Connecticut Bills

passed · Connecticut · House Apr 10, 2026

HB 5314: AN ACT CONCERNING THE "HOMES FOR CT" LOAN PROGRAM.

HB 5314 updates Connecticut's "Homes for CT" loan program to set a clear interest rate cap: loans from participating financial institutions must charge a rate not exceeding The Wall Street Journal's published prime rate (replacing a previous Federal Home Loan Bank reference). It also expands the Connecticut Housing Finance Authority's role, allowing it to provide additional loans or forgivable grants-in-aid to eligible borrowers beyond those from banks, with these new loans being subordinate to bank loans. The changes directly affect Connecticut homebuyers (particularly first-time buyers) who qualify for the program through participating lenders. The bill takes effect July 1, 2026, and aims to streamline program administration while maintaining affordability.

Topics ✓ Housing

passed · Connecticut · House Apr 10, 2026

HB 5157: AN ACT CONCERNING THE TIRE STEWARDSHIP PROGRAM.

HB 5157 delays the requirement for retailers to join Connecticut's tire stewardship program until July 1, 2027. The bill amends Section 22a-905i of the general statutes to add a new subsection (s) that postpones the participation deadline. This directly affects tire retailers who would otherwise need to join the program sooner. The change provides a one-year extension from the original requirement date, giving retailers additional time to comply. The bill does not alter the program's structure or requirements, only the implementation timeline.

in committee · Connecticut · Senate Apr 9, 2026

SB 491: AN ACT CONCERNING THE SECRETARY OF THE STATE'S RECOMMENDATIONS FOR THE IMPLEMENTATION OF NO-EXCUSE ABSENTEE VOTING.

This bill updates Connecticut's absentee voting laws to allow any eligible voter to request an absentee ballot without needing to provide a specific reason for not voting in person. It replaces the current requirement that voters must cite reasons such as military service, illness, or religious observance with a system where voters simply apply for an absentee ballot. The legislation also mandates that absentee ballot envelopes include standardized language stating the voter is eligible to vote, removes the requirement for voters to list their specific reason for absentee voting on the envelope, and requires the Secretary of the State to provide plain-language instructions to all municipal clerks. Additionally, the bill includes specific provisions for incarcerated voters and updates the labeling requirements on return envelopes to include unique identification numbers and scannable barcodes.

in committee · Connecticut · House Apr 9, 2026

HB 5529: AN ACT CONCERNING POLL BOOKS FOR THE CHECKING OF ELECTORS AT ELECTIONS, PRIMARIES AND REFERENDA.

This bill requires voter registrars in Connecticut to notify political committees, candidate committees, and referendum committees at least 14 days before any election, primary, or referendum about whether poll books will be paper-based or electronic. The law directly affects these committees by informing them of the voting method used to check electors at polling places or early voting locations. Registrars who fail to provide this notice face a fine of at least $50. The changes take effect on January 1, 2027, and aim to increase transparency about how voter checklists will be processed during elections.

in committee · Connecticut · Senate Apr 9, 2026

SB 492: AN ACT CONCERNING SECURITY OF PUBLIC OFFICIALS AND EMPLOYEES.

This bill restricts the disclosure of residential addresses for a wide range of public officials and employees under the state Freedom of Information Act. It directly affects judges, law enforcement officers, firefighters, elected officials, and other government workers who are at risk for safety concerns. The law requires agencies to redact these individuals' home addresses from public records upon request, while still allowing their business addresses to be disclosed. Officials must submit a written request and provide their work address to trigger this protection, which takes effect 90 days before elections for certain local election officials. The changes become effective on October 1, 2026.

Topics ✓ Criminal Justice

in committee · Connecticut · Senate Apr 9, 2026

SB 471: AN ACT CONCERNING THE USE OF APPRENTICES ON PREVAILING WAGE PUBLIC WORKS PROJECTS.

This bill updates Connecticut's prevailing wage laws for public works projects by expanding the definition of covered work to include off-site custom fabrication of mechanical systems like plumbing and HVAC. It requires all state and local public works contracts to specify that workers must be paid at least the customary hourly wage for their trade in the area where the project is located. The legislation also strengthens enforcement by allowing the Labor Commissioner to issue citations and fines for wage violations, maintain a public list of repeat offenders, and refer contractors for potential debarment from future state contracts. Additionally, the bill gives contracting officers the authority to terminate contracts or withhold payments if workers are not paid the required wages.

