Session Update, MHS RedHawks Visit the Capitol, and more

May 9, 2025


 

 

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Dear Friends, 

Happy Friday!
 

It has been a busy week in the House culminating with the passage of HB 6990 on Thursday evening, a priority bill from the Banking Committee which will help law enforcement recover assets for victims of cryptocurrency fraud scams.

The House has passed a number of other great bills in the past couple of weeks, and I hope you'll read about them below. I'll be sure to keep you updated on the work we're doing for you in the coming weeks.
 


MHS Red Hawks Visit the Capitol
The State Champion MHS Boys Basketball team visited the Capitol recently - it was so great to celebrate!
 


Passing a Progressive Budget


I hope you'll take a moment to read this article about the revenue plan recently passed in the Finance, Revenue, and Bonding Committee. I think this sentence sums up the bill quite well:
 

“Middle-class families would get a tax break under a revenue plan that cleared the Finance, Revenue and Bonding Committee Wednesday, while the wealthiest earners in the state could pay more.”

I'm proud to have passed a progressive budget in the committee, and I look forward to fighting for it to become law.
 


A Practical, Affordable Climate Bill

Recently, the House voted in favor of HB 5004: An Act Concerning the Protection of the Environment and the Development of Renewable Energy Sources and Associated Job Sectors.

As our state is increasingly feeling the impacts of climate change, it is the legislature's job to enact meaningful change for the safety of our residents and to emerge as a leader on climate solutions.

This bill takes a comprehensive, practical, and equitable approach to protecting our environment - from homes and schools to jobs and land. It sets clear goals, removes barriers, and puts people and sustainability first, all through the lens of affordability. 

Key provisions of the bill include:
  • Setting new goals for greenhouse gas emissions reductions—including an economy-wide net-zero target by 2050—without imposing costs on ratepayers
  • Supporting clean energy jobs and businesses through tax incentives, rebates, and a council to guide workforce transitions
  • Developing strategic plans and expanding access to clean technologies
  • Expanding loan and grant programs to include more climate-smart projects and ensuring funds benefit low-income residents and renters
  • Developing plans that address the triple impact of reducing energy costs, lowering emissions, and supporting climate resilience
  • Encouraging nature based solutions for reaching our greenhouse gas reduction and other climate goals
The time is now to pass impactful legislation to counter the effects of climate change.

HB 5004 is a wide-ranging measure that focuses on affordability, energy efficiency, and developing a clean economy, and I was proud to cast my vote in favor.

The bill must now pass the Senate and be signed into law by the governor.
 

Gun Safety and Accountability Bill

I am pleased we passed House Bill 7042, a critical firearm industry responsibility measure. This legislation provides a civil remedy for individuals harmed by the irresponsible actions of gun manufacturers, dealers, and sellers. It also closes a significant loophole in our background check laws and clarifies key language in our statutes related to the unlawful discharge of firearms.

This bill extends firearm permit ineligibility in Connecticut to individuals who have committed disqualifying crimes outside of the state. Specifically, individuals who move to Connecticut and have been convicted of offenses that would otherwise preclude them from obtaining a firearm permit—had the offenses occurred within Connecticut—will also be deemed ineligible. This applies to out-of-state convictions within the past eight years.

Finally, this bill clarifies a section of our unlawful discharge of a firearm statute—a Class C misdemeanor—by explicitly stating that a person cannot be convicted under this law if the firearm was discharged in lawful self-defense or in defense of another person.

Connecticut’s strong laws have helped make our state one of the safest in the nation, and this bill represents a meaningful step forward in promoting accountability and enhancing public safety.
 

Connecticut HERO Act

On, the 50th anniversary of the end of the Vietnam War, the Connecticut House of Representatives unanimously passed (146-0-5) what we call the “HERO Act.”

The HERO Act (HB 6442) is the result of a bipartisan effort and is a comprehensive package of legislation that reflects collaboration, listening, and a deep, collective respect for those who wore the uniform and served our country.

Among the bill’s components:

  • Designate November as Veterans’ Month to reflect on and celebrate their military service
  • Waive fees for the Purple Heart license plate, ensuring accessibility for those who have earned one of our nation’s highest military honors
  • Create two new commemorative plates - one honoring women veterans and another recognizing the Borinqueneers - providing long-lasting public recognition of their historic contributions
  • Free license renewals for veterans
  • The Department of Veterans Affairs will evaluate how to improve and address shortcomings in available dental services for veterans
  • Accelerate nursing home placement for service-connected veterans
  • Improve school transitions for military families with children requiring special education services

Our veterans were willing to sacrifice everything – including their lives – for this country. They deserve to be seen, valued, and never forgotten.
 

Firefighters Cancer Relief Program

House Democrats voted this week to make important changes to the Firefighters Cancer Relief Program, including among other things expanding the types of cancers covered to include skin cancer and authorizing workers’ compensation administrative law judges to handle appeals of any denial of benefits.

Taking care of our first responders is always a legislative priority.
 

Warehouse Quotas

House Democrats also took action this week to make sure that warehouse workers are treated with respect by passing legislation that limits and provides clarity when employers use production quotas.

The legislation also ensures that:  

✅ Employers must provide quota information upon hiring an employee

✅ If quotas change, workers must be notified

✅ Employees cannot be retaliated against for requesting work records

✅ Quotas cannot be used to inhibit workers from using the restroom or taking an entitled break

Valuing people over profits is good public policy.
 

Strengthening Healthcare for CT's Seniors

The House also voted to strengthen healthcare for Connecticut's seniors! This legislation among other things increases access for vital biomarker testing, establishes a task force to address the specific needs of seniors with Alzheimer's and dementia, and enhances safety with improved background checks for all nursing home employees.

This action reflects our ongoing efforts to support and care for our aging population.
 

Additional Bills Passed in the House

The House has passed a number of other bills so far - you can read below to learn about some of them:

  • HB 7081 - Helps address the severe mental health workforce shortage in our state
  • HB 7102 - Develops a strategic plan to increase the number of birth centers and birthing hospitals in the state and expand the Connecticut Fatherhood Initiative’s (CFI) objectives to include expanding fathers’ role in supporting maternal health
  • HR 15 – Approves a collective bargaining agreement between Charter Oak State College and SEIU Local 1973, strengthening the rights of workers in higher education.
  • HB 6897 – Extends the sunset date for personal risk insurance rate filings, ensuring fairness for consumers.
  • HB 5008 - Establishes a Connecticut-Puerto Rico Trade Commission
  • HB 6913 - Prohibits long term care facilities from discriminating against residents based on their sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or HIV status

To read the full list of bills that have passed the House, please visit: cga.ct.gov/2025/lbp/lobp.pdf
 

National Teachers' Day

Teacher Appreciation Day was this week - let's celebrate the educators shaping the future of Connecticut! To our teachers: I will always support you, fight for you and work to pass the legislation you deserve.
 

National Nurses Day

Not all heroes wear capes - some wear scrubs. Thank you, nurses for your tireless dedication, compassion, and strength.
 

e-Apprenticeship Program
Big news for CT's future workforce: The new e-Apprenticeship system is here!

This is more than just a tech upgrade - it’s a game-changer for equity and access. This new system will make it easier for more people across the state to connect with paid, hands-on training in fields like healthcare, tech, and the trades…no matter their zip code

Businesses and workers looking to participate in the program can learn more at portal.ct.gov/dol/divisions/apprenticeships.
 

As always, please feel free to email me at Jason.Doucette@cga.ct.gov or call my office at 860-240-8584.

Sincerely,

Jason Doucette
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