Connecticut Bills

in committee · Connecticut · Senate Feb 20, 2026

SB 249: AN ACT CONCERNING PENSION REVOCATION OR REDUCTION FOR PUBLIC OFFICIALS AND STATE OR MUNICIPAL EMPLOYEES CONVICTED OF CRIMES RELATED TO STATE OR MUNICIPAL OFFICE.

SB 249 would require the Attorney General to seek court orders to revoke or reduce pensions for public officials or state/municipal employees convicted of specific crimes related to their positions, such as embezzlement, theft, bribery, or fraud using their official authority. It directly affects individuals who hold public office or work for state/municipal entities and are later convicted of these crimes. The law establishes that courts must presume pension revocation for public officials and reduction for employees, but these presumptions can be overturned if the court considers factors like crime severity, financial harm caused, breach of public trust, or the role in a fraud scheme. The bill takes effect July 1, 2026, and applies to convictions occurring after October 1, 2008.

Topics ✓ Criminal Justice

in committee · Connecticut · House Feb 20, 2026

HB 5187: AN ACT ADJUSTING THE FISCAL GUARDRAILS.

HB 5187 adjusts the state's budget management rules by changing how the threshold for transferring revenue to volatility funds is calculated, shifting to an inflation-adjusted five-year moving average instead of the current method. It also increases the maximum capacity of the Budget Reserve Fund to 20% of net General Fund appropriations. These changes aim to stabilize state budgeting by better accounting for inflation and allowing a larger reserve for fiscal uncertainty. The bill affects the state's budgeting procedures and the legislature's oversight of the Budget Reserve Fund.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes

in committee · Connecticut · House Feb 20, 2026

HB 5285: AN ACT CONCERNING THE ASSESSMENT OF CERTAIN MOTOR VEHICLES.

HB 5285 changes how Connecticut municipalities assess property tax on older motor vehicles. It establishes a standard rate of 10% of a vehicle's original manufacturer's suggested retail price (MSRP) or $500 (whichever is lower) for vehicles 20+ years old. Municipalities may instead adopt a modified rate of 15% of MSRP or $500 for the same vehicles. The law takes effect October 1, 2026, affecting property tax bills for owners of older vehicles across participating towns.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes

in committee · Connecticut · Senate Feb 20, 2026

SB 276: AN ACT REQUIRING MUNICIPALITIES TO POST MONTHLY REPORTS CONCERNING REVENUE AND CERTAIN EXPENDITURES.

SB 276 requires all municipalities to publicly post monthly reports on their websites detailing revenue and spending by department. Starting January 2027, municipalities must upload these reports by the 15th of each month, showing budget allocations, actual expenditures, and revenue compared to projections for the prior month. Reports must be available in both PDF and CSV formats and maintained online for three years. This bill directly affects all local governments in the state, aiming to increase transparency in how public funds are used.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes

in committee · Connecticut · Senate Feb 20, 2026

SB 100: AN ACT REDUCING CERTAIN PERSONAL INCOME TAX MARGINAL RATES.

SB 100 reduces the two lowest personal income tax rates for eligible taxpayers. It eliminates the 2% tax rate for single filers earning under $100,000 annually and lowers the 4.5% rate to 3% for those in that bracket. Similarly, it removes the 2% rate for married couples filing jointly earning under $200,000 and reduces the 4.5% rate to 3% for them. The bill directly affects low-to-moderate income earners by decreasing their tax burden on the lowest income levels. These changes apply to taxable income falling within the specified thresholds under the state's income tax code.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes

in committee · Connecticut · House Feb 20, 2026

HB 5133: AN ACT INCREASING THE HIGHEST MARGINAL RATE OF THE PERSONAL INCOME TAX.

HB 5133 increases the highest marginal personal income tax rate from 6.99% to 7.99%. This change directly affects high-income earners who currently pay the top tax rate under the state's income tax structure. The bill amends Section 12-700 of the general statutes to implement this specific percentage increase, with no other provisions or mechanisms described in the text. The measure focuses solely on adjusting the tax rate for the highest income bracket.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes

in committee · Connecticut · House Feb 20, 2026

HB 5262: AN ACT CONCERNING CERTAIN ELECTRONIC NOTICE REQUIREMENTS FOR PROPERTY AND CASUALTY INSURERS, THE STATE INSURANCE AND RISK MANAGEMENT BOARD'S RESERVE FUNDING, REVIEW OF THE MOTOR VEHICLE GLASS REPAIR NATIONAL MODEL, AND THE OFFICE OF HEALTH STRATEGY'S REPORTING REQUIREMENTS RELATED TO PRESCRIPTION DRUG FORMULARIES.

