Connecticut Bills

in committee · Connecticut · Senate Apr 14, 2025

SJ 14: RESOLUTION PROPOSING AN AMENDMENT TO THE STATE CONSTITUTION MODIFYING THE LEGISLATIVE TERM OF OFFICE.

This Senate Joint Resolution proposes a constitutional amendment to change the term lengths for state legislators. Currently, members of the state legislature serve two-year terms. The amendment would establish a new cycle where, after each U.S. Census redistricting, the first two elected terms would be four years long, followed by a two-year term. If approved by voters in the November 2026 election, this change would affect all state senators and representatives elected in subsequent cycles. The resolution must first pass the legislature with a three-quarter vote to appear on the ballot.

Gary Winfield (D) Jill Gilchrest (D) M.D. Rahman (D) Maryam Khan (D) Eleni DeGraw (D)

in committee · Connecticut · House Apr 14, 2025

HR 10: RESOLUTION RECOGNIZING THE CULTURE AND HERITAGE OF TAÍNO DESCENDANTS IN THIS STATE.

This symbolic resolution (HR 10) recognizes the cultural heritage of Taíno descendants in Connecticut. It affirms their historical and ongoing contributions to the state without conferring tribal status, land claims, or sovereignty. The resolution supports collaboration with Taíno cultural organizations to promote awareness and language revitalization, with no fiscal impact on state or municipal budgets. (House Favorable, Committee Report: March 26, 2025)

in committee · Connecticut · House Apr 14, 2025

HB 6320: AN ACT PROHIBITING LOBBYIST CONTRIBUTIONS DURING A LEGISLATIVE SESSION TO LEGISLATORS OR STATE OFFICERS RUNNING FOR MUNICIPAL OFFICE.

HB 6320 prohibits lobbyists and political committees representing lobbyists from making or soliciting contributions to legislators or state officers who are running for municipal office (such as town or city positions) during legislative sessions. The ban applies to contributions during regular sessions, special sessions held between odd- and even-numbered year sessions, and reconvened sessions to reconsider vetoed bills. It specifically targets contributions to candidates for municipal office, exploratory committees, or political committees tied to these candidates, but excludes contributions for special elections to the General Assembly. The law aims to separate state legislative lobbying from local municipal campaigns during active legislative periods.

in committee · Connecticut · House Apr 14, 2025

HB 7127: AN ACT CONCERNING STATE AGENCY CONTRACTS FOR THE LICENSING OF SOFTWARE APPLICATIONS.

HB 7127 prohibits state agencies from including contract terms that restrict their ability to install or run software applications on their own chosen hardware (like standard desktops or servers). It directly affects all state agencies entering or amending software licensing contracts after October 1, 2025, including those for common applications like Microsoft operating systems. The bill requires contracts for such software to allow agencies to use their preferred hardware, removing clauses that would force reliance on specific vendor hardware. This change applies to contracts awarded under state information system management laws.

in committee · Connecticut · Senate Apr 14, 2025

SB 1432: AN ACT IMPLEMENTING THE DEPARTMENT OF ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES' RECOMMENDATIONS FOR REVISIONS TO PROVISIONS CONCERNING STATE CONSTRUCTION SERVICES SELECTION PANELS AND ELIMINATION OF CERTAIN REPORTING PROVISIONS.

SB 1432 increases the value threshold for state construction projects requiring larger review panels from $5 million to $7.5 million. Projects valued at $7.5 million or more will now need five-member panels, while smaller projects require three-member panels. The bill also eliminates three unrelated reporting requirements: quarterly updates on medical examiner facilities and a mental health center parking garage, a list of PPE manufacturers during the pandemic, and a mandate for state agencies to buy 25% of PPE from that list. These changes take effect on July 1, 2025 (for the threshold) and immediately upon passage (for repeals). The bill directly affects state construction projects and the Department of Administrative Services' oversight process.

in committee · Connecticut · House Apr 14, 2025

HB 6249: AN ACT LIMITING APPEALS UNDER THE CONNECTICUT ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION ACT.

