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Connecticut Bills

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

State Legislature US Congress

All 25,009 Active 13 In committee 20,814 Passed 2,253 Signed 1,925 Failed 111

in committee · Connecticut · House Apr 1, 2026

HB 5505: AN ACT CONCERNING THE USE OF CERTAIN COMMERCIAL WAREHOUSES FOR THE HOUSING OR SHELTER OF PERSONS.

This bill requires municipalities to issue permits before any large commercial warehouse can be used to house or shelter people for more than 24 hours. To get a permit, applicants must prove the facility meets strict standards, including providing sanitary facilities, clean water, proper sleeping arrangements, temperature control, and enough personal storage space for each person. The law also mandates that each individual housed in the warehouse has at least 200 square feet of space and that the building complies with state health and safety codes. Local governments can choose to ban this type of use entirely, and permits can be revoked if the facility fails to meet requirements.

Topics ✗ Housing

in committee · Connecticut · House Apr 1, 2026

HB 5251: AN ACT CONCERNING REPORTING ON IMPLEMENTATION OF CERTAIN CONSULTANT REPORT RECOMMENDATIONS.

HB 5251 requires state agencies that contract with consultants for reports costing $100,000 or more (to be submitted to a General Assembly committee under Section 11-4a) to report annually on implementation. Specifically, agencies must submit to the government oversight committee within one year of receiving the report: a summary of findings, which recommendations were implemented, and future implementation plans with dates. This applies to all state agencies using consultant services for studies with actionable recommendations. The bill focuses on transparency, mandating clear reporting on how agency decisions align with external consultant advice.

in committee · Connecticut · House Apr 1, 2026

HB 5254: AN ACT CONCERNING THE PROCESS AND TIMETABLE FOR THE REVIEW OF EXISTING REGULATIONS OF CONNECTICUT STATE AGENCIES.

HB 5254 requires Connecticut state agencies to regularly review their existing regulations every seven years, starting with submissions due by February 1, 2027. The bill mandates agencies to assess whether regulations are obsolete, unused, inconsistent with laws, or ineffective, and to propose reductions or repeals. It establishes a review process where committees of oversight must schedule public hearings on review summaries and can step in if agencies fail to comply. This directly affects all Connecticut state agencies by creating a structured, recurring evaluation system for their regulations. The bill does not change agency powers but sets deadlines and criteria for regulatory reviews.

in committee · Connecticut · Senate Apr 1, 2026

SB 250: AN ACT CONCERNING A STUDY OF STATE AGENCY RESPONSE TIMES TO FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT REQUESTS.

SB 250 requires Connecticut's Office of Policy and Management to study how quickly state agencies respond to public records requests made under the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA). The study must track average response times, document complaints about unreasonable delays, and include recommendations for improving timeliness. The Office must submit a report to the legislature's government oversight committee by January 15, 2027, detailing these findings. This bill does not change FOIA rules but aims to identify potential delays in public access to government records.

in committee · Connecticut · Senate Apr 1, 2026

SB 363: AN ACT ALLOWING MUNICIPALITIES TO IMPOSE COMMERCIAL VACANCY ASSESSMENTS IN CERTAIN DISTRICTS.

SB 363 allows municipalities to charge commercial property owners a fee of $5 per square foot annually for properties that remain vacant in designated districts for more than 180 days in a year. It directly affects commercial property owners in specific zones (like downtown areas) who leave properties unused, while exempting properties under active renovation, facing regulatory delays, or impacted by disasters. The fee is due alongside regular property taxes and can be appealed through existing legal channels. This bill creates a direct financial incentive for property owners to occupy or develop vacant commercial spaces in targeted areas.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes

in committee · Connecticut · Senate Apr 1, 2026

SB 368: AN ACT CONCERNING A STATE EXPLOSIVES, BLASTING AND PYROTECHNIC CODE.

SB 368 establishes a new State Explosives, Blasting and Pyrotechnic Code to replace existing regulations, directly affecting fire departments, pyrotechnics businesses, and local officials who handle explosives and fireworks. The code, based on nationally recognized standards, covers explosives, blasting, gunpowder, fireworks, pyrotechnics, and rockets, and will be updated alongside the State Building Code. It requires the Commissioner of Emergency Services to create an advisory committee with fire marshals, police representatives, and industry experts, and mandates a 45-day public comment period with a hearing before adopting or changing the code. The bill also requires publishing all proposed changes, public feedback, and responses online for transparency.

in committee · Connecticut · Senate Apr 1, 2026

SB 371: AN ACT ESTABLISHING A PERSONAL FLOTATION DEVICE REQUIREMENT FOR CHILDREN UNDER THE AGE OF TWELVE WHILE ON PUBLIC DOCKS, WHARVES AND PIERS.

