Connecticut Bills

in committee · Connecticut · House Mar 23, 2026

HB 5569: AN ACT CONCERNING A SMALL BUSINESS TAX CREDIT FOR QUALIFIED LOCAL MEDIA ADVERTISING EXPENSES.

This bill creates a five-year tax credit for small businesses in Connecticut that spend money on advertising with local newspapers, radio stations, or television stations. The program is designed to help small businesses with 50 or fewer employees support local news organizations by allowing them to receive a percentage of their advertising expenses as a tax credit. Small businesses can claim 80% of qualifying expenses in the first year, with the credit amounting to up to $5,000, and 50% of expenses in subsequent years, capped at $2,500 per year. The legislation defines eligible local media outlets as publications that primarily serve local communities, employ local journalists, and meet specific size and ownership restrictions.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes

in committee · Connecticut · House Mar 23, 2026

HB 5568: AN ACT INCREASING THE MOTOR VEHICLE REGISTRATION FEES FOR ELECTRIC VEHICLES.

This bill increases the three-year registration fees for electric vehicles in Connecticut, affecting owners of battery electric, fuel cell electric, range-extended battery electric, and plug-in hybrid vehicles. Under the new provisions, electric vehicles would pay $345 annually while plug-in hybrids would pay $233, compared to the standard $120 fee for conventional passenger vehicles. The changes apply to all electric and hybrid vehicles except those with special license plates, though exemptions exist for certain nonprofit fire apparatus and transit buses. Owners aged 65 or older retain the option to renew their registration for one year or the standard period with prorated fees. The legislation takes effect on October 1, 2026.

Topics ✗ Energy ✗ Transportation

in committee · Connecticut · Senate Mar 23, 2026

SB 512: AN ACT ESTABLISHING THE CONNECTICUT GROWTH INVESTMENT FUND.

This bill creates the Connecticut Growth Investment Fund, allowing state residents to invest a portion of their potential estate tax liability in exchange for tax benefits. Connecticut Innovations, Incorporated will manage the fund, investing the money exclusively in local businesses while reserving at least 10% for ventures founded by university students or faculty. Residents can choose to contribute 30%, 40%, or 50% of their estimated estate tax exposure, with higher contributions receiving priority access to investment returns. If a resident stays in Connecticut for at least five years after investing, their initial payment remains in the fund and their estate tax liability is eliminated; if they leave the state or die sooner, they may receive their money back or forfeit some returns based on how long they held the investment.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Education

in committee · Connecticut · Senate Mar 23, 2026

SB 219: AN ACT CONCERNING CIVIL PENALTIES FOR CERTAIN VIOLATIONS RELATING TO RENTAL SECURITY DEPOSITS.

SB 219 establishes that if Connecticut's Banking Commissioner finds a landlord violated rules about rental security deposits (specifically sections (b), (d), (h), or (i) of the law), the commissioner can order the landlord to pay a civil penalty of up to $100,000 per violation. The bill also requires landlords to stop violating these rules and comply with security deposit laws. This applies directly to landlords who fail to follow state deposit regulations, such as returning deposits or providing required notices. The law takes effect on October 1, 2026, and gives the commissioner enforcement authority under existing statutes.

Topics ✓ Housing

in committee · Connecticut · Senate Mar 23, 2026

SB 217: AN ACT REQUIRING MORTGAGEES TO ACCEPT MORTGAGE PAYMENTS TENDERED ON A MONTHLY, SEMIMONTHLY OR BIWEEKLY BASIS.

SB 217 requires mortgage lenders (mortgagees) to accept monthly, semimonthly (twice monthly), or biweekly (every two weeks) payments for new mortgage loans originated on or after October 1, 2026. This applies directly to lenders and borrowers, changing how payment schedules can be structured for new loans. The bill mandates that lenders must accept these payment frequencies as standard options, without imposing additional fees or restrictions. It does not affect existing mortgages or require lenders to alter payment terms for current borrowers.

Topics ✓ Housing

in committee · Connecticut · Senate Mar 23, 2026

SB 216: AN ACT CONCERNING THE COMMUNITY BANK AND CREDIT UNION INVESTMENT PROGRAM ESTABLISHED BY THE STATE TREASURER.

