Connecticut Bills

in committee · Connecticut · Senate Apr 7, 2025

SB 1275: AN ACT CONCERNING WORKERS' RIGHTS.

SB 1275 requires the Labor Commissioner to study employee rights in the state and submit a report to the legislature by January 1, 2026. The study may include recommendations for future legislation, but the bill itself does not change existing laws or directly affect workers. The report will be prepared without new state or municipal funding, as noted in the fiscal impact statement. This procedural bill focuses solely on gathering information for potential future action, not on implementing new worker protections.

in committee · Connecticut · House Apr 7, 2025

HB 7070: AN ACT CONCERNING THE DUTY TO RETREAT IN A HOUSE OF RELIGIOUS WORSHIP.

HB 7070 removes the legal requirement for individuals to retreat before using deadly force in a house of religious worship for self-defense or protecting others. It amends Connecticut's self-defense statute (section 53a-19) to explicitly state that people inside religious buildings - owned by or held in trust for religious organizations - do not need to retreat to avoid using deadly force. This change applies specifically to religious worship spaces, not other locations like homes or workplaces. The law takes effect October 1, 2025, and directly affects anyone defending themselves within a religious organization's building.

in committee · Connecticut · House Apr 7, 2025

HB 7128: AN ACT CONCERNING ONLINE POLITICAL DONATION PLATFORMS AND LIMITING AUTOMATICALLY RECURRING CONTRIBUTIONS.

HB 7128 clarifies what does not count as a political contribution, directly affecting campaign committees, candidates, and volunteers. It expands exemptions for volunteer time, small in-kind donations (like food or drinks at events under $800 annually), and limited advertising purchases (up to $250 for businesses, $50 for individuals). The bill removes ambiguity around these common campaign activities, ensuring they aren’t treated as regulated contributions. This applies to all political committees and candidate committees in Connecticut, including those participating in the Citizens' Election Program.

in committee · Connecticut · Senate Apr 7, 2025

SB 1163: AN ACT CONCERNING QUALIFICATIONS OF INDIVIDUALS APPOINTED TO SERVE AS MODERATORS AT ELECTIONS AND PRIMARIES.

SB 1163 amends Connecticut election laws to establish disqualification criteria for individuals appointed as election moderators or alternates. It prohibits registrars of voters from appointing anyone convicted of or who pled guilty/nolo contendere to certain serious crimes, including fraud, forgery, larceny, embezzlement, bribery, or specific criminal offenses. The bill takes effect January 1, 2026, and applies to all towns and voting districts appointing moderators for elections and primaries. This change ensures only individuals without certain criminal histories serve in these election administration roles, with no fiscal impact on state or municipal budgets.

in committee · Connecticut · Senate Apr 7, 2025

SB 1448: AN ACT CONCERNING TRANSPORTATION NETWORK COMPANIES AND DRIVERS.

SB 1448 requires ride-hailing companies (like Uber or Lyft) operating in Connecticut to register annually with the state Transportation Commissioner, paying fees based on driver count ($5,000 for under 50 drivers, $30,000 for 200+ drivers). Companies must submit annual reports showing average fares, driver ride time, and total driver compensation, and display driver photos/license plates to riders before pickup. The bill also mandates real-time English/Spanish messaging between companies and drivers, and requires visible, reflective decals on vehicles during rides. Violations, including operating without registration, can result in fines up to $50,000.

in committee · Connecticut · Senate Apr 7, 2025

SB 1449: AN ACT CONCERNING MEDIUM-DUTY AND HEAVY-DUTY TOWING.

SB 1449 regulates medium-duty (10,000-26,000 lbs) and heavy-duty (over 26,000 lbs) towing services in Connecticut. It requires that only licensed motor vehicle dealers or repair shops may operate these services, replacing previous rules. The bill mandates the state commissioner to set and publish uniform hourly rates and itemized charges for medium/heavy towing, considering factors like equipment costs and insurance, with public hearings for rate adjustments. This directly affects towing companies providing these services and vehicle owners who may be towed without consent, ensuring rates are transparent and just. The law takes effect July 1, 2025.

Topics ✓ Transportation

in committee · Connecticut · House Apr 7, 2025

HB 5704: AN ACT CREATING A CONSTRUCTION PIPELINE PROGRAM.

