All Roll Calls
Yes: 314 • No: 42
ConnecticutSB 014972025 Regular SessionSenateWALLET
AN ACT CONCERNING PROGRAMMING AT THE DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE AND OTHER FARMING AND AGRICULTURE RELATED PROVISIONS.
Sponsored By: Environment Committee
Signed by Governor
Summary
To streamline certain services at the Department of Agriculture while increasing access to such services.
environment
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Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
10 provisions identified: 6 benefits, 3 costs, 1 mixed.
New refundable tax credit for farmers
Starting with tax years beginning January 1, 2026, eligible farmers get a refundable credit worth 20% of qualifying investment costs. It applies to Connecticut personal income and corporation taxes, but not liability under the income-tax withholding provision. Pass-through businesses can allocate the credit to owners. Farm income must equal at least two-thirds of total federal gross income above $30,000. Farmers can average farm income over the current and two prior years. Property must be in Connecticut, acquired or placed in service on or after January 1, 2026, and bought from an unrelated seller. Its tax class life must exceed four years. It cannot be acquired or leased for renting to others during the first 12 full months. Farmers must hold and use it in Connecticut farming for five full years and cannot claim another credit for the same purchase. The state reclaims 100% if qualifying ownership or use ends before three full years, or 50% before five full years. Replacement property can prevent repayment; unpaid recapture amounts accrue interest at 1% monthly after the recapture period.
Larger property tax exemption for farms
Beginning October 1, 2025, the farm machinery exemption limit rises from $100,000 to $250,000 in assessed value. Motor vehicles are excluded; qualifying horses and ponies are also covered. Farmers must apply annually by November 1, unless the assessor extends the deadline. A notarized statement must show at least $15,000 in farm sales or farm expenses in the latest completed tax year.
Shellfish harvesters face tighter operating rules
Commercial licenses for harvesting natural shellfish beds expire June 30 each year, instead of July 20. Covered oyster and shell harvesting closures now start June 15, rather than July 20. Closures end September 20 in covered areas outside the Housatonic River, including the Saugatuck River, and October 20 in the Housatonic. Closed-season harvesting carries a fine of up to $250. Owners of shellfish grounds or franchises under exclusive state control must certify completion of required business and shellfish-related state tax filings for the prior year. The agriculture commissioner sets the certification format. Beginning July 1, 2025, the law also repeals a shellfish statute; the supplied information does not explain its effects.
New manure management grants for farmers
Beginning July 1, 2025, a new grant program helps farmers adopt best practices for maintaining manure management systems. The agriculture department sets eligibility, funding priorities, reimbursement limits, and the application process. The law does not specify funding levels or grant amounts.
Shellfish harvesters can use heavier dredges
Beginning July 1, 2025, the shellfish dredge weight ceiling rises from 30 pounds to 60 pounds. The limit excludes the net or bag and applies in state waters outside private designated grounds. The existing capacity ceiling remains one and one-half bushels.
Container farm grants support local food
Beginning July 1, 2025, the agriculture department runs grants to buy and operate shipping container farms. These farms must grow fresh vegetables in multiple locations for schools and local food pantries. The department can run the grants through another program open to schools and food pantries. The law does not state grant amounts.
More flexibility for state veterinarian duties
The agriculture commissioner can assign some or all State Veterinarian duties to one or more qualified veterinarians. Assignments are no longer limited to times when the State Veterinarian is absent. Designees must meet state qualifications, and assignments must use existing resources and follow state personnel rules.
Registration fees for fertilizer product sellers
Each fertilizer brand and grade must be registered before distribution, with an application fee capped at $75. The agriculture commissioner sets the fee by regulation, and registrations expire each June 30. Soil amendments also require annual registration before distribution, with a fee capped at $75. Soil amendment approvals expire September 30 of the following year.
Towns pay actual dog tag costs
Beginning October 1, 2025, towns pay the actual cost of buying and distributing dog tags or plates. This replaces the former five-cent charge per tag or plate. Payment requires the town clerk’s approval. This provision does not set a new charge for dog owners.
