Connecticut Bills

in committee · Connecticut · House Apr 15, 2025

HB 6534: AN ACT CONCERNING APPOINTMENTS TO MUNICIPAL HOUSING AUTHORITIES.

HB 6534 revises how local governments appoint members to municipal housing authorities. It requires the elected governing body (e.g., city council or town meeting) to appoint resident commissioners, including at least one tenant living in the housing authority’s units for authorities with five members. New commissioners must complete training, and terms are structured to stagger appointments, ensuring no more than one commissioner’s term expires in the same year. The bill takes effect October 1, 2025, and applies to all municipalities operating housing authorities.

Topics ✓ Housing

passed · Connecticut · Senate Apr 15, 2025

SR 15: RESOLUTION CONFIRMING THE NOMINATION OF ELIN S. KATZ, ESQ. OF WEST HARTFORD TO BE CHAIRPERSON OF THE CONNECTICUT SITING COUNCIL.

This Senate Resolution (SR 15) confirms Governor Ned Lamont's nomination of Elin S. Katz to serve as Chairperson of the Connecticut Siting Council. The resolution formally approves her appointment, replacing Robert Stein, and states she will serve at the Governor's pleasure until a successor is appointed. As a procedural resolution, it does not create new laws or policies but finalizes a leadership appointment for the council, which reviews major infrastructure projects. The bill directly affects Elin S. Katz and the council's governance structure.

in committee · Connecticut · House Apr 15, 2025

HB 7125: AN ACT CONCERNING REFERENDA ON REVISIONS TO MUNICIPAL CHARTERS AND HOME RULE ORDINANCES.

HB 7125 requires municipalities to present proposed charter or home rule ordinance amendments on ballots using clear, plain language that avoids advocacy. It mandates separate ballot items for specific changes, such as election methods, official terms, residency rules, or new boards, to ensure voters understand each distinct provision. The bill also updates voting thresholds, allowing approval by a majority at regular elections or 15% of registered voters at special elections. This applies directly to all Connecticut municipalities holding referendums on local governance changes, effective July 2025.

in committee · Connecticut · Senate Apr 15, 2025

SB 1512: AN ACT ESTABLISHING THE SCHOOL DISTRICT ACCOUNTABILITY REVIEW BOARD AND REQUIRING A FORENSIC AUDIT OF THE BRIDGEPORT PUBLIC SCHOOL DISTRICT.

SB 1512 establishes a School District Accountability Review Board within the Department of Education to assist school districts with financial management and fiscal accountability. The bill directly requires a forensic audit of the Bridgeport Public School District and mandates the board to develop annual reports on its activities. The board will consist of 13 members, including state officials, education professionals, and legislative appointees with specific expertise in school finance, curriculum, and data analysis. It will assist any school district identified by the State Board of Education as needing improvement, focusing on financial oversight and accountability. The audit and board functions take effect July 1, 2025.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes

in committee · Connecticut · House Apr 15, 2025

HB 7247: AN ACT CONCERNING SEWAGE DISPOSAL REQUIREMENTS AND THEIR IMPACT ON HOUSING DEVELOPMENT, PUBLIC HEALTH AND THE ENVIRONMENT.

HB 7247 establishes a working group to assess sewage disposal regulations - specifically nitrogen limits and their impact on housing development, public health, and the environment - and provide recommendations by February 2026. The bill delays the deadline for updating sewage disposal regulations from July 2025 to July 2026, requiring the Department of Public Health to consult the working group before amending rules. It clarifies that systems with a capacity of 10,000 gallons per day or less (including household, small commercial, and small community sewerage systems) will be subject to new standardized requirements. The bill directly affects housing developers, municipalities, septic system installers, and health officials, with no fiscal impact to state or local governments.

in committee · Connecticut · Senate Apr 15, 2025

SB 1288: AN ACT IMPLEMENTING THE RECOMMENDATIONS OF THE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION.

SB 1288 modifies rules for interdistrict magnet schools in Connecticut. It requires these schools to maintain enrollment diversity (no more than 75% from one district) and operate within strict budget limits (capped at 120% of the state average per pupil for non-local schools). The bill also mandates that schools meeting Sheff v. O'Neill obligations must comply with specific enrollment standards to receive funding, with penalties for repeated noncompliance. Students in these schools will now count as residents of their home towns for state funding purposes. These changes directly affect magnet school operators, the Commissioner of Education, and school districts participating in the program.

