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Yes: 0 • No: 0
ConnecticutSB 001482026 Regular SessionSenateWALLET
AN ACT CONCERNING REVISIONS TO AQUACULTURE-RELATED STATUTES AND PROVIDING FOR CERTAIN FARMING-RELATED PROGRAMS.
Sponsored By: Environment Committee
Signed by Governor
Summary
To clarify the notification procedure for designation of shellfish areas that are closed to harvesting due to contamination or pollution.
environment
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Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
12 provisions identified: 6 benefits, 1 costs, 5 mixed.
New grants for dairy farm upgrades
Beginning July 1, 2026, Connecticut establishes grants to help dairy farmers upgrade equipment, infrastructure, and operations. The Department of Agriculture must set eligibility rules, funding priorities, award limits, covered projects, and application steps by January 1, 2027. The law does not set grant amounts.
Broader income test for farm investments
For tax years beginning January 1, 2028, or later, Connecticut expands the farmer income test for investment tax benefits. Federal gross farm income must reach either $250,000 or two-thirds of excess federal gross income. Excess federal gross income means total federal gross income above $30,000. The law does not state the tax savings from qualifying.
Farmers get review time, face suspensions
Beginning May 27, 2026, certified farmers have 72 hours after receiving a notice to submit evidence challenging noncompliance or suspension. No evidence means acceptance; insufficient evidence makes the action official, and fixes made after notice do not count as defense evidence. Multiple benefits used in one sale count as one violation. A Class I violation brings a warning; a second similar violation becomes Class II, and a third becomes Class III. A second same-type Class II violation, or exchanging cash or ineligible goods for benefits, is Class III and brings suspension. Specified Class II rules also cover honey and benefit locations. Suspension within 30 days of benefit expiration also covers the entire next calendar-year season. Recertified farmers face one full season of probation; a cited Class II violation is grounds for immediate automatic suspension.
Honey added to seniors' produce benefits
Beginning May 27, 2026, Connecticut's senior farmers' market program includes Connecticut-grown honey alongside fresh produce. Participants must be at least 60. They must live in elderly housing, attend a registered group meal site, or be identified as nutritionally at risk by a municipal elderly agent. Benefits work only at designated Connecticut locations.
Farm grant business-plan rule removed
Beginning May 27, 2026, the law removes a direction to adopt rules requiring business plans for farm transition grant applications. It does not itself bar the department from requesting plans. Matching grants remain for farmers and agricultural cooperatives pursuing diversification, value-added products and sales, and qualifying market venues.
Shellfish closure notices move online
For conditional-closed, conditionally restricted, restricted, or prohibited shellfish areas, Agriculture must file classifications with local offices, post signs, and post online. Newspaper publication is no longer required. For contamination or pollution emergencies, the agriculture commissioner must consult the public health commissioner before closing affected areas. Written notice must go to the relevant local health authority and any applicable municipal shellfish commission.
Farm product labels must match grades
Beginning May 27, 2026, people and businesses cannot use official farm grading or marketing labels on products below that grade. Violators remain subject to fines of up to $50 for a first offense. Each later offense can bring a fine of up to $200.
Farmers face nutrition program training requirements
Farmers applying to accept farmers' market nutrition benefits must attend a full Department of Agriculture training session. They must also complete an annual online lesson and pass a knowledge test. Applicants must submit a completed application and crop plan on time using department forms and procedures.
More WIC produce locations, seasonal limits
Eligible WIC participants found at nutritional risk can use produce benefits at authorized Connecticut locations, beyond designated farmers' markets. Agriculture officials choose how many locations qualify, favoring past participants with good compliance records. Beginning May 27, 2026, locations must submit required assurances by March 1 for the upcoming season. Benefits expire on the department's season-end date. Local agencies must meet department deadlines for records, reports, surveys, and unused benefits. The law adds Connecticut-grown honey to certified farmers' supply duties, but retains a separate produce-only limit on benefit exchanges.
WIC produce benefits follow yearly funding
Connecticut's WIC farmers' market program replaces five $3 vouchers at each distribution with an annual benefit amount. That amount depends on federal and state funding for the program year. Joint state and federal funding is allowed rather than required. The law sets no funding minimum or replacement benefit amount, so it does not show whether participants receive more or less.
Farmland payment cap and sharing directions removed
Beginning July 1, 2026, the law removes a statutory direction to cap farmland development-rights payments at $20,000 per acre. It sets no replacement amount and does not guarantee larger payments to landowners. It also removes a related direction to increase state contributions for town-initiated joint ownership projects.
