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.

A summary of some new laws include:

AN ACT CONCERNING EDUCATION MANDATE RELIEF, SCHOOL DISCIPLINE AND DISCONNECTED YOUTH

An Education Mandate Review Advisory Council will be created to advise and report to the General Assembly about the cost and implementation of existing education mandates on local and regional boards of education, as well as the impact…

The nonpartisan Office of Legislative Research (OLR) has published its 2024 “Major Public Acts” report. This report gives a categorical breakdown of the major topics that the General Assembly addressed in the 2024 session. OLR produces this report in consultation with the nonpartisan Office of Fiscal Analysis (OFA). The legislation included in the report has been broken out into 20 different categories including energy, environment, taxes, and transportation.

To review the report in its entirety,…

HARTFORD- State Rep. Greg Howard (R-43) expresses frustration that an amendment on the omnibus Department of Motor Vehicles to establish a task force to study traffic stops, traffic accidents, traffic enforcement in our state was defeated on mostly along party lines 58-93.

The amendment LCO 5460 would have established a task force to study and identify the causes and factors contributing to the decrease in traffic stops and enforcement of motor vehicle violations in the state since the year 2018,…

HARTFORD- In the Judiciary Committee last week, State Rep. Greg Howard (R-43) helped defeat a bill that could have led to higher electric rates for electric ratepayers. This, after state regulators, the Public Utilities Regulatory Authority (PURA), approved a 19% electric rate increase for Eversource starting July 1^st

On Monday April 29^th, Rep. Howard talked on the bill extensively and forced the committee to adjourn without a vote before the House of Representatives gaveled into session, effectively…

(HARTFORD, CT) – State Rep. Greg Howard (R-43) hailed an announcement by the state Agriculture Commissioner Bryan P. Hurlburt that the Connecticut Department of Agriculture (CT DoAg) is awarding state funding to farmers and non-profits involved in production agriculture to invest in long-term climate resiliency projects which will decrease vulnerability to extreme weather events through regenerative agricultural practices.

The funded projects are part of the Farmland Restoration, Climate Resiliency…

Milling and Resurfacing Project: Service Route 617 (Frontage Road) in North Stonington

CTDOT is announcing that a milling and resurfacing project will be performed on Service Route 617 (Frontage Road) in North Stonington starting Monday, April 22,2024.

The Connecticut Department of Transportation (CTDOT) is announcing that a milling and resurfacing project will be performed on Service Route 617 (Frontage Road) in North Stonington. The project consists of milling and resurfacing a 0.85-mile segment…

HARTFORD- State Rep. Greg Howard (R-43) slammed a proposal which lessens the penalty for not paying a speeding ticket in Connecticut.

The legislation, HB-5331, An Act Concerning the Suspension of Motor Vehicle Operators’ Licenses For Failure To Pay Fines Or Fees Or Failure To Appear For A Scheduled Court Appearance would eliminate the ability for the Connecticut Department of Motor Vehicles to revoke a drivers’ license for an unpaid speeding ticket, other traffic infractions or failure to appear…

Rep. Howard Working to Protect Victims

Video of victim testimony & Rep. Howard’s Questions

HARTFORD- State Rep. Greg Howard (R-43) strongly supported the testimony of medically retired Hartford Police Officer Jill Kidik who in 2018 was a victim of attempted murder in downtown Hartford and had her protective order against the attacker dismissed due to their mental defect without the victim’s knowledge.

The legislation, HB 5415: An Act Concerning the Issuance of a Standing Criminal Protective Order…

PROVIDENCE – On a busy Wednesday, State Rep. Greg Howard (R-Stonington) traveled to the Rhode Island State Capitol in Providence to testify in support of legislation Connecticut has successfully implemented to enhance communication between a police officer and a driver with autism spectrum disorder, called a blue envelope program.

Rep. Howard, a Ranking Member of the Connecticut’s Public Safety Committee and a Police Officer specially trained in Crisis Intervention and interacting with citizens…

HARTFORD, CT – Today, Senator Heather Somers (R-Groton), along with Representative Greg Howard (R-Stonington), and other esteemed members from the House and Senate, gathered at a press conference to discuss the significance of S.B. 339, also known as “Broko’s Bill.” This crucial legislation ensures restitution is provided to municipalities that train K-9 officers, instead of the funds being directed to the courts, in the unfortunate event of injury or death to a police animal or a dog in a volunteer…