All Roll Calls
Yes: 0 • No: 0
Sponsored By: Judiciary Committee
Signed by Governor
To: (1) Revise processes related to applications for, and issuance of, trade name certificates, (2) provide the Secretary of the State with additional authority to take actions with respect to fraudulent filings, deceptive business solicitations and the dissolution of corporations that fail to comply with state law, (3) revise provisions relating to the issuance of an apostille, and (4) increase permissible fees that may be charged by a notary.
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8 provisions identified: 2 benefits, 2 costs, 4 mixed.
Beginning January 1, 2027, private paid filing and state-record offers must say they are ads, not government notices. They must say no payment or action is required, explain direct filing or record access, and list the sender's name and physical address—not a P.O. box. Written disclosures must appear at the top or beginning in at least 24-point type. Mailed offers must display “THIS IS NOT A GOVERNMENT DOCUMENT” in 24-point capitals on the envelope or outer packaging. Misleading claims of government backing or legal duties violate consumer-protection law. These rules exclude government entities, consumer-initiated messages, and ads to current or former commercial customers.
Beginning October 1, 2026, the Secretary of the State may redact unverifiable names or addresses from a registry finding. For unauthorized filings involving legitimate businesses, the Secretary may flag the filing to warn the public. The Secretary may also restore the business registry information that existed before the unauthorized filing.
Beginning July 1, 2026, Connecticut notaries may charge up to $10 per act, up from $5. Notaries may also charge for travel, but the per-mile rate cannot exceed the IRS business standard mileage rate.
Beginning October 1, 2026, new trade names cannot contain terms such as “corporation,” “LLC,” “LLP,” “limited,” or “statutory trust.” A trade name containing a banned term is void, and the Secretary may void its registry record. Printed ads using assumed business names cannot use “company” to falsely suggest the business is a corporation or limited liability company. Trade name violations can bring fines up to $500, up to one year in jail, or both, plus consumer-protection enforcement.
Effective from passage, Connecticut charges $40 per document for an apostille or official authentication. The fee is $15 per document when connected with a child's adoption. The Secretary of the State may issue these certificates electronically unless federal law or the Hague Convention prohibits it. Electronic certificates have the same legal effect and fee as paper certificates.
Beginning October 1, 2026, trade name certificates last five years from issuance or acceptance of renewal. Certificates recorded before January 1, 2025, expire December 31, 2029, but can be renewed. Renewal requires the same information as an original application and replaces the prior certificate. Businesses can also replace an existing filing before expiration by identifying it as superseded.
Effective from passage, domestic corporations more than two years behind on annual reports can receive mailed warnings before state dissolution. This option applies when no annual report has been filed or no email address is on record. The Secretary may send first-class mail to an incorporator listed in the corporation's formation document. The corporation has three months after notice is sent to file its report; otherwise, the Secretary must dissolve it.
Connecticut creates a statewide electronic trade name registry for filings and public searches. Beginning January 1, 2026, the Secretary of the State may require town clerks to use it. Beginning October 1, 2026, businesses using assumed names must get a certificate through the clerk where they mainly operate. Applications require business and owner contact information; organizations must be active and current on required annual reports. Registered entities using their formation or registration name, without required business designators, do not need a separate certificate. An organization's trade name is canceled when it dissolves, withdraws, forfeits, or loses its authority.
Judiciary Committee
Affiliation unavailable
Craig C. Fishbein
Republican • House
Steven J. Stafstrom
Democratic • House
All Roll Calls
Yes: 0 • No: 0
Senate vote • 3/30/2026
JUD Vote Tally Sheet (Joint Favorable Substitute)
Yes: 0 • No: 0
House vote • 3/30/2026
House Roll Call Vote 245
Yes: 0 • No: 0
Senate vote • 3/30/2026
Senate Roll Call Vote 195
Yes: 0 • No: 0
Public Act No. 26-81
4/29/2026
File No. 615
4/14/2026
JUD Joint Favorable Substitute
3/30/2026
Raised Bill
2/25/2026
Bill Analysis For File Copy 615
Fiscal Note For File Copy 615
House Roll Call Vote 245
JUD Joint Fav. Rpt
JUD Vote Tally Sheet (Joint Favorable Substitute)
Senate Roll Call Vote 195
Summary for Public Act No. 26-81
SB 00247, AN ACT IMPLEMENTING THE RECOMMENDATIONS OF THE AUDITORS OF PUBLIC ACCOUNTS.
To implement the recommendations of the Auditors of Public Accounts submitted in their most recent annual report, including to require Governor or Attorney General approval for additional agreements with state employees over a certain amount, require agreements with foundations to provide when foundations will reimburse the expenses, salaries and benefits of state employees providing services for the foundation, remove the Comptroller from the Treasurer's audit, remove the State Contracting Standard Board's ability to request the auditors to conduct its audits, modify provisions concerning state agency contracts and agreements for auditing services, add a time frame for quasi-public agency annual reports to the auditors and provide that the annual comprehensive financial review of the Technical Services Revolving Fund is performed as part of the audit of the State Comptroller's annual comprehensive financial report.
SB 00220, AN ACT CONCERNING STUDENT LITERACY, ASPIRING EDUCATORS, AMERICAN SIGN LANGUAGE AS PART OF THE WORLD LANGUAGES CURRICULUM AND THE PARAEDUCATOR HEALTH BENEFIT PLAN SUBSIDY PROGRAM.
To establish and provide reading instruction and supports to all students in grades four to nine who are below proficient in reading.
SB 00191, AN ACT CONCERNING THE PSYCHEDELIC-ASSISTED THERAPY PILOT PROGRAM.
To expand access to and extend the psychedelic-assisted therapy pilot program.
SB 00137, AN ACT IMPLEMENTING THE RECOMMENDATIONS OF THE OFFICE OF EARLY CHILDHOOD.
To implement the recommendations of the Office of Early Childhood.
HB 05563, AN ACT CONCERNING VARIOUS CRIMINAL LAW AND CRIMINAL JUSTICE PROPOSALS, CERTIFICATES OF APPROVAL FOR AIRPORTS, HELIPORTS, VERTIPORTS, RESTRICTED LANDING AREAS AND OTHER AIR NAVIGATION FACILITIES, POLICE COLLABORATION WITH SOCIAL WORKERS, SURVEILLANCE PRICING, EDUCATION COST SHARING AND WITHHOLDING OF TAXES FROM LUMP SUM PAYMENTS.
To (1) modify statutory provisions relating to the offenses of organized retail theft and accessory to organized retail theft, (2) establish fostering the sale of stolen property and gift card crime as forms of larceny, (3) modify statutory provisions relating to the civil liability of a person eighteen years of age or older or an emancipated minor who takes possession of certain goods, merchandise or produce without the consent of the owner and with a certain intention, or who alters the price indicia of such goods or merchandise, and (4) modify statutory provisions concerning to whom the Department of Public Health may release information concerning acknowledgment of parentage.
HB 05509, AN ACT CONCERNING JUSTICES OF THE PEACE.
To (1) require the Secretary of the State to publish a manual concerning the duties of justices of the peace, (2) prohibit misconduct by justices of the peace, (3) specify that a newly created office of justice of the peace may be filled by appointment prior to the next regular election, (4) require a forty-eight hour waiting period before the issuance of a marriage license, and (5) establish a working group concerning justices of the peace.