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HB 6249 Connecticut House · 2025 Regular Session

AN ACT LIMITING APPEALS UNDER THE CONNECTICUT ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION ACT.

HB 6249 limits appeals for residential building permits under Connecticut's Environmental Protection Act. It requires courts to hold an expedited hearing within 30 days if a party requests one, where intervenors (like environmental groups) must prove a project is "reasonably likely" to unreasonably pollute or harm natural resources. If they fail to meet this standard, the court must dismiss the appeal. The bill applies specifically to permits for structures with dwelling units, such as new homes or renovations. This change streamlines judicial reviews for residential projects without imposing new costs on state or local governments.
Issues: ✗ EnvironmentOpposes EnvironmentRaises burden for environmental groups to challenge permits, requiring 'reasonably likely' harm proof to block projects, weakening appeal mechanisms under environmental law.85% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingLimits environmental appeals for residential permits, reducing construction delays and supporting housing development by streamlining approval processes for new homes.85% confidence
Bill status in committee 1 of 4 stages cleared
Introduction
Jan 2025
Committee Review
Floor Vote
Governor
Introduced Jan 23, 2025 Last action Apr 14, 2025
Maddy AI version diff · 2 comparisons

What changed between versions

Committee Bill → ENV Joint Favorable Substitute · 4 edits
MODERATE
The bill was amended to add a new subsection (c) that creates an expedited court hearing process for challenging residential building permits. Previously, the bill only limited who could intervene in residential permit cases; now it also establishes a faster timeline and specific burden of proof for intervenors to show that a permit would cause unreasonable pollution.
Scope change
The bill's scope expanded from simply limiting who can intervene in residential building permit cases to also establishing a specific expedited judicial review process for those cases.
REQUIREMENT

Added a new requirement for expedited court hearings within 30 days of request for residential building permit appeals.

ENFORCEMENT

Added a requirement that intervenors must make a prima facie showing of likely unreasonable pollution, or face dismissal of their case.

ELIGIBILITY

Changed the effective date of the act from October 1, 2025 to October 1, 2025, and updated the section reference from repealing 22a-19 to amending 22a-19(c).

TECHNICAL

Changed the bill type from Committee Bill to Substitute Bill and updated the Legislative Committee Office (LCO) page numbers.

Floor votes

How they voted

No floor votes recorded yet.
Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions
12
Key actions
2
Committee
4
Mar 24, 2025
Lower · Passed
Joint Favorable Substitute
lower
Mar 6, 2025
Committee
REF. TO JOINT COMM. ON Environment
lower
Mar 5, 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.