SB 408 Connecticut Senate · 2026 Regular Session

AN ACT CONCERNING LIQUOR PERMITS, FIRE SAFETY AND PREVENTION INSPECTIONS, THE REGISTRATION OF CERTAIN INFORMATION AND JUICE BARS.

This bill updates regulations for liquor permits and fire safety inspections in Connecticut, affecting businesses that hold liquor licenses and local fire marshals. It requires applicants for liquor permits to provide detailed information about their business, including financial statements and descriptions of live entertainment, while exempting long-standing establishments from some requirements. The legislation also adjusts fire inspection frequencies, mandating that local fire marshals inspect public buildings and facilities at least every two years instead of annually. Additionally, the bill clarifies inspection procedures for schools, establishes reporting requirements for fire hazards, and sets specific hours for entering occupied dwellings during routine inspections.
Bill status passed 3 of 5 stages cleared
Introduction
Mar 2026
Committee Review
Mar 2026
Senate Passage
Apr 2026
House Passage
Governor
Introduced Mar 4, 2026 Last action Apr 30, 2026
Maddy AI version diff · 1 comparison

What changed between versions

Raised Bill PS Joint Favorable Substitute · 4 edits
MODERATE
The bill was renamed from a 'Raised Bill' to a 'Substitute Bill' following a favorable committee recommendation. The primary policy change involves expanding fire safety inspection requirements for liquor permit renewals, mandating that applicants certify inspections have occurred or will occur within the calendar year. Additionally, the bill removes the requirement to detail live entertainment types for clubs established before 1993 that have not altered their entertainment offerings.
Scope change
The bill's scope remains focused on liquor permits and fire safety, but the enforcement mechanism for permit renewals has been tightened to require explicit certification of fire inspections.
REQUIREMENT

Added a requirement for liquor permit renewal applicants to certify that fire safety inspections have occurred or will occur within the current calendar year.

Removed the requirement for clubs issued permits before October 1, 1993, to describe their type of live entertainment if they have not changed it.

Added a requirement for initial liquor permit applications to disclose any criminal convictions of the applicant or their backer.

TECHNICAL

Changed the bill title from 'Raised Bill' to 'Substitute Bill' to reflect its status as a revised version passed by the committee.

Floor votes · Senate Apr 29, 2026

How they voted

351
Passed
Total votes 36
Apr 29, 2026
D Democratic25
25 Yea
100% Yea
R Republican11
10 Yea 1 Nay
90% Yea
Vote distribution
All Yea All Nay Mixed No data
Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions
14
Key actions
3
Committee
2
Amendments
1
Apr 29, 2026
Upper · Passed
SEN. PASSED, SEN. AMEND. SCH. A
upper
Apr 29, 2026
Upper · Passed
SEN. ADOPTED SEN. AMEND. SCH. A
upper
Mar 17, 2026
Upper · Passed
Joint Favorable Substitute
upper
Mar 4, 2026
Committee
REF. TO JOINT COMM. ON Public Safety and Security
upper
1 primary · 0 co-sponsors

Sponsors

Role
Legislator
Party
State
District
P
Photo of Fred Gee
Fred Gee
DDemocratic
CT
126