HB 5534 Connecticut House · 2026 Regular Session

AN ACT DESIGNATING THE STATE AS THE BIRTHPLACE OF THE BOYS AND GIRLS CLUB MOVEMENT, THE STATE AMPHIBIAN AND THE STATE ROCK.

This bill designates Connecticut as the birthplace of the Boys and Girls Clubs of America, recognizes the spring peeper as the state amphibian, names the town of Enfield as the gateway to Connecticut, and designates Housatonic marble as the state rock. The legislation directly affects state symbols and official designations by adding these new titles to Connecticut's list of recognized emblems. Each provision becomes effective on October 1, 2026, and establishes permanent official recognition for these historical and natural elements. The bill does not create new programs or funding, but rather codifies existing historical facts and local identities into state law.
Bill status signed all 5 stages cleared
Introduction
Mar 2026
Committee Review
Mar 2026
House Passage
Apr 2026
Senate Passage
May 2026
Signed into Law
May 2026
Introduced Mar 6, 2026 Signed May 19, 2026
Maddy AI version diff · 1 comparison

What changed between versions

Raised Bill GAE Joint Favorable Substitute · 3 edits
MINOR
The bill was amended to replace the specific name 'Boys and Girls Clubs of America' with the broader term 'Boys and Girls Club movement,' acknowledging the organization's wider historical impact. Additionally, the designation of Enfield as the 'gateway to Connecticut' was removed entirely, leaving only the state amphibian and state rock designations. These changes refine the bill's focus to celebrate the origins of the youth movement and the state's natural history, while dropping a specific town designation.
Scope change
The bill's scope was narrowed by removing the designation for the town of Enfield and broadening the description of the youth organization from a specific entity to the general movement.
DEFINITION

The official designation for the youth organization was changed from 'Boys and Girls Clubs of America' to 'Boys and Girls Club movement' to reflect its broader historical origins.

SCOPE

The clause designating the town of Enfield as the 'gateway to Connecticut' was deleted from the act.

TECHNICAL

Minor formatting and section numbering adjustments were made to align with the substitute bill format.

Floor votes · Senate May 6, 2026 · House Apr 30, 2026

How they voted

360
Passed
Total votes 36
May 6, 2026
D Democratic25
25 Yea
100% Yea
R Republican11
11 Yea
100% Yea
Vote distribution
All Yea All Nay Mixed No data
Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions
20
Key actions
5
Committee
2
May 19, 2026
Signed into law
SIGNED BY GOVERNOR
lower
May 6, 2026
Senate · Passed
Senate Vote: pass (36-0)
senate
May 5, 2026
Upper · Passed
SENATE PASSED
upper
Apr 30, 2026
Lower · Passed
HOUSE PASSED
lower
Mar 23, 2026
Lower · Passed
Joint Favorable Substitute
lower
Mar 6, 2026
Committee
REF. TO JOINT COMM. ON Government Administration and Elections
lower
8 primary · 0 co-sponsors

Sponsors