AN ACT CONCERNING THE UNIFORM RELOCATION ASSISTANCE ACT.
HB 5394 updates Connecticut's relocation assistance rules for people displaced from homes due to government actions like redevelopment or code enforcement. It sets a $4,000 limit for payments to help displaced homeowners cover rent for up to four years or a down payment on a new safe, decent home (with a $2,000 matching requirement for larger down payments). Landlords become financially responsible for relocation costs if tenants are displaced due to local code enforcement, and towns/cities can place liens on landlords' property to recover these payments. This bill directly affects displaced homeowners, tenants, landlords, and municipalities managing relocation programs, replacing outdated provisions with clearer payment standards effective October 2026.
Bill status
passed
3 of 5 stages cleared
Introduction
Feb 2026
Committee Review
Mar 2026
House Passage
Apr 2026
Senate Passage
Governor
Introduced Feb 26, 2026
Last action Apr 30, 2026
Maddy AI version diff · 1 comparison
What changed between versions
Raised Bill
→
PD Joint Favorable Substitute
·
3 edits
MINOR
The bill was converted from a 'Raised Bill' to a 'Substitute Bill', indicating it has been amended by a legislative committee. The most significant substantive change is the addition of hotel accommodations as a valid option for displaced persons, alongside leasing or purchasing homes. Additionally, the bill clarifies the financial responsibilities of landlords when tenants are displaced due to code enforcement, specifying that landlords must have liens placed on their properties and must assign claims for relocation costs to the state.
Scope change
The bill's scope was expanded to include hotel stays as a relocation option, and the enforcement mechanism for code enforcement displacements was clarified to require specific actions from landlords.
ELIGIBILITY
Added hotel accommodations as a permissible relocation option for displaced persons, defined under section 12-407.
ENFORCEMENT
Clarified that landlords displaced by code enforcement must have liens placed on their real property and must assign claims for relocation costs to the state.
TECHNICAL
Changed the bill title from 'Raised Bill' to 'Substitute Bill' and updated the committee reference, reflecting legislative processing status.
Floor votes · House Apr 29, 2026
How they voted
148–0
Passed · 2 other
Total votes 150
Apr 29, 2026
D
Democratic101
98% Yea
R
Republican49
100% Yea
Vote distribution
All Yea
All Nay
Mixed
No data
Full legislative history
Actions timeline
Total actions
15
Key actions
3
Committee
2
Amendments
1
Apr 29, 2026
Lower · Passed
HOUSE PASSED, HOUSE AMEND. SCH. A
lower
Apr 29, 2026
Lower · Passed
HOUSE ADOPTED HOUSE AMEND. SCH. A
lower
Mar 13, 2026
Lower · Passed
Joint Favorable Substitute
lower
Feb 26, 2026
Committee
REF. TO JOINT COMM. ON Planning and Development
lower
3 primary · 0 co-sponsors
Sponsors
Role
Legislator
Party
State
District
P
Bill Pizzuto
RRepublican
P
Craig Fishbein
RRepublican
P
Ken Gucker
DDemocratic/Working Families
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