddy summarySB 23 appropriates $310,000 from the General Fund to the Department of Children and Families for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2027. The funding is specifically designated for the department's annual data collection, analysis, and reporting on youth service bureau programs. This bill provides direct financial support to the Department of Children and Families to maintain their data reporting system for youth services.

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.