Connecticut Bills | MyRepTracker

passed · Connecticut · Senate May 6, 2026

SJ 63: RESOLUTION CONFIRMING THE NOMINATION OF EVERETT SMITH III OF GREENWICH TO BE A UTILITY COMMISSIONER OF THE PUBLIC UTILITIES REGULATORY AUTHORITY.

This bill confirms the Governor's nomination of Everett Smith III of Greenwich to serve as a utility commissioner on the Public Utilities Regulatory Authority. The resolution approves his appointment to fill the vacancy left by Michael A. Caron, with a term extending until June 30, 2030, or until a successor is appointed and qualified. This action directly affects the composition of the state agency responsible for regulating public utilities. The bill is a procedural measure that formalizes the appointment process without altering the agency's powers or responsibilities.

passed · Connecticut · Senate May 6, 2026

SJ 62: RESOLUTION CONFIRMING THE NOMINATION OF THOMAS WIEHL OF MADISON TO BE A UTILITY COMMISSIONER OF THE PUBLIC UTILITIES REGULATORY AUTHORITY.

This bill confirms the governor's nomination of Thomas Wiehl of Madison to serve as a utility commissioner on the Public Utilities Regulatory Authority board. The resolution approves his appointment to fill the vacancy left by Marissa Paslick Gillett, with a term scheduled to end on June 30, 2030. By passing this joint resolution, the state legislature formally validates Wiehl's selection for this regulatory position. The measure is a procedural confirmation that does not alter existing utility laws or policies.

passed · Connecticut · Senate May 6, 2026

SB 425: AN ACT REQUIRING ANNUAL STATE AGENCY PERFORMANCE PLANS.

This bill requires all state executive branch agencies to create and follow annual performance plans that outline their strategic and operational goals. Starting in July 2027, each agency must submit a report on its progress toward these goals to the Office of Policy and Management and the relevant legislative committee. The Office of Policy and Management will provide guidelines and technical assistance for developing these plans and will conduct regular performance evaluations of most agencies at least every two years. Some independent regulatory bodies are exempt from these reporting and evaluation requirements. The legislation aims to improve transparency and accountability by establishing a standardized process for tracking agency performance.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes

passed · Connecticut · House May 6, 2026

HB 5565: AN ACT CONCERNING A STUDY OF THE CIVIL AND CRIMINAL LAWS OF THIS STATE.

This bill establishes a working group to review and recommend changes to specific sections of the state's civil and criminal laws. The group will consist of six members appointed by various legislative leaders, including the Speaker of the House, Senate leadership, and both majority and minority leaders. The working group is required to submit its findings and recommendations by January 1, 2027, to the judiciary committee. The bill focuses on analyzing Titles 46b, 51, 52, 53, 53a, and 54 of the general statutes without making immediate policy changes itself.

passed · Connecticut · House May 6, 2026

HB 5472: AN ACT CONCERNING THE SAFETY OF ENERGY GENERATION SOURCES AND ENERGY STORAGE SYSTEMS.

This bill establishes new safety reporting and emergency response requirements for energy generation and storage facilities in Connecticut. It mandates that facility operators report major incidents, such as those requiring emergency shutdowns or hospitalizations, within five days and minor shutdowns within 30 days to the Connecticut Siting Council. Starting in 2027, operators must designate an emergency contact person available to respond within one hour and post their contact information at facility entrances. Beginning in 2028, the council will annually report all incident data to the state legislature, and the council may require applicants to provide emergency services training to local firefighters at the applicant's expense.

Topics ✓ Energy

passed · Connecticut · House May 6, 2026

HB 5497: AN ACT ESTABLISHING A TASK FORCE TO STUDY THE EFFECTS OF ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE ON THE TRADES INDUSTRY.

This bill creates a task force to examine how artificial intelligence impacts the trades industry, specifically looking at job displacement and current training curricula. The task force will include representatives from both legislative chambers, the Labor Commissioner, and the Technical Education and Career System, with members appointed by various leadership positions. Separately, the bill requires the Commissioner of Public Health to study whether a state-wide certified nursing assistant training program is feasible. Both the task force and the commissioner must submit their reports by January 1, 2027, to the relevant legislative committees.

passed · Connecticut · House May 6, 2026

HB 5224: AN ACT CONCERNING THE DEPARTMENT OF CONSUMER PROTECTION'S RECOMMENDATIONS REGARDING VARIOUS GUARANTY FUNDS.

