HB 5401 Connecticut House · 2026 Regular Session

AN ACT CONCERNING REVISIONS TO THE STATE BUILDING CODE, STATE FIRE PREVENTION CODE AND FIRE SAFETY CODE.

HB 5401 updates how Connecticut adopts and revises its State Building Code. It requires the State Building Inspector and Codes Committee to base the code on a nationally recognized model, limits revisions to once every six years (or per two model cycles), and mandates provisions for energy conservation and EV charging circuits in new residential garages. The bill also imposes a temporary pause on new building standards from October 2026 to October 2032, except for safety, federal funding, or accessibility needs, and prohibits local municipalities from enforcing stricter rules than the state code during this period. Additionally, it requires mandatory training for building code officials and professionals like architects and contractors on the State Building Code and Fire Safety Code.
Bill status signed all 5 stages cleared
Introduction
Feb 2026
Committee Review
Mar 2026
House Passage
Apr 2026
Senate Passage
May 2026
Signed into Law
May 2026
Introduced Feb 26, 2026 Signed May 26, 2026
Floor votes · Senate May 6, 2026 · House Apr 9, 2026

How they voted

360
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
22
Key actions
7
Committee
2
Amendments
2
May 26, 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
Apr 9, 2026
Lower · Passed
HOUSE PASSED, HOUSE AMEND. SCH. A
lower
Apr 9, 2026
Lower · Passed
HOUSE ADOPTED HOUSE AMEND. SCH. A
lower
Mar 17, 2026
Lower · Passed
Joint Favorable
lower
Feb 26, 2026
Committee
REF. TO JOINT COMM. ON Public Safety and Security
lower
3 primary · 0 co-sponsors

Sponsors