Topics ✓ Labor & Employment

in committee · Connecticut · House Apr 9, 2026

HB 5546: AN ACT CONCERNING CAMPAIGN FINANCE LAWS, STATUTORILY RECOGNIZED INDIGENOUS TRIBES AND SECURITY FOR CANDIDATES, THEIR FAMILIES AND THEIR CAMPAIGN STAFFS.

This bill updates campaign finance laws by clarifying how state contracts and related business relationships affect political contributions and spending. It specifically defines who counts as a state contractor, including businesses and nonprofits that work with state agencies on contracts valued at $50,000 or more, while explicitly excluding recognized Indigenous tribes from these definitions. The legislation also expands the definition of who is considered a "principal" of a state contractor to include spouses and dependent children aged 18 or older, thereby broadening restrictions on political contributions and expenditures for those connected to state contracting activities. These changes aim to increase transparency in campaign finance by ensuring that individuals with close ties to state contractors are subject to the same contribution limits and reporting requirements as the contractors themselves.

in committee · Connecticut · House Apr 9, 2026

HB 5544: AN ACT ALLOWING MUNICIPALITIES TO HOLD MUNICIPAL ELECTIONS IN CONJUNCTION WITH STATE ELECTIONS.

This bill allows municipalities in Connecticut to hold their local elections at the same time as state elections, which currently occur in even-numbered years. Municipal legislative bodies can vote to align their election dates with the state election schedule, potentially reducing voting costs and increasing voter participation by combining ballots. The legislation also adjusts the terms of current elected officials to match the new election schedule and establishes specific start dates for official terms based on when elections are held.

in committee · Connecticut · Senate Apr 9, 2026

SB 467: AN ACT CONCERNING OBSERVATION OF THE CONDUCT OF ELECTION RECANVASS PROCEDURES.

This bill requires that election recanvass procedures be open to public observation in person, without requiring observers to use electronic means. It applies to election moderators, recanvass officials, and members of the public who wish to watch the recount process. The law mandates that moderators allow public access to observe the recanvass and imposes fines on moderators who impede this right, while also clarifying that observers cannot interfere with the actual counting process. The bill also specifies that party representatives must be allowed to view each ballot as it is being recanvassed to verify markings. These changes take effect on October 1, 2026, and amend existing statutes governing election recanvass procedures.

in committee · Connecticut · House Apr 9, 2026

HB 5547: AN ACT CONCERNING LOBBYIST CONTRIBUTIONS DURING LEGISLATIVE SESSIONS.

This bill prohibits lobbyists and their political committees from making or soliciting campaign contributions to candidates running for state legislative office during legislative sessions, including regular, special, and reconvened sessions. It also bars these candidates and their political committees from accepting such contributions during the same periods. The restrictions apply specifically to contributions intended to aid or promote the nomination or election of candidates for the General Assembly, state offices, municipal offices, or probate judge positions. Additionally, the bill requires exploratory committees established by candidates to file dissolution notices and financial statements within fifteen days of certain triggering events, with specific rules for distributing any surplus funds. These measures take effect on January 1, 2027.

in committee · Connecticut · House Apr 9, 2026

HB 5528: AN ACT REQUIRING PUBLIC AGENCY EMPLOYEES TO ATTEND FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT TRAINING.

This bill requires employees of public agencies to complete training on the state's Freedom of Information Act. It mandates that the Freedom of Information Commission hold annual training sessions, which can be offered in person or through digital recordings. Employees already working on October 1, 2026, must finish the training by March 1, 2027, while new hires must complete it within six months of starting their jobs. The law aims to ensure public agency staff understand their responsibilities regarding public records requests and related statutes.

in committee · Connecticut · House Apr 9, 2026

HB 5550: AN ACT EXEMPTING COURSE SYLLABI FROM DISCLOSURE UNDER THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT.

This bill makes two main changes to Connecticut state law. First, it exempts course syllabi from public disclosure under the Freedom of Information Act, meaning students and the public cannot request these course outlines from public universities. Second, it updates a statute requiring state officials to report on government reorganization efforts to the legislature. The changes take effect on October 1, 2026, and apply to public institutions of higher education and state government departments.

Bill results