Bills & Legislation

AN ACT CONCERNING HEALTH INSURANCE PREMIUMS FOR MEMBERS OF VOLUNTEER FIRE DEPARTMENTS AND VOLUNTEER AMBULANCE SERVICES.

To allow each town, city or borough in the state to negotiate health insurance premiums with members of such town's, city's or borough's volunteer fire department or volunteer ambulance service.

Insurance and Real Estate Committee

AN ACT CONCERNING THE DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC HEALTH'S RECOMMENDATIONS REGARDING PHYSICIAN RECRUITMENT.

To (1) allow retired physicians to provide free primary and behavioral health care at nonprofit clinics, and (2) require the Commissioner of Public Health to establish a student loan repayment program for health care providers who provide primary care and behavioral health services in the state.

Public Health Committee

AN ACT ESTABLISHING THE HOMES FOR CT LOAN PROGRAM.

To establish the "Homes for CT" loan program to assist eligible borrowers to obtain funding necessary for the construction of residential buildings.

Banking Committee

AN ACT CONCERNING EQUAL COST APPORTIONMENT FOR CERTAIN SPECIAL TAXING DISTRICTS.

To allow certain special taxing districts to apportion costs for the maintenance of such district on an equal basis.

Planning and Development Committee

AN ACT CONCERNING THE RECOVERY OF ATTORNEY'S FEES IN ACTIONS FOR WRONGFUL PROPERTY TAX ASSESSMENT.

To permit the recovery of reasonable attorney's fees in successful actions for wrongful property tax assessment.

Planning and Development Committee

AN ACT CONCERNING SOLAR INSTALLATIONS IN CERTAIN COMMON INTEREST OWNERSHIP COMMUNITIES.

To permit the installation of certain solar power generating systems that serve single-family detached units in common interest ownership communities.

Planning and Development Committee

AN ACT CONCERNING TUITION WAIVERS FOR NURSING HOME RESIDENTS WHO TAKE ONLINE COURSES AT REGIONAL COMMUNITY-TECHNICAL COLLEGES.

To provide tuition waivers for nursing home residents in the state who take online courses at regional community-technical colleges.

Aging Committee

AN ACT PROVIDING AN INCOME TAX DEDUCTION FOR INDIVIDUALS CARING FOR ELDERLY PERSONS, CHILDREN OR DISABLED PERSONS.

To provide financial relief for family caregivers.

Aging Committee

AN ACT CONCERNING A RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT EXPENSES TAX CREDIT FOR PASS-THROUGH ENTITIES.

To establish a tax credit for research and development expenses of pass-through entities.

Commerce Committee

AN ACT CONCERNING THE ESTABLISHMENT OF THE CONNECTICUT STATE SEAL OF CIVICS EDUCATION AND ENGAGEMENT, THE TRANSPARENCY OF MULTILINGUAL LEARNER DATA, THE USE OF SMART DEVICES IN SCHOOLS, THE AVAILABILITY OF ISLAMIC AND ARAB STUDIES CURRICULUM MATERIAL FOR SCHOOL DISTRICTS, THE ESTABLISHMENT OF A WORKING GROUP TO ADDRESS ANTISEMITISM IN SCHOOLS, EDUCATION MANDATE RELIEF AND VARIOUS AND ASSORTED REVISIONS TO THE EDUCATION STATUTES.

To require the State Board of Education to establish a Connecticut State Seal of Civics Education and Engagement to affix on the high school diploma of any student demonstrating a high level of proficiency in such subject matter.

Education Committee

AN ACT CONCERNING PARAEDUCATORS.

To (1) continue for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2026, the Comptroller's subsidy program for the health care savings account or health care coverage of paraeducators, (2) require boards of education to pay the full employee contribution to the municipal employees' retirement system for paraeducators, and (3) require the Comptroller to annually reimburse such boards fifty per cent of the amount of such payments.

Education Committee

AN ACT CONCERNING FUNDING FOR NUTRITION ASSISTANCE.

To increase funding for nutrition assistance and support the purchase of fresh produce.

