Sign Up
HB 6248 Connecticut House · 2025 Regular Session

AN ACT CONCERNING THE PENALTY FOR ILLEGALLY TAKING STRIPED BASS.

HB 6248 increases the penalty for illegally taking striped bass in Connecticut waters to a flat $250 fine per violation, replacing previous tiered fines ($154 for inland waters, $75 for marine waters). It applies directly to anglers who violate state regulations on striped bass size limits, daily catch limits, or seasonal restrictions. The bill classifies violations as non-criminal infractions, allowing offenders to pay the fine by mail instead of facing court. This change affects anyone fishing for striped bass in Connecticut's waters who exceeds legal limits or harvests fish illegally.
Bill status passed 3 of 5 stages cleared
Introduction
Jan 2025
Committee Review
Mar 2025
House Passage
May 2025
Senate Passage
Governor
Introduced Jan 23, 2025 Last action May 15, 2025
Maddy AI version diff · 2 comparisons

What changed between versions

Committee Bill → ENV Joint Favorable Substitute · 3 edits
MINOR
The bill was substantially rewritten from establishing a fishing moratorium to imposing a penalty for illegally taking striped bass. The original version would have prohibited fishing until fish populations recovered, while the new version sets a $250 fine for violations of striped bass taking regulations.
Scope change
The bill's scope shifted from a proactive fishing ban to a reactive enforcement measure targeting illegal taking of striped bass in both marine and inland waters.
REQUIREMENT

Removed the moratorium provision that would have banned fishing for striped bass in the lower Housatonic River until populations reached sustainable levels.

ENFORCEMENT

Added a penalty provision establishing a $250 fine for anyone violating regulations on taking striped bass in state waters.

TECHNICAL

Changed the legal reference from 'chapter 26' to 'title 26' of the general statutes for accuracy.

Floor votes · House May 13, 2025

How they voted

138–9
Passed · 4 other
Total votes 151
May 13, 2025
D Democratic102
95 Yea 4 Nay 3
93% Yea
R Republican49
43 Yea 5 Nay 1
87% Yea
Vote distribution
All Yea All Nay Mixed No data
Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions
15
Key actions
3
Committee
4
May 13, 2025
Lower · Passed
HOUSE PASSED
lower
Mar 14, 2025
Lower · Passed
Joint Favorable Substitute
lower
Feb 24, 2025
Committee
REF. TO JOINT COMM. ON Environment
lower
Feb 21, 2025
Lower · Passed
DRAFTED BY COMMITTEE
lower
Jan 23, 2025
Committee
REF. TO JOINT COMM. ON Environment
lower
0 primary · 0 co-sponsors

Sponsors

No sponsor information available.