Dear Neighbor,

It has been a quite a week on campus, culminating with a press conference I held this morning followed by an Environment Committee Public Hearing, in which we discussed the bill and much more. Please keep scrolling for more details.

Speaking of public hearings, we held several of them this week, including the Education, Public Health, which had huge draws in attendance. A big one is coming up on Monday, too. More details below.

If you're turning 26, I've got some news for you regarding health care coverage. Check it out, below. This week's newsletter topics include:

• Around the 41st District
• Rental Registry Bill to Be Heard on Monday
• Introducing HB5224
• What a Week!
• Are you Turning 26 This Year?
• Questions to Ask Your Provider to Lower Costs
• Chatbot Protections For Children & Older Adults
• CT Dept. of Transportation News
• Vets Resources & Updates
• Welcome Aboard, Ian
• Community Events
   

Do not hesitate to contact me with any thoughts or concerns you may have at Aundre.Bumgardner@cga.ct.gov or 1-800-842-8267.

Have a great weekend. Remember, Daylight Saving Time begins. Don't forget to set your clock ahead one hour on Sunday, beginning at 2 a.m.

Sincerely,

Aundré Bumgardner
State Representative
 

The deadline to sign up to testify live has now passed, but written testimony can still be submitted through next week, and I encourage residents to share their perspectives with the committee.

Over the past several years, I have heard from many residents across Groton, Mystic, and Stonington about the growing impact of short-term rentals on housing availability, neighborhood stability, and quality of life. At the same time, municipalities across our district have worked thoughtfully to address the issue locally. Groton adopted regulations through its Planning & Zoning Commission, Stonington has pursued its own ordinance, and areas such as Noank have taken steps to protect neighborhood character.

H.B. 5536 builds on those local efforts while preserving municipal authority. The bill would:

• Create a statewide short-term rental registry maintained by the Department of Revenue Services, giving municipalities better visibility into STR activity in their communities.
• Allow municipalities to adopt an optional supplemental tax of up to 2.75% on short-term rentals, with revenue dedicated to increasing the local supply of housing.
• Require short-term rental platforms like Airbnb and VRBO to report tax information by municipality, providing towns with better data to track activity and enforce local regulations.

This proposal is designed to increase transparency, strengthen local decision-making, and provide communities with additional tools to address housing challenges while ensuring short-term rentals operate fairly within our neighborhoods.
As a member of the committee, I will be able to engage in dialogue and ask questions of individuals who will be testifying on the measure. I am very excited to welcome constituents and residents of the 41^st District to our state capitol complex.

If you would like to share your thoughts, you can still submit written testimony to the Finance, Revenue & Bonding Committee:

Submit written testimony HERE.

Public participation is an important part of the legislative process, and I welcome feedback from residents as this bill continues to move through the General Assembly.

We rolled out House Bill 5524, An Act Concerning the State’s Materials Management System, during a press conference this morning at the Legislative Office Building. I was proud to be joined by the Sierra Club, Connecticut Zero Waste Coalition, and environmental organizations.

In a nutshell,

HB 5524 would:

• Expands Connecticut’s commercial organics recycling law to ensure more large food waste generators separate food scraps for composting or recycling instead of disposal.

• Phase out expanded polystyrene (Styrofoam) foodware and establish a “skip-the-stuff” standard limiting the distribution of single-use food service accessories unless requested by the customer.

• Introduce a food donation policy aimed at reducing food waste and redirecting edible surplus food to communities in need.

• Expand eligible uses of materials management grant programs administered by the Department of Energy and Environmental Protection, including support for cold storage to preserve donated food and dishwashing equipment in public schools to facilitate reusable foodware systems.

Following the press conference, we held an Environment Committee public hearing.

To hear my comments introducing the bill and why it's so important, please click on the video below.

Bridge Joint repairs Over Mystic River on I-95 in Mystic

Bridge joint repairs over the Mystic River on I-95 in Mystic, with single lane closures, are scheduled through Thursday, March 20, 2026, from 6:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., Monday through Thursday.

The Connecticut Department of Transportation (CTDOT) is announcing that bridge joint repairs will be performed over the Mystic River on Interstate 95 in Mystic. The bridges are located between Exits 89 and 90.

The work is scheduled through Thursday, March 20, 2026, from 6:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., Monday through Thursday. This project is being performed to maintain the structural integrity of the bridges and ensure the continued safety of the traveling public.

The repairs will be performed by Hammonasset Construction.

LANE CLOSURE/DETOUR INFO

There will be a single lane closure on I-95 northbound and southbound, between Exits 89 and 90, during the scheduled work hours. Traffic control signing patterns and crash units will guide motorists safely through the work zone. 

CTDOT urges motorists to maintain a safe speed, follow posted signage, and be alert to construction personnel and equipment when traveling through the area.

• Your DD 214 (Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty) is critical for accessing VA benefits. Here’s how to obtain a copy:
• Check with your Town Clerk – Many veterans file their DD 214 with their local town clerk.
• Contact CT Veterans Affairs – They have an archive of 130,000 DD 214s. Email oaa.dva@ct.gov for assistance.
• Submit a Request to the National Archives – The fastest way is online: Request Here
• If Needed for Burial or Military Honors – Funeral directors have priority retrieval access.

• Groton – 2nd & 4th Friday of the month, 9 a.m. – 11 AM
• Groton Public Library – 52 Newtown Road
•  Mystic – 1st & 3rd Thursday of the month, 9 AM – 11 AM
• Mystic Congregational Church – 43 East Main Street
• Pawcatuck – 2nd & 4th Thursday of the month, 9 AM – 11 AM
• Pawcatuck Neighborhood Center – 27 Chase Street

For more locations and information, contact:
Gina King, Director, Senior Volunteer Services
gking@tvcca.org |  860-425-6617

If you have any issues, concerns, or ideas related to veteran services, military families, or legislative priorities, please feel free to reach out to my office. Your service and sacrifices deserve to be honored with the best support possible.