Connecticut Bills

in committee · Connecticut · House Mar 19, 2026

HB 5475: AN ACT CONCERNING OVERSIGHT OF PERMITTING PROCESSES OF THE DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY AND ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION.

This bill directs the Commissioner of Energy and Environmental Protection to evaluate ways to improve the state's permitting process by January 1, 2027. The commissioner must assess using artificial intelligence for preliminary reviews, explore automated tools for businesses and municipalities, and consider creating expedited review options with higher fees for certain permits. The report will also examine whether permit renewals without changes could be automated and have reduced fees. All findings and recommendations for new laws must be submitted to the General Assembly's relevant committees.

Topics ✓ Technology

in committee · Connecticut · House Mar 19, 2026

HB 5162: AN ACT AMENDING AN AUTHORIZATION OF BONDS OF THE STATE FOR A GRANT-IN-AID TO THE CONNECTICUT HOUSING FINANCE AUTHORITY.

HB 5162 amends Connecticut's bond authorization for the Connecticut Housing Finance Authority (CHFA), expanding the use of $38 million in funds to cover both emergency mortgage assistance and down payment assistance under the state's homeownership loan program. This change directly affects CHFA and Connecticut homeowners participating in the homeownership loan program (sections 8-283 to 8-289 of state statutes). The bill modifies existing funding rules to permit the same $38 million to capitalize down payment assistance, which was previously ineligible under this specific bond authorization. The amendment takes effect July 1, 2026.

Topics ✓ Housing

in committee · Connecticut · Senate Mar 19, 2026

SB 149: AN ACT CONCERNING REVISIONS TO THE FARMERS' MARKET NUTRITION PROGRAM.

SB 149 updates definitions for Connecticut's Farmers' Market Nutrition Program (CFM/WIC), clarifying terms like "certified farmer" (replacing "vendor") and "Connecticut-grown" produce. It specifies that benefits (replacing "vouchers") can be redeemed for fresh fruits, vegetables, honey, maple syrup, and processed farm products like baked goods made with local ingredients. The bill directly affects certified farmers selling at authorized markets, WIC participants using benefits, and the Department of Agriculture administering the program. These revisions aim to align state operations with federal guidelines while streamlining program rules.

in committee · Connecticut · Senate Mar 19, 2026

SB 146: AN ACT CONCERNING THE PROTECTION OF CROPS AND LIVESTOCK FROM CERTAIN WILDLIFE.

SB 146 allows livestock owners to seek state permits to take wildlife (like bears) that injure or kill their animals or damage crops, after proving they tried nonlethal protections first. The bill requires owners to document using methods like fencing or guard animals, and a state agency must verify the need before issuing permits. Permits specify how, when, and where wildlife can be taken, and only apply to property owners, their agents, or tenants with written permission. It explicitly excludes federally protected species and does not permit using deadly force against wildlife except in immediate danger to people or pets.

in committee · Connecticut · Senate Mar 19, 2026

SB 133: AN ACT ESTABLISHING THE CONNECTICUT-INDIA TRADE COMMISSION.

SB 133 establishes the Connecticut-India Trade Commission to facilitate bilateral trade and investment between Connecticut and India. The commission, composed of 12 appointed members (including legislative leaders, commerce committee representatives, higher education and business advocates, and Indian-American community representatives), will advance trade relations through joint policy initiatives, business/academic exchanges, and infrastructure investment promotion. It must submit annual reports starting in 2028 to the Governor and relevant legislative committees. This procedural bill creates a formal body to coordinate trade efforts but does not enact new laws or directly affect specific businesses or residents.

in committee · Connecticut · House Mar 19, 2026

HB 5275: AN ACT CONCERNING A CONTRACTOR'S RESPONSIBILITY FOR UNPAID WAGES ON A CONSTRUCTION CONTRACT.

HB 5275 requires construction contractors to be jointly responsible for paying unpaid wages owed to workers by their subcontractors on covered projects. It directly affects construction workers, contractors, and subcontractors working on most private construction, renovation, or rehabilitation projects (excluding public works and small residential homes). The key provision makes contractors liable for subcontractors' unpaid wages, effective October 1, 2026, while allowing contractors to include wage payment clauses in contracts - provided these don’t limit workers’ legal rights. The bill also updates wage recovery procedures under existing law, ensuring workers can seek double wages plus fees for unpaid compensation.

