Home › Connecticut › Bills

Bills

Connecticut Bills

Track legislation and stay informed about the bills that matter to you.

State Legislature US Congress

All 25,009 Active 20,761 In committee 20,748 Passed 2,281 Signed 1,925 Failed 10

in committee · Connecticut · Senate Apr 7, 2025

SB 1354: AN ACT PROHIBITING MERGERS OF CERTAIN UTILITY COMPANIES.

SB 1354 prohibits the Public Utilities Regulatory Authority from approving mergers where a company already controls a gas or electric distribution company in Connecticut, effective October 1, 2025. It directly affects utility companies seeking to acquire additional gas or electric distribution services within the state. Key mechanisms include blocking applications for new control of such utilities if the applicant already holds similar operations, and requiring holding companies to include Connecticut-based directors proportional to the state’s service area coverage. The bill also mandates public hearings and strict timelines for merger reviews but focuses on preventing further consolidation of utility control within Connecticut.

in committee · Connecticut · Senate Apr 7, 2025

SB 1168: AN ACT CONCERNING ONLINE POLITICAL FUNDRAISING PLATFORMS AND RESTRICTING AUTOMATICALLY RECURRING CONTRIBUTIONS.

SB 1168 clarifies which activities do not count as political contributions under state law, specifically targeting online fundraising. It exempts certain low-value interactions, such as volunteers providing unpaid services (including travel costs), small food/beverage donations (capped at $800 annually), and limited advertising purchases (up to $250 for businesses, $50 for individuals). The bill directly affects candidates, political committees, and party organizations by reducing reporting requirements for these specific fundraising activities. It does not restrict recurring donations but instead defines exemptions to streamline compliance for minor contributions. This change aims to simplify reporting without altering core campaign finance rules.

in committee · Connecticut · House Apr 7, 2025

HR 9: RESOLUTION MEMORIALIZING CONGRESS TO AMEND THE JONES ACT TO EXEMPT THE TRANSPORTATION OF DOMESTIC LIQUEFIED NATURAL GAS.

This resolution asks Congress to amend the Jones Act to exempt domestic liquefied natural gas (LNG) transportation between U.S. ports. It specifically targets the requirement that vessels moving cargo between U.S. ports must be built, owned, and crewed by Americans, which currently limits LNG tanker availability. The resolution argues this exemption would address high LNG costs (up to 30% higher) and supply shortages affecting Connecticut (65% of electricity from natural gas) and Puerto Rico (23% of electricity). As a memorial resolution, it does not change law but formally requests congressional action to modify the Jones Act for domestic LNG transport.

Topics ✗ Energy ✓ Transportation

in committee · Connecticut · House Apr 7, 2025

HB 7159: AN ACT CREATING YELLOW ENVELOPES TO PROMOTE ACCOMMODATION AND COMMUNICATION BETWEEN FIRST RESPONDERS AND PERSONS WITH COGNITIVE IMPAIRMENTS OR PHYSICAL DISABILITIES AND INCREASING AWARENESS OF BLUE AND YELLOW ENVELOPES AMONG FIRST RESPONDERS.

HB 7159 creates "yellow envelopes" to help first responders (police, firefighters, and emergency medical personnel) better communicate with people who have cognitive impairments or physical disabilities. The bill requires the Motor Vehicle Commissioner to design these envelopes - holding ID documents and containing communication guidance - and develop awareness materials like wallet cards and stickers. People with disabilities (or their guardians) can request these free envelopes and materials from first responder offices, such as police stations or ambulance services. The law aims to improve interactions during emergencies by providing clear, accessible resources for both responders and individuals with disabilities.

Topics ✓ Criminal Justice

in committee · Connecticut · House Apr 7, 2025

HB 6905: AN ACT CONCERNING THE WORKERS' COMPENSATION SYSTEM.

HB 6905 requires Connecticut's Workers' Compensation Commission to study the state's workers' compensation system and submit a report with findings and recommendations to the legislature by January 1, 2026. The bill does not change existing workers' compensation laws or allocate new funding, as the Commission has the existing capacity to conduct the study. This procedural measure directly affects the Commission (which must complete the study) and the legislature (which will receive the report). The study aims to inform potential future legislative action, but the bill itself makes no policy changes.

in committee · Connecticut · House Apr 7, 2025

HB 6862: AN ACT CONCERNING ELECTRIC SCOOTERS, ELECTRIC BICYCLES AND MOTOR-DRIVEN CYCLES.

HB 6862 regulates electric bicycles (e-bikes) in Connecticut by setting safety standards and labeling requirements for manufacturers and sellers. It requires e-bikes to display clear labels showing speed, wattage, and class (with class 3 bikes needing speedometers), and prohibits modifications that alter their classification or speed capabilities. Sellers must disclose in advertisements that vehicles marketed as "e-bikes" may not qualify as such under state law and warn consumers about insurance coverage gaps and motor vehicle regulations. The bill also restricts riding class 3 e-bikes on bike trails and class 1/2 e-bikes on certain natural-surface paths, while imposing fines up to $300 for violations. These changes directly affect e-bike manufacturers, sellers, and riders using e-bikes on public roads or trails.

