All Roll Calls
Yes: 201 • No: 0
ConnecticutHB 071532025 Regular SessionHouseWALLET
AN ACT CONCERNING THE ESTABLISHMENT OF THE PORT EASTSIDE INFRASTRUCTURE IMPROVEMENT DISTRICT IN THE TOWN OF EAST HARTFORD AND THE PARK CITY LANDING INFRASTRUCTURE IMPROVEMENT DISTRICT IN THE CITY OF BRIDGEPORT.
Sponsored By: Planning and Development Committee
Signed by Governor
Summary
To allow for the establishment of the Port Eastside Infrastructure Improvement District.
planning and development
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Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
8 provisions identified: 4 benefits, 1 costs, 3 mixed.
District property owners face new charges
Both districts can impose taxes, fees, rents, and benefit assessments for improvements, financing, operations, and services. Benefit assessments apply to property the district finds benefits, and can run for up to 30 annual installments. Park City Landing treats open space as benefiting every district property. Port Eastside must adjust early assessments to actual costs, including financing costs. Boards must hold public hearings before imposing assessments and give affected owners notice. Annual budgets and charge schedules require at least two hearings and adoption at least 30 days before the fiscal year. District charges do not replace the host municipality's separate taxing authority.
Unpaid district charges become property liens
Unpaid district charges become property liens and personal debts of owners, with interest charged like overdue municipal property taxes. These liens rank ahead of other liens except municipal tax liens. Owners have 21 days after an assessment is filed to appeal in the local Superior Court. The court must schedule a hearing 12–30 days after service, but the appeal does not stop collection. Owners receive reimbursement for overpayments if the court lowers an assessment.
District borrowing funds improvements with safeguards
Port Eastside can borrow up to $125 million; Park City Landing can borrow up to $190 million. Bonds can last up to 30 years and fund improvements, refinancing, reserves, and borrowing costs. Repayment can rely on district credit, revenues, charges, or assessments, creating repayment obligations within the districts. Before issuing bonds, each district must authorize improvements or funding and secure a municipal agreement after a hearing and council approval. Connecticut and the host municipalities are not automatically responsible for district debt; East Hartford can agree to support costs or repayment. While debt remains outstanding, the law protects bondholders against harmful changes to district powers, duties, or existence.
Residents get district financing disclosures
Both districts must tell existing and prospective residents how public improvements are financed and maintained. Developers must give the information to prospective first buyers and include it in legally required public offering statements. District clerks must send quarterly project reports to the Office of Policy and Management and relevant legislative committee chairs. Reports cover project design, financing, construction, and sales. District financial accounts must also be available for inspection and audit.
New local districts for infrastructure improvements
The law authorizes Port Eastside in East Hartford and Park City Landing in Bridgeport to form infrastructure districts. Each requires a petition from at least 15 eligible local voters and approval based on two-thirds of represented property assessments. Required filings establish each district as a legal body. Districts can build and maintain roads, utilities, waterfront improvements, flood protection, open space, and recreation areas. Eligible voters include local electors, qualifying taxpayers, and qualifying property-interest holders. Co-owners vote by ownership share; joint tenants have equal shares, and entities use authorized representatives. No holder may cast more than one vote or be excluded because of its ownership form. Elected officers govern each district, with one mayor-appointed director and at least three Connecticut-resident directors.
Faster state approvals for Port Eastside
For Port Eastside improvements, the responsible state commissioner controls state approvals and can combine reviews. Without a required hearing, requested approvals must be issued within 10 business days unless denied. After a hearing, approval takes effect on the 11th business day unless denied or approved with conditions. Qualified professional certification can satisfy applicable state building or fire permit and inspection requirements. The process also covers public-entity work under written district agreements, unless federal law or another binding agreement controls. Commissioner decisions can be appealed to Hartford Superior Court within 10 days after certified-mail notice, without stopping development. Port Eastside improvements also receive exemptions from state requirements in sections 14-311 through 14-314d, subject to the law's exceptions.
Tax breaks for districts and bondholders
Both districts, their receipts and income, and their public-use property receive state and local tax and assessment exemptions. District bond and note principal and interest also receive state and local tax exemptions. Estate, gift, franchise, and excise taxes remain exceptions. These rules do not exempt residents, businesses, or their property from taxes. Specified public bodies, banks, insurers, investment companies, and fiduciaries can invest in district bonds and notes. Public officers and agencies can also accept them for deposits where state bonds or notes qualify.
Districts can end or join cities
District voters can end a district with a two-thirds vote at a meeting or referendum. Outstanding debts must first be paid unless the host municipality agrees in writing to assume them. Municipal approval is required to transfer remaining assets. Either municipal council can also merge its district into the town or city after authorized bonds are retired. Merger is also available if no bonds are issued within 10 years after the relevant section takes effect. On merger, district property transfers to the municipality.
Sponsors & Cosponsors
Sponsor
Planning and Development Committee
Affiliation unavailable
Cosponsors
There are no cosponsors for this bill.
Roll Call Votes
House vote • 3/21/2025
House Roll Call Vote 185 AS AMENDED
Yes: 146 • No: 0
House vote • 3/21/2025
PD Vote Tally Sheet (Joint Favorable Substitute)
Yes: 19 • No: 0
Senate vote • 3/21/2025
Senate Roll Call Vote 364
Yes: 36 • No: 0
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 25-90
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 957
5/27/2025legislatureSenate Calendar Number 537
5/27/2025SenateFavorable Report, Tabled for the Calendar, Senate
5/27/2025SenateHouse Passed as Amended by House Amendment Schedule A
5/22/2025HouseHouse Adopted House Amendment Schedule A 8878
5/22/2025HouseFile Number 627
4/9/2025legislatureHouse Calendar Number 388
4/9/2025HouseFavorable Report, Tabled for the Calendar, House
4/9/2025HouseReported Out of Legislative Commissioners' Office
4/9/2025legislatureReferred to Office of Legislative Research and Office of Fiscal Analysis 04/08/25 5:00 PM
4/3/2025legislatureFiled with Legislative Commissioners' Office
3/24/2025legislatureJoint Favorable Substitute
3/21/2025legislaturePublic Hearing 03/10
3/6/2025legislatureReferred to Joint Committee on Planning and Development
3/5/2025legislature
Bill Text
Public Act No. 25-90
6/10/2025
File No. 957
5/27/2025
File No. 627
4/9/2025
PD Joint Favorable Substitute
3/21/2025
Raised Bill
3/5/2025
Bill Analysis For File Copy 627
Bill Analysis For File Copy 957
Bill Analysis for HB-7153, as amended by House "A"
Fiscal Note For File Copy 627
Fiscal Note For File Copy 957
Fiscal Note for Amendment LCO 8878 (See Fiscal Note Details)
Fiscal Note for HB-7153, As Amended by House "A" (LCO 8878)
House Roll Call Vote 185 AS AMENDED
House Schedule A LCO# 8878 (D)
PD Joint Fav. Rpt
PD Vote Tally Sheet (Joint Favorable Substitute)
Senate Roll Call Vote 364
Summary for Public Act No. 25-90
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