Connecticut Bills

in committee · Connecticut · Senate Mar 31, 2026

SB 448: AN ACT AMENDING THE CHARTER OF THE METROPOLITAN DISTRICT OF HARTFORD COUNTY.

This bill amends the charter of the Metropolitan District of Hartford County to update how the district organizes its internal leadership and manages public notice for new rules. It allows district boards and commissions to appoint their own chairpersons and officers from within their membership, while clarifying that district employees cannot serve on the board of commissioners or its committees. The legislation also modifies how proposed ordinances are published and made available to the public, requiring full publication in a newspaper with substantial circulation in the district, though summaries may be used for non-appropriation ordinances with specific disclaimers. Additionally, the bill updates the maximum fines for ordinance violations to $250 and sets new requirements for the district attorney, who must have at least five years of practice and reside in the district or a nearby municipality. These changes take effect on October 1, 2026.

in committee · Connecticut · House Mar 31, 2026

HB 5502: AN ACT CONCERNING HOUSING DEVELOPMENT ON CERTAIN LOTS ZONED FOR INDUSTRIAL USE OR PREVIOUSLY ZONED FOR RESIDENTIAL USE.

This bill requires Connecticut municipalities to allow the construction of middle housing developments near transit stations or highways on lots currently zoned for industrial use or previously zoned for residential use. It also permits such developments on lots zoned for general residential use, provided the municipality uses a streamlined review process. To encourage adoption, the bill awards municipalities additional points toward state housing goals for each approved middle housing unit, and it prevents towns from repealing these zoning rules during certain affordable housing moratorium periods.

Topics ✓ Housing ✓ Transportation

in committee · Connecticut · Senate Mar 31, 2026

SB 320: AN ACT ESTABLISHING A WORKING GROUP CONCERNING ELECTRIC TRANSMISSION FACILITIES AND ELECTRIC GRID CAPACITY PLANNING.

SB 320 creates a working group within the Department of Energy and Environmental Protection, required to begin by October 1, 2026. The group will examine delays in building electric transmission lines, costs for grid upgrades needed for new energy projects (like solar), and fair cost-sharing methods for infrastructure improvements. It must submit recommendations to the legislature by July 1, 2027, focusing on state agency coordination, grid planning, and potential policy changes affecting utilities and energy developers. This bill directly affects state agencies, electric distribution companies, and future energy infrastructure decisions.

Topics ✓ Energy ✓ Environment

in committee · Connecticut · Senate Mar 31, 2026

SB 360: AN ACT CONCERNING MUNICIPAL ISSUES.

SB 360 allows Connecticut municipalities, districts, and municipal entities to jointly perform functions they could previously do separately through formal interlocal agreements. It replaces outdated language in the law (Section 7-148cc) with clearer rules permitting multiple local governments to collaborate on shared services or projects. The bill directly affects all Connecticut municipalities, metropolitan districts, and municipal districts by streamlining their ability to partner on matters like infrastructure, planning, or administration. This update makes no new policy changes but clarifies existing procedures for interlocal cooperation, effective October 1, 2026.

in committee · Connecticut · Senate Mar 31, 2026

SB 372: AN ACT CONCERNING CONNECTICUT WING CIVIL AIR PATROL YOUTH CAMPS.

SB 372 establishes new licensing and background check requirements for all Connecticut youth camps. Camp operators must pay annual fees (up to $815 for for-profits, $315 for nonprofits) and conduct comprehensive background checks for all staff working with children, including criminal history, child abuse registry, and sex offender registry checks. Staff may work provisionally during background checks but must complete full checks within five years and renew them every five years. The commissioner can deny or revoke licenses for operators or staff with certain child-related criminal convictions, such as felonies involving child abuse or harm.

in committee · Connecticut · House Mar 31, 2026

HB 5402: AN ACT CONCERNING A TECHNICAL REVISION TO THE PUBLIC SAFETY STATUTES.

HB 5402 makes a technical update to Connecticut's public safety statutes by reorganizing the Connecticut Boxing Commission. It moves the commission under the Department of Emergency Services and Public Protection and revises its appointment structure: three members appointed by the Governor, and one each by legislative leadership (House Speaker, Senate President Pro Tempore, and majority/minority leaders of both chambers). The bill also specifies that members serve terms aligned with their appointing authority and requires the commission to hold at least one meeting quarterly. This revision adjusts the commission's administrative structure without changing its regulatory responsibilities for boxing oversight.

in committee · Connecticut · House Mar 31, 2026

HB 5392: AN ACT CONCERNING MUNICIPAL AGENCIES.