HB 5704 establishes a working group to study how to create a construction workforce pipeline program, focusing on training students and workers for skilled trades jobs. The group will examine expanding high school pre-apprenticeship programs, increasing career awareness, removing barriers to apprenticeships, and exploring financial incentives for employers. It will include representatives from trade associations, schools, business groups, and education officials, with the first report due by December 2025. The bill does not create the program itself but directs a study to inform future policy, with no fiscal impact on state or local budgets.

Topics ✓ Education ✓ Labor & Employment

in committee · Connecticut · Senate Apr 7, 2025

SB 828: AN ACT ESTABLISHING A WORKING GROUP TO EXAMINE THE WORKERS' COMPENSATION PROGRAM.

SB 828 establishes a working group to study and make recommendations about improving the state's workers' compensation program. The group, composed of legislative leaders and the Workers' Compensation Commission chair, will focus on streamlining the program - specifically by updating electronic filing systems, reducing authorization delays, and addressing fraudulent claims. It must submit a report to the relevant legislative committee by January 1, 2026. This bill creates a study mechanism with no direct policy changes or fiscal impact, as confirmed by the fiscal note.

Topics ✓ Labor & Employment

in committee · Connecticut · House Apr 7, 2025

HB 7017: AN ACT CONCERNING GRID-ENHANCING TECHNOLOGIES.

HB 7017 requires Connecticut's electric distribution companies and transmission owners to evaluate alternatives before constructing or significantly modifying major grid infrastructure. Specifically, they must propose at least one project using advanced conductors (which reduce resistance and increase capacity) and one using grid-enhancing technologies or nontraditional solutions like energy storage or software controls. The Connecticut Siting Council must prioritize cost-effective alternatives over traditional construction in its decisions. Companies must also annually report future projects and past infrastructure costs to the Public Utilities Regulatory Authority. This law directly affects electric utilities and aims to promote grid efficiency through technology-driven solutions rather than solely expanding physical infrastructure.

Topics ✓ Energy

in committee · Connecticut · Senate Apr 7, 2025

SB 1375: AN ACT CONCERNING HIGHWAY, PEDESTRIAN AND CYCLIST SAFETY.

SB 1375 amends traffic laws to enhance safety for pedestrians and cyclists. It requires distinctive markings for crosswalks near schools, mandates that drivers yield to pedestrians in all marked and unmarked crosswalks (including when pedestrians signal intent to cross), and prohibits drivers from passing vehicles stopped for pedestrians. The bill also restricts commercial vehicles and buses from driving in the extreme left lane on multi-lane highways (except during merging or emergencies) and sets an $88 fine for violations. These changes directly affect all drivers, pedestrians, cyclists, and school zones across the state.

Topics ✓ Transportation

in committee · Connecticut · Senate Apr 7, 2025

SB 1194: AN ACT CONCERNING POWER PURCHASE AGREEMENTS AND THE PROVISION OF STANDARD SERVICE TO ELECTRIC CUSTOMERS.

SB 1194 establishes rules for electric utilities to purchase zero-carbon energy (like nuclear, hydro, and renewable sources) through state-approved solicitations. It limits total annual energy purchases to 12 million megawatt hours and sets minimum/maximum contract terms (3-10 years for nuclear/hydro, up to 20 years for renewables). Utilities must get approval from the Public Utilities Regulatory Authority for these agreements, ensuring they provide reliable, cost-effective service at reasonable prices. The bill also allows utilities to use purchased energy for "standard service" (basic electricity for all customers) if approved by the authority, with specific requirements for pricing and usage. This directly affects electric utilities, ratepayers, and the regulatory authority.

Topics ✓ Energy ✓ Environment

in committee · Connecticut · Senate Apr 7, 2025

SB 1292: AN ACT REQUIRING A STUDY CONCERNING ENERGY EFFICIENCY REQUIREMENTS FOR ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE DATA CENTERS.

SB 1292 requires Connecticut's energy agency to study energy efficiency standards for data centers that power artificial intelligence systems. The study will examine best practices for reducing energy use, renewable energy adoption, participation in grid management programs during peak demand, and restrictions on diesel backup generators. The agency must submit a report to the legislature by February 1, 2026. This bill does not impose new requirements on data centers but sets the stage for future policy decisions based on the findings.

Topics ✓ Energy ✓ Environment

Bill results