HB 5521 Connecticut House · 2026 Regular Session

AN ACT CONCERNING STERILE CULTIVARS, APPLICATION REQUIREMENTS FOR THE USE OF CERTAIN MATERIALS AS FILL AND THE REVISION OF CERTAIN HOUSING-RELATED STATUTES.

This bill allows the sale and distribution of sterile plant cultivars that would normally be prohibited, provided state officials determine they cannot reproduce or spread under Connecticut's typical environmental conditions. The legislation requires the Commissioner of Energy and Environmental Protection to set standards for assessing sterility and includes provisions to revoke approval if a plant poses an ecological risk. Additionally, the bill modifies rules for energy facility permits and farmland preservation programs to ensure they do not exclude projects involving sterile cultivar production. These changes aim to balance agricultural and environmental protections with the ability to introduce sterile plant varieties into the state.
Bill status signed all 5 stages cleared
Introduction
Mar 2026
Committee Review
Mar 2026
House Passage
May 2026
Senate Passage
May 2026
Signed into Law
Jun 2026
Introduced Mar 6, 2026 Signed Jun 4, 2026
Maddy AI version diff · 1 comparison

What changed between versions

Raised Bill ENV Joint Favorable Substitute · 2 edits
MINOR
The bill was reclassified from a 'Raised Bill' to a 'Substitute Bill' with a favorable joint recommendation from legislative committees. The substantive policy text regarding sterile plant cultivars and energy facility regulations remains largely unchanged, though a technical correction was made to cite the correct chapter number for plant regulations. The bill's scope and applicability are effectively unchanged.
Scope change
None; the bill's subject matter and applicability remain the same.
TECHNICAL

The reference to the statute governing sterile cultivars was updated from 'section 22a-381b' to 'chapter 446i' for clarity and accuracy.

The bill's status changed from 'Raised Bill' to 'Substitute Bill' and received a 'Joint Favorable Substitute' recommendation, indicating committee approval.

Floor votes · Senate May 6, 2026 · House May 6, 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
27
Key actions
10
Committee
2
Amendments
4
Jun 4, 2026
Signed into law
SIGNED BY GOVERNOR
upper
May 6, 2026
Upper · Passed
HOUSE PASSED, SEN. AMEND. SCH. A
upper
May 6, 2026
Lower · Passed
HOUSE ADOPTED SEN. AMEND. SCH. A
lower
May 6, 2026
Lower · Passed
SEN. PASSED, SEN. AMEND. SCH. A
lower
May 6, 2026
Upper · Passed
SEN. PASSED, HO. AMEND. SCH. A
upper
May 6, 2026
Upper · Passed
SEN. ADOPTED SEN. AMEND. SCH. A
upper
May 6, 2026
Upper · Passed
SEN. ADOPTED HO. AMEND. SCH. A
upper
May 6, 2026
Lower · Passed
HOUSE PASSED, HOUSE AMEND. SCH. A
lower
May 6, 2026
Lower · Passed
HOUSE ADOPTED HOUSE AMEND. SCH. A
lower
Mar 18, 2026
Lower · Passed
Joint Favorable Substitute
lower
Mar 6, 2026
Committee
REF. TO JOINT COMM. ON Environment
lower
4 primary · 0 co-sponsors

Sponsors