Dear Neighbor,

This week was one of the busiest of the legislative session. In the house we passed a slew of bills addressing everything from firefighter healthcare to warehouse worker's rights to establishing international trade commissions commissions. I am proud to be supporting these policies. They all are carefully considered efforts to improve the lives of everyone in our state. 

In addition to my legislative work, I had some incredible opportunities this past week to connect with local businesses and members of the Groton and Stonington communities. In this update I'll cover the following: 
 

• Out 'N About in the 41st District, Capitol
• Reminder: CGA Kickball Classic is Monday!
• House Dems: The Week in Review
• In Support of Warehouse Workers, HB6907 Passes in House
• Strengthening Healthcare for Our Seniors
• Bills Passed Through Today During 2025 Legislative Session
• A Great Arts, Culture, and Tourism Day at The Capitol
• New Generation of Marine Scientists, Stewards Fellowship
• Veterans Resources & Updates
• Community Events and Notices

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.

Sincerely,

Aundré Bumgardner
State Representative

 

HB6907, AN ACT CONCERNING THE USE OF QUOTAS BY WAREHOUSE DISTRIBUTION CENTERS 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

House Democrats voted Thursday to strengthen healthcare for Connecticut's seniors! Among other things, this legislation:

• Increases access to vital biomarker testing.
• Enhances safety with improved background checks for all nursing home employees.
• Establishes a task force to address the specific needs of seniors with Alzheimer's and dementia.

This week the House was in session on Wednesday and Thursday. We passed a series of important bills and resolutions that will have a lasting impact on our state, including:

• HJR 96 – Confirming Aileen K. Keays of Farmington to the Board of Pardons and Paroles.
• HJR 95 – Confirming Alex Tsarkov of Hartford to the Board of Pardons and Paroles.
• HR 15 – Approving a collective bargaining agreement between Charter Oak State College and SEIU Local 1973, strengthening the rights of workers in higher education.
• HB 6907 – An Act concerning the use of quotas in warehouse distribution centers, putting workers’ well-being first.
• HB 6897 – Extending the sunset date for personal risk insurance rate filings, ensuring fairness for consumers.
• SB 1426 – Making crucial updates to the Firefighters Cancer Relief Program, honoring the sacrifices of those who risk their lives for our communities.
• HB 5008 - Establishing a Connecticut-Puerto Rico Trade Commission
• HB 6771 Requiring health insurance to cover biomarker testing, establishing an Alzheimer’s and Dementia task force, and requiring nursing homes to consider proximity to family members in any transfer of a resident
• HB 6913 Prohibiting 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 so far, please click on the image below:

Culvert Replacement on Route 215 in Groton

A culvert replacement at Anderson Marsh and Beebe Cove will be performed on Route 215 in Groton. Minor construction and utility work have already commenced.

This project is scheduled to typically occur on Mondays through Fridays with anticipated completion on November 22, 2025.

The project will address the deterioration of the existing headwalls and the separation of the culvert sections spanning Anderson Marsh and Beebe Cove on Route 215 in Groton, Connecticut. The project is scheduled to be completed on November 22, 2025.

• 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 AM – 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.