Topics ✓ Labor & Employment

in committee · Connecticut · House Mar 19, 2026

HB 5276: AN ACT CONCERNING VOLUNTEER FIRE DEPARTMENTS AND THE DEFINITION OF EMPLOYER UNDER THE STATE OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH AND SAFETY ACT.

HB 5276 clarifies that volunteer fire departments and volunteer ambulance companies in Connecticut are explicitly considered "employers" under the state's workplace safety law (CONN-OSHA). The bill removes their previous exemption from CONN-OSHA regulations by redefining "employer" to include these organizations and amending the law to exclude them from the list of exempt entities. This means volunteer fire and ambulance departments will now fall under Connecticut's occupational health and safety standards starting October 1, 2026. The change directly affects all volunteer fire departments and ambulance companies in the state, requiring them to comply with state safety regulations previously not applied to them.

Topics ✓ Labor & Employment

in committee · Connecticut · House Mar 19, 2026

HB 5427: AN ACT EXPANDING THE DEBT-FREE COMMUNITY COLLEGE PROGRAM TO INCLUDE WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT AND CONTINUING EDUCATION PROGRAMS.

HB 5427 expands Connecticut's debt-free community college program to cover workforce development and continuing education programs, in addition to traditional degree/certificate programs. It directly affects Connecticut residents enrolled at community colleges who meet income and academic requirements, including part-time students and those in noncredit workforce training. The bill establishes a "Mary Ann Handley Award" covering tuition and required fees for up to 72 credit hours or six semesters, provided students complete the FAFSA and accept all available financial aid (excluding loans). Awards cannot replace existing state or institutional aid, and the program requires annual reporting on participation and completion rates. This change takes effect July 1, 2026.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Education ✓ Labor & Employment

in committee · Connecticut · House Mar 19, 2026

HB 5388: AN ACT CONCERNING PROCESSING FEES FOR MEDICAL RECORDS FOR APPLICATIONS FOR DISABILITY RETIREMENT.

HB 5388 prohibits healthcare providers from charging state employees applying for disability retirement benefits for copies of medical records needed to support their applications. The bill amends Connecticut law to require providers to furnish these specific records without fees, waiving the standard $0.65-per-page charge when the records are necessary for a state employees' retirement disability claim. It directly affects state employees seeking disability retirement who must submit medical documentation. The provision takes effect October 1, 2026, and applies to records requested for this specific purpose only.

Topics ✓ Healthcare ✓ Labor & Employment

in committee · Connecticut · House Mar 19, 2026

HB 5315: AN ACT ESTABLISHING A WORKING GROUP TO STUDY CONSUMER FRAUD AND PROTECTIONS AGAINST SUCH FRAUD.

HB 5315 establishes a working group to study consumer fraud and existing protections against it. The group, to be convened by banking committee leaders, includes members representing financial institutions, credit unions, consumer advocates, senior citizens, and the Banking Commissioner. The working group must submit a report with findings and recommendations to the banking committee by January 1, 2027. This bill does not create new laws or protections but requires a formal study of the issue.

in committee · Connecticut · House Mar 19, 2026

HB 5382: AN ACT REQUIRING THE COMPTROLLER TO CONDUCT A STUDY OF HEALTH INSURANCE COVERAGE FOR RETIRED POLICE OFFICERS AND FIREFIGHTERS.

HB 5382 requires Connecticut's Comptroller to study health insurance coverage gaps for retired police officers and firefighters, including those retiring due to illness or injury. The study must assess current coverage limitations and submit a report to the legislature by January 1, 2027. It directly affects retired state law enforcement and fire service personnel whose health insurance may diminish after retirement. The bill does not change current benefits but mandates a factual review to identify potential coverage shortfalls. This is a procedural study, not a policy change.

in committee · Connecticut · Senate Mar 19, 2026

SB 284: AN ACT CONCERNING EMERGENCY POWER GENERATOR REQUIREMENTS FOR CERTAIN MULTIFAMILY HOUSING PROJECTS.

SB 284 requires privately owned senior housing buildings (15+ stories, age-restricted, and federally mortgaged) in cities with 130,000-140,000 residents to install emergency power generators. These generators must provide 4-12 hours of electricity for heating, water, lighting, medical equipment in each unit, and passenger elevators during outages. The law applies specifically to multifamily housing projects meeting all three criteria: age-restricted, high-rise, and federally insured. It takes effect October 1, 2026, aiming to improve safety during power disruptions for vulnerable residents.

Bill results