Environment

signed · Connecticut · Senate May 27, 2026

SB 148: AN ACT CONCERNING REVISIONS TO AQUACULTURE-RELATED STATUTES AND PROVIDING FOR CERTAIN FARMING-RELATED PROGRAMS.

SB 148 clarifies the process for closing shellfish harvesting areas due to contamination or pollution. It requires the department to establish exact boundaries for closed areas and ensure closures take effect only after publishing notices in local newspapers, filing documents with town clerks and health directors, posting signs at the site, and updating the department’s website. The bill also specifies that during a health emergency, the Commissioner of Agriculture can immediately close affected areas by notifying health authorities and publishing a public notice. This directly affects shellfish harvesters, coastal communities, and health departments by standardizing how closure information is communicated. The bill repeals outdated language in existing statutes to modernize the notification system.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill mandates clear procedures for closing shellfish areas due to pollution/contamination, ensuring public health protection and preventing exposure to environmental hazards through required notifications and site closures.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Coastal & Flood Protection

in committee · Connecticut · House Mar 16, 2026

HB 5167: AN ACT CONCERNING THE DISCLOSURE OF WATER QUALITY TEST RESULTS FOR CERTAIN PRIVATE AND SEMIPUBLIC WELLS.

HB 5167 requires laboratories testing private residential wells and semipublic wells (like those serving schools or community centers) to report water quality results to local health authorities and the state Department of Public Health within 30 days of testing. It removes the previous requirement for the Commissioner of Public Health to approve disclosures, allowing direct sharing of results with well owners, adjacent property owners, and prospective buyers who have signed purchase contracts. The bill takes effect October 1, 2026, and applies to all such wells in Connecticut. This change streamlines access to water quality information for affected property owners and buyers without altering confidentiality protections for other uses.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentRequires timely disclosure of well water quality data to protect public health and environmental safety, enhancing transparency in water testing and pollution monitoring.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Water Quality

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in committee · Connecticut · Senate Apr 2, 2026

SB 244: AN ACT REQUIRING A STUDY OF THE RENEWABLE ENERGY CERTIFICATE MARKET.

SB 244 requires the Commissioner of Energy and Environmental Protection to study the market for renewable energy certificates (RECs) issued by the New England Power Pool system. The study must examine how RECs support renewable energy development, current market trends in supply/demand/pricing, and whether RECs deliver environmental or grid benefits. The Commissioner must submit a report to the legislature by March 1, 2027, detailing findings on these aspects. This bill does not change existing law but mandates a review to inform future policy decisions.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill mandates study of RECs' environmental benefits and renewable energy support, indicating intent to strengthen clean energy policies through evidence-based evaluation.85% confidence

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in committee · Connecticut · Senate Feb 10, 2026

SB 113: AN ACT AUTHORIZING BONDS OF THE STATE FOR FARMS ASSOCIATED WITH NEW ANAEROBIC DIGESTERS TO PROVIDE NECESSARY CHANGES TO MANURE MANAGEMENT SYSTEMS.

SB 113 authorizes up to $5 million in state bonds to fund grants for farms that have installed new anaerobic digesters. These grants will help qualifying farms make necessary upgrades to their manure management systems. The Department of Energy and Environmental Protection will administer the program, using bond proceeds to cover costs for required system changes. The bill directly affects agricultural operations using anaerobic digesters, providing financial support for environmental compliance upgrades.

Topics ✓ EnergySupports EnergyFunds renewable energy infrastructure (anaerobic digesters producing biogas) via $5M state bonds for farm manure system upgrades, advancing clean energy production.95% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentFunds farm upgrades to manure systems using anaerobic digesters, reducing methane emissions and pollution per DEEP administration.90% confidence

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in committee · Connecticut · House Feb 13, 2026

HB 5151: AN ACT CONCERNING PROPOSALS DERIVED FROM THE WASTE CHARACTERIZATION STUDY.

HB 5151 requires Connecticut's Commissioner of Energy and Environmental Protection to submit a report by January 15, 2027, detailing recommendations from the state's latest waste characterization study. The report must include proposals for extended producer responsibility programs (covering packaging, products, and construction debris) and suggestions for expanding which items are designated as recyclable for separation at the source. It also requires draft language for any new laws needed to implement these recommendations. This bill directly affects state environmental agencies and future policy decisions, not current regulations or businesses.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentMandates EPR proposals for packaging/products and expands recyclable items, advancing waste reduction and recycling policies per waste characterization study requirements.92% confidence

Sub-Topics Recycling Waste Management

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in committee · Connecticut · House Apr 2, 2026

HB 5248: AN ACT CONCERNING ENERGY EFFICIENCY AND TRANSMISSION PLANNING.

