Month: April 2026

Senator MD Rahman Leads Passage of Four Bills, Advancing Housing, Zoning, and Property Tax Reform

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Senator MD Rahman Leads Passage of Four Bills, Advancing Housing, Zoning, and Property Tax Reform

HARTFORD — Senator MD Rahman (D-Manchester), Senate Chair of the Planning and Development Committee, today led passage of four separate pieces of legislation, advancing bills to make building accessory dwelling units more affordable, strengthen municipal zoning enforcement, modernize Connecticut’s property tax assessment statutes, and provide Hartford with flexibility on an upcoming property revaluation.

“I’m proud of what we were able to accomplish today for Connecticut residents,” Senator Rahman said. “Too many families want to add a unit for an aging parent or a caregiver and run into costs that make it impossible before they even break ground. Removing these utility fee barriers is a practical step that gives families more options and helps us add housing where it’s needed most. The zoning enforcement bill gives our towns the tools they need to protect their communities, and the property tax revisions clean up statutes that haven’t kept pace with how our municipalities actually operate.”

House Bill 5288 removes a barrier that has made it harder and more expensive for homeowners to add a second unit to their property. Under current law, utilities could treat an accessory dwelling unit as a new residential connection and charge full connection fees. The bill prohibits that practice and, for the first time, extends that prohibition to investor-owned water companies. It also extends as-of-right ADU protections to municipalities that exercise zoning authority under a special act, closing a gap that had left some towns outside the state’s existing framework.

House Bill 5391 strengthens the enforcement tools available to municipalities when property owners violate local zoning regulations. The bill ensures that towns exercising zoning authority under a special act have access to the same criminal and civil penalties available to towns operating under the general statutes, including civil penalties of up to $2,500 for ongoing violations.

Senate Bill 362 makes a series of technical and substantive updates to Connecticut’s property tax assessment statutes, modernizing how motor vehicles are valued, updating procedures for veterans’ exemptions, and streamlining assessor certification and notification requirements.

“Owners of older vehicles have been paying taxes based on a floor that did not reflect what their car was actually worth,” Senator Rahman said. “This bill fixes that by allowing the assessed value of vehicles twenty years and older to drop below the previous minimum, so families are taxed on a value that is closer to reality.”

Senate Bill 359 allows the city of Hartford to defer its required property revaluation from the assessment year beginning October 1, 2026, to the assessment year beginning October 1, 2027, provided the deferral is approved by Hartford’s legislative body.

SENATOR MARX LEADS SENATE PASSAGE RESTRICTING PRIVATE EQUITY PRESENCE IN CONNECTICUT HOUSING

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SENATOR MARX LEADS SENATE PASSAGE RESTRICTING PRIVATE EQUITY PRESENCE IN CONNECTICUT HOUSING

Thursday, April 30, 2026

Today, State Senator Martha Marx (D-New London) led the Senate’s passage of legislation restricting private equity presence in Connecticut housing by placing time limits on private equity institutions’ ability to purchase homes as they enter the marketplace.

Under Senate Bill 256, private equity entities would be prohibited from purchasing, acquiring or offering to purchase or acquire part or all of a single- or two-family residence unless it has been listed for sale to the general public for 90 days. Should the residence’s asking price change, that 90-day timer would restart.

The bill defines “private equity entity” as an institutional real estate investor owning at least 10 residences and managing at least $50 million in asserts or an entity receiving funding from such an investor for purchasing homes. The term does not include nonprofit organizations or entities operating under the state’s land bank and land trust program.

“It’s already hard enough to buy a home in this market. We don’t need private equity corporations further skewing the market buying up homes and reducing housing stock in Connecticut,” said Sen. Marx. “This bill gives regular people a fighting chance by putting a three-month timer before private equity can purchase a single- or two-family home. It’s not barring them from investing; it’s making sure they aren’t jumping regular people in line to snap up properties for profit.”

The waiting period does not apply to properties that will be used as the principal residence of a person with ownership interest in the private equity entity seeking to buy it or operated with federal, state or municipal appropriated funds.

Should a private equity entity violate the bill’s provisions, they could face civil action including penalties of up to $250,000.

The law would go into effect October 1.

In written testimony, the Connecticut Citizen Action Group noted Connecticut has become one of the fastest-growing states in the country for shares of single-family homes purchased by corporate investors, and in the last five years, the median price of a single-family home increased by 49% in the state.

Connecticut Voices for Children testified private equity investors often utilize all-cash offers and waive contingencies to appeal to sellers, boxing families out of the marketplace, particularly in neighborhoods historically serving as homeownership entry points.

