All Roll Calls
Yes: 0 • No: 0
ConnecticutHB 051532026 Regular SessionHouseWALLET
AN ACT CONCERNING MINOR REVISIONS TO DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY AND ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION RELATED STATUTES.
Sponsored By: Environment Committee
Signed by Governor
Summary
To make minor revisions to various statutes under the authority of the Department of Energy and Environmental Protection.
environment
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Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
11 provisions identified: 8 benefits, 3 costs, 0 mixed.
Bigger electric-car rebates for lower-income buyers
Connecticut must prioritize electric-car rebates for residents earning no more than 300% of the federal poverty level or receiving specified public assistance. Income-qualified residents who receive an award get at least twice the standard rebate or voucher amount. Eligible purchases and leases include new and used battery-electric, plug-in hybrid, and fuel-cell vehicles. The commissioner may also prioritize other residents of environmental justice communities over other buyers who do not qualify by income.
Hunters gain private-land Sunday deer access
Beginning October 1, 2026, deer hunting is allowed on private land on Sundays, although Sunday otherwise remains generally closed. Sunday private-land hunting remains banned within 40 yards of a marked trail open to the public. The written-permission rule for Sunday deer or turkey hunting exempts holders of a private-land turkey permit or specified free resident game-bird stamp. The law also removes powder and wadding from the muzzleloader definition. Muzzleloaders must still load projectiles at the muzzle, be at least .45 caliber, and be unable to fire self-contained cartridges.
Small fire-service debts can be forgiven
Beginning October 1, 2026, the State Forest Fire Warden can forgive a forest-fire service debt. Forgiveness is allowed when the state's administrative collection costs exceed the amount owed. The law sets no fixed dollar cutoff and does not require forgiveness.
Companies can get goose-control approval
Beginning October 1, 2026, approved companies can receive state permission to capture or kill resident Canada geese. They must submit an approved plan addressing nuisance problems or environmental damage. Plans must ban feeding, require native plantings that discourage geese, and provide notice to neighboring landowners before work starts. Snares are not allowed.
More land projects qualify for grants
Open-space grants can support restoration, protection, or urban farming on qualifying municipal or nonprofit conservation land. Eligibility includes land immediately next to a qualifying environmental justice census block group. Acquisition grants can also cover land with a conservation restriction created within six months before the grant application deadline. Nonfederal restriction holders must place their rights behind the state's rights. The commissioner must approve that arrangement and find that both interests form one combined acquisition.
Grants help schools get cleaner buses
State grants help municipalities, school districts, and school-bus operators buy or lease zero-emission school buses and charging or fueling equipment. Grants can supply part of the money needed to maximize federal or other funding or financing. The commissioner sets how much recipients must contribute to match the grant. Applications for buses operating mainly in environmental justice communities receive preference.
Fire crews get emergency billing extensions
Beginning October 1, 2026, the State Forest Fire Warden can extend the deadline for submitting forest-fire service bills during emergencies. The normal one-month filing period can be extended to no more than four months. This gives district and deputy wardens and volunteer fire companies more time to submit bills.
More low-impact activities qualify for general permits
Beginning July 1, 2026, Connecticut's environmental commissioner can authorize more activities through general permits instead of individual permits. The activity must already be eligible for an individual permit. Its environmental effects must be minimal, both alone and combined with other activity. Existing statutory prohibitions on general permits still apply.
Fish-passage petitions now need ten people
Beginning June 4, 2026, at least 10 people must submit a petition seeking fish passage at a hydroelectric dam. This applies to dams outside Federal Energy Regulatory Commission jurisdiction. Previously, one person could submit the petition. A petition requires state evaluation, not a guaranteed fish-passage project.
Tighter fire bans and higher fines
Beginning October 1, 2026, brush burning is banned when fire danger is high, very high, or extreme within 100 feet of woodland or grassland. The State Forest Fire Warden can ban open flames on department-controlled land when the commissioner finds it necessary. During extreme drought or other hazardous fire conditions, the Governor can ban open-air fires in designated areas for a stated period. That authority is separate from closing woodland and brush land to entry. Violating a proclamation brings a $500–$1,000 fine, up from $5–$100, up to six months in jail, or both.