Forest owners get restored assessment values
Beginning July 1, 2026, Connecticut restores forest land-use values from its October 1, 2025 report. These values remain in place until the next valuation date. The change can affect forest owners' property tax assessments, but the law does not show whether bills rise or fall.
Sponsors & Cosponsors
Sponsor
Environment Committee
Affiliation unavailable
Cosponsors
Anne Dauphinais
Republican • House
Aundre Bumgardner
Democratic • House
Christie M. Carpino
Republican • House
Craig C. Fishbein
Republican • House
Irene M. Haines
Republican • House
Jaime S. Foster
Democratic • House
Jeff Gordon
Republican • Senate
Jill Barry
Democratic • House
John-Michael Parker
Democratic • House
Joseph P. Gresko
Democratic • House
Kathy Kennedy
Republican • House
Kenneth Gucker
Democratic • House
Kerry S. Wood
Democratic • House
Mark DeCaprio
Republican • House
Mark W. Anderson
Republican • House
Mary Welander
Democratic • House
Nicholas Menapace
Democratic • House
Nick Gauthier
Democratic • House
Patricia A. Dillon
Democratic • House
Patrick S. Boyd
Democratic • House
Saud Anwar
Democratic • Senate
Tami Zawistowski
Republican • House
Tim Ackert
Republican • House
Roll Call Votes
Senate vote • 4/24/2026
APP Vote Tally Sheet (Joint Favorable)
Yes: 0 • No: 0
Senate vote • 3/4/2026
ENV Vote Tally Sheet (Joint Favorable Substitute)
Yes: 0 • No: 0
House vote • 3/4/2026
House Roll Call Vote 260 AS AMENDED
Yes: 0 • No: 0
Senate vote • 3/4/2026
Senate Roll Call Vote 187
Yes: 0 • No: 0
Actions Timeline
Signed by the Governor
5/27/2026legislatureTransmitted by Secretary of the State to Governor
5/22/2026legislatureTransmitted to the Secretary of State
5/22/2026legislaturePublic Act 26-75
5/19/2026legislatureIn Concurrence
5/5/2026legislatureHouse Passed as Amended by Senate Amendment Schedule A
5/5/2026HouseHouse Adopted Senate Amendment Schedule A
5/5/2026HouseHouse Calendar Number 530
4/30/2026HouseFavorable Report, Tabled for the Calendar, House
4/30/2026HouseRules Suspended, Transmitted to the House
4/29/2026HouseSenate Passed as Amended by Senate Amendment Schedule A
4/29/2026SenateSenate Adopted Senate Amendment Schedule A 5042
4/29/2026SenateFavorable Report, Tabled for the Calendar, Senate
4/27/2026SenateNo New File by Committee on Appropriations
4/27/2026legislatureReported Out of Legislative Commissioners' Office
4/27/2026legislatureFiled with Legislative Commissioners' Office
4/24/2026legislatureJoint Favorable
4/24/2026legislatureImmediate Transmittal
4/21/2026legislatureReferred by Senate to Committee on Appropriations
4/21/2026SenateFile Number 73
3/19/2026legislatureSenate Calendar Number 73
3/19/2026SenateFavorable Report, Tabled for the Calendar, Senate
3/19/2026SenateReported 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
3/5/2026legislature
Bill Text
Public Act No. 26-75
4/29/2026
File No. 73
3/19/2026
APP Joint Favorable
3/4/2026
ENV Joint Favorable Substitute
3/4/2026
Raised Bill
2/11/2026
APP Joint Fav. Rpt
APP Vote Tally Sheet (Joint Favorable)
Bill Analysis For File Copy 73
Bill Analysis for SB-148, as amended by Senate "A"
ENV Joint Fav. Rpt
ENV Vote Tally Sheet (Joint Favorable Substitute)
Fiscal Note For File Copy 73
Fiscal Note for Amendment LCO 5042 (See Fiscal Note Details)
Fiscal Note for Amendment LCO 5177 (No Fiscal Impact)
Fiscal Note for SB-148, As Amended by Senate "A" (LCO 5042)
House Roll Call Vote 260 AS AMENDED
Senate LCO Amendment #5177 (R)
Senate Roll Call Vote 187
Senate Schedule A LCO# 5042 (J)
Summary for Public Act No. 26-75
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