Environment (Conservation) in Connecticut

in committee · Connecticut · Senate Mar 9, 2026

SB 454: AN ACT CONCERNING PARK REPLACEMENT BY MUNICIPALITIES.

This bill requires municipalities to provide replacement land when they take, convert, or repurpose land that was originally acquired for parks, recreation, or open space purposes. The replacement land must be at least equal in value and size per unit area to the original land being repurposed. Before making such changes, municipalities must hold a public hearing specifically focused on the proposed land conversion, detailing the reasons for the change and describing the replacement land. The hearing notice must be published in a local newspaper at least twice with specific timing requirements, and the hearing itself must occur within a set window after any other required public meetings. This law applies to all towns, cities, boroughs, and other political subdivisions within the state.

Topics ✓ Environment

Sub-Topics Conservation Parks & Recreation

signed · Connecticut · House Jun 4, 2026

HB 5521: 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.

Topics ✓ Environment

Sub-Topics Conservation

passed · Connecticut · House May 2, 2026

HB 5523: AN ACT CONCERNING A TRIBAL WILDLIFE AND FISHERIES ADVISORY COUNCIL.

This bill establishes a Connecticut Tribal Wildlife and Fisheries Commission to facilitate cooperation between the state and Native American tribes on managing wildlife and fisheries resources. The commission will include representatives from five tribal nations, state agencies, and academic institutions to develop comanagement agreements that integrate tribal ecological knowledge with state conservation science. Additionally, the bill provides free hunting and fishing permits to enrolled tribal members on state lands, offers access to safety and education programs, and prioritizes tribal food processing facilities for technical assistance and funding support. These measures aim to promote sustainable resource use and tribal food sovereignty while maintaining state conservation goals and protections.

Topics ✓ Environment

Sub-Topics Conservation Wildlife Tags Tribal Nations

signed · Connecticut · House Jun 2, 2026

HB 5333: AN ACT CONCERNING THE REGULATION OF STRIPED BASS FISHING IN THE STATE, A WORKING GROUP CONCERNING THE WILDLIFE CONSERVATION PROGRAM AND PROCEDURES CONCERNING THE ESTABLISHMENT OF FISH PASSAGES.

HB 5333 updates Connecticut's fishing regulations to protect marine species and clarify enforcement. It increases fines for illegally catching striped bass (up to $500 for repeat offenses), bans using horseshoe crabs or their eggs as bait, and prohibits hand-harvesting horseshoe crabs except for scientific permits. The bill also allows restaurants to sell lobsters under 6.25 inches if caught in federal areas permitting such harvest, requires catch-and-release for striped bass from December to April, and bans bait fishing in the Housatonic River downstream of Derby Dam during that period. These changes directly affect commercial and recreational fishermen, restaurants, and conservation efforts.

Topics ✓ Environment

Sub-Topics Conservation Wildlife

in committee · Connecticut · House Feb 9, 2026

HB 5074: AN ACT CONCERNING FUNDING FOR FARMLAND PRESERVATION.

HB 5074 appropriates additional funds from the General Fund to the Department of Energy and Environmental Protection for farmland preservation during the 2026-2027 fiscal year. The bill directly affects farmland preservation programs by increasing available funding for land conservation efforts. Key provision: It allocates specific budget resources to support the state's existing farmland preservation initiatives. This is a funding measure, not a new policy, aimed at strengthening current conservation work without altering program rules.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Environment

Sub-Topics Appropriations State Budget Conservation

signed · Connecticut · House May 26, 2026

HB 5401: 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.

Topics ✓ Energy ✓ Environment

Sub-Topics Electric Vehicles Energy Efficiency Conservation

in committee · Connecticut · House Apr 2, 2026

HB 5337: AN ACT CONCERNING DISTRICT HEATING SYSTEM INCENTIVES.

HB 5337 requires gas companies to create incentive programs for customers connecting to district heating systems that capture and distribute waste heat (minimum 30 million BTUs annually). These incentives, based on projected natural gas demand reductions using historical usage data, pay end-use customers for switching to district heating systems. The program must operate by March 2016 through June 2027, with the state Commissioner of Energy establishing a replacement program by July 2027. Funding is capped at $9 million total, collected through utility rates from gas customers in the system's service area, with payments limited to equivalent savings from existing conservation programs. This directly affects gas companies, district heating operators, and residential/commercial end-users who connect to qualifying systems.

Topics ✓ Energy ✓ Environment

Sub-Topics Oil & Gas Conservation

signed · Connecticut · House Jun 4, 2026

HB 5153: AN ACT CONCERNING MINOR REVISIONS TO DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY AND ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION RELATED STATUTES.

HB 5153 creates a new electric vehicle rebate program prioritizing residents in environmental justice communities and low-income households. It allows rebates or vouchers for purchasing or leasing battery electric, plug-in hybrid, or fuel cell vehicles, with income eligibility capped at 300% of the federal poverty level and a 200% bonus for qualifying residents. Vehicles must cost $50,000 or less, and rebates prioritize those in environmental justice communities or participating in state assistance programs. The bill also makes minor adjustments to land conservation grant rules, allowing urban agriculture or habitat restoration on publicly owned land in targeted communities, but this affects less than 20% of annual grant funding.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Energy ✓ Environment

Sub-Topics Procurement Electric Vehicles Energy Storage Conservation Environmental Justice

in committee · Connecticut · House Apr 7, 2026

HB 5330: AN ACT CONCERNING CERTAIN WILDLIFE ACTION PLANS.

HB 5330 establishes a state conservation program for wildlife species not traditionally harvested, requiring Connecticut's Department of Energy and Environmental Protection to implement actions like habitat protection, climate impact monitoring, and assistance for private landowners. The bill creates a legislative working group with representatives from conservation groups, universities, local governments, water utilities, and agricultural organizations to develop a funding plan for the program, with a report due by January 15, 2027. It also authorizes the sale of wildlife-themed merchandise (e.g., stamps, posters) to generate revenue for the program, which will be allocated to the conservation efforts. The program takes effect on October 1, 2026.

Topics ✓ Environment

Sub-Topics Conservation Wildlife

in committee · Connecticut · House Apr 2, 2026

HB 5248: AN ACT CONCERNING ENERGY EFFICIENCY AND TRANSMISSION PLANNING.

HB 5248 updates Connecticut's appliance efficiency standards to promote energy conservation. It requires the Energy Commissioner to periodically review and raise efficiency standards for products like appliances and plumbing fixtures, ensuring they are cost-effective for consumers (with a 5-year payback period max) and may incorporate standards from other states or third parties. The bill also clarifies that these efficiency standards take precedence over conflicting building codes and allows for adopting standards from states like California without new state-specific testing. It directly affects appliance manufacturers, retailers, and consumers purchasing new energy-efficient products.

Topics ✓ Energy ✓ Environment

Sub-Topics Energy Efficiency Conservation

All environment bills