HB 5262 allows property and casualty insurers to provide policies and changes electronically instead of by mail, but only with the insured's agreement and if no personal information is included. Insurers must offer a paper copy option upon request, keep electronic records for five years after policy expiration, and clearly inform customers about their electronic delivery choices and paper copy access. This directly affects insurers and policyholders in Connecticut, shifting notice delivery methods while maintaining consumer choice. The bill takes effect October 1, 2026, and includes specific requirements for online accessibility and record retention. (Other provisions mentioned in the title, like reserve funding and drug reporting, are not detailed in the provided bill text.)

Topics ✓ Technology

in committee · Connecticut · House Feb 20, 2026

HB 5290: AN ACT CONCERNING COASTAL SITE PLAN REVIEWS FOR CERTAIN SINGLE-FAMILY RESIDENTIAL STRUCTURES.

HB 5290 exempts certain minor single-family residential structures from coastal site plan reviews, directly affecting homeowners building small additions or modifications near coastal areas. It allows local planning boards to skip pre-approval reviews for items like garages, decks, pools, fences, and utility lines, provided they don’t alter coastal resources or restrict beach access. However, new single-family homes within 100 feet of wetlands, bluffs, beaches, or dunes - except on disconnected islands - still require reviews. Local boards must instead submit quarterly reports to the Environmental Protection Commissioner detailing approved exempt structures. The changes take effect October 1, 2026.

in committee · Connecticut · Senate Feb 20, 2026

SB 253: AN ACT REPEALING SECURITY DEPOSIT MAXIMUMS.

SB 253 repeals existing limits on security deposit amounts for residential rentals in the state. It removes the previous rule that capped deposits at two months' rent for tenants under 62 and one month's rent for tenants 62 or older. The bill takes effect October 1, 2026, and no longer restricts how much landlords may charge as a security deposit. This directly affects landlords and tenants in residential rental properties, as landlords can now set deposit amounts without statutory limits. The bill focuses solely on eliminating these maximums, not on other security deposit procedures like return timelines or interest requirements.

Topics ✗ Housing

in committee · Connecticut · Senate Feb 20, 2026

SB 252: AN ACT CONCERNING ADDITIONAL PROCESSES FOR THE REVIEW OF EXISTING AGENCY REGULATIONS FOR POSSIBLE AMENDMENT OR REPEAL.

SB 252 establishes a Regulation Sunset Commission to review Connecticut state agency regulations and recommend outdated or unnecessary ones for repeal. The commission, appointed by legislative leaders and including the Office of Policy and Management secretary, will examine regulations via the eRegulations system, hold public hearings, and submit annual reports starting January 2027. It also creates an online portal (available by January 2027) for the public to request regulation amendments or repeals. This bill directly affects state agencies whose regulations are reviewed and the public who can submit input, without mandating changes but providing a structured process for evaluation.

in committee · Connecticut · Senate Feb 20, 2026

SB 242: AN ACT REQUIRING A STUDY OF THE FEASIBILITY OF REDUCING THE TIME TO SWITCH ELECTRIC SUPPLIERS.

SB 242 requires the Consumer Counsel to study whether electric customers could switch providers within 3 business days of notifying their utility, with the change reflected on their next bill. The study must consider input from electric distribution companies and be completed by January 15, 2027, for the legislature. This bill does not change current switching rules but assesses the feasibility of faster transitions for consumers. It directly affects electricity customers seeking to switch providers and the utilities managing those transitions.

in committee · Connecticut · Senate Feb 20, 2026

SB 255: AN ACT CONCERNING THE CERTIFICATION OF INDEPENDENT INSPECTORS AND INSPECTION FIRMS TO PERFORM STATE BUILDING CODE INSPECTIONS.

SB 255 establishes a state certification program for independent building inspectors and inspection firms to perform state building code inspections. It requires the State Building Inspector to create classifications with specific qualifications, insurance needs, and duties for inspectors/firms, plus an oversight audit system to ensure inspection quality. Local building officials will receive certified inspections under this program, which begins October 1, 2026. The program allows for fee waivers for applicants demonstrating financial hardship.

Bill results