All Roll Calls
Yes: 386 • No: 15
ConnecticutHB 064382025 Regular SessionHouseWALLET
AN ACT CONCERNING ASSORTED PROPOSALS TO RECOGNIZE AND HONOR THE MILITARY SERVICE OF MEMBERS OF THE ARMED FORCES AND VETERANS IN CONNECTICUT.
Sponsored By: Veterans' and Military Affairs Committee
Signed by Governor
Summary
To make minor and technical changes in a statute related to veteran's affairs.
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Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
11 provisions identified: 11 benefits, 0 costs, 0 mixed.
Medicare savings eligibility drops asset limits
For applications filed beginning July 1, 2025, Connecticut cannot use assets to decide Medicare Savings Program eligibility. Income limits still apply after allowed exclusions. The Qualified Medicare Beneficiary limit is 211% of the federal poverty level. The Specified Low-Income Medicare Beneficiary band is above 211% through 231%; Qualifying Individual coverage runs above 231% through 246%.
Veterans’ pensions stop counting against assistance
For applications filed beginning July 1, 2025, covered Connecticut assistance programs exclude certain veterans’ pensions from income. This covers veterans and surviving spouses receiving VA non-service-connected, Aid and Attendance, or Housebound pensions. Covered programs include Medicare savings, Medicaid, HUSKY A and D, energy assistance, state fuel assistance, and cash assistance. The exclusion also applies to the state’s home-care assistance program. Federal limits still apply where the law requires them.
Veterans’ disability benefits excluded from defender screening
Beginning July 1, 2026, Connecticut excludes all VA service-connected disability benefits from the public defender income calculation. The exclusion applies under the guideline allowing people at or below 250% of the federal poverty level to qualify. Other countable income still matters, and meeting the income guideline does not guarantee eligibility.
Community college fee relief for military students
Beginning July 1, 2025, regional community-technical college tuition waivers also cover extension-program fees for qualifying veterans and Connecticut Guard members. Veterans need qualifying wartime service, admission, and Connecticut domicile when accepted; military academy attendance does not count as wartime service. Active Army or Air Guard members need certified good standing and full-time or part-time admission or enrollment in an undergraduate degree program. Veterans’ waivers account for federal Post-9/11 tuition benefits; a certified denial or withdrawal allows the regular waiver. When the board requests funding, the state reimburses the college operating fund for waivers exceeding 5% of tuition and extension-fee revenue.
More university waivers for military students
Beginning July 1, 2025, qualifying veterans and Connecticut Guard members receive extension-fee waivers at UConn and Connecticut State University System schools. Charter Oak State College must also waive their tuition fees. Veterans need qualifying wartime service, excluding academy attendance, and Connecticut domicile when accepted; less than one year of domicile qualifies. Active Army or Air Guard members need certified good standing and admission or enrollment in a degree program, including undergraduate or graduate programs at the universities. Waivers cover charges above the federal Post-9/11 tuition benefit; veterans can certify a denied or withdrawn application for regular waiver treatment. Employer education payments reduce waivers, and state reimbursement at UConn and the university system includes extension-fee waivers above the 2.5% revenue threshold.
UConn professional students gain financial aid access
Beginning July 1, 2025, UConn includes professional students in financial assistance funded from expected tuition revenue. Students must show substantial financial need. They must be enrolled full-time or part-time in a degree program as an admitted degree student, or in precollege remedial study. Help can include tuition waivers, tuition reductions, education grants, or student employment.
Students avoid double charges for extension courses
Beginning July 1, 2025, Connecticut public higher-education institutions cannot charge tuition for an extension course when the student pays extension fees. The protection applies to the same course, including covered summer, winter, and intersession classes.
Disabled veteran businesses can get funding preference
Beginning July 1, 2026, Connecticut may favor disabled veteran-owned businesses applying for Small Business Express assistance. Businesses must operate in Connecticut, have 100 or fewer employees, and be current on state and local taxes. They must also be in good standing with state agencies. More than 50% must be owned by veterans with VA disability ratings of at least 30%. The preference is optional for the agency and does not guarantee funding.
State funds military enlistment program
Beginning July 1, 2025, the law provides $169,000 from Connecticut’s General Fund to the Military Department. The money supports its joint enlistment enhancement program for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2026. This appropriation funds the program, not direct household payments.