Human Services Committee

AN ACT PROMOTING EQUITY IN MEDICAID COVERAGE FOR FERTILITY HEALTH CARE.

To expand Medicaid coverage for fertility health care.

Human Services Committee

AN ACT EXPANDING THE OPEN CHOICE VOUCHER PILOT PROGRAM.

To expand the Open Choice Voucher pilot program to permit all students and families residing in participating districts to participate in said program.

Housing Committee

AN ACT INCLUDING ACCESSORY APARTMENTS WITHOUT AFFORDABILITY RESTRICTIONS IN THE CALCULATION OF THE THRESHOLD FOR EXEMPTION FROM THE AFFORDABLE HOUSING APPEALS PROCEDURE.

To include accessory apartments in the calculation of the threshold for exemption from the affordable housing appeals procedure.

Housing Committee

AN ACT PROHIBITING A MUNICIPALITY FROM IMPOSING ANY PENALTY ON HOMELESS PERSONS FOR PERFORMING ACTIVITIES OF DAILY LIVING ON PUBLIC LAND.

To prohibit a municipality from imposing any penalty on homeless persons for performing life sustaining activities on public land.

Housing Committee

AN ACT PROHIBITING THE REQUIREMENT OF A DONATION OF LAND AS A CONDITION OF SUBDIVISION APPROVAL.

To prohibit municipalities from requiring a donation of land from an applicant for subdivision of land as a condition of subdivision approval.

Housing Committee

AN ACT CONCERNING LARGE CAPACITY MAGAZINES AND THE SALE OF AMMUNITION.

To (1) redefine "large capacity magazine", (2) provide that the transfer of a large capacity magazine between certain persons within the state is not prohibited, and (3) permit the sale of ammunition to patrons of a firing or shooting range.

Public Safety and Security Committee

AN ACT CONCERNING THE SALE AND USE OF NONAERIAL AND NONEXPLOSIVE CONSUMER FIREWORKS.

To authorize the sale and use by consumers of nonaerial and nonexplosive consumer fireworks and sky lanterns.

Public Safety and Security Committee

AN ACT CONCERNING A MUNICIPAL TAX ABATEMENT FOR SURVIVING DOMESTIC PARTNERS OF POLICE OFFICERS, FIREFIGHTERS AND EMERGENCY MEDICAL TECHNICIANS AND ALLOWING A PERSONAL INCOME TAX DEDUCTION FOR STIPENDS PAID TO VOLUNTEER FIREFIGHTERS, VOLUNTEER FIRE POLICE OFFICERS AND VOLUNTEER AMBULANCE MEMBERS.

To (1) provide that a municipality may abate property taxes due with respect to real property owned and occupied as the principal residence of the surviving domestic partner of a police officer, firefighter or emergency medical technician who dies while in the performance of such officer's, firefighter's or technician's duties, and (2) allow a personal income tax deduction for a stipend paid by a municipality to a volunteer firefighter, volunteer fire police officer or volunteer ambulance member.

Public Safety and Security Committee

AN ACT CONCERNING TRANSPORTATION WORKER SAFETY.

To (1) designate a portion of a highway in honor of Andrew DiDomenico and a bridge in honor of State Trooper First Class Aaron M. Pelletier, (2) establish a work zone and roadside vehicle safety awareness program, (3) make distracted driving on a limited access highway a reckless driving violation, (4) increase the penalties for endangering a highway worker and violating the "move over" law, and (5) require the installation of six-inch-wide edge lines on limited access highways.

Transportation Committee

AN ACT CONCERNING MANDATORY MINIMUM PARKING REQUIREMENTS.

To prohibit the imposition of mandatory minimum parking requirements for any development in a municipality.

Planning and Development Committee

AN ACT CONCERNING TEMPORARY SHELTER UNITS FOR PERSONS EXPERIENCING HOMELESSNESS OR REFUGEES.

To allow on real property owned by religious organizations (1) the installation of temporary shelter units for persons experiencing homelessness or refugees, and (2) the development of affordable housing as of right.

