Connecticut Bills

in committee · Connecticut · House Apr 20, 2026

HB 5478: AN ACT SUPPORTING "LEARN AND EARN" INTERNSHIP OPPORTUNITIES.

This bill establishes two main programs to support unpaid and paid internship opportunities in Connecticut. First, it requires state higher education boards to create a program that helps small businesses with 50 or fewer employees offer paid, high-quality internships by providing training and resources on managing internship programs. Second, it creates a stipend program for college students receiving federal Pell grants to offset costs like transportation and clothing when participating in internships. The bill also mandates annual reporting on program participation and establishes a state quality seal to recognize businesses with internship programs that meet specific standards for mentorship, learning opportunities, and clear communication.

Topics ✓ Education ✓ Labor & Employment

in committee · Connecticut · House Apr 20, 2026

HB 5533: AN ACT CONCERNING PROTECTION OF ELECTION ADMINISTRATION PROCESSES, ELECTIONS SITES, ELECTION WORKERS AND ELECTORS.

This bill establishes a 250-foot security perimeter around election sites, including polling places, early voting locations, and ballot drop boxes, where federal or state law enforcement officers are generally prohibited from entering unless specific exceptions apply. The law also bans individuals from wearing face-obscuring masks within the perimeter, prohibits requiring identification near election sites, and makes it a class C felony punishable by voter disenfranchisement to violate these restrictions. Additionally, the bill criminalizes possessing firearms or deadly weapons within 250 feet of election sites, with exceptions for unloaded weapons in locked containers on vehicles and certain school-related activities. These provisions take effect on July 1, 2026, and apply to all elections, primaries, and referendums.

in committee · Connecticut · Senate Apr 20, 2026

SB 498: AN ACT CONCERNING PENALTIES FOR TARDY PAYCHECKS FOR PERSONAL CARE ATTENDANTS AND EXPANDING PUBLIC ACCESS TO STATE PROGRAMS.

This bill requires the Department of Social Services to publish quarterly reports on financial and operational data for the fiscal intermediaries that manage Medicaid-funded personal care attendant programs, including timesheet accuracy, payroll errors, and customer service response times. It also mandates an annual compliance audit of these intermediaries by the Auditors of Public Accounts to ensure contract adherence. Additionally, the bill directs the Office of Policy and Management to conduct a cost-benefit analysis by October 1, 2026, to determine whether the state should take over fiscal intermediary duties from private contractors and whether personal care attendants without medical assistance eligibility should gain access to state-subsidized health insurance. These measures aim to increase transparency, improve program oversight, and evaluate potential administrative changes for self-directed home care services.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Healthcare

in committee · Connecticut · Senate Apr 20, 2026

SB 398: AN ACT CONCERNING THE BOARD OF PARDONS AND PAROLES.

This bill modifies how members of the Board of Pardons and Paroles are compensated by removing a fixed payment amount for part-time members. The change allows the Commissioner of Administrative Services to determine per diem payments for part-time members based on available funds, while full-time members will continue to receive salaries set by the Commissioner. The bill also clarifies that the chairperson or their designated substitute must attend all board meetings and participate in all decisions. This adjustment affects the financial arrangements for board members but does not alter their duties or the board's decision-making process.

in committee · Connecticut · Senate Apr 20, 2026

SB 84: AN ACT CONCERNING ADJUSTMENTS TO STATE REVENUE.

SB 84 modifies state tax rules to implement the governor's budget. It primarily reduces the hospital tax rate for inpatient services from 6% to 4.1% starting July 2026, further lowering to 4% in 2030 and 3.5% after 2031. The bill also changes business tax deductions by disallowing 80% of Section 179 deductions (with a four-year recovery) and modifies depreciation rules for federal tax purposes. These changes directly affect hospitals and businesses claiming these specific tax deductions.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes

in committee · Connecticut · House Apr 20, 2026

HB 5030: AN ACT IMPLEMENTING THE GOVERNOR'S BUDGET RECOMMENDATIONS FOR GENERAL GOVERNMENT.