SB 216 establishes a program allowing Connecticut's State Treasurer to invest up to $300 million of state operating cash with eligible community banks and credit unions. It sets asset limits for participation: initially prohibiting institutions with over $2 billion in assets (July 2023-Sept 2024), then adjusting the limit annually based on the median loan growth of participating institutions. The bill requires the State Treasurer to report eligible institutions to the Department of Banking annually and mandates that investment rates for participating institutions cannot exceed 100 basis points below comparable Treasury yields. This program directly affects community financial institutions seeking to manage state funds through a structured investment process.

in committee · Connecticut · House Mar 23, 2026

HB 5264: AN ACT CONCERNING SERVICE ANIMALS IN INSURANCE UNDERWRITING, THE APPOINTMENT OF AN ADVOCATE IN PROCEEDINGS CONCERNING THE WELFARE OR CUSTODY OF COMPANION ANIMALS, ASSAULT OF A DOMESTIC ANIMAL AND ESTABLISHING AN ANIMAL ABUSE TASK FORCE.

HB 5264 prohibits insurers from canceling, refusing to renew, or denying homeowners or renters insurance based solely on a dog's breed (if it's a service animal for disabled individuals) or ownership of a therapy animal, effective October 2026. It requires courts to appoint independent advocates in pet welfare or custody cases to monitor proceedings and provide information about the animal's condition, using a list maintained by the Department of Agriculture. The bill also upgrades animal cruelty to a class D felony and expands assault laws to include intentional harm to domestic animals, making such acts punishable by up to one year in prison. These changes directly affect pet owners, insurance companies, courts, and animal welfare proceedings.

Topics ✓ Healthcare

in committee · Connecticut · House Mar 23, 2026

HB 5280: AN ACT CONCERNING A NONCHARGE FOR EMPLOYEES PAID BENEFITS THROUGH THE SHARED WORK PROGRAM DURING PERIODS OF HIGH UNEMPLOYMENT.

HB 5280 prevents employers from being charged for unemployment benefits paid to employees participating in the state's voluntary shared work program during periods of high unemployment or extended benefit periods. It directly affects employers using the shared work program and employees receiving benefits through it during designated high-unemployment periods. The key mechanism requires that no employer experience account be charged for such benefits starting January 1, 2027, until the federal government ends the high-unemployment designation. This change shifts the cost of these benefits from employers to the state unemployment fund during qualifying periods.

Topics ✓ Labor & Employment

in committee · Connecticut · Senate Mar 23, 2026

SB 215: AN ACT CONCERNING THE PRESUMPTION OF ABANDONMENT OF CERTAIN PROPERTY HELD OR OWING BY A BANKING ORGANIZATION.

SB 215 changes how banks determine when certain accounts or funds are deemed abandoned. It presumes deposits, time deposits, investments, checks, and safe deposit box contents are abandoned if owners don’t show activity for 3 years (5 years for safe deposit boxes). Owners can prevent this presumption by making transactions, writing to the bank, or having tax forms (1099s) not returned by the postal service within the timeframe. The bill directly affects individuals or entities with dormant bank accounts in Connecticut, modifying existing abandonment rules effective October 1, 2026.

in committee · Connecticut · House Mar 23, 2026

HB 5213: AN ACT ESTABLISHING A WORKING GROUP TO EVALUATE PAYROLL PROCESSING METHODS EMPLOYED BY FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS.

HB 5213 establishes a working group to evaluate how financial institutions process paychecks and the time required for payroll checks to clear. The group, including banking committee members, the Banking Commissioner, and representatives from banks and credit unions, must submit findings by January 1, 2027. This bill creates a study process but does not change current payroll processing rules or impose new requirements on financial institutions.

in committee · Connecticut · House Mar 23, 2026

HB 5258: AN ACT CONCERNING TENANT ORGANIZATIONAL ACTIVITIES.

HB 5258 protects tenant organizing rights by requiring landlords to permit specific activities related to tenant organizations. The bill mandates that landlords allow tenants, tenant organizers, and their agents to distribute materials, conduct door-to-door surveys, hold meetings in common areas, and post information - without requiring prior permission - provided these activities are reasonable and lawful. It directly affects tenants seeking to form or join tenant organizations and landlords managing residential properties. Key provisions define "tenant organization" as tenant-led groups addressing housing issues and prohibit landlords from blocking these activities, except for standard community space reservation rules. The law takes effect October 1, 2026.

Topics ✓ Housing

in committee · Connecticut · Senate Mar 23, 2026

SB 245: AN ACT ELIMINATING CERTAIN TAX INCENTIVES FOR DATA CENTERS.

SB 245 eliminates tax exemptions for new data center projects in the state by ending eligibility for tax breaks under Chapters 203 and 219 of the law. It directly affects data center owners, operators, or colocation tenants planning to establish new facilities after July 1, 2026. The bill repeals a provision allowing applications for tax exemptions, making such applications ineligible after the effective date. Existing agreements remain unaffected, as the change only prohibits new applications starting July 1, 2026. This is a procedural tax code adjustment with no new funding or programs.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes

Bill results