AN ACT CONCERNING CERTAIN BOATING REGULATIONS.
HB 5332 prohibits anyone from extending limbs over the side of a moving boat (effective October 2026), with a $100 fine for violations. It increases fines for abandoning vessels from $300-$500 to $750-$1,000, except during declared emergencies. The bill also allows state and local agencies to recover cleanup and environmental remediation costs from the last vessel owner. These changes directly affect all recreational and commercial boaters in Connecticut.
Bill status
signed
all 5 stages cleared
Introduction
Feb 2026
Committee Review
Mar 2026
House Passage
May 2026
Senate Passage
May 2026
Signed into Law
May 2026
Introduced Feb 26, 2026
Signed May 20, 2026
Maddy AI version diff · 1 comparison
What changed between versions
Raised Bill
→
ENV Joint Favorable Substitute
·
5 edits
MODERATE
The bill was revised from a 'Raised Bill' to a 'Joint Favorable Substitute' to address concerns and improve clarity. The most significant change is the expansion of the safety rule prohibiting overhanging limbs to specifically apply to motorboats under power, while adding an exemption for boats engaged in slow-speed docking or anchoring activities. Additionally, the fine for abandoning a vessel was increased from $300 to $700, and the authority to recover cleanup costs was expanded to include municipal law enforcement agencies.
Scope change
The scope of the safety prohibition was narrowed to specifically target motorboats under power, and an explicit exemption was added for vessels proceeding at dead slow speed during docking or anchoring.
REQUIREMENT
The prohibition on hanging limbs over the gunwale was updated to apply specifically to motorboats under power, replacing the broader 'any vessel' language.
A new exemption was added stating that the limb-overhanging rule does not apply to motorboats proceeding at dead slow speed while anchoring, mooring, or docking.
ENFORCEMENT
The minimum fine for abandoning a vessel was increased from $300 to $700.
The authority to recover costs for abandoned vessel remediation was expanded to include municipal law enforcement agencies in addition to state agencies.
TECHNICAL
The bill title was changed from 'Raised Bill' to 'Substitute Bill' and the footer was updated to reflect 'ENV Joint Favorable Substitute'.
Floor votes · Senate May 6, 2026 · House May 4, 2026
How they voted
33–0
Passed · 3 other
Total votes 36
May 6, 2026
D
Democratic25
88% Yea
R
Republican11
100% Yea
Vote distribution
All Yea
All Nay
Mixed
No data
Full legislative history
Actions timeline
Total actions
23
Key actions
7
Committee
2
Amendments
2
May 20, 2026
Signed into law
SIGNED BY GOVERNOR
lower
May 6, 2026
Senate · Passed
Senate Vote: pass (33-0-3)
senate
May 5, 2026
Upper · Passed
SEN. PASSED, HO. AMEND. SCH. A
upper
May 5, 2026
Upper · Passed
SEN. ADOPTED HO. AMEND. SCH. A
upper
May 4, 2026
Lower · Passed
HOUSE PASSED, HOUSE AMEND. SCH. A
lower
May 4, 2026
Lower · Passed
HOUSE ADOPTED HOUSE AMEND. SCH. A
lower
Mar 13, 2026
Lower · Passed
Joint Favorable Substitute
lower
Feb 26, 2026
Committee
REF. TO JOINT COMM. ON Environment
lower
5 primary · 0 co-sponsors
Sponsors
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