HB 5248 updates Connecticut's appliance efficiency standards to promote energy conservation. It requires the Energy Commissioner to periodically review and raise efficiency standards for products like appliances and plumbing fixtures, ensuring they are cost-effective for consumers (with a 5-year payback period max) and may incorporate standards from other states or third parties. The bill also clarifies that these efficiency standards take precedence over conflicting building codes and allows for adopting standards from states like California without new state-specific testing. It directly affects appliance manufacturers, retailers, and consumers purchasing new energy-efficient products.

Topics ✓ EnergySupports EnergyBill explicitly updates appliance efficiency standards to 'promote energy conservation' and requires periodic standard increases, aligning with energy efficiency advancement indicators.95% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill mandates higher appliance efficiency standards for energy conservation, directly reducing energy consumption and promoting environmental protection through stricter, cost-effective regulations.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Energy Efficiency Conservation

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signed · Connecticut · House May 20, 2026

HB 5246: AN ACT CONCERNING THE LEGISLATIVE COMMISSIONERS' RECOMMENDATIONS FOR TECHNICAL REVISIONS TO STATUTES CONCERNING ENERGY AND TECHNOLOGY.

HB 5246 makes minor technical updates to Connecticut's energy and technology statutes. It adjusts deadlines for electric distribution companies to share regulatory evaluations with the Department of Energy and Environmental Protection, ensures certain financing orders and transition assessments cannot be altered, and mandates annual reports on energy efficiency metrics. These changes directly affect electric distribution companies, the Department of Energy and Environmental Protection, and the Office of Consumer Counsel. The bill updates legal language without altering substantive policy and takes effect upon passage.

Topics ✓ EnergySupports EnergyMandates annual reports on energy efficiency metrics, promoting transparency and tracking for efficiency improvements without altering substantive policies.85% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentMandates annual energy efficiency metrics reporting, aligning with environmental conservation goals through technical statutory updates.65% confidence

Sub-Topics Energy Efficiency

signed · Connecticut · House Jun 4, 2026

HB 5282: AN ACT IMPLEMENTING THE RECOMMENDATIONS OF THE CONTINUING LEGISLATIVE COMMITTEE ON PLANNING AND DEVELOPMENT CONCERNING THE STATE PLAN OF CONSERVATION AND DEVELOPMENT.

HB 5282 requires state agencies to align major projects costing over $1 million (up from $200,000) with Connecticut's State Plan of Conservation and Development. This affects all state agencies using state or federal funds for property acquisition, development, or public transportation projects exceeding the threshold. The bill mandates agencies to submit conformity notices to the secretary and establishes an annual inflation adjustment for the $1 million threshold using the Producer Price Index. Municipalities must also reference the state plan in new conservation and development plans adopted after 2026.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentMandates state agencies to align major projects with Connecticut's State Plan of Conservation and Development, requiring environmental considerations for projects over $1M threshold.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Conservation

in committee · Connecticut · House Mar 17, 2026

HB 5152: AN ACT CONCERNING CERTAIN AUTHORITIES RELATED TO THE PREVENTION OF WILDFIRES.

HB 5152 modifies rules for open burning to prevent wildfires. It allows residential brush burning on private property with a local permit, but prohibits it during high fire danger, poor air quality, or near forests within 100 feet. Municipal landfills, transfer stations, and recycling centers can burn brush up to six times yearly with fire marshal approval and commissioner review, but must ban burning leaves, demolition waste, or other solid waste. The bill also adds new permitted uses like agricultural cleanup after disasters and wildlife habitat management, while requiring local officials to be certified and setting fees for permits. These changes directly affect homeowners, municipalities, and fire officials managing burn permits.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentRestricts open burning during high fire danger/poor air quality near forests, bans burning pollutants, and requires fire marshal approval to prevent wildfires and protect air quality/natural resources.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Air Quality Recycling Waste Management

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in committee · Connecticut · House Feb 18, 2026

HB 5233: AN ACT AUTHORIZING BONDS OF THE STATE FOR IMPROVEMENTS TO WATER AND SEWER INFRASTRUCTURE IN THE TOWN OF MANCHESTER.

HB 5233 authorizes the state to issue up to $5 million in bonds to fund water and sewer infrastructure improvements in the north end of Manchester. The funds will be provided as a grant to Manchester through the Department of Energy and Environmental Protection. This bill directly affects Manchester residents in the north end by enabling upgrades to their local water and sewer systems. The key mechanism is state bond financing, with the grant specifically targeting infrastructure improvements in that specific area of the town.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesAuthorizes $5M state bonds for essential infrastructure funding, directly increasing public spending on critical services.90% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentFunds water/sewer infrastructure upgrades via DEEP to prevent pollution and ensure clean water, directly advancing environmental protection.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Debt & Bonds

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