HB 5153 Connecticut House · 2026 Regular Session

AN ACT CONCERNING MINOR REVISIONS TO DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY AND ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION RELATED STATUTES.

HB 5153 creates a new electric vehicle rebate program prioritizing residents in environmental justice communities and low-income households. It allows rebates or vouchers for purchasing or leasing battery electric, plug-in hybrid, or fuel cell vehicles, with income eligibility capped at 300% of the federal poverty level and a 200% bonus for qualifying residents. Vehicles must cost $50,000 or less, and rebates prioritize those in environmental justice communities or participating in state assistance programs. The bill also makes minor adjustments to land conservation grant rules, allowing urban agriculture or habitat restoration on publicly owned land in targeted communities, but this affects less than 20% of annual grant funding.

Bill status signed all 5 stages cleared

Introduction

Feb 2026

Committee Review

Mar 2026

House Passage

May 2026

Senate Passage

May 2026

Signed into Law

Jun 2026

Introduced Feb 11, 2026 Signed Jun 4, 2026

Maddy AI version diff · 1 comparison

What changed between versions

Raised Bill → ENV Joint Favorable Substitute · 5 edits

MODERATE

The bill was revised from a 'Raised Bill' to a 'Substitute Bill' with significant updates to eligibility criteria and rebate amounts. The changes expand the definition of eligible communities to include 'targeted investment communities' and clarify that open space must be located in a 'distressed municipality.' Additionally, the financial incentive for residents in environmental justice communities was increased, raising the rebate amount to at least 200% of the standard level.

Scope change

The scope of eligible areas for open space protection was expanded to include 'targeted investment communities' and 'distressed municipalities,' and the definition of eligible residents was updated to specify 'income-qualified' status.

ELIGIBILITY

The definition of eligible open space locations was updated to require the land to be in a 'distressed municipality,' 'targeted investment community,' or 'environmental justice community,' adding 'targeted investment community' as a new category.

The text specifying eligible residents was changed from 'income qualified resident' to 'income-qualified resident' to improve clarity.

FISCAL

The financial benefit for residents in environmental justice communities was increased, changing the rebate amount from 'two hundred per cent [more than]' to simply 'two hundred per cent' of the standard rebate level.

REQUIREMENT

A new requirement was added allowing the Commissioner to prioritize granting rebates to non-income-qualified residents of environmental justice communities over other non-income-qualified residents.

TECHNICAL

The bill type was changed from 'Raised Bill' to 'Substitute Bill,' and the page count was updated from 6 pages to 9 pages.

Floor votes · Senate May 6, 2026 · House May 1, 2026

How they voted

36–0

Passed

Total votes 36

May 6, 2026

D Democratic25

25 Yea

100% Yea

R Republican11

11 Yea

100% Yea

Vote distribution

All Yea All Nay Mixed No data

Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions

Key actions

Committee

Amendments

Jun 4, 2026

Signed into law

SIGNED BY GOVERNOR

lower

May 6, 2026

Upper · Passed

SEN. PASSED, HO. AMEND. SCH. A

upper

May 6, 2026

Upper · Passed

SEN. ADOPTED HO. AMEND. SCH. A

upper

May 1, 2026

Lower · Passed

HOUSE PASSED, HOUSE AMEND. SCH. A

lower

May 1, 2026

Lower · Passed

HOUSE ADOPTED HOUSE AMEND. SCH. A

lower

Mar 4, 2026

Lower · Passed

Joint Favorable Substitute

lower

Feb 11, 2026

Committee

REF. TO JOINT COMM. ON Environment

lower

9 primary · 0 co-sponsors