Connecticut Bills

in committee · Connecticut · Senate Feb 27, 2026

SB 313: AN ACT CONCERNING WAKESURFING ON CERTAIN LAKES IN THE STATE.

SB 313 prohibits operating wake boats (vessels with specialized devices like ballast tanks to create large wakes) within 200 feet of shore for wakesurfing or wakeboarding on most state lakes. It directly affects recreational boaters using these specialized vessels on lakes statewide, while allowing municipalities to enforce stricter distance requirements. The bill explicitly exempts lakes bordering Warren, Washington, and Kent, which already have separate bans on wake boats. This establishes a uniform minimum distance for safety and environmental protection without banning wakesurfing entirely.

in committee · Connecticut · Senate Feb 27, 2026

SB 314: AN ACT CONCERNING THE PROTECTION OF ANIMALS USED IN CERTAIN RESEARCH.

SB 314 (2026) requires Connecticut's Commissioner of Agriculture to examine whether to establish standards for breeders of companion animals used in medical research. The study must assess if hospitals, universities, and labs should be barred from purchasing animals from breeders violating USDA pet dealer rules. The commissioner must submit a report with recommendations to the Environment Committee by January 15, 2027. This bill does not create new regulations but mandates a review to inform future policy. It directly affects research institutions and animal breeders operating under USDA oversight.

in committee · Connecticut · Senate Feb 27, 2026

SB 297: AN ACT CONCERNING COURT PROCEEDINGS INVOLVING A CHILD OR YOUTH WHO IS ALLEGED TO HAVE BEEN UNCARED FOR, NEGLECTED OR ABUSED.

This bill updates court procedures for children alleged to be uncared for, neglected, or abused. It defines key terms like "permanent legal guardianship," "caregiver" (including relatives and foster parents), and "trial home visit" (a temporary return home under supervision). The bill requires courts to order specific steps for parents to reunite with children, and allows the Commissioner of Children and Families to authorize trial home visits with 15 days' notice and a 30-day timeline. It also creates a presumption that a current caregiver (like a relative or foster parent) should receive legal guardianship if parental rights end, unless proven otherwise. These changes directly affect children in foster care, their parents, and caregivers involved in court cases.

in committee · Connecticut · House Feb 27, 2026

HB 5393: AN ACT CONCERNING DOG LICENSES.

HB 5393 updates Connecticut's dog licensing requirements, effective October 1, 2026. It requires owners of dogs six months or older to obtain a license annually (or every three years) by June 30th, increasing the fee from $7 to $15 per dog. The bill differentiates fees based on neutering status (e.g., $15 for neutered/spayed dogs, $12 more for unneutered dogs) and directs 25% of license fees to an animal population control account. Owners must also provide rabies vaccination proof at the time of licensing, with specific rules for new owners, dog pound acquisitions, and exemptions. This affects all dog owners in Connecticut with dogs over six months old.

in committee · Connecticut · Senate Feb 27, 2026

SB 333: AN ACT DEFINING ADVANCE RENTAL PAYMENTS.

SB 333 defines "advance rental payment" as a prepayment for rent not yet due (up to the remaining lease term), excluding security deposits. It sets security deposit limits at two months' rent for tenants under 62 and one month's rent for tenants 62 or older, requiring landlords to refund excess amounts when a tenant turns 62. The bill also prohibits landlords from charging application fees, move-in/move-out fees, or other pre-tenancy charges beyond security deposits, advance payments, key deposits, or tenant screening reports. These changes directly affect residential landlords and tenants in rental agreements across the state.

Topics ✓ Housing

in committee · Connecticut · Senate Feb 27, 2026

SB 334: AN ACT CONCERNING THE COMPOSITION OF FAIR RENT COMMISSIONS.

SB 334 requires fair rent commissions in municipalities with 15,000 or more residents (as determined by the latest census) to consist of exactly 50% landlords and 50% tenants, effective January 1, 2027. These municipalities must establish such commissions or join a joint or regional commission by January 1, 2028. The commissions will investigate rental charges (excluding seasonal rentals) and address complaints about excessive rent to prevent unfair pricing. This requirement applies to all municipal, joint, and regional fair rent commissions created under the law.

