SB 321 Connecticut Senate · 2026 Regular Session

AN ACT CONCERNING REQUIREMENTS FOR CERTAIN EXCAVATION PROJECTS.

SB 321 modifies a state law to clarify that contractors or property owners obtaining permits for excavation work in public highways are not required to keep the excavation site open after work is completed - unless the specific permit explicitly states this requirement. The bill directly affects those performing highway excavations by removing a default obligation to maintain open sites, streamlining post-work procedures. Key provisions specify that permit conditions alone can dictate site maintenance, not the underlying law. This change aims to reduce unnecessary delays and costs for contractors without altering existing permit requirements. The law takes effect October 1, 2026.

Bill status signed all 5 stages cleared

Introduction

Feb 2026

Committee Review

Mar 2026

Senate Passage

Apr 2026

House Passage

May 2026

Signed into Law

May 2026

Introduced Feb 26, 2026 Signed May 20, 2026

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What changed between versions

Raised Bill → ET Joint Favorable Substitute · 5 edits

MODERATE

The bill shifts from a narrow rule exempting companies from keeping excavation sites open to a comprehensive mandate requiring the Public Utilities Regulatory Authority to create a standardized process for installing underground conduits in public rights-of-way. This change aims to reduce future street digging by ensuring conduits are built with enough capacity for future fiber optic needs and are accessible to all providers on fair terms.

Scope change

The bill's scope expanded significantly from a limited exemption regarding excavation timelines to a broad regulatory framework governing the construction, capacity, and access of underground telecommunications infrastructure across all public highways and rights-of-way.

REQUIREMENT

Requires the Public Utilities Regulatory Authority to develop a new process for approving underground facility construction applications by telecommunications and broadband providers.

Replaced the old exemption about excavation site duration with specific technical requirements for conduit size, handhole placement, and the inclusion of pull tape to accommodate future cables.

ELIGIBILITY

Mandates that any provider requesting access to the new conduits must be granted access on a competitively neutral and nondiscriminatory basis at cost-based rates.

ENFORCEMENT

Establishes new civil penalties for providers who fail to comply with the new construction and access requirements.

TIMELINE

Changed the effective date of the new section from October 1, 2026, to October 1, 2027, and added a deadline for the authority to initiate the new approval process by January 1, 2027.

Floor votes · Senate Apr 30, 2026 · House May 4, 2026

How they voted

36–0

Passed

Total votes 36

Apr 30, 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

upper

May 4, 2026

Lower · Passed

HOUSE PASSED, SEN. AMEND. SCH. A

lower

May 4, 2026

Lower · Passed

HOUSE ADOPTED SEN. AMEND. SCH. A

lower

Apr 30, 2026

Upper · Passed

SEN. PASSED, SEN. AMEND. SCH. A

upper

Apr 30, 2026

Upper · Passed

SEN. ADOPTED SEN. AMEND. SCH. A

upper

Mar 17, 2026

Upper · Passed

Joint Favorable Substitute

upper

Feb 26, 2026

Committee

REF. TO JOINT COMM. ON Energy and Technology

upper

7 primary · 0 co-sponsors