SB 371 requires children under 12 to wear a life jacket (defined per federal safety standards) while on any public dock, wharf, or pier in the state. The law takes effect October 1, 2026, and applies statewide, overriding local regulations. It directly affects parents or guardians of young children visiting public waterfront areas. The bill establishes a clear safety requirement without specifying enforcement details.

in committee · Connecticut · Senate Apr 1, 2026

SB 229: AN ACT CONCERNING LEGISLATIVE PROPOSALS OF THE CONNECTICUT LOTTERY CORPORATION.

SB 229 requires online gambling platforms (including those offering fantasy contests, lottery draw games, and keno) to use geolocation systems that detect user location even when using proxies or VPNs. These systems must block users if location cannot be verified, display pop-up notifications in such cases, and flag accounts accessed from inconsistent locations. The bill also updates certification rules for lottery games, mandating testing by approved labs before new games launch or modifications occur, with the Department of Consumer Protection setting technical standards for gaming integrity. These changes directly affect Connecticut Lottery Corporation operators and online gaming platforms offering games to residents.

in committee · Connecticut · Senate Apr 1, 2026

SB 374: AN ACT CONCERNING THE EXPANSION OF THE CRISIS INITIATIVE PILOT PROGRAM THROUGHOUT THE STATE.

SB 374 requires the Division of State Police (within the Department of Emergency Services and Public Protection) to expand the CRISIS Initiative pilot program statewide by January 1, 2027, working with the Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services. The program, officially named "Connection to Recovery through Intervention, Support and Initiating Services," aims to provide crisis response services. This expansion will move the program from a limited pilot to full statewide implementation, directly affecting state law enforcement and mental health agencies. The bill mandates this structural change without specifying new services or funding details.

Topics ✓ Criminal Justice ✓ Healthcare

in committee · Connecticut · Senate Apr 1, 2026

SB 361: AN ACT CONCERNING FEES IN LIEU OF SIDEWALK REQUIREMENTS.

SB 361 allows local governments to permit new development projects to pay a fee instead of constructing public sidewalks, but only if the municipality's planning commission determines sidewalk construction is unnecessary or impractical for that specific project. The fee amount must be set by municipal regulations, require both developer consent and commission approval, and cannot be applied universally across the municipality. All collected fees must go into a dedicated fund used exclusively for sidewalk construction or maintenance, not general city expenses or operating costs. This applies to all new developments requiring sidewalk compliance under local zoning rules, effective October 1, 2026.

Topics ✓ Transportation

in committee · Connecticut · House Apr 1, 2026

HB 5046: AN ACT SUPPORTING FIRST RESPONDER RECRUITMENT AND RETENTION.

HB 5046 modifies existing tuition waiver policies at Connecticut's community colleges and universities to specifically support public safety personnel. It waives tuition for current police officers (with 5+ years service) and firefighters (with 5+ years service), as well as for their dependents if the officer or firefighter was killed in the line of duty. The bill also expands waivers to include students enrolled in state fire school programs and police academy coordination courses. These changes apply to Connecticut State Community College and Connecticut State University System programs, effective July 1, 2026. The policy directly affects active and retired public safety workers and their families by reducing education costs.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Criminal Justice ✓ Education ✓ Labor & Employment

in committee · Connecticut · House Mar 31, 2026

HB 5454: AN ACT CONCERNING THE REFUND OF CERTAIN FIREARM PERMIT FEES.

This bill establishes refund conditions for firearm permit fees when local authorities fail to process applications within required time limits. It affects individuals who pay fees for state permits to carry pistols and revolvers, as well as local police departments and town officials who process these permits. The key provision requires local permitting authorities to refund $70 of the permit fee if they do not complete their duties within statutory timeframes, though the portion of the fee used for federal background checks is not refundable. The bill also clarifies permit expiration rules and renewal fees, with changes taking effect on October 1, 2026.