Connecticut Bills

passed · Connecticut · House May 2, 2026

HB 5498: AN ACT CONCERNING REVISIONS TO STATUTES RELATING TO MUNICIPAL TAX COLLECTION.

This bill updates Connecticut state laws governing how municipalities collect and manage property taxes. It requires towns and cities to send tax bills that clearly explain how much state funding they receive and warn that state grants will be reduced if local spending increases by more than 2.5 percent or the inflation rate, whichever is higher. The law also establishes a new committee to train and certify tax collection staff, ensuring consistent standards across the state. Additionally, it clarifies rules for reducing taxes for low-income residents and bankrupt railroads, requiring official approval and annual reporting of such abatements. These changes take effect on October 1, 2026, and apply to all towns, cities, and boroughs in Connecticut.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes

passed · Connecticut · House May 2, 2026

HB 5250: AN ACT IMPLEMENTING THE RECOMMENDATIONS OF THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION COMMISSION FOR REVISIONS TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT.

HB 5250 amends Connecticut's Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) to implement recommendations from the Freedom of Information Commission. The bill requires public agencies to provide annual training to staff on FOIA requirements, mandates that agencies notify a specific state commissioner (Administrative Services or Emergency Services) before releasing certain records potentially covered by exemptions, and allows individuals to copy public records using hand-held scanners (like phones or cameras) for a maximum fee of $20 per copy. It also updates the definition of "public agency" to clarify which government entities are subject to FOIA and refines rules around public meetings. These changes take effect October 1, 2026.

passed · Connecticut · House May 2, 2026

HB 5362: AN ACT IMPLEMENTING THE RECOMMENDATIONS OF THE MAJORITY LEADER'S ROUNDTABLE.

HB 5362 revises Connecticut's affordable housing laws to implement recommendations from the Majority Leader's Roundtable. It defines key terms like "affordable housing development" (including "set-aside developments" requiring 30% of units to be priced at ≤30% of income for 40 years, with 15% reserved for lower-income households) and clarifies the role of housing commissions. The bill creates a streamlined appeal process for developers whose affordable housing applications are denied or restricted, directing such cases to specialized judges in the relevant judicial district for expedited review. This law directly affects housing developers, municipalities, and housing commissions by setting new affordability standards and changing how disputes over housing applications are resolved.

Topics ✓ Housing

passed · Connecticut · House May 2, 2026

HB 5432: AN ACT CONCERNING THE RECEIPT OF FEES BY A PARTY TO A CIVIL ACTION AFFECTING TITLE TO REAL PROPERTY.

HB 5432 modifies fee rules for civil cases involving real property title disputes. It allows the prevailing party to recover the actual cost (capped at $225) for examining land records related to the property title, plus reasonable fees for expert appraisers when property value is disputed. The bill applies to cases where the matter in demand is $15,000 or more, effective October 1, 2026. It does not change other standard fee structures but specifically clarifies reimbursement for land record searches and appraisal services in title-related cases.

passed · Connecticut · House May 1, 2026

HB 5462: AN ACT CONCERNING NOISE POLLUTION.

This bill establishes a pilot program to test solar-powered noise barriers along state highways, aiming to reduce traffic noise while generating electricity. It requires the state transportation commissioner to install and evaluate one to three of these structures, consulting with utility regulators on power connections, and submit a detailed report by January 2028 on costs, performance, and environmental impacts. The legislation also updates vehicle noise regulations by reinforcing requirements for mufflers, exhaust systems, and horns, while increasing the fine for violations to $150,000 per offense. These changes directly affect state highway infrastructure projects and motor vehicle owners and operators.

Topics ✓ Energy ✓ Environment ✓ Transportation

passed · Connecticut · Senate May 1, 2026

SB 271: AN ACT IMPLEMENTING THE RECOMMENDATIONS OF THE LABOR DEPARTMENT.

