Klarides-Ditria posts new laws effective today

With the legislative session over and the governor signing - and even vetoing - bills almost daily, I wanted to highlight several, and provide a full list of new laws that take effect on July 1st. You can find a list of all bills that passed the 2025 session by clicking the red button below. The Cost of Energy A major piece of legislation we took up concerned the high cost of energy in our state.  Senate Bill 4 is a comprehensive plan that creates savings of more than $100 million in the public benefits, places $100 million of Covid debt on bond, and securitizes storm costs which is projected to save about $90 million off the bill providing an overall decrease of about $300 million from ratepayers’ bills. It also requires the Office of Consumer Council (OCC) to study the public benefits charges. While not the comprehensive energy policy overhaul I would have liked, I did support the bill and hope to see even more positive changes to help save you even more money in the future. Housing and HB5002 Following an 11-hour debate and despite strong bipartisan opposition, the House passed an omnibus housing bill that has the potential to undercut local zoning and take away local control in favor of Hartford mandates. House Bill 5002, priority legislation for the majority party, creates unrealistic fair share housing requirements for each town, requires town zoning to allow for as of right conversion of commercial lots for certain residential development, prohibits towns from including minimum parking requirements on certain housing developments, and allows developers to recover attorneys’ fees from towns in certain circumstances in 8-30g appeals, among other concerning provisions.  It also combined various bills and sidestepped normal procedural requirements for consideration of legislation. I voted against this bill because it’s another massive overreach from Hartford. Zoning requirements should be set locally, and not be forced onto our towns by Hartford mandates. I'm pleased to note that Governor Lamont vetoed this bill, and I look forward to debating a substantially different proposal during a fall special session! Bills Passed 2025 Several new laws will take effect July 1st that could have an impact on you, your business, or our community. I have highlighted some of them below. AN ACT CONCERNING THE FALLEN HERO FUND I supported this bill so that the surviving family of a firefighter killed in the line of duty shall be paid a death benefit from the Fallen Officer Fund. With the eligibility now expanded from only law enforcement members, the fund will be renamed the Fallen Officer and Firefighter Fund. This new law will also provide health insurance coverage to the survivors of a firefighter killed in the line of duty. AN ACT IMPLEMENTING RECOMMENDATIONS OF THE BIPARTISAN DRUG TASK FORCE This bill is aimed at reducing drug prices, and includes a feasibility study about importing prescription drugs from Canada. It also states that the insurance commissioner must require health carriers to annually report on pricing offered to, and profit generated between, the carrier and any pharmacy benefits managers (PBM) or mail-order pharmacy doing business in Connecticut. AN ACT CONCERNING THE ILLEGAL USE OF CERTAIN VEHICLES AND STREET TAKEOVERS Municipalities with more than 20,000 residents will be empowered to adopt an ordinance allowing for the destruction of vehicles seized during so-called street takeovers (large groups of vehicles blocking roads or intersections) after holding them for 30 days. There are some restrictions, including that a reasonable effort be made to contact the owner. If the owner did not know the vehicle was used for such an event, that person has the right to collect the vehicle within 90 days. AN ACT CONCERNING ASSORTED PROPOSALS TO RECOGNIZE AND HONOR THE MILITARY SERVICE OF MEMBERS OF THE ARMED FORCES AND VETERANS IN CONNECTICUT This bill makes technical changes in a statute related to veteran's affairs, including the appointment of a manager to administer an Office of Advocacy and Assistance. The office shall include 8 to 14 veterans' service officers, who are veterans! Other major acts include: An Act Concerning Bleeding Control Training and Kits An Act Implementing Recommendations of the DMV An expanded list of those that will take effect on July 1, along with summaries, can be found here. Feel free to share this information with anyone who may benefit from it!

Sincerely,

Rochelle, Scanlon to discuss drug discount card at Derby Senior Center

 

Klarides-Ditria outlines new laws effective Oct. 1

I just wanted you to know that several new laws will take effect Tuesday, Oct. 1, that could have an impact on you, your business, or our community. I highlighted some of them below. 

An expanded list of those that will take effect, along with summaries, can be accessed here. 