Planning and Development Committee

AN ACT CONCERNING THE DECRIMINALIZATION OF POSSESSION OF SMALL AMOUNTS OF PSILOCYBIN.

To decriminalize the possession of small amounts of psilocybin.

Judiciary Committee

AN ACT PROVIDING EDUCATION MANDATE RELIEF.

To provide local and regional boards of education relief from certain education mandates.

Education Committee

AN ACT CONCERNING THE REMOVAL OF UNAUTHORIZED PERSONS FROM REAL PROPERTY, CONTINUING EDUCATION REQUIREMENTS FOR REAL ESTATE LICENSEES, REQUIRING A STUDY OF RESIDENTIAL REAL PROPERTY WHOLESALING AND REVISING THE TITLE OF A REAL ESTATE SALESPERSON TO A REAL ESTATE AGENT.

To: (1) Allow owners of real property to seek the removal of unauthorized persons from such owner's real property; (2) revise the continuing education requirements for real estate licensees; (3) regulate wholesaling agreements between real estate wholesalers and sellers of residential property; (4) require the Commissioner of Housing to conduct a study concerning methods to advance equal access to housing and fairness in real estate transactions; and (5) change the term real estate salesperson to real estate agent.

Insurance and Real Estate Committee

AN ACT CONCERNING COMMUNITY SOLAR ENERGY GENERATING SYSTEMS.

To (1) allow shared clean energy subscriber organizations to build, own and operate electrical generation or storage facilities that generate or store electricity from renewable sources, (2) allow any end user of an electric distribution company to enter into a subscription with a shared clean energy subscriber organization, and (3) require any electric distribution company to provide billing credits to any end user who enters into such a subscription.

Energy and Technology Committee

AN ACT CONCERNING VARIOUS CAMPAIGN FINANCE REFORMS RECOMMENDED BY THE STATE ELECTIONS ENFORCEMENT COMMISSION.

To (1) provide clarification to the term "solicit" by defining the term "collector", (2) redefine "organization expenditure" to include campaign events at which a candidate or candidates are present, (3) impose liability upon certain campaign-related vendors who do not provide to qualified candidate committee treasurers the information necessary for such treasurers to perform their duties under campaign finance laws, (4) move the timing of the consumer price index adjustments for individual contribution amounts and the aggregate contribution amounts candidates are required to raise, from January of the election year to (A) not later than July 3, 2025, for elections held in 2026, and (B) January of the prior year for elections held in subsequent cycles, (5) beginning with the 2030 election, allow major party candidates for Governor to apply for convention campaign grants beginning the January of the year preceding the election, (6) provide that candidates who change their party status after filing their grant applications are ineligible to receive additional grant funds, and (7) address approvals of grant applications in relation to the timing of such consumer price index adjustments.

Government Oversight Committee

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 shall reimburse the expenses, salaries and benefits of state employees providing services for the foundation, require adoption of state agency complaint processing procedures, 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 and add a time frame for quasi-public agency annual reports to the auditors.

Government Oversight Committee

AN ACT CONCERNING REFERENDA, INDEPENDENT EXPENDITURES AND OTHER CAMPAIGN FINANCE CHANGES.

To (1) implement federal court rulings regarding independent expenditure political committees and contributions to such committees, (2) reflect federal case law on aggregate contribution limits for individuals, (3) more explicitly recognize referendum spending as a type of independent expenditure and make changes related to reporting and attribution requirements, (4) adjust a disclaimer requirement to address certain organization expenditures, (5) make a conforming change regarding the distribution of surplus funds by candidate committees participating in the Citizens' Election Program, (6) allow the State Elections Enforcement Commission additional time to investigate certain complaints, (7) establish in-state contributor requirements for state-wide candidates participating in said program, and (8) specify that individual contributions under said program may not exceed already-established contribution limits.

Government Oversight Committee

AN ACT FUNDING JOURNALISM FELLOWSHIPS FOR GRADUATES OF PUBLIC INSTITUTIONS OF HIGHER EDUCATION.

To require the Office of Higher Education to establish a journalism fellowship program to fund not fewer than twelve journalism fellowship positions at local news organizations.

