ConnecticutSB 002332026 Regular SessionSenateWALLET

AN ACT CONCERNING CONSUMER PROTECTIONS REGARDING RESIDENTIAL SOLAR AND ENERGY STORAGE SYSTEMS.

Sponsored By: General Law Committee

Signed by Governor

Summary

To (1) exempt from licensing requirements certain persons (A) employed by, and under the direction of, a licensed solar contractor, and (B) performing certain work on a solar photovoltaic facility, (2) amend the Home Solicitation Sales Act by (A) defining and redefining various terms, (B) requiring the Office of Consumer Counsel to develop a consumer handbook concerning home solicitation sales of residential solar photovoltaic systems, (C) requiring sellers to make additional disclosures, (D) establishing requirements concerning sellers of residential solar photovoltaic systems, and (E) modifying the penalty applicable for violations of said act, and (3) require residential solar lenders and lessors to provide payoff statements and transfer documentation.

general law

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

4 provisions identified: 3 benefits, 0 costs, 1 mixed.

Home sales and leases gain cancellation rights

Beginning October 1, 2026, you can cancel a covered in-home sale, lease, or rental in writing until midnight on the third business day after signing. This includes qualifying rooftop solar systems up to 25 kilowatts and storage systems for one- to four-unit homes. Sellers must return your payments and debt papers within 10 business days; they must return trade-ins in similar condition or pay the agreed allowance. If sellers request goods within 20 days after cancellation, you must take reasonable care and make them available; goods become yours if sellers do not collect them within 20 days. Sellers cannot charge for services performed before cancellation and must restore property they changed.

Solar borrowers get faster payoff papers

Beginning October 1, 2026, a solar or storage lender or provider must send requested payoff or transfer documents within seven days of your written request. If it misses the deadline, it must credit your account $250.

Solar home visits get new safeguards

Beginning February 15, 2027, solar and storage sellers cannot visit your home before 9:00 a.m. or after 7:00 p.m. Eastern time, unless you agree to meet then; stricter town rules still apply. Beginning February 15, 2028, sellers and representatives must carry valid ID, and sellers must give you the state consumer handbook at the first home visit or before signing if there is no visit. The Department of Consumer Protection must make the handbook available online by January 15, 2028, with guidance on checking sales claims and understanding penalties. A state task force also studies better disclosures and protections, including contractor licensing, safeguards for low-income consumers and seniors, and compliance checks.

Home-sale reward rules add consumer remedies

Beginning October 1, 2026, sellers cannot offer you a commission, rebate, or discount for referrals or sales help when it depends on something happening after you agree to the deal. You can void a covered sale, lease, or rental involving a prohibited reward. Violations of specified cancellation and consumer-protection rules count as unfair or deceptive practices, and covered violations can bring a civil penalty of up to $500 each. The law replaces specified class C misdemeanor liability with this civil penalty.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

  • General Law Committee

    Affiliation unavailable

Cosponsors

  • David Rutigliano

    Republican • House

  • Hilda E. Santiago

    Democratic • House

  • Kenneth Gucker

    Democratic • House

  • Tom O'Dea

    Republican • House

  • William Pizzuto

    Republican • House

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 0 • No: 0

Senate vote • 4/17/2026

APP Vote Tally Sheet (Joint Favorable)

Yes: 0 • No: 0

Senate vote • 4/10/2026

JUD Vote Tally Sheet (Joint Favorable)

Yes: 0 • No: 0

Senate vote • 3/11/2026

GL Vote Tally Sheet (Joint Favorable Substitute)

Yes: 0 • No: 0

House vote • 3/11/2026

House Roll Call Vote 201 AS AMENDED

Yes: 0 • No: 0

Senate vote • 3/11/2026

Senate Roll Call Vote 189

Yes: 0 • No: 0

Actions Timeline

  1. Signed by the Governor

    5/19/2026legislature
  2. Transmitted by Secretary of the State to Governor

    5/14/2026legislature
  3. Transmitted to the Secretary of State

    5/14/2026legislature
  4. Public Act 26-16

    5/11/2026legislature
  5. In Concurrence

    5/1/2026legislature
  6. House Passed as Amended by Senate Amendment Schedule A

    5/1/2026House
  7. House Adopted Senate Amendment Schedule A

    5/1/2026House
  8. House Calendar Number 532

    4/30/2026House
  9. Favorable Report, Tabled for the Calendar, House

    4/30/2026House
  10. Rules Suspended, Transmitted to the House

    4/29/2026House
  11. Senate Passed as Amended by Senate Amendment Schedule A

    4/29/2026Senate
  12. Senate Adopted Senate Amendment Schedule A 5160

    4/29/2026Senate
  13. Favorable Report, Tabled for the Calendar, Senate

    4/20/2026Senate
  14. No New File by Committee on Appropriations

    4/20/2026legislature
  15. Reported Out of Legislative Commissioners' Office

    4/20/2026legislature
  16. Filed with Legislative Commissioners' Office

    4/20/2026legislature
  17. Joint Favorable

    4/17/2026legislature
  18. Immediate Transmittal

    4/15/2026legislature
  19. Referred by Senate to Committee on Appropriations

    4/15/2026Senate
  20. Favorable Report, Tabled for the Calendar, Senate

    4/13/2026Senate
  21. No New File by Committee on Judiciary

    4/13/2026legislature
  22. Reported Out of Legislative Commissioners' Office

    4/13/2026legislature
  23. Filed with Legislative Commissioners' Office

    4/13/2026legislature
  24. Joint Favorable

    4/10/2026legislature
  25. Immediate Transmittal to Committee on Judiciary

    4/8/2026legislature

Bill Text

  • Public Act No. 26-16

    4/29/2026

  • File No. 218

    3/30/2026

  • APP Joint Favorable

    3/11/2026

  • GL Joint Favorable Substitute

    3/11/2026

  • JUD Joint Favorable

    3/11/2026

  • Raised Bill

    2/18/2026

  • APP Joint Fav. Rpt

  • APP Vote Tally Sheet (Joint Favorable)

  • Bill Analysis For File Copy 218

  • Bill Analysis for SB-233, as amended by Senate "A"

  • Fiscal Note For File Copy 218

  • Fiscal Note for Amendment LCO 5160 (Cost)

  • Fiscal Note for SB-233, As Amended by Senate "A" (LCO 5160)

  • GL Joint Fav. Rpt

  • GL Vote Tally Sheet (Joint Favorable Substitute)

  • House Roll Call Vote 201 AS AMENDED

  • JUD Joint Fav. Rpt

  • JUD Vote Tally Sheet (Joint Favorable)

  • Senate Roll Call Vote 189

  • Senate Schedule A LCO# 5160 (D)

  • Summary for Public Act No. 26-16

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