HB 6249 limits appeals for residential building permits under Connecticut's Environmental Protection Act. It requires courts to hold an expedited hearing within 30 days if a party requests one, where intervenors (like environmental groups) must prove a project is "reasonably likely" to unreasonably pollute or harm natural resources. If they fail to meet this standard, the court must dismiss the appeal. The bill applies specifically to permits for structures with dwelling units, such as new homes or renovations. This change streamlines judicial reviews for residential projects without imposing new costs on state or local governments.

Topics ✗ Environment ✓ Housing

in committee · Connecticut · House Apr 14, 2025

HB 7171: AN ACT CONCERNING CERTAIN CARETAKER AUTHORIZATION FOR THE AGRICULTURAL EXPERIMENT STATION.

HB 7171 clarifies that the Connecticut Agricultural Experiment Station (CAES) board may assign caretakers to reside in station-owned properties, explicitly including the station's director, department heads, and employees. This amendment to the law codifies existing practice by listing specific roles eligible for caretaker assignments, without creating new requirements or costs. The bill affects the CAES board and its designated staff members who manage station properties. It does not alter the station's research functions or funding mechanisms.

in committee · Connecticut · House Apr 14, 2025

HB 7225: AN ACT DESIGNATING THE STATE AMPHIBIAN AND THE CITY OF NEW BRITAIN AS THE HOT DOG CAPITAL.

HB 7225 designates the spring peeper (Pseudacris crucifer) as Connecticut's official state amphibian and names New Britain as the state's "hot dog capital." The bill makes no policy changes or funding requirements, as confirmed by its fiscal impact statement noting "no state or municipal impact." It takes effect October 1, 2025, and is purely ceremonial, recognizing a native species and a city's cultural identity without altering laws or regulations.

in committee · Connecticut · Senate Apr 14, 2025

SB 1521: AN ACT CONCERNING PAYMENT OF FUNDS TO STATE OFFICERS' AGENCIES.

SB 1521 prevents the Secretary of the Office of Policy and Management from restricting or reducing funds for four specific state offices during fiscal year 2025: the State Treasurer, Secretary of the State, State Comptroller, and Attorney General. It prohibits cuts to their budgets, hiring, or personnel recruitment efforts that would otherwise be required under prior budget rules. The bill ensures these agencies maintain their existing funding levels and operational capacity for the 2025 fiscal year. This is a budgetary adjustment affecting only these state offices, with no direct impact on the public or local governments.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes

in committee · Connecticut · Senate Apr 14, 2025

SB 1533: AN ACT CONCERNING CHANGES TO THE CITIZENS' ELECTION PROGRAM.

SB 1533 adjusts campaign contribution limits for state elections based on inflation. It requires the State Elections Enforcement Commission to update these limits annually using the consumer price index, starting with the 2026 elections and then every four years. The bill specifically changes limits for candidates running for Governor, Lieutenant Governor, Attorney General, State Comptroller, State Treasurer, Secretary of the State, and state legislative seats. These adjustments aim to maintain the real value of contribution caps over time as costs of living change. The changes apply to all relevant candidates and campaign committees under Connecticut's Citizens' Election Program.

in committee · Connecticut · Senate Apr 14, 2025

SB 1156: AN ACT CONCERNING STATE-WIDE RECOGNITION OF MINOR PARTIES FOR PURPOSES OF NOMINATING PETITIONS.

SB 1156 changes how minor political parties qualify for statewide ballot access via nominating petitions. It revises the definition of a "minor party" to require that such a party's candidate received at least 1% of votes cast for a state office in the previous election. This means minor parties must meet this vote threshold to legally submit petitions for their candidates, directly affecting their ability to appear on ballots without party designation. The bill does not alter the 20% threshold for "major parties" but clarifies that minor parties must satisfy this specific 1% requirement to use nominating petitions.

in committee · Connecticut · Senate Apr 14, 2025

SB 1534: AN ACT MAKING MINOR AND TECHNICAL REVISIONS TO AN ABSENTEE VOTING STATUTE.

SB 1534 clarifies that training requirements for election officials using voting tabulators apply to primary and referendum elections, not just general elections. It amends Section 9-150d of the voting statute to explicitly include primary and referendum officials in the training mandate for tabulator use. The bill makes only a minor technical change with no fiscal impact on state or municipal budgets. It takes effect October 1, 2025, and passed unanimously in committee.

Bill results