Higher Education and Employment Advancement Committee

AN ACT DISREGARDING INCOME FROM PILOT CASH ASSISTANCE AND JOB TRAINING PROGRAMS FROM TEMPORARY FAMILY ASSISTANCE ELIGIBILITY DETERMINATIONS.

To encourage participation among public assistance beneficiaries in job training and pilot cash assistance programs by mitigating the effects of such programs on eligibility for public assistance.

Human Services Committee

AN ACT CONCERNING WHEELCHAIR REPAIR REQUIREMENTS.

To implement the recommendations of an advisory council on wheelchair repair concerning timely repair of wheelchairs and mobility scooters.

Human Services Committee

AN ACT CONCERNING IMPLEMENTING CERTAIN RECOMMENDATIONS OF THE TRANSFORMING CHILDREN'S BEHAVIORAL HEALTH POLICY AND PLANNING COMMITTEE AND ABUSE INVESTIGATIONS INVOLVING BEHAVIORAL ANALYSTS.

To expand coverage under the state medical assistance program for applied behavior analysis services and implement certain recommendations of the Transforming Children's Behavioral Health Policy and Planning Committee.

Human Services Committee

AN ACT APPROPRIATING FUNDS FOR HOUSING TO STATE-RECOGNIZED TRIBES, REQUIRING EACH TRIBE TO CONDUCT A STUDY AND CREATE A REPORT AND CONCERNING THE CARE AND MANAGEMENT OF RESERVATION LANDS AND TRIBAL FUNDS.

To (1) provide funds for housing to state-recognized Native American tribes, (2) require that such tribes conduct studies and create a report, and (3) provide that reservation lands and tribal funds be under the care and management of such tribes with the advice of the Commissioner of Energy and Environmental Protection and Indian Affairs Council.

Housing Committee

AN ACT CONCERNING HOUSING AND HOMELESSNESS AND THE RENTAL ASSISTANCE PROGRAM.

To (1) establish a sewer system infrastructure support program, (2) prohibit requiring a lot size greater than one acre for construction of a residence, (3) prohibit a municipality from installing or constructing hostile architecture, (4) require the collection of data regarding LGBTQ youth and young adults, (5) modify the rental assistance program, (6) authorize bonding for municipalities administering a housing choice voucher home ownership program, (7) modify the Community Investment Fund to provide automatic bonding for affordable housing projects, (8) establish a middle housing grant pilot program, (9) establish a pilot program to provide portable showers and laundry facilities to persons experiencing homelessness, (10) establish a direct rental assistance pilot program, and (11) require the majority leaders' roundtable to study (A) establishing an Affordable Housing Real Estate Trust, (B) providing funding to individuals renovating properties in areas with low appraisal values, (C) establishing rental savings accounts and rental tax credits, and (D) establishing extreme temperature protocols to protect persons experiencing homelessness.

Housing Committee

AN ACT CONCERNING THE STATE FIRE PREVENTION CODE, THE STATE FIRE SAFETY CODE, THE REPORTING OF IDENTIFYING INFORMATION, THE STATE BUILDING CODE, ORDERS OF BUILDING INSPECTORS AND LOCAL FIRE MARSHALS AND ELEVATOR INSPECTIONS.

To make various revisions to the public safety statutes relating to the State Fire Prevention Code, State Fire Safety Code, State Building Code and elevator inspections.

Public Safety and Security Committee

AN ACT EXCLUDING VETERANS' FEDERAL SERVICE-CONNECTED DISABILITY BENEFITS FOR PURPOSES OF ELIGIBILITY FOR ASSISTANCE FROM A PUBLIC DEFENDER.

To exclude all service-connected disability benefits administered by the United States Department of Veterans Affairs from consideration when determining eligibility for assistance from a public defender based on indigency.

Veterans' and Military Affairs Committee

AN ACT EXCLUDING VETERANS' DISABILITY PAYMENTS FROM QUALIFYING INCOME WHEN DETERMINING CERTAIN PROPERTY TAX RELIEF.

To exclude veterans' disability payments from qualifying income when determining certain property tax relief.

