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HB 6222 Connecticut House · 2025 Regular Session

AN ACT CONCERNING THE TAKING OF EASTERN OYSTERS AND INVASIVE AQUATIC SPECIES.

HB 6222 requires Connecticut's Agriculture Commissioner to review a university study on minimum eastern oyster size limits by February 2026, with recommendations to the environment committee based on scientific input. It repeals an existing law and creates a new licensing system for bait dealers, mandating a $63 annual license to sell bait species (excluding live carp and goldfish) and requiring record-keeping and reporting. The bill directly affects commercial oyster harvesters (through future size regulations) and businesses selling bait (through new licensing rules). Key provisions include mandatory licenses for bait dealers, prohibitions on certain invasive species (live carp/goldfish), and annual reporting requirements to prevent illegal sales. The law takes effect October 1, 2025.
Issues: ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill regulates oyster harvesting size limits for conservation and manages invasive species via bait licensing, directly supporting environmental protection through sustainable resource management.85% confidence
Bill status signed all 5 stages cleared
Introduction
Jan 2025
Committee Review
Mar 2025
House Passage
May 2025
Senate Passage
May 2025
Signed into Law
Jun 2025
Introduced Jan 23, 2025 Signed Jun 3, 2025
Maddy AI version diff · 2 comparisons

What changed between versions

Committee Bill → ENV Joint Favorable Substitute · 5 edits
MODERATE
The bill was substantially rewritten to shift from a comprehensive aquaculture development act to a focused regulation of oyster harvesting and invasive species management. The original bill included provisions for oyster shell recycling, seaweed production, and aquaculture diversity reports, which were all removed. The new version establishes a study to determine appropriate minimum oyster harvest sizes and creates a commercial license for harvesting invasive aquatic species like green crabs.
Scope change
The bill's scope narrowed significantly from broad aquaculture development to specifically regulating eastern oyster harvest sizes and invasive species collection.
REQUIREMENT

All provisions related to oyster shell recycling programs, including definitions, permitting processes, and designated recycling sites were removed.

Sections requiring studies on seaweed production and aquaculture diversity/inclusion reports were removed.

New requirement for the Commissioner of Agriculture to conduct a study on appropriate minimum oyster harvest sizes and submit recommendations by February 1, 2026.

ELIGIBILITY

New commercial license established for harvesting invasive aquatic species including green crabs and Asian shore crabs, allowing sale for bait, human consumption, or to restaurants.

TIMELINE

Changed effective date from July 1, 2025 to October 1, 2025 for the invasive species provisions.

Floor votes · Senate May 22, 2025 · House May 13, 2025

How they voted

35–0
Passed · 1 other
Total votes 36
May 22, 2025
D Democratic25
24 Yea 1
96% Yea
R Republican11
11 Yea
100% Yea
Vote distribution
All Yea All Nay Mixed No data
Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions
24
Key actions
7
Committee
4
Amendments
2
Jun 3, 2025
Signed into law
SIGNED BY GOVERNOR
lower
May 22, 2025
Upper · Passed
SEN. PASSED, HO. AMEND. SCH. A
upper
May 22, 2025
Upper · Passed
SEN. ADOPTED HO. AMEND. SCH. A
upper
May 13, 2025
Lower · Passed
HOUSE PASSED, HOUSE AMEND. SCH. A
lower
May 13, 2025
Lower · Passed
HOUSE ADOPTED HOUSE AMEND. SCH. A
lower
Mar 28, 2025
Lower · Passed
Joint Favorable Substitute
lower
Mar 6, 2025
Committee
REF. TO JOINT COMM. ON Environment
lower
Mar 5, 2025
Lower · Passed
DRAFTED BY COMMITTEE
lower
Jan 23, 2025
Committee
REF. TO JOINT COMM. ON Environment
lower
0 primary · 0 co-sponsors

Sponsors

No sponsor information available.