AN ACT SUPPORTING CONNECTICUT SENIORS AND THE IMPROVEMENT OF NURSING AND HOME-BASED CARE. - Public Act No. 24-39 (Sec. 1-5, 7-9, 15-19, 21-23) AN ACT PROMOTING NURSING HOME RESIDENT QUALITY OF LIFE. - Public Act No. 24-141 (Sec. 8-9) AN ACT ESTABLISHING A PROPERTY TAX EXEMPTION FOR VETERANS WHO HAVE A SERVICE-CONNECTED PERMANENT AND TOTAL DISABILITY RATING. - Public Act No. 24-46 (Sec. 1) AN ACT CONCERNING THE USE OF POLICE BODY-WORN RECORDING EQUIPMENT. - Public Act No. 24-15 (Sec. 1) AN ACT CONCERNING AUTHORITY TO DECLARE THAT A FIREFIGHTER, POLICE OFFICER OR EMERGENCY MEDICAL SERVICE PERSONNEL DIED IN THE LINE OF DUTY. - Public Act No. 24-16 AN ACT REQUIRING RESTITUTION WHEN A POLICE ANIMAL OR DOG IN A VOLUNTEER CANINE SEARCH AND RESCUE TEAM IS INJURED OR KILLED. - Public Act No. 24-65 AN ACT CONCERNING DOG RACING. - Public Act No. 24-1

Sincerely,

Klarides-Ditria shares info about disaster assistance in response to flooding

Friends and neighbors,

A major disaster declaration has been approved in response to the August 18 extreme flooding in our area. 

Residents and business owners who sustained losses in the designated areas can begin applying for assistance by clicking the button below, by calling 800-621-FEMA (3362), or by using the FEMA app. 

Disaster Assistance Federal assistance could include grants for temporary housing and home repairs, low-cost loans to cover uninsured property losses, and other programs to help individuals and business owners. The state, FEMA and SBA are currently identifying locations in the impacted counties to open disaster recovery & business recovery centers that will provide in-person support to help affected individuals apply for assistance. SBA Opens Business Recovery Centers The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) has opened Business Recovery Centers (BRC) in Oxford, at the Oxford Town Hall, and in Monroe, at the Monroe Police Department, to assist businesses with losses due to severe storm, flooding, landslides and mudslides. The disaster declaration covers Fairfield, Litchfield and New Haven counties which are eligible for both Physical and Economic Injury Disaster Loans from the SBA.  SBA’s Customer Service Representatives can assist business owners complete their disaster loan application, accept documents, and provide updates on an application’s status. Walk-ins are accepted, but you can schedule an in-person appointment at an SBA Business Recovery Center in advance.   Application Filing Deadlines: Physical Damage: November 19, 2024 Economic Injury: June 20, 2025 What Types of Disaster Loans are Available? Business Physical Disaster Loans – Loans to businesses to repair or replace disaster-damaged property owned by the business, including real estate, inventories, supplies, machinery and equipment. Businesses of any size are eligible. Private, non-profit organizations such as charities, churches, private universities, etc., are also eligible. Economic Injury Disaster Loans (EIDL) – Working capital loans to help small businesses, small agricultural cooperatives, small businesses engaged in aquaculture, and most private, non-profit organizations of all sizes meet their ordinary and necessary financial obligations that cannot be met as a direct result of the disaster. These loans are intended to assist through the disaster recovery period. Home Disaster Loans – Loans to homeowners or renters to repair or replace disaster-damaged real estate and personal property, including automobiles. What are the Credit Requirements? • Credit History – Applicants must have a credit history acceptable to SBA. • Repayment – Applicants must show the ability to repay all loans.

Sincerely,

CT Foodshare to host Pop-Up Pantry at Seymour Oxford Food Bank

Connecticut Foodshare has been in close communication with network partners in the areas impacted by the recent flooding and they have been working hard to provide services to the families and individuals who were. To better address this increased need for support in the area Connecticut Foodshare will be hosting emergency pop-up food distributions with our partner program, Seymour Oxford Food Bank, on the next three Fridays (8/30, 9/6 and 9/13) from 2:15-3:15 pm..  These emergency pop-ups are in addition our regularly scheduled Mobile Pantry distributions which can be found here: https://www.ctfoodshare.org/mobile-food-pantry along with the Mobile texting service, just text Foodshare to 85511 to get connected to the site closest to you. You can also text COMIDA to 85511 to receive this information in Spanish.