This bill amends labor laws to limit workweeks to six days for most commercial and industrial employees, protecting them from dismissal for refusing to work seven days. It also revises unemployment rules to require medical documentation for individuals seeking part-time work due to chronic health conditions while claiming benefits. These changes directly affect workers in covered industries and employers who must comply with the new workweek limits and benefit eligibility standards. The provisions take effect October 1, 2026, as specified in Sections 4 and 1 of the bill.

Topics ✓ Labor & Employment

passed · Connecticut · Senate May 1, 2026

SB 266: AN ACT LIMITING THE ACCESS OF PRIVATE EQUITY TO FUNDS FROM THE EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION ENDOWMENT.

SB 266 prioritizes funding from Connecticut's Early Childhood Education Endowment for non-private equity child care and preschool programs. It requires the Commissioner to first fund all eligible programs meeting specific criteria (like receiving Early Start CT funding or participating in quality improvement systems), before allocating funds to programs owned or controlled by private equity companies. Private equity programs are defined as non-publicly traded investment firms owning or controlling child care services. This change takes effect July 1, 2026, ensuring taxpayer-funded early education resources support community-based providers over for-profit private equity entities.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Education

passed · Connecticut · Senate May 1, 2026

SB 256: AN ACT CONCERNING THE PURCHASE OF RESIDENTIAL PROPERTY BY PRIVATE EQUITY ENTITIES.

SB 256 requires private equity entities (firms that pool investment capital to buy residential properties) to wait 75 days after a single-family or two-family home is listed for public sale before purchasing it. The bill mandates that if the listing price changes, the 75-day clock restarts. Private equity buyers must also provide written notice confirming the waiting period was observed. Violations may result in civil penalties up to $250,000, enforced by the Attorney General. The law takes effect October 1, 2026.

Topics ✓ Housing

passed · Connecticut · House May 1, 2026

HB 5045: AN ACT STREAMLINING HEALTH CARE FACILITY APPROVALS.

HB 5045 streamlines approvals for new or expanded health care facilities by creating a new three-member panel within the Department of Public Health. This panel, chaired by the Public Health Commissioner, will make final decisions on all certificate of need applications starting January 1, 2027, replacing previous processes. The bill directly affects hospitals, outpatient surgical centers, mental health facilities, substance abuse treatment centers, and other entities requiring certificate of need reviews under state law. Key provisions include setting a fixed timeline for decisions (quarterly panel meetings) and defining "health care facility" to cover a broad range of services, effective October 1, 2026.

Topics ✓ Healthcare

passed · Connecticut · Senate May 1, 2026

SB 359: AN ACT AUTHORIZING THE DEFERRAL OF A PROPERTY REVALUATION.

SB 359 allows the city of Hartford to delay its required property revaluation for the 2026 assessment year until 2027, with approval from the city council. This deferral applies specifically to Hartford's revaluation schedule under state law, meaning property tax assessments would be based on 2025 values for one additional year. The bill requires Hartford to complete the revaluation by the next required cycle (starting in 2027), following the original schedule. It does not change tax rates or exempt properties, only postpones the reassessment timeline. The bill directly affects Hartford property owners whose tax bills would reflect the delayed revaluation.

passed · Connecticut · Senate Apr 30, 2026

SB 399: AN ACT CONCERNING THE DISPOSITION OF CASES BEFORE THE COMMISSION ON HUMAN RIGHTS AND OPPORTUNITIES.

This bill amends Connecticut's human rights laws to allow health clubs and gyms to maintain separate exercise areas based on sex, while also updating procedures for handling complaints before the Commission on Human Rights and Opportunities. The legislation explicitly permits businesses to designate different exercise spaces for men and women, and it clarifies that existing rules against sex discrimination do not apply to separate bathrooms, locker rooms, or workout areas. Additionally, the bill introduces a new early legal intervention process that allows parties in discrimination complaints to request a quicker legal review from commission staff after mediation, potentially leading to faster resolution or dismissal of cases. These changes take effect on October 1, 2026, and apply to public accommodations such as gyms, health clubs, and similar facilities.

passed · Connecticut · Senate Apr 30, 2026

SB 408: 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 results