ConnecticutSB 000092026 Regular SessionSenateWALLET

AN ACT SUPPORTING COMMUTERS AND MICROTRANSIT SERVICES AND CONCERNING PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION.

Sponsored By: Transportation Committee

Signed by Governor

Summary

To provide funding for on-demand microtransit services in the state.

transportation

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

6 provisions identified: 6 benefits, 0 costs, 0 mixed.

Free bus passes for high schoolers

Starting July 1, 2026, public school students in grades 9 through 12 can get free passes for state-owned or state-controlled bus services. Local and regional school boards receive grants to buy and distribute the passes. Boards must report on the program, and the state can require repayment if grant funds are misused. The law does not set a pass value or say how many passes each student gets.

Free bus passes for veterans

Starting July 1, 2026, Connecticut veterans can apply for free passes for state-owned or state-controlled bus services. Applicants must meet the state definition of a veteran and apply as the Department of Veterans Affairs directs. The law does not state the pass value or how many passes each veteran can receive.

Employer tax credits for commuter benefits

Eligible Connecticut employers can claim a tax credit for approved commuter benefits for their first five income years providing them, starting with income years on or after January 1, 2027. Employers need at least five Connecticut employees on average over the prior 12 months and at least one participating worker who works 20 or more hours a week in Connecticut. The credit is 25%, 20%, 15%, 10%, and 5% of verified costs in years one through five, with $7.5 million in total credits available statewide. Fuel or mileage reimbursements for single-person car trips do not qualify. Employers must apply and document costs each year; unused credits can carry forward for three years, and credits can be transferred to other taxpayers.

More Shore Line East train service

For the fiscal year ending June 30, 2027, the law makes $4 million from the transportation department’s Rail Operations appropriation available for Shore Line East. The department must spend $3 million of that amount to increase service on the line. Riders may get more service, but the law does not change fares or provide payments to riders.

Notice before public transit fare hikes

Starting October 1, 2026, the transportation department must give public notice before proposing fare increases for land-based public transit. Notices must state the proposed increase and start date, and give at least 15 days’ notice of a public hearing. Hearings must be held at a time and place convenient for the public, but these rules do not prevent fare increases. Separate procedures under chapter 4-186 do not apply to fare changes made under this law.

Rural areas get microtransit pilot

Connecticut runs a three-year microtransit pilot that must test service in rural areas without current public transportation. Shared vehicles can use an app or digital network to set routes and schedules based on demand. The transportation commissioner can hire outside providers and must report on the pilot and recommendations by January 1, 2028.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

  • Transportation Committee

    Affiliation unavailable

Cosponsors

  • Anne M. Hughes

    Democratic • House

  • Anthony L. Nolan

    Democratic • House

  • Aundre Bumgardner

    Democratic • House

  • Bob Duff

    Democratic • Senate

  • Catherine A. Osten

    Democratic • Senate

  • Ceci Maher

    Democratic • Senate

  • Christine Cohen

    Democratic • Senate

  • Daniel Gaiewski

    Democratic • House

  • Derek Slap

    Democratic • Senate

  • Dominique Johnson

    Democratic • House

  • Douglas McCrory

    Democratic • Senate

  • Eric C. Berthel

    Republican • Senate

  • Geraldo C. Reyes

    Democratic • House

  • Heather S. Somers

    Republican • Senate

  • Herron Gaston

    Democratic • Senate

  • James J. Maroney

    Democratic • Senate

  • Jan Hochadel

    Democratic • Senate

  • Joan V. Hartley

    Democratic • Senate

  • John A. Kissel

    Republican • Senate

  • Jonathan Jacobson

    Democratic • House

  • Jorge Cabrera

    Democratic • Senate

  • Julie Kushner

    Democratic • Senate

  • Kenneth Gucker

    Democratic • House

  • Kevin Brown

    Democratic • House

  • MD Rahman

    Democratic • Senate

  • Mae Flexer

    Democratic • Senate

  • Martha Marx

    Democratic • Senate

  • Martin M. Looney

    Democratic • Senate

  • Matthew L. Lesser

    Democratic • Senate

  • Nick Gauthier

    Democratic • House

  • Norman Needleman

    Democratic • Senate

  • Patricia Billie Miller

    Democratic • Senate

  • Paul Honig

    Democratic • Senate

  • Rebecca Martinez

    Democratic • House

  • Rick Lopes

    Democratic • Senate

  • Saud Anwar

    Democratic • Senate

  • Stephen G. Harding

    Republican • Senate

  • Steven Winter

    Democratic • House

  • Sujata Gadkar-Wilcox

    Democratic • Senate

  • Travis Simms

    Democratic • House

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 0 • No: 0

Senate vote • 4/27/2026

FIN Vote Tally Sheet (Joint Favorable)

Yes: 0 • No: 0

Senate vote • 4/17/2026

APP Vote Tally Sheet (Joint Favorable)

Yes: 0 • No: 0

House vote • 2/13/2026

House Roll Call Vote 208 AS AMENDED

Yes: 0 • No: 0

Senate vote • 2/13/2026

Senate Roll Call Vote 228

Yes: 0 • No: 0

Senate vote • 2/13/2026

TRA Vote Tally Sheet (Joint Favorable Substitute)

Yes: 0 • No: 0

Senate vote • 2/13/2026

TRA Vote Tally Sheet (Vote to Draft)

Yes: 0 • No: 0

Bill Text

  • Public Act No. 26-21

    5/1/2026

  • File No. 449

    4/7/2026

  • APP Joint Favorable

    3/16/2026

  • Committee Bill

    3/16/2026

  • FIN Joint Favorable

    3/16/2026

  • TRA Joint Favorable Substitute

    3/16/2026

  • Proposed Bill

    2/4/2026

  • APP Joint Fav. Rpt

  • APP Vote Tally Sheet (Joint Favorable)

  • Bill Analysis For File Copy 449

  • Bill Analysis for SB-9, as amended by Senate "A" and "B"

  • FIN Vote Tally Sheet (Joint Favorable)

  • Fiscal Note For File Copy 449

  • Fiscal Note for Amendment LCO 4071 (See Fiscal Note Details)

  • Fiscal Note for Amendment LCO 5584 (See Fiscal Note Details)

  • Fiscal Note for SB-9, As Amended by Senate "A" (LCO 4071), Senate "B" (LCO 5584)

  • House Roll Call Vote 208 AS AMENDED

  • Senate Roll Call Vote 228

  • Senate Schedule A LCO# 4071 (D)

  • Senate Schedule B LCO# 5584 (J)

  • Summary for Public Act No. 26-21

  • TRA Joint Fav. Rpt

  • TRA Vote Tally Sheet (Joint Favorable Substitute)

  • TRA Vote Tally Sheet (Vote to Draft)

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