Sincerely,

Klarides-Ditria: Tax Free Week runs from Sunday-Aug. 24

Dear friends and neighbors, It feels like prices keep rising and we are paying more for everything we purchase, including food, clothing, and fuel. Saving money is more important than ever, and with school only a few weeks away for some students, I want to remind you to take advantage of the upcoming “Tax Free Week,” which runs from Sunday, August 18 through Saturday, August 24. Now is a great time to save on all of your kids’ back-to-school wear, both in stores and online. This one-week event eliminates Connecticut’s 6.35 percent sales tax on clothing and footwear costing less than $100 per item. Since sales tax is calculated after the use of any coupons or discounts, if the final price per item is less than $100, the sale is exempt from taxes. Clothing or footwear under $100 put on layaway during this week are also tax-free. Tax Free Week was first enacted in 2000 and applies to most clothing and footwear purchases intended for everyday use. Goods not covered under the program include, but are not limited to: clothing or footwear specifically designed for athletic activities: football cleats, specialty boots for fishing, hiking, skiing and other activities, as well as wet suits, helmets and headbands, etc., and accessories like jewelry, handbags, luggage, umbrellas, wallets, watches, etc. Please consult with your local retailer, or contact the Department of Revenue Services for a list of qualifying and non-qualifying items. I hope you find this information helpful. BACK TO SCHOOL SAFETY With school starting and thousands of children soon waiting at the end of their driveways or on the side of a road for the bus, I wanted to remind everyone to be careful on our public roadways. When school is in session, drivers should use extra caution, especially near bus stops, schools, playgrounds, and athletic fields. Safety tips for drivers: State law prohibits passing a school bus with its lights flashing. Some school buses are equipped with cameras to record passing drivers. Observe the no-passing law and expect the unexpected when traveling near school buses in school driveways. Watch for children, especially when driving in neighborhoods with school zones. Drive slowly. Watch for children walking in the street, especially if there are no sidewalks in the neighborhood. Watch for children playing and gathering near school bus stops. Safety tips for parents and children: Be waiting at your bus stop 5 minutes ahead of the scheduled pick up. Wait 10 feet back from the road and wear visible clothing. Always wait for the bus driver's head nod before boarding the bus or crossing the street. They're watching out for you! If you can’t see the driver, then the driver can’t see you. Make visual contact! If you drop something in the road, leave it. If it's important, make sure the bus driver knows you're about to bend down and possibly disappear from his/her sight. If an important item ends up under the bus, do not retrieve it unless the driver gives you permission to do so. Board the bus and quickly find a seat. Avoid distracting the bus driver for anything other than an emergency. I hope this information is helpful and I wish you all a safe and successful school year!

Sincerely,

Klarides-Ditria cautions pet owners about hot asphalt

 

With hot temperatures forecast for the week, the governor announced he is activating Connecticut’s Extreme Hot Weather Protocol on Tuesday, June 18 through 12 p.m. Sunday, June 23. He reminded residents that cooling centers are being opened statewide and you can locate the nearest cooling center by calling 2-1-1 or viewing the list at 211ct.org. It’s important to be prepared for hot temperatures, and that includes making sure your pets are safe, too.  The American Red Cross has the following tips on keeping pets safe, but essentially treat your pets the same as you treat yourself: Never leave your pet in a hot vehicle, even for a few minutes. The inside temperature of the car can quickly reach 120 degrees even with the windows cracked open. Limit exercise on hot days. Exercise in the early morning or evening hours. Walk your pet in the grass if possible, to avoid hot surfaces burning their paws. If your pet is outside, make sure they have access to shade and plenty of cool water. Water safety is important for your furry friends. Do not leave pets unsupervised around a pool—they aren’t all good swimmers Watch your pets at a backyard barbecue. Keep them away from the grill and know that some food can be poisonous to them. Avoid raisins, grapes, onions, chocolate and products with artificial sweeteners. Heat stroke is a common problem for pets in the warmer weather. Dogs with short noses or snouts, like the boxer or bulldog, are especially prone to heat stroke, along with overweight pets, those with extremely thick fur coat or any pet with upper respiratory problems. Open windows or doors are a temptation for pets to try to get outside. Keep all doors and unscreened windows closed, and make sure screens are tightly secured Some plants in your garden can be hazardous to animals. Visit the Animal Poison Control Center to find out which plants and flowers are poisonous to animals.

Sincerely,