Veterans' and Military Affairs Committee

AN ACT CONCERNING PAROLE ELIGIBILITY.

To permit the Board of Pardons and Paroles to consider parole for a person who (1) committed a crime or crimes while such person was under twenty-one years of age, (2) received a lengthy sentence, and (3) has served a specified minimum portion of that sentence, regardless of when such crime or crimes were committed.

Judiciary Committee

AN ACT CONCERNING A CONVICTION IN ANOTHER JURISDICTION AS A DISQUALIFIER FOR A CARRY PERMIT OR FIREARMS ELIGIBILITY OR AMMUNITION CERTIFICATE.

To (1) provide that certain convictions in other jurisdictions are disqualifying in this state for a carry permit or firearms eligibility or ammunition certificate, if an offense for which a person is convicted of in another jurisdiction is substantially similar to a Connecticut disqualifying offense, and (2) require that the merchant category code for firearms or ammunition retailers be assigned to each firearms or ammunition retailer in this state.

Judiciary Committee

AN ACT CONCERNING A PROPERTY OWNER'S LIABILITY FOR THE EXPENSES OF REMOVING A FALLEN TREE OR TREE LIMB.

To impose liability on certain owners of real property for the expenses of removing a tree or tree limb that falls on an adjoining owner's private real property.

Judiciary Committee

AN ACT CONCERNING COMPENSATION PAID TO INJURED EMPLOYEES AND THE PARENTS OF A DECEASED EMPLOYEE UNDER THE WORKERS' COMPENSATION ACT.

To: (1) Provide supplemental payments and benefits to individuals with partial permanent disabilities, and (2) permit compensation awards to be distributed to the next of kin of a deceased employee who was unmarried and without dependent children at the time of the employee's death.

Judiciary Committee

AN ACT CONCERNING ACCESSORY COMMERCIAL UNITS.

To allow the as-of-right development of a residential development or a mixed-use development on any lot that allows for commercial use.

Planning and Development Committee

AN ACT CONCERNING THE SUSPENSION OF MOTOR VEHICLE OPERATORS' LICENSES FOR FAILURE TO PAY FINES OR FAILURE TO APPEAR FOR A SCHEDULED COURT APPEARANCE AND PAYMENT INSTALLMENT PLANS FOR MOTOR VEHICLE INFRACTIONS AND VIOLATIONS.

To (1) limit the authority to suspend a motor vehicle operator license for failing to pay fines, fees or other charges or failing to appear for any scheduled court appearance for certain violations, (2) allow persons charged with motor vehicle infractions and violations to enter into installment payment plans, and (3) require a public awareness campaign concerning the importance of responding to motor vehicle infractions and violations.

Transportation Committee

AN ACT CONCERNING THE DEPARTMENT OF ECONOMIC AND COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT'S RECOMMENDATIONS FOR REVISIONS TO THE COMMERCE STATUTES.

To implement the Department of Economic and Community Development's recommendations for revisions to the commerce statutes, including (1) the intellectual and developmental disabilities workforce development program, (2) the sale, exchange or lease of real property under the custody and control of such department, (3) a program concerning Connecticut brand merchandise, (4) permitting the state to support AdvanceCT, (5) conditions concerning the relocation of certain businesses that receive state financial aid from such department or Connecticut Innovations, Incorporated, and (6) construction projects funded by such department.

Commerce Committee

AN ACT CONCERNING TEACHER RECRUITMENT AND RETENTION.

To establish a (1) tuition assistance program for students in teacher preparation programs at a public institution of higher education, and (2) scholarship program for teachers who completed an alternative route to certification program and are pursuing a master's degree, and to appropriate fifty million dollars from the Cannabis Social Equity and Innovation Fund for the tuition assistance program.

Education Committee

AN ACT ESTABLISHING A FARM INVESTMENT TAX CREDIT AND INCREASING THE FARM MACHINERY PROPERTY TAX EXEMPTION AMOUNT.

To establish a farm investment property tax credit and increase the property tax exemption amount of the assessed value of farm machinery.

Finance, Revenue and Bonding Committee