Veterans’ assistance office gets staffing minimums
Beginning July 1, 2025, Connecticut’s Office of Advocacy and Assistance must have at least 19 staff members. That includes at least 14 veterans’ service officers and three clerical workers. The office serves veterans, spouses, dependents, and families. The law also requires staff training, bilingual service-officer positions, and municipal outreach and training at least twice yearly.
State studies veterans’ taxes and local assistance
The law directs up to $75,000 from Veterans Affairs’ 2025–26 funding to UConn’s School of Public Policy. The transfer requires an agreement between the Veterans Affairs commissioner and UConn. The school must study the fiscal effects of changing veterans’ property-tax exemptions and study municipal assistance to veterans. Reports are due January 1, 2027. These studies do not change household taxes or benefit eligibility.
Sponsors & Cosponsors
Sponsor
Veterans' and Military Affairs Committee
Affiliation unavailable
Cosponsors
There are no cosponsors for this bill.
Roll Call Votes
House vote • 5/5/2025
APP Vote Tally Sheet (Joint Favorable)
Yes: 43 • No: 7
House vote • 2/18/2025
House Roll Call Vote 243 AS AMENDED
Yes: 148 • No: 0
Senate vote • 2/18/2025
Senate Roll Call Vote 340
Yes: 36 • No: 0
House vote • 2/18/2025
House Roll Call Vote 242 HOUSE AMD A
Yes: 143 • No: 5
House vote • 2/18/2025
VA Vote Tally Sheet (Joint Favorable)
Yes: 16 • No: 3
Actions Timeline
Signed by the Governor
6/30/2025legislatureTransmitted by Secretary of the State to Governor
6/23/2025legislatureTransmitted to the Secretary of State
6/23/2025legislaturePublic Act 25-95
6/11/2025legislatureOn Consent Calendar / In Concurrence
6/2/2025legislatureSenate Passed as Amended by House Amendment Schedule A
6/2/2025SenateSenate Adopted House Amendment Schedule A
6/2/2025SenateSenate Calendar Number 570
5/31/2025SenateFavorable Report, Tabled for the Calendar, Senate
5/31/2025SenateImmediate Transmittal to the Senate
5/30/2025SenateHouse Passed as Amended by House Amendment Schedule A
5/30/2025HouseHouse Adopted House Amendment Schedule A 10029
5/30/2025HouseTabled for the Calendar, House
5/6/2025HouseNo New File by Committee on Appropriations
5/6/2025legislatureReported Out of Legislative Commissioners' Office
5/6/2025legislatureFiled with Legislative Commissioners' Office
5/6/2025legislatureJoint Favorable
5/5/2025legislatureReferred by House to Committee on Appropriations
4/29/2025HouseFile Number 54
3/6/2025legislatureHouse Calendar Number 62
3/6/2025HouseFavorable Report, Tabled for the Calendar, House
3/6/2025HouseReported Out of Legislative Commissioners' Office
3/6/2025legislatureReferred to Office of Legislative Research and Office of Fiscal Analysis 03/05/25 5:00 PM
2/28/2025legislatureFiled with Legislative Commissioners' Office
2/19/2025legislatureJoint Favorable
2/18/2025legislature
Bill Text
Public Act No. 25-95
6/11/2025
File No. 54
3/6/2025
APP Joint Favorable
2/18/2025
VA Joint Favorable
2/18/2025
Raised Bill
1/23/2025
APP Joint Fav. Rpt
APP Vote Tally Sheet (Joint Favorable)
Bill Analysis For File Copy 54
Bill Analysis for HB-6438, as amended by House "A"
Fiscal Note For File Copy 54
Fiscal Note for Amendment LCO 10029 (See Fiscal Note Details)
Fiscal Note for Amendment LCO 7763 (See Fiscal Note Details)
Fiscal Note for Amendment LCO 8982 (See Fiscal Note Details)
Fiscal Note for Amendment LCO 9827 (See Fiscal Note Details)
Fiscal Note for HB-6438, As Amended by House "A" (LCO 10029)
House LCO Amendment #7763 (J)
House LCO Amendment #8982 (J)
House LCO Amendment #9827 (J)
House Roll Call Vote 242 HOUSE AMD A
House Roll Call Vote 243 AS AMENDED
House Schedule A LCO# 10029 (J)
Senate Roll Call Vote 340
Summary for Public Act No. 25-95
VA Joint Fav. Rpt
VA Vote Tally Sheet (Joint Favorable)
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