Tony Scott

New Laws Effective July 1, 2026

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. We passed an omnibus bill to help veterans , with several of the provisions taking effect soon. One creates the Military Department emergency response account, administered by the adjutant general, to cover state costs during certain emergencies. It also establishes state income tax deductions for compensation for an honor guard detail at a veteran’s funeral. One important bill we passed this session would bring more oversight to the state Department of Children and Families . The legislation also included provisions to establish grant programs for foster parents to cover the cost of afterschool programs for children in their care and for certain fictive kin (unrelated, trusted adult) caregivers to cover the cost of clothing, food, safety-related purchases, and other necessities for children in their care after an emergency placement. Another bill taking effect next month is one to bring more transparency and accountability to government spending . Entities receiving legislatively directed funds (known as earmarks) must be named, along with an explanation given of what the money will be used for. Neither are currently required. Any group subgranting the money to another entity must also get approval from state officials before doing so. Connecticut’s 6.35% sales tax will no longer apply to “nonelectronic school supplies” under the budget adjustment bill we passed. This includes, but is not limited to, things like binders, composition books, crayons, erasers, folders, glue, highlighters, index cards, lunch boxes, markers, notebooks, pencils, rulers, and scissors. We also expanded the amount of money on clothing and footwear that's exempt during Sales Tax Free Week, which takes place each August. The current exemption which applies to items under $100 will increase to under $300, and will also now include backpacks and cleated shoes. Other major acts include: An Act Concerning Oversight of Efforts to Prevent Human Trafficking An Act Concerning Online Safety An Act Concerning State-Wide Fire Protection An expanded list of those that will take effect on July 1, along with summaries, can be accessed here .

Trumbull State Officials Recognize Participants in Annual Women’s History Month Essay Contest

Photo Caption: State Representative Tony Scott, Shanvi Panthangi, 6 th grade Social Studies teacher Robert Reda, State Representative David Rutigliano. TRUMBULL — State Representatives David Rutigliano (R-123) and Tony Scott (R-112) recently honored the winner and runner-up of their 11 th Annual House of Representatives Women’s History Month Essay Contest during a ceremony at Madison Middle School. Earlier this year, the legislators partnered with Madison Middle School to invite sixth-grade students to participate in the contest as part of Women’s History Month in March. Students were asked to submit essays on the topic: “Important Women in Connecticut’s History and How Their Contributions to the State and Nation Affect Me.” Each student wrote a 300-word essay highlighting a notable Connecticut woman, exploring her life, accomplishments, and the personal impact of her contributions. During the ceremony, the first-place winner shared thoughtful reflections on an influential woman in history and her personal connection to the subject. “This contest is a great way to engage students in learning about the important role women have played in shaping our state and nation,” said Rep. Rutigliano. “I want to thank all the students for their hard work. They are outstanding representatives of Trumbull, and I was truly inspired by their presentations.” “I want to congratulate our contest winners for going above and beyond in their work,” said Rep. Scott. “Each student submitted a well-researched and meaningful essay, and it’s encouraging to see this level of effort and enthusiasm.” Madison Middle School Winners: Winner: Shanvi Panthangi — Rosa Ponselle Runner-Up: Catalina Andrade — Prudence Crandall

2026 Major Public Acts Report

The Office of Legislative Research (OLR) has compiled its 2026 Major Public Acts report. This report details the action of the legislature in 2026, with brief summaries of major policy changes. More detailed summaries can be found at: https://cga.ct.gov/olr/ . OLR also produces a number of “Acts Affecting” reports highlighting legislation in various policy areas. Some of the topics covered in this report include: Aging Criminal Justice and Public Safety Education Energy Environment Human Services Insurance Public Health Veterans’ and Military Affairs To review the 2026 Major Public Acts report in its entirety, click here .

Trumbull Legislators Sponsor Retired Flag Collection

Trumbull Legislators Sponsor Retired Flag Collection TRUMBULL- With Flag Day a little more than a month away, it's the perfect time to properly retire your worn, faded, and tattered American flags as you prepare to put on fresh new displays of the Stars and Stripes. State Reps. David Rutigliano (R-123), Ben McGorty (R-122) and Tony Scott (R-112), in cooperation with the Trumbull American Legion Post #141, are encouraging Trumbull residents to dispose of their worn American flags in a dignified and respectful way. Republican House members have made the flag collection an annual tradition for the last 14 years to commemorate Flag Day. The Trumbull legislators have provided three locations that residents can drop off their worn American flags for proper ceremonial disposal according to the U.S. Flag Code, plus an additional day to drop flags off to the State Representatives. Drop-off locations will receive flags from May 1 st - June 13 th . The drop-off locations are: Trumbull Town Hall at 5866 Main Street, Trumbull Trumbull Library (Main Branch) at 33 Quality Street, Trumbull Fairchild-Nichols Memorial Library on 1718 Huntington Turnpike, Trumbull Additionally, the Trumbull lawmakers will host a final drive-up flag donation event for your worn and tattered flags at the Middlebrook Elementary School on 220 Middlebrooks Avenue in Trumbull on Saturday June 13 th from 9:00am-11:00am . In 1916, Flag Day was officially established as June 14 th by President Woodrow Wilson marking the anniversary of the Second Continental Congress passing a resolution stating that “the flag of the United States be 13 stripes, alternate red and white,” and that “the union be 13 stars, white in a blue field, representing a new constellation”. The U.S. Flag Code specifies that old American flags no longer in service must be properly disposed. The collected flags will be given to the American Legion Post #141 for proper retirement during a ceremony on June 14. For additional information please call (800) 842-1423.

Rep. Scott Applauds Passage of Bill Creating Task Force on Affordable Housing Reforms

Hartford, CT – The Connecticut House of Representatives voted overwhelmingly in support of a bill that will look into possible reforms to the 8-30g process. State Representative Tony Scott (R-Monroe), Housing Committee Ranking Member and a member of the Majority Leader’s Roundtable on Affordable Housing, spoke in support of the bill. “A lot of towns struggle with the 10% threshold. The denominator piece of the affordable housing calculation under the 8-30g statutes is a problem, sometimes preventing building because that could potentially hurt their percentage,” said Rep. Scott. “Maybe they're just over that 10% threshold, and by building 100 units it knocks them down underneath that and they’d open themselves up to new affordable housing applications.” The task force is also going to look at the number of years for how long an affordable housing unit would have to be classified as affordable. Right now, it is traditionally 40 years. “Those are hurdles to some towns that we're going to look at to, hopefully, address so that we can reduce the number of complaints against towns and why they can't move forward with some housing,” added Rep. Scott. Rep. Scott also touted the composition of the appointments. “Only half could be legislators, which I think is great because we need these experts across the state that have the knowledge in these different fields, to make sure that we're using their knowledge too, not just the legislators,” concluded Rep. Scott. The bill now moves to the Senate for further consideration. The 2026 General Assembly session adjourns on May 6.