HB 5537 Connecticut House · 2026 Regular Session

AN ACT ESTABLISHING A WORKING GROUP TO STUDY WAYS TO FUND A UNIVERSAL FREE SCHOOL MEALS PROGRAM.

This bill imposes a 2-cent-per-ounce tax on distributors of sweetened beverages, syrups, and powders sold to retailers within the state, with the revenue dedicated to funding a universal free school meals program. The tax applies to products containing added sugar or nonnutritive sweeteners but excludes milk-based beverages, 100% fruit or vegetable juices, water, infant formula, and medical beverages. Distributors must file monthly tax returns electronically and make payments by electronic funds transfer, while sales to government entities and certain resellers are exempt from the tax. The law takes effect on October 1, 2026, and establishes specific definitions for covered products to clarify which items are subject to taxation.

Bill status in committee 1 of 4 stages cleared

Introduction

Mar 2026

Committee Review

Floor Vote

Governor

Introduced Mar 11, 2026 Last action Apr 15, 2026

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What changed between versions

Raised Bill → FIN Joint Favorable Substitute · 5 edits

MODERATE

The bill was completely rewritten to shift from imposing an immediate tax on sweetened beverages to establishing a study group to explore funding options for universal free school meals. This change removes all tax definitions, rates, and enforcement mechanisms while adding a timeline for the study group to submit recommendations by January 1, 2027.

Scope change

The bill's scope changed from a permanent revenue-generating tax on distributors and retailers to a temporary legislative study focused on determining the feasibility and sources of funding for a school meal program.

SCOPE

All provisions establishing a tax on sweetened beverages, syrups, and powders were removed.

DEFINITION

Definitions for terms like 'distributor', 'sweetened beverage', 'syrup', and 'powder' were deleted as they are no longer needed for a tax law.

REQUIREMENT

A new working group was created to study funding sources, program parameters, and projected costs for universal free school meals.

TIMELINE

The bill now mandates that the working group submit a report with findings and recommendations to the General Assembly by January 1, 2027.

ELIGIBILITY

The study group's membership was defined to include committee chairpersons, school representatives, and public health experts.

Floor votes

How they voted

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Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions

Key actions

Committee

Mar 30, 2026

Lower · Passed

Joint Favorable Substitute

lower

Mar 11, 2026

Committee

REF. TO JOINT COMM. ON Finance, Revenue and Bonding

lower

4 primary · 0 co-sponsors