HB 5030 implements the governor's budget recommendations by creating a "Pizza State" commemorative license plate program for Connecticut vehicle owners. Vehicle owners who purchase these plates pay a $65 fee, with $50 deposited annually into a fund supporting Connecticut Foodshare. The bill also establishes a new Department of Emergency Services and Public Protection and modifies fund distribution to Hispanic-American Veterans of Connecticut, Inc. These changes take effect on or after July 1, 2026, with the plate program requiring new fees and administrative procedures.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Veterans

in committee · Connecticut · Senate Apr 20, 2026

SB 3: AN ACT CONCERNING HEALTH CARE AFFORDABILITY.

SB 3 requires the state to cover the full cost of health care premium increases for people enrolled in Access Health CT who have household incomes between 500% and 600% of the federal poverty level. This directly affects moderate-income residents who rely on Access Health CT for health insurance, ensuring they do not face higher out-of-pocket costs due to premium hikes. The bill mandates a state appropriation from the General Fund to pay for these increases, rather than shifting the cost to enrollees. It aims to maintain affordability amid federal subsidy reductions, without creating new programs or altering eligibility criteria.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Healthcare

in committee · Connecticut · House Apr 20, 2026

HB 5148: AN ACT CONCERNING THE EXISTENCE OF AND METHODS OF ADDRESSING RACIAL IMBALANCE IN PUBLIC SCHOOLS.

HB 5148 requires Connecticut's Department of Education to study schools statewide and submit a report to the legislature's education committee by May 20, 2026. The bill does not change existing laws or fund new programs - it only mandates this study to inform future education policy. The Department of Education is directly affected as the entity responsible for conducting the study and preparing the report. This procedural bill has no immediate policy impact beyond the mandated study and reporting.

in committee · Connecticut · House Apr 20, 2026

HB 5109: AN ACT REPLACING THE CANNABIS TOTAL THC TAX WITH AN EXCISE TAX.

HB 5109 replaces Connecticut's existing cannabis tax (based on milligrams of THC per product) with a 10.75% tax on the gross sales revenue of all cannabis products. This affects cannabis retailers, hybrid retailers, and micro-cultivators, who must collect the tax from consumers at point of sale. Excluded from the tax are sales for palliative use, business-to-business transfers, and delivery services. The new tax takes effect October 1, 2026, and replaces the previous THC-milligram-based rates for plant material, edibles, and other cannabis products.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes

in committee · Connecticut · Senate Apr 20, 2026

SB 2: AN ACT SUPPORTING LOCAL COMMERCE.

SB 2 exempts small businesses (with less than $10 million in annual revenue) from sales and use taxes on electricity and natural gas purchases. It redirects revenue from an additional 1% sales tax on meals: 50% to the state Tourism Fund and 50% to the municipalities where the meals were purchased. The bill aims to lower operating costs for small commercial and industrial businesses, which could reduce prices passed on to consumers. These changes directly affect small businesses and local governments through tax adjustments and new revenue allocation.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes

in committee · Connecticut · Senate Apr 20, 2026

SB 232: AN ACT CONCERNING STREAMING VIDEO SERVICES AND THE VOLUME OF COMMERCIAL ADVERTISEMENTS.

SB 232 requires streaming video services (like Netflix or Hulu with ads) available to Connecticut consumers to match federal standards for commercial ad volume, effective July 1, 2027. This means ads cannot be louder than those on traditional TV or cable, as set by the Federal Communications Commission under the Commercial Advertisement Loudness Mitigation Act. Providers facing significant financial hardship may apply for a one-year waiver from the Commissioner of Consumer Protection, renewable once. The law directly affects streaming services that deliver content directly to Connecticut residents, excluding broadcast stations and cable operators. Violations are deemed unfair trade practices under state law, but no private lawsuits are allowed.

in committee · Connecticut · House Apr 20, 2026

HB 5220: AN ACT INCREASING THE COMPENSATION OF STATE PROPERTIES REVIEW BOARD MEMBERS.

HB 5220 increases the State Properties Review Board's membership from six to eight members, effective July 1, 2026, with appointments split between majority and minority legislative leaders. The bill raises the annual compensation for the board chair from $30,000 to $45,000 and for other members from $25,000 to $40,000. These changes aim to expand the board's capacity and adjust pay rates, while maintaining existing rules requiring expertise in relevant fields and prohibiting conflicts of interest.

Bill results