HB 5154 Connecticut House · 2026 Regular Session

AN ACT CONCERNING CERTAIN REVISIONS TO THE DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY AND ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION'S PERMITTING AUTHORITY.

HB 5154 allows Connecticut's Department of Energy and Environmental Protection to issue general permits for certain activities instead of individual permits, reducing administrative steps for businesses and projects. It automatically renews solid waste facility permits after 90 days if a complete renewal application is submitted and the agency takes no action. The bill also establishes a new process for approving solid waste management demonstration projects, requiring a $1,000 fee and ensuring projects meet environmental safety standards. These changes streamline permitting while maintaining environmental protections for affected entities.

Bill status in committee 1 of 4 stages cleared

Introduction

Feb 2026

Committee Review

Floor Vote

Governor

Introduced Feb 11, 2026 Last action Apr 7, 2026

Maddy AI version diff · 1 comparison

What changed between versions

Raised Bill → ENV Joint Favorable Substitute · 3 edits

MINOR

The bill was converted from a 'Raised Bill' to a 'Substitute Bill' with a favorable amendment that adds a mandatory environmental impact test. Before this change, the Commissioner could issue general permits for any activity authorized by an individual permit. Now, the Commissioner must determine that the activity causes minimal environmental effects both separately and cumulatively before issuing such a permit, and this determination must be included in the public notice.

Scope change

The scope of the new general permit authority was narrowed by adding a specific environmental impact requirement.

REQUIREMENT

Added a requirement that the Commissioner must determine an activity causes minimal environmental effects before issuing a general permit.

Added a requirement that the Commissioner's environmental determination must be specified in the public notice for the general permit.

TECHNICAL

Changed the text regarding permit renewal to require a 'technical review' before the Commissioner can deem an application sufficient.

Floor votes

How they voted

No floor votes recorded yet.

Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions

Key actions

Committee

Mar 18, 2026

Lower · Passed

Joint Favorable Substitute

lower

Feb 11, 2026

Committee

REF. TO JOINT COMM. ON Environment

lower

2 primary · 0 co-sponsors