HB 7204 Connecticut House · 2025 Regular Session

AN ACT CONCERNING LIGHTS ON VEHICLES, PENALTIES FOR VIOLATIONS OF CERTAIN STATUTES, STOPS AND SEARCHES, A PHLEBOTOMY PROGRAM STUDY, INSPECTIONS OF CERTAIN VEHICLES, TRAFFIC SAFETY CORRIDORS AND A PILOT PROGRAM TO EQUIP POLICE VEHICLES WITH CERTAIN DEVICES.

This bill revises Connecticut's rules for colored or flashing lights on vehicles. It requires permits for most non-government vehicles using blue lights (for volunteer fire/ambulance members), red lights (for fire chiefs/emergency officials), or yellow lights (for maintenance/oversize vehicle escorts), with a $20 annual fee for non-government users. Government-owned vehicles (state, local, fire departments) are exempt from permits and fees. The law specifically allows volunteer fire/ambulance members to use blue lights on their personal vehicles when responding to emergencies, with department records kept on file. It does not change penalties for traffic violations or address the other topics listed in the bill's title.
Bill status in committee 1 of 4 stages cleared
Introduction
Mar 2025
Committee Review
Floor Vote
Governor
Introduced Mar 6, 2025 Last action Apr 8, 2025
Maddy AI version diff · 1 comparison

What changed between versions

Raised Bill → PS Joint Favorable Substitute · 4 edits
MODERATE
The bill was amended to remove references to police review of recordings and a phlebotomy program study from the title. The main substantive change adds wreckers registered under section 14-66 to the list of vehicles that may use yellow or amber lights without a permit, while also clarifying that 'flashing' includes 'revolving' lights.
Scope change
The bill's scope was narrowed by removing the police recording review and phlebotomy study provisions from the title, and the eligibility for using yellow or amber lights without a permit was expanded to include wreckers.
SCOPE

Removed references to a police review of certain recordings and a phlebotomy program study from the bill title, indicating these topics are no longer included in this version.

ELIGIBILITY

Added wreckers registered pursuant to section 14-66 to the list of vehicles that may use yellow or amber lights without obtaining a permit from the Commissioner of Motor Vehicles.

DEFINITION

Clarified that when used in this section, the term 'flashing' shall be considered to include the term 'revolving'.

TECHNICAL

Changed the bill designation from 'Raised Bill No. 7204' to 'Substitute Bill No. 7204' and updated the page count from 13 to 11 pages.

Floor votes

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Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions
10
Key actions
2
Committee
3
Apr 8, 2025
Lower · Passed
REF. BY HOUSE TO COMMITTEE ON Transportation
lower
Mar 18, 2025
Lower · Passed
Joint Favorable Substitute
lower
Mar 6, 2025
Committee
REF. TO JOINT COMM. ON Public Safety and Security
lower
13 primary · 0 co-sponsors

Sponsors