All Roll Calls
Yes: 207 • No: 8
ConnecticutHB 068682025 Regular SessionHouse
AN ACT ENHANCING ENVIRONMENTAL PERMITTING PREDICTABILITY.
Sponsored By: REQUEST OF THE GOVERNOR PURSUANT TO JOINT RULE 9
Signed by Governor
Summary
To implement the Governor's budget recommendations.
environment
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Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
3 provisions identified: 0 benefits, 1 costs, 2 mixed.
Water permit applicants face possible mitigation costs
Beginning July 1, 2025, Connecticut's environmental commissioner can require watershed-level projects to offset harm from covered water and wetland activities. Covered approvals include state environmental permits and federal water-quality certifications. The law covers state agency permit actions, excluding local or regional school boards, and activities affecting resources held for the public. Applicants must show that further reducing harm is not prudent. They may have to buy resource credits or take part in an approved project. Mitigation must match the scale of harm, protect the same or similar water resources, and remain protected forever. Activities affecting resources held for the public also require proof of substantial public benefit. The state selects program contractors and approves project sites and scope; land or easements need qualified holders or state ownership.
Stricter hearing access, guaranteed public comments
Beginning June 23, 2025, people seeking formal environmental permit hearings must name the relevant rule and provide specific facts. They must show their legal rights, duties, or privileges may be affected, or qualify under environmental intervention rules. Claiming harm to resources held for the public alone is not enough. Other required petition-based hearings are informational, allowing oral and written comments. Connecticut's environmental commissioner must post written responses before a final decision. Project applicants or agencies have 10 days to object to petitions; petitioners have 7 days to respond. The commissioner must decide within 30 days after submission or the response, whichever deadline is later. Petitioners can appeal denials in court.
Permit holders get extensions with capped fees
Beginning October 1, 2025, Connecticut's environmental commissioner can keep general permits active while renewal decisions are pending. Renewal notice must be published at least 180 days before expiration. Continued permits end at the final renewal decision or automatically expire after 12 months without one. Permit holders must still register on time and follow permit rules. The commissioner can charge a continuation registration fee, but it cannot exceed the existing registration fee.
Sponsors & Cosponsors
Sponsor
REQUEST OF THE GOVERNOR PURSUANT TO JOINT RULE 9
Affiliation unavailable
Cosponsors
There are no cosponsors for this bill.
Roll Call Votes
House vote • 3/14/2025
ENV Vote Tally Sheet (Joint Favorable)
Yes: 27 • No: 5
Senate vote • 3/14/2025
Senate Roll Call Vote 367
Yes: 36 • No: 0
House vote • 3/14/2025
House Roll Call Vote 151 AS AMENDED
Yes: 144 • No: 3
Actions Timeline
Signed by the Governor
6/23/2025legislatureTransmitted by Secretary of the State to Governor
6/16/2025legislatureTransmitted to the Secretary of State
6/16/2025legislaturePublic Act 25-84
6/10/2025legislatureOn Consent Calendar / In Concurrence
6/3/2025legislatureSenate Passed as Amended by House Amendment Schedule A
6/3/2025SenateSenate Adopted House Amendment Schedule A
6/3/2025SenateFile Number 946
5/22/2025legislatureSenate Calendar Number 534
5/22/2025SenateFavorable Report, Tabled for the Calendar, Senate
5/22/2025SenateHouse Passed as Amended by House Amendment Schedule A
5/20/2025HouseHouse Adopted House Amendment Schedule A 8804
5/20/2025HouseFile Number 456
4/2/2025legislatureHouse Calendar Number 286
4/2/2025HouseFavorable Report, Tabled for the Calendar, House
4/2/2025HouseReported Out of Legislative Commissioners' Office
4/2/2025legislatureReferred to Office of Legislative Research and Office of Fiscal Analysis 04/01/25 5:00 PM
3/27/2025legislatureFiled with Legislative Commissioners' Office
3/17/2025legislatureJoint Favorable
3/14/2025legislaturePublic Hearing 03/03
2/25/2025legislatureReferred to Joint Committee on Environment
2/6/2025legislature
Bill Text
Public Act No. 25-84
6/10/2025
File No. 946
5/22/2025
File No. 456
4/2/2025
ENV Joint Favorable
3/14/2025
Governor's Bill
2/6/2025
Bill Analysis For File Copy 456
Bill Analysis For File Copy 946
Bill Analysis for HB-6868, as amended by House "A"
ENV Joint Fav. Rpt
ENV Vote Tally Sheet (Joint Favorable)
Fiscal Note For File Copy 456
Fiscal Note For File Copy 946
Fiscal Note for Amendment LCO 8804 (No Fiscal Impact)
Fiscal Note for HB-6868, As Amended by House "A" (LCO 8804)
House Roll Call Vote 151 AS AMENDED
House Schedule A LCO# 8804 (D)
Senate Roll Call Vote 367
Summary for Public Act No. 25-84
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