Water-system permits cover more maintenance discharges
Effective upon passage, drinking-water discharge permit rules cover more wastewater from public and private water systems. Covered flows include tank or line draining for maintenance or pressure testing, process sampling, equipment leaks or bleed-off, and periodic hydrant flushing. Water-system operators must account for these flows under the permit rules.
Sponsors & Cosponsors
Sponsor
Environment Committee
Affiliation unavailable
Cosponsors
Aundre Bumgardner
Democratic • House
Brandon Chafee
Democratic • House
Farley Santos
Democratic • House
John-Michael Parker
Democratic • House
Joseph P. Gresko
Democratic • House
Josh Elliott
Democratic • House
Kenneth Gucker
Democratic • House
Rob Sampson
Republican • Senate
Tom Delnicki
Republican • House
Roll Call Votes
Senate vote • 3/4/2026
Senate Roll Call Vote 381
Yes: 0 • No: 0
House vote • 3/4/2026
House Roll Call Vote 190 AS AMENDED
Yes: 0 • No: 0
House vote • 3/4/2026
ENV Vote Tally Sheet (Joint Favorable Substitute)
Yes: 0 • No: 0
Actions Timeline
Signed by the Governor
6/4/2026legislatureTransmitted by Secretary of the State to Governor
5/27/2026legislatureTransmitted to the Secretary of State
5/27/2026legislaturePublic Act 26-124
5/20/2026legislatureOn Consent Calendar / In Concurrence
5/6/2026legislatureSenate Passed as Amended by House Amendment Schedule A
5/6/2026SenateSenate Adopted House Amendment Schedule A
5/6/2026SenateSenate Calendar Number 537
5/2/2026SenateFavorable Report, Tabled for the Calendar, Senate
5/2/2026SenateImmediate Transmittal to the Senate
5/1/2026SenateHouse Passed as Amended by House Amendment Schedule A
5/1/2026HouseHouse Adopted House Amendment Schedule A 5674
5/1/2026HouseFile Number 87
3/19/2026legislatureHouse Calendar Number 79
3/19/2026HouseFavorable Report, Tabled for the Calendar, House
3/19/2026HouseReported Out of Legislative Commissioners' Office
3/19/2026legislatureReferred to Office of Legislative Research and Office of Fiscal Analysis 03/18/26 5:00 PM
3/13/2026legislatureFiled with Legislative Commissioners' Office
3/5/2026legislatureJoint Favorable Substitute
3/4/2026legislaturePublic Hearing 02/20
2/13/2026legislatureReferred to Joint Committee on Environment
2/11/2026legislature
Bill Text
Public Act No. 26-124
5/20/2026
File No. 87
3/19/2026
ENV Joint Favorable Substitute
3/4/2026
Raised Bill
2/11/2026
Bill Analysis For File Copy 87
Bill Analysis for HB-5153, as amended by House "A"
ENV Joint Fav. Rpt
ENV Vote Tally Sheet (Joint Favorable Substitute)
Fiscal Note For File Copy 87
Fiscal Note for Amendment LCO 5007 (State Mandate)
Fiscal Note for Amendment LCO 5118 (State Mandate)
Fiscal Note for Amendment LCO 5261 (See Fiscal Note Details)
Fiscal Note for Amendment LCO 5353 (See Fiscal Note Details)
Fiscal Note for Amendment LCO 5674 (Revenue)
Fiscal Note for HB-5153, As Amended by House "A" (LCO 5674)
House LCO Amendment #5007 (J)
House LCO Amendment #5118 (J)
House LCO Amendment #5261 (J)
House LCO Amendment #5353 (J)
House Roll Call Vote 190 AS AMENDED
House Schedule A LCO# 5674 (J)
Senate Roll Call Vote 381
Summary for Public Act No. 26-124
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