Contaminated fertilizer ban adds supplier duties
Beginning July 1, 2025, Connecticut bans using or selling covered fertilizers and soil amendments containing biosolids or wastewater sludge with PFAS. The fertilizer ban covers products intended for land application. The agriculture commissioner enforces these rules, with environmental officials coordinating across agencies. Manufacturers and suppliers must provide and keep compliance certificates when the responsible department requests them in writing. Anyone must provide relevant compliance information when the responsible commissioner requests it.
Sponsors & Cosponsors
Sponsor
Environment Committee
Affiliation unavailable
Cosponsors
There are no cosponsors for this bill.
Roll Call Votes
Senate vote • 5/27/2025
JUD Vote Tally Sheet (Joint Favorable)
Yes: 31 • No: 4
Senate vote • 5/12/2025
FIN Vote Tally Sheet (Joint Favorable)
Yes: 39 • No: 15
Senate vote • 5/5/2025
APP Vote Tally Sheet (Joint Favorable)
Yes: 38 • No: 12
House vote • 3/24/2025
House Roll Call Vote 350 AS AMENDED
Yes: 148 • No: 0
Senate vote • 3/24/2025
Senate Roll Call Vote 328
Yes: 35 • No: 1
Senate vote • 3/24/2025
ENV Vote Tally Sheet (Joint Favorable Substitute)
Yes: 23 • No: 10
Actions Timeline
Signed by the Governor
7/1/2025legislatureTransmitted by Secretary of the State to Governor
6/25/2025legislatureTransmitted to the Secretary of State
6/25/2025legislaturePublic Act 25-152
6/17/2025legislatureIn Concurrence
6/4/2025legislatureHouse Passed as Amended by Senate Amendment Schedule A
6/4/2025HouseHouse Adopted Senate Amendment Schedule A
6/4/2025HouseHouse Calendar Number 683
6/2/2025HouseFavorable Report, Tabled for the Calendar, House
6/2/2025HouseTransmitted Pursuant To Joint Rule 17
6/2/2025legislatureSenate Passed as Amended by Senate Amendment Schedule A
6/2/2025SenateSenate Adopted Senate Amendment Schedule A 10072
6/2/2025SenateFavorable Report, Tabled for the Calendar, Senate
5/27/2025SenateNo New File by Committee on Finance, Revenue and Bonding
5/27/2025legislatureReported Out of Legislative Commissioners' Office
5/27/2025legislatureFiled with Legislative Commissioners' Office
5/27/2025legislatureJoint Favorable
5/27/2025legislatureRules Suspended and Transmitted
5/21/2025legislatureReferred by Senate to Committee on Judiciary
5/21/2025SenateFavorable Report, Tabled for the Calendar, Senate
5/13/2025SenateNo New File by Committee on Finance, Revenue and Bonding
5/13/2025legislatureReported Out of Legislative Commissioners' Office
5/12/2025legislatureFiled with Legislative Commissioners' Office
5/12/2025legislatureJoint Favorable
5/12/2025legislatureImmediate Transmittal
5/8/2025legislature
Bill Text
Public Act No. 25-152
5/21/2025
File No. 671
4/14/2025
APP Joint Favorable
3/24/2025
ENV Joint Favorable Substitute
3/24/2025
FIN Joint Favorable
3/24/2025
JUD Joint Favorable
3/24/2025
Raised Bill
3/6/2025
APP Joint Fav. Rpt
APP Vote Tally Sheet (Joint Favorable)
Bill Analysis For File Copy 671
Bill Analysis for SB-1497, as amended by Senate "A"
ENV Joint Fav. Rpt
ENV Vote Tally Sheet (Joint Favorable Substitute)
FIN Joint Fav. Rpt
FIN Vote Tally Sheet (Joint Favorable)
Fiscal Note For File Copy 671
Fiscal Note for Amendment LCO 10072 (See Fiscal Note Details)
Fiscal Note for Amendment LCO 7446 (See Fiscal Note Details)
Fiscal Note for Amendment LCO 9860 (See Fiscal Note Details)
Fiscal Note for SB-1497, As Amended by Senate "A" (LCO 10072)
House Roll Call Vote 350 AS AMENDED
JUD Joint Fav. Rpt
JUD Vote Tally Sheet (Joint Favorable)
Senate LCO Amendment #7446 (D)
Senate LCO Amendment #9860 (J)
Senate Roll Call Vote 328
Senate Schedule A LCO# 10072 (J)
Summary for Public Act No. 25-152
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