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Dear Neighbors & Friends,
I hope this message finds you and your family well! As we head into the final weeks of session, my colleagues and I are working tirelessly to pass legislation that will make a meaningful difference in the lives of our residents. Next week, the House will meet for session on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday. Over the remaining weeks, I will keep you updated on the work we are doing at the Capitol, and you can follow along live on days the General Assembly is in session on CT-N or YouTube.
Click on the links below to go to each section, and as always, if I can be of service to you, please be in touch!
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| Legislative Session Update |
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Last week, the House was in Session on Wednesday, April 8th, and Thursday, April 9th, and we passed a handful of bills. Read more about what we passed below.
The House passed H.B. 5157, An Act Concerning The Tire Stewardship Program, to strengthen Connecticut’s tire disposal program, requiring retail stores to fully participate by July 1, 2027. This step aims to reduce illegal dumping and prevent the buildup of old tires in our neighborhoods, a persistent source of blight and environmental harm. By improving tire collection and ensuring responsible tire disposal, the measure will help keep our streets cleaner, reduce public health risks, and support revitalization efforts. Keeping our communities clean strengthens our local economy and enhances the quality of life for residents, businesses, and visitors alike. The Senate now has until the end of the legislative session to take up the bill.
The House unanimously passed H.B. 5406, The Connecticut Hero Act, and it is now heading to the Senate for consideration. These updates improve access to critical services, strengthen protections, and ensure greater recognition for the service and sacrifice of our veterans. This legislation strengthens and expands support for Connecticut veterans in several important ways, including:
- Establishing a state-run dental care program for eligible veterans
- Waiving motor vehicle operator license fees
- Expanding eligibility for state military medals
- Requiring the Department of Veterans Affairs to warn veterans about unauthorized "claim sharks"
The House unanimously passed H.B. 5039, aimed at increasing oversight and transparency for legislative earmarks. The bill mandates stricter documentation for nonprofits receiving state funds, requires reporting on fund recipients, and aims to curb abuses in the allocation of grants. This legislation will establish new rules to provide greater oversight of funds allocated through legislative earmarks, which legislators request each year for nonprofits and other organizations. The safeguards include additional documentation and reporting requirements for organizations that receive these allocations. Among other provisions, lawmakers will need to specify how the funding will be used, and organizations will require state approval if they plan to sub-grant the funds to another group.
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| Upcoming Stamford Community Food Distribution |
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This Saturday, April 18th, Stamford PAL and iiMPACT-CT will hold a Community Food Distribution at Stamford Police PAL Center (245 Selleck St, Stamford, CT, 06902). The Community Food Distribution will start at 10 a.m. until items are gone and will operate on a first-come, first-served basis.
If you are interested in donating or volunteering at this event or with iiMPACT in the future, visit iimpactct.org. |
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April is recognized as ABLE to Save Month in Connecticut, a time to raise awareness about financial empowerment for individuals with disabilities. The ABLE (Achieving a Better Life Experience) program allows eligible individuals to establish tax-advantaged savings accounts that support greater independence and long-term financial security.Recent expansions have broadened access to the program, making thousands more residents, including veterans, eligible by increasing the disability onset age to 46. ABLE accounts allow individuals to save more than $20,000 annually without jeopardizing eligibility for critical federal benefits such as Supplemental Security Income (SSI) or Medicaid, providing a vital pathway to stability, opportunity, and self-sufficiency.Click here for more information on eligibility requirements and to enroll.
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| National Drug Takeback Day |
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As you begin spring cleaning, clearing out old medications is an essential step toward a refreshed and safe home. National Drug Takeback Day, administered by the DEA, will take place on Saturday, April 25. This event provides residents with a free, convenient way to safely dispose of unwanted, unused, or expired medications at local collection sites. The DEA partners with local law enforcement agencies across the United States to host this event in local communities like ours.
The Stamford Police Department will host a Drug Takeback Site at 725 Bedford St. in Stamford from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday, April 25th.
Host sites will collect pills and capsules, as well as prescription and over-the-counter medicines. The DEA cannot accept liquid, sharps, or needles. Trained volunteers will be present to handle collected materials and ensure safe disposal. Any medication you wish to dispose of should be presented in a clear, sealed bag. Loose pills or capsules will not be accepted.
If you are unable to attend the event, MyOldMeds.com offers a Locator Tool to help you find the nearest disposal site year-round. There are more than 29,000 verified locations in all 50 states that have secure unwanted or expired medicine disposal kiosks, and/ or provide free in-home disposal kits upon request. Additionally, the Locator Tool provides disposal site hours of operation, hours of collection, what is collected, and other helpful information. |
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| Connecticut Renters' Rebate Program |
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Connecticut’s Renters’ Rebate Program is now open to eligible renters who are elderly or living with a disability and meet certain income requirements.
Qualified applicants may receive rebates of up to $900 for married couples and $700 for single individuals. The rebate amount is determined using a graduated income scale, as well as the total rent and utility payments (excluding telephone) made during the previous calendar year.
Applications must be submitted through your local municipality’s assessor’s office or a designated social service agency. The application period is now open and will run through September 30. Please note that no extensions are permitted, and all applications must be received by the municipality no later than September 30.
Click here for more information about eligibility requirements and how to apply. |
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As always, whenever anything is top of mind for you and I can be of service to you, please contact me at (860) 240-8585 or on my cell phone at 203-249-1831 or email me directly at eilish.collinsmain@cga.ct.gov.
Warm Regards,
Eilish Collins Main
State Representative |
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