HB 5334 Connecticut House · 2026 Regular Session

AN ACT CONCERNING RIPARIAN AREAS.

HB 5334 amends Connecticut's wetlands and watercourse protection laws by clarifying key terms and expanding protections. It defines "riparian area" as land bordering watercourses (delineated by the ordinary high-water mark) and specifies "natural vegetative cover" as native plants (excluding lawns and invasive species). The bill explicitly excludes "water-dependent uses" (like marinas, fishing facilities, and waterfront industries) from "regulated activity," meaning these operations won't require permits for direct water access. This change aims to balance environmental protection with economic activities that rely on water resources, directly affecting property owners, developers, and businesses near waterways.

Issues: ✓ Environment

Bill status signed all 5 stages cleared

Introduction

Feb 2026

Committee Review

Apr 2026

House Passage

May 2026

Senate Passage

May 2026

Signed into Law

May 2026

Introduced Feb 26, 2026 Signed May 20, 2026

Maddy AI version diff · 1 comparison

What changed between versions

Raised Bill → ENV Joint Favorable Substitute · 6 edits

MODERATE

The bill was converted from a 'Raised Bill' to a 'Substitute Bill' after committee review, incorporating specific amendments to Connecticut's wetland and watercourse protection laws. These changes update legal definitions, clarify exemptions for farming and residential uses, and modify how the Department of Energy and Environmental Protection evaluates applications.

Scope change

The bill's scope was refined by adding new definitions for terms like 'regulated activity' and 'water-dependent uses,' and by expanding exemptions for activities such as road construction related to farming and maintenance of drainage pipes.

DEFINITION

Updated the definition of 'regulated activity' to explicitly include the removal of natural vegetative cover in riparian areas.

Added new definitions for 'prudent,' 'riparian area,' 'natural vegetative cover,' and 'water-dependent uses' to clarify regulatory standards.

ELIGIBILITY

Expanded exemptions for farming operations to explicitly include road construction and building erection when directly related to the farm.

Refined exemptions for residential properties by specifying lot size limits and restricting vegetation removal within ten feet of watercourses.

Clarified that maintenance of drainage pipes and culverts is exempt from regulation if the property is zoned residential and lacks hydrophytic vegetation.

REQUIREMENT

Added a requirement for the commissioner to consider 'prudent alternatives' that cause less environmental impact when reviewing applications.

Floor votes · Senate May 6, 2026 · House May 4, 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

May 20, 2026

Signed into law

SIGNED BY GOVERNOR

lower

May 6, 2026

Senate · Passed

Senate Vote: pass (36-0)

senate

May 5, 2026

Upper · Passed

SEN. PASSED, HO. AMEND. SCH. A

upper

May 5, 2026

Upper · Passed

SEN. ADOPTED HO. AMEND. SCH. A

upper

May 4, 2026

Lower · Passed

HOUSE PASSED, HOUSE AMEND. SCH. A

lower

May 4, 2026

Lower · Passed

HOUSE ADOPTED HOUSE AMEND. SCH. A

lower

Apr 13, 2026

Lower · Passed

Joint Favorable

lower

Apr 7, 2026

Lower · Passed

REF. BY HOUSE TO COMMITTEE ON Appropriations

lower

Mar 13, 2026

Lower · Passed

Joint Favorable Substitute

lower

Feb 26, 2026

Committee

REF. TO JOINT COMM. ON Environment

lower

29 primary · 0 co-sponsors