SB 477 Connecticut Senate · 2026 Regular Session

AN ACT CONCERNING THE FAILURE TO FILE FOR CERTAIN GRAND LIST EXEMPTIONS, A MUNICIPAL OPTION TO ABATE DELINQUENT PROPERTY TAXES ON CERTAIN PARCELS OF LAND, ALLOCATIONS OF CERTAIN STATE FUNDS AND ITEMS IMPLEMENTING THE STATE BUDGET FOR THE BIENNIUM ENDING JUNE 30, 2027.

This bill allows property owners in the towns of Berlin, Lebanon, and West Hartford to request property tax exemptions for 2025 and 2021 even if they missed the original filing deadline. To qualify, eligible individuals must submit their exemption applications within 30 days of the bill's effective date on July 1, 2026, and pay the required late filing fee. Once the assessor verifies eligibility and receives payment, the exemption will be approved and any previously paid taxes, interest, or penalties will be reimbursed to the property owner. The legislation applies only to these three specific towns and does not change the general rules for property tax exemptions elsewhere in Connecticut.
Bill status signed all 5 stages cleared
Introduction
Mar 2026
Committee Review
Apr 2026
Senate Passage
May 2026
House Passage
May 2026
Signed into Law
May 2026
Introduced Mar 11, 2026 Signed May 27, 2026
Maddy AI version diff · 1 comparison

What changed between versions

Raised Bill FIN Joint Favorable Substitute · 4 edits
MODERATE
The bill was converted from a 'Raised Bill' to a 'Substitute Bill' with a significantly expanded title and scope. The primary change is the addition of a new section granting municipalities the authority to abate (cancel) delinquent property taxes for small parcels owned for over 45 years, while existing sections were updated to correct specific town names and exemption years for late filing relief.
Scope change
The bill's scope expanded from providing limited late-filing relief for specific towns to including a new, general option for any municipality to forgive old property taxes on small, long-held parcels.
SCOPE

Added a new section allowing municipalities to voluntarily abate delinquent property taxes on small parcels (under 6,000 sq ft) owned continuously for at least 45 years.

ELIGIBILITY

Updated specific eligibility details for late filing relief, changing the town of Berlin to Lebanon for 2025 exemptions and the town of West Hartford to Middletown for 2024 exemptions.

TIMELINE

Adjusted the effective date for the new municipal abatement power to 'from passage' rather than a specific future date.

TECHNICAL

Corrected the bill title to reflect the new municipal abatement option and updated the header from 'Raised Bill' to 'Substitute Bill'.

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

How they voted

269
Passed · 1 other
Total votes 36
May 6, 2026
D Democratic25
25 Yea
100% Yea
R Republican11
1 Yea 9 Nay 1
81% Nay
Vote distribution
All Yea All Nay Mixed No data
Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions
24
Key actions
7
Committee
2
Amendments
4
May 27, 2026
Signed into law
SIGNED BY GOVERNOR
upper
May 6, 2026
Lower · Passed
HOUSE PASSED, SEN. AMEND. SCH. A,B
lower
May 6, 2026
Lower · Passed
HOUSE ADOPTED SEN. AMEND. SCH. A,B
lower
May 5, 2026
Upper · Passed
SEN. PASSED, SEN. AMEND. SCH. A,B
upper
May 5, 2026
Amended
SEN. REJ. SEN. AMEND. SCH. C
upper
May 5, 2026
Upper · Passed
SEN. ADOPTED SEN. AMEND. SCH. B
upper
May 5, 2026
Upper · Passed
SEN. ADOPTED SEN. AMEND. SCH. A
upper
Apr 1, 2026
Upper · Passed
Joint Favorable Substitute
upper
Mar 11, 2026
Committee
REF. TO JOINT COMM. ON Finance, Revenue and Bonding
upper
2 primary · 0 co-sponsors

Sponsors