Topics ✗ Budget & Taxes ✓ Education

in committee · Connecticut · House Apr 15, 2025

HB 7219: AN ACT PROTECTING 504 PLAN ACCOMMODATIONS FOR STUDENTS IN CONNECTICUT.

HB 7219 protects students with disabilities in Connecticut public schools by requiring school districts to provide equal access to educational programs and accommodations under Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act. It directly affects students with disabilities (including those with physical or mental impairments that substantially limit major life activities) and prohibits schools from excluding them, denying benefits, or providing unequal services due to their disability. Key provisions ban discrimination in program access, require accommodations to be "as effective" as those for non-disabled students, and mandate that schools offer equal opportunities in the most integrated setting possible. The law applies to all public preschool, elementary, secondary, and adult educational services provided by local or regional school boards.

Topics ✓ Education

in committee · Connecticut · Senate Apr 14, 2025

SJ 14: RESOLUTION PROPOSING AN AMENDMENT TO THE STATE CONSTITUTION MODIFYING THE LEGISLATIVE TERM OF OFFICE.

This Senate Joint Resolution proposes a constitutional amendment to change the term lengths for state legislators. Currently, members of the state legislature serve two-year terms. The amendment would establish a new cycle where, after each U.S. Census redistricting, the first two elected terms would be four years long, followed by a two-year term. If approved by voters in the November 2026 election, this change would affect all state senators and representatives elected in subsequent cycles. The resolution must first pass the legislature with a three-quarter vote to appear on the ballot.

in committee · Connecticut · House Apr 14, 2025

HR 10: RESOLUTION RECOGNIZING THE CULTURE AND HERITAGE OF TAÍNO DESCENDANTS IN THIS STATE.

This symbolic resolution (HR 10) recognizes the cultural heritage of Taíno descendants in Connecticut. It affirms their historical and ongoing contributions to the state without conferring tribal status, land claims, or sovereignty. The resolution supports collaboration with Taíno cultural organizations to promote awareness and language revitalization, with no fiscal impact on state or municipal budgets. (House Favorable, Committee Report: March 26, 2025)

in committee · Connecticut · House Apr 14, 2025

HB 6320: AN ACT PROHIBITING LOBBYIST CONTRIBUTIONS DURING A LEGISLATIVE SESSION TO LEGISLATORS OR STATE OFFICERS RUNNING FOR MUNICIPAL OFFICE.

HB 6320 prohibits lobbyists and political committees representing lobbyists from making or soliciting contributions to legislators or state officers who are running for municipal office (such as town or city positions) during legislative sessions. The ban applies to contributions during regular sessions, special sessions held between odd- and even-numbered year sessions, and reconvened sessions to reconsider vetoed bills. It specifically targets contributions to candidates for municipal office, exploratory committees, or political committees tied to these candidates, but excludes contributions for special elections to the General Assembly. The law aims to separate state legislative lobbying from local municipal campaigns during active legislative periods.

in committee · Connecticut · House Apr 14, 2025

HB 7127: AN ACT CONCERNING STATE AGENCY CONTRACTS FOR THE LICENSING OF SOFTWARE APPLICATIONS.

HB 7127 prohibits state agencies from including contract terms that restrict their ability to install or run software applications on their own chosen hardware (like standard desktops or servers). It directly affects all state agencies entering or amending software licensing contracts after October 1, 2025, including those for common applications like Microsoft operating systems. The bill requires contracts for such software to allow agencies to use their preferred hardware, removing clauses that would force reliance on specific vendor hardware. This change applies to contracts awarded under state information system management laws.

in committee · Connecticut · Senate Apr 14, 2025

SB 1432: AN ACT IMPLEMENTING THE DEPARTMENT OF ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES' RECOMMENDATIONS FOR REVISIONS TO PROVISIONS CONCERNING STATE CONSTRUCTION SERVICES SELECTION PANELS AND ELIMINATION OF CERTAIN REPORTING PROVISIONS.

SB 1432 increases the value threshold for state construction projects requiring larger review panels from $5 million to $7.5 million. Projects valued at $7.5 million or more will now need five-member panels, while smaller projects require three-member panels. The bill also eliminates three unrelated reporting requirements: quarterly updates on medical examiner facilities and a mental health center parking garage, a list of PPE manufacturers during the pandemic, and a mandate for state agencies to buy 25% of PPE from that list. These changes take effect on July 1, 2025 (for the threshold) and immediately upon passage (for repeals). The bill directly affects state construction projects and the Department of Administrative Services' oversight process.

Bill results