HB 5224 updates Connecticut's Real Estate Guaranty Fund rules to better protect consumers defrauded by real estate licensees. It caps compensation at $25,000 per transaction (not per person) for losses due to embezzlement, fraud, or misrepresentation by agents or their unlicensed employees. The bill also sets a $500,000 maximum fund balance, requires licensees who trigger fund payments to repay the amount plus 10% interest, and limits claims to two years after a final court or arbitration decision. These changes directly affect real estate professionals who commit misconduct and consumers seeking redress for financial harm.

passed · Connecticut · House May 6, 2026

HB 5244: AN ACT CONCERNING THE DEPARTMENT OF ECONOMIC AND COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT'S RECOMMENDATIONS REGARDING THE AGENCY FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE CAP AND EMPLOYMENT PROMISSORY NOTES.

HB 5244 increases Connecticut's financial assistance cap for business projects from $10 million to $25 million over two years (amending Statute 32-462), affecting businesses seeking state funding for non-housing projects. It also creates an exception allowing employment promissory notes for educational personnel under collective bargaining agreements (amending Statute 31-51r), while maintaining the general prohibition on such notes as a condition of employment. The bill takes effect July 1, 2026, for the cap change and immediately for the promissory note exception. These changes directly impact businesses applying for state economic development funds and educational employers negotiating with staff.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes

passed · Connecticut · House May 6, 2026

HB 5281: AN ACT CONCERNING PLANNING AND DEVELOPMENT.

HB 5281 (2026) requires planning commissions to publish notices of all official actions or decisions - including approvals or denials of subdivision plans - in a local newspaper with substantial circulation within 15 days. This applies to all commission decisions, not just subdivision plans, and takes effect October 1, 2026. The bill clarifies existing notice requirements, replacing Section 8-28 of the general statutes. It directly affects planning commissions and municipalities by mandating standardized public notice procedures for their decisions.

passed · Connecticut · Senate May 6, 2026

SB 292: AN ACT CONCERNING THE DEFINITION OF "CHILD SEXUAL ABUSE MATERIAL".

SB 292 amends Connecticut law to clarify and expand the definition of "child sexual abuse material" for legal enforcement. It defines this material as any visual depiction (including digital content) showing a person under 16 years old, or someone appearing under 16, engaged in sexually explicit conduct. Key provisions specify that "sexually explicit conduct" includes acts like intercourse, masturbation, sadomasochistic abuse, and lascivious exhibition of genitals. This definition directly affects law enforcement, prosecutors, and individuals or platforms distributing such content, effective October 1, 2026.

Topics ✓ Criminal Justice

passed · Connecticut · House May 6, 2026

HB 5426: AN ACT REQUIRING THE AVAILABILITY OF AN ADVISOR DURING DISCIPLINARY PROCEEDINGS AT INSTITUTIONS OF HIGHER EDUCATION.

HB 5426 requires all state institutions of higher education to allow students to bring an advisor or support person of their choice to disciplinary meetings starting July 1, 2026. This directly affects students facing disciplinary actions at public colleges and universities, ensuring they can have support during these proceedings. The policy must be adopted by August 1, 2026, with two key conditions: the advisor cannot delay the meeting, and for sexual assault, stalking, or intimate partner violence cases, existing state policies (Section 10a-55m) override this rule if they differ. The bill does not change disciplinary outcomes but mandates institutional policy changes to provide student support.

Topics ✓ Education

passed · Connecticut · Senate May 6, 2026

SB 310: AN ACT CONCERNING THE ESTABLISHMENT OF A PILOT PROGRAM TO TRAIN CERTIFIED WASTEWATER TREATMENT FACILITY OPERATORS.

SB 310 (2026) requires the Technical Education and Career System to study expanding vocational education to K-8 students, with a report due January 1, 2027. It also establishes a pilot program offering wastewater treatment operator training courses at technical schools for the 2026-2027 school year, requiring a report by January 1, 2027, on enrollment, certification timelines, and expansion recommendations. The bill directly affects K-8 students (via the study) and technical school students (via the pilot program). Key provisions mandate specific studies and reporting deadlines to assess program feasibility and effectiveness before potential expansion.

Topics ✓ Education