HB 5392 makes a technical correction to the deadline for filing appeals to the State Commission on Human Rights and Opportunities. It revises statute 7-148l to remove redundant wording ("of") from the requirement that appeals must be filed "within thirty days after the mailing" of a written decision. This change directly affects individuals appealing decisions made by municipal agencies established under statutes 7-148i to 7-148n. The bill takes effect October 1, 2026, with no substantive policy changes to existing appeal procedures.

in committee · Connecticut · House Mar 31, 2026

HB 5396: AN ACT CONCERNING AFFORDABLE HOUSING DEVELOPMENT ON CERTAIN LAND OWNED BY A RELIGIOUS ORGANIZATION.

HB 5396 allows religious organizations to develop affordable housing on their owned land with streamlined approval. It requires that at least 30% of units be rent- or mortgage-qualified for 40 years at or below 30% of 60% of state or area median income. The bill mandates "summary review" for such projects, bypassing standard zoning restrictions on density and height, while requiring a decision within 90 days. Exemptions include properties owned less than three years, flood zones, oil/gas sites, or historic areas needing demolition approval.

Topics ✓ Housing

in committee · Connecticut · House Mar 31, 2026

HB 5316: AN ACT PROHIBITING REAL ESTATE INVESTMENT TRUSTS FROM ACQUIRING OR INCREASING OPERATIONAL CONTROL OVER HOSPITALS OR HEALTH SYSTEMS AND PROHIBITING HOSPITALS AND HEALTH SYSTEMS FROM ENTERING INTO SALE-LEASEBACK FINANCING TRANSACTIONS.

HB 5316 prohibits real estate investment trusts (REITs) from acquiring or increasing operational control over hospitals or health systems, and bans hospitals/health systems from entering into sale-leaseback transactions involving their main hospital campus property. "Operational control" is defined as influencing daily operations or appointing key leadership, while a "sale-leaseback" involves selling and leasing back the main campus. The law takes effect October 1, 2026, directly affecting REITs and hospitals/health systems that might engage in these transactions. It targets specific real estate financing practices without altering hospital ownership or care standards.

Topics ✓ Healthcare

in committee · Connecticut · House Mar 31, 2026

HB 5404: AN ACT ESTABLISHING A JOB CLASSIFICATION FOR PART-TIME FIRE SERVICE INSTRUCTORS.

HB 5404 establishes a new job classification for part-time fire service instructors within the state's fire services department. The bill requires the Commissioner of Administrative Services, in consultation with the Commissioners of Emergency Services and the State Fire Administrator, to define this classification by October 1, 2026. This classification will set clear standards for the role, responsibilities, and compensation of part-time instructors who train firefighters. The change directly affects part-time fire service instructors and the state agencies that employ them.

in committee · Connecticut · Senate Mar 31, 2026

SB 366: AN ACT CONCERNING THE UNIFORM INVESTIGATION OF ACCIDENT REPORT AND CERTAIN REPORTS BY PEACE OFFICERS.

SB 366 standardizes reporting requirements for motor vehicle accidents and medical emergencies involving peace officers. It requires police to complete accident reports within five days for incidents causing injury, death, or over $1,000 property damage, and make them available to involved parties within thirty days. For medical emergencies where a person is unstable while under a peace officer's custody or in contact with them, the officer must create a report within five days and provide a copy to the person upon request within five days. This bill directly affects police departments, peace officers, and individuals involved in accidents or medical emergencies.

Topics ✓ Criminal Justice

in committee · Connecticut · House Mar 31, 2026

HB 5318: AN ACT CONCERNING COMMITTEE BANKING ACCOUNTS.

HB 5318 requires Connecticut banking institutions to offer standard banking accounts specifically for candidate committees (used by local election candidates) starting October 1, 2026. These accounts must include basic features like debit cards, ATM access, check cashing, deposits, and monthly electronic statements. Banks must accept a candidate committee’s registration form from the State Elections Enforcement Commission plus a federal employer identification number (EIN) to open such an account. The Banking Commissioner will credit banks that comply when evaluating their performance under existing law. This bill directly affects candidate committees and their banking relationships, with no additional features like rewards programs required.

Bill results