Topics ✓ Transportation

in committee · Connecticut · House Apr 7, 2025

HB 6953: AN ACT REQUIRING MUNICIPALITIES TO PROVIDE A PENSION TO POLICE OFFICERS AND FIREFIGHTERS THROUGH PARTICIPATION IN THE MUNICIPAL EMPLOYEES' RETIREMENT SYSTEM OR ANOTHER COMPARABLE PENSION SYSTEM.

HB 6953 requires all Connecticut municipalities to provide police officers and firefighters with a defined pension plan by June 30, 2027, either through the Municipal Employees' Retirement System (MERS) or a comparable alternative offering equal or better benefits. This affects approximately 87 municipalities that currently do not offer such pensions to these public safety workers, with an estimated annual cost of $98.6 million if all enroll in MERS. The bill mandates municipalities to transition employees from existing retirement systems into compliant plans, while directing the Comptroller to study transition requirements and submit a report by January 1, 2026. The legislation imposes a state-mandated cost on local governments without requiring new state funding.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Labor & Employment

in committee · Connecticut · Senate Apr 7, 2025

SB 830: AN ACT ESTABLISHING SAFETY STANDARDS TO PREVENT HEAT-RELATED ILLNESS IN WORKPLACES.

SB 830 requires employers in outdoor industries (like agriculture, construction, and landscaping) to provide shade, drinking water, and rest breaks when temperatures exceed 80°F. Specifically, it mandates shade areas large enough for all workers to sit comfortably without contact, 32 ounces of water per hour (80 ounces if wearing protective gear), and 5-minute breaks in shade to prevent overheating. At 90°F or higher, employers must add communication checks, monitor workers for heat symptoms, and have emergency plans for serious heat conditions. The law applies to outdoor workplaces and takes effect October 1, 2025.

Topics ✓ Healthcare ✓ Labor & Employment

in committee · Connecticut · Senate Apr 7, 2025

SB 1243: AN ACT CONCERNING BUS PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION SERVICES FOR VETERANS AND HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS.

SB 1243 exempts veterans with a state-issued veteran ID (like a driver's license marking veteran status) from paying bus fares on state-operated routes. It also creates a program allowing public high schools (grades 9-12) to obtain discounted or free bus passes for students, requiring schools to negotiate contracts with the Department of Transportation to cover costs. The DOT must publish program details online by August 2025 and report annually on pass usage and expenses. This directly affects veterans seeking free bus access and school districts participating in the student pass program.

Topics ✓ Transportation ✓ Veterans

in committee · Connecticut · House Apr 3, 2025

HB 6881: AN ACT CONCERNING ARTS, CULTURE AND TOURISM.

HB 6881 requires Connecticut's Commissioner of Economic and Community Development to conduct a study on arts, culture, and tourism sectors, including investment and participation levels across the state. The study must examine current issues in these areas and be completed by January 1, 2026, with a final report submitted to the General Assembly's commerce committee. This bill does not create new programs or allocate funding, as it directs the existing agency to use current resources for the analysis. The study will provide data for future legislative decisions but does not directly affect residents, businesses, or cultural organizations. The bill has no fiscal impact on state or municipal budgets, as noted in the official fiscal analysis.

in committee · Connecticut · House Apr 3, 2025

HB 5609: AN ACT CONCERNING RETIREMENT BENEFITS AND WORKERS' COMPENSATION BENEFITS.

HB 5609 requires municipalities and special taxing districts with defined benefit pension systems to calculate retirement benefits using the higher of two amounts: the employee's regular wages used for final average salary (FAS), or the workers' compensation temporary disability benefits received during the same period used to determine FAS. This applies to all current and future employees whose disability benefits exceed their regular wages during the FAS calculation period, effective July 1, 2025. The bill does not affect existing collective bargaining agreements and will increase pension costs for municipalities when disability benefits are higher than regular wages. It directly affects municipal pension systems and employees who received workers' compensation during their FAS period.

Topics ✓ Labor & Employment

in committee · Connecticut · House Apr 3, 2025

HB 7084: AN ACT ESTABLISHING A WORKING GROUP TO DEVELOP AN ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AND TOURISM PLAN IN THE GREATER MYSTIC AREA.

HB 7084 establishes a working group to create an economic development and tourism plan for Groton and Stonington (the "greater Mystic area"). The group, composed of town officials, state transportation and revenue commissioners, and local traffic representatives, must develop a plan including tourism project proposals, transportation solutions (like water taxis and bike lanes), and parking analysis by February 1, 2026. The plan must also consider prior recommendations from a related special act. The bill has no fiscal impact on state or municipal budgets, as the working group will rely on existing expertise and consultations.

Topics ✓ Transportation