Topics ✓ Housing

in committee · Connecticut · Senate Feb 27, 2026

SB 309: AN ACT CONCERNING THE CREATION OF A CONTINGENCY SPECIAL EDUCATION GRANT, A PROHIBITION ON PRIVATE EQUITY IN SPECIAL EDUCATION AND THE ESTABLISHMENT OF A WORKING GROUP TO CONSIDER INNOVATIONS IN THE PROVISION OF SPECIAL EDUCATION SERVICES.

SB 309 creates a new contingency grant to cover unanticipated special education costs exceeding twice a district's current per-student spending for students needing services after March 1st, effective July 2027. It prohibits the state from approving private special education providers owned or operated by private equity firms (non-publicly traded investment companies) starting July 2026. The bill also establishes a working group, including representatives from both approved and ineligible private providers, to study public-private partnership innovations and expand eligibility for private providers, with a report due by January 2027. These changes directly affect local school districts receiving grants, private education providers, and state education officials overseeing funding and approvals.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Education

in committee · Connecticut · House Feb 27, 2026

HB 5144: AN ACT CONCERNING FUNDING FOR SCHOOL MEALS.

HB 5144 appropriates funds to cover the cost difference between federal reimbursement rates for reduced-price school meals and full-price meals. It directly affects public school districts participating in federal meal programs by allowing them to provide free breakfasts to all students and free lunches to students already eligible for reduced-price meals. The bill’s key mechanism is reimbursing districts for the gap between what the federal government pays and the actual cost of serving these meals. This policy change ensures schools can maintain these meal programs without charging eligible students, as specified in the bill’s purpose statement.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Education ✓ Healthcare

in committee · Connecticut · House Feb 26, 2026

HB 5310: AN ACT CONCERNING AN AFFIRMATIVE DEFENSE FOR A CRIMINAL VIOLATION OF A PROTECTIVE ORDER OR A STANDING RESTRAINING ORDER.

HB 5310 adds a new defense for individuals accused of violating protective or restraining orders. It allows defendants to argue that the person protected by the order (not the defendant) initiated or encouraged the contact that led to the alleged violation. This defense applies to all covered orders, including those related to domestic violence or harassment, but does not apply if the defendant’s actions already constitute a separate crime. The bill does not change the underlying criminal penalties for violations but modifies the legal defense available during prosecution.

Topics ✓ Criminal Justice

in committee · Connecticut · House Feb 26, 2026

HB 5159: AN ACT FUNDING JOURNALISM FELLOWSHIPS FOR GRADUATES OF PUBLIC INSTITUTIONS OF HIGHER EDUCATION.

HB 5159 creates a state-funded program to support journalism careers by providing at least 12 annual fellowships for recent graduates of in-state public university journalism programs. The fellowships, administered through a student journalism collaborative, require participation at local news organizations (as defined in state law) and include mandatory mentorship, hands-on work experience, and professional networking. Eligible applicants must graduate from a public higher education journalism program in the state and secure approval from the hosting news organization. The program must post all details - including funding amounts, requirements, and application forms - online by September 1, 2026, with funding starting July 1, 2026.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Education

passed · Connecticut · Senate Feb 26, 2026

SJ 11: RESOLUTION CONFIRMING THE NOMINATION OF THE HONORABLE JAMES SICILIAN OF WEST HARTFORD TO BE A SENIOR JUDGE OF THE SUPERIOR COURT.

This Senate Joint Resolution (SJ 11) confirms Governor's nomination of James Sicilian of West Hartford to serve as a Senior Judge of the Superior Court for an eight-year term beginning May 3, 2026. It directly affects Judge Sicilian by formally appointing him to this judicial position. The resolution requires no new laws or policy changes - it simply approves the Governor's existing nomination as required by state process. No other individuals or entities are directly impacted by this procedural confirmation.

passed · Connecticut · Senate Feb 26, 2026

SJ 19: RESOLUTION CONFIRMING THE NOMINATION OF THE HONORABLE JON M. ALANDER OF HAMDEN TO BE A STATE REFEREE.

This bill is a procedural resolution confirming Governor's nomination of Jon M. Alander of Hamden for an eight-year term as a State Referee, starting March 30, 2026. It directly affects Jon Alander by formally appointing him to the judicial position. The resolution serves only to approve the Governor's nomination without altering any laws or creating new policies.

Bill results