Before today’s 27-9 Senate vote, the bill previously passed the Housing Committee by a 13-6 vote in April and the Judiciary Committee by a 34-6 vote in April. It next heads to the House for further consideration.

SENATOR MAHER LEADS SENATE TO PRIORITIZE CHILD CARE OVER PRIVATE EQUITY

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SENATOR MAHER LEADS SENATE TO PRIORITIZE CHILD CARE OVER PRIVATE EQUITY

Today, State Senator Ceci Maher (D-Wilton), Senate Chair of the Committee on Children, led the Senate’s passage of legislation seeking to prioritize Connecticut child care centers over private equity presence in the state.

“At a time when costs are high everywhere and families are struggling, the last thing they need is for costs in the child care market to grow further,” said Sen. Maher. “Today, the Senate is prioritizing the care and education of our children, ensuring support funds go programs needing them first, not helping monied interests profit further from their investments. We need to grow and support small businesses and nonprofits that provide these vital services in our communities.”

Senate Bill 266, “An Act Limiting The Access Of Private Equity To Funds From The Early Childhood Education Endowment,” makes a simple adjustment to funds released through the state’s Early Childhood Education Endowment, developed last year to support early care and education programs, de-emphasizing private equity companies for the release of funds.

Under the bill, early care and education programs or preschool programs with a controlling interest from a private equity entity would not receive funds from the state’s early childhood education fund until funds have been expended to all other eligible early care education and preschool programs.

The Commissioner of Early Childhood will be required to determine there are no other eligible entities that can provide these programs and that the private equity entity also meets all of the office’s applicable application standards.

The Urban Institute notes private equity firms have stakes in eight of the 11 largest child care chains with franchises in multiple states, while 15 of the largest 16 largest early childhood care and education chains receive at least some funding from private equity.

Consequences of this can range, though it’s noted large-capacity chains primarily serve wealthier families and that private equity firms often cut staff and services to reduce costs and return profits to investors. A 2007 study found large, for-profit chains have lower program quality on average than nonprofit or independent programs.

The Connecticut Citizen Action Group testified that private equity shows a larger propensity for higher failure and closure rates, which leads to worse outcomes for customers.

The bill previously passed the Committee on Children by a 12-5 tally in March before passing the Senate today on a 24-12 vote. It next heads to the House.

Senator Honig Leads Passage of Legislation to Ensure Veterans’ Graves Are Maintained

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Senator Honig Leads Passage of Legislation to Ensure Veterans’ Graves Are Maintained

HARTFORD — Senator Paul Honig (D-Harwinton), Senate Chair of the Veterans’ and Military Affairs Committee, voted Thursday to pass Senate Bill 282, legislation which will set aside $100,000 to be used as grants to municipalities to care for and maintain graves for veterans who served in a time of war.

“The upkeep of veterans’ gravesites has depended on the goodwill of private individuals, and their efforts have honored many of those who have served our country,” Senator Honig said. “But when that goodwill falls short, there has been no reliable backstop, and some gravesites have suffered for it. This bill ensures the state can fill that gap so the resting places of all our veterans receive the care and maintenance they deserve.”

By law, the Office of Policy and Management may, from the neglected cemetery account, make grants to municipalities for maintaining neglected burial grounds and cemeteries with more than six places of interment. The municipal selectmen may use the funds to clear vegetation, mow lawn areas, repair fences or walls, and fix memorial stones.

Under existing law, municipalities are responsible for the cost of caring for and maintaining graves of those who served in wartime if the services are not paid for by private individuals or the cemetery trustees.

The bill allows municipalities to apply for money available in the neglected cemetery account for grants for these maintenance purposes.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact: Hugh McQuaid | hugh.mcquaid@cga.ct.gov |

SENATOR ANWAR SUPPORTS SENATE ADVANCEMENT OF LONG-TERM CARE INSURANCE SAFEGUARDS

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Senator Anwar

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Joe O’Leary | Joe.OLeary@cga.ct.gov | 508-479-4969

April 30, 2026

SENATOR ANWAR SUPPORTS SENATE ADVANCEMENT OF LONG-TERM CARE INSURANCE SAFEGUARDS

Today, State Senator Saud Anwar (D-South Windsor) voted in support of the Senate’s passage of new safeguards to better protect long-term care insurance policy holders. For years, Sen. Anwar has worked to support constituents and Connecticut residents struggling under rapidly escalating costs these plans can lead to.

“For too long, I’ve heard from far too many long-term care insurance policy holders that they can’t rely on the policies they paid for decades ago, with shocking rate hikes putting increasing financial pressure on them,” said Sen. Anwar.”I’m proud this bill is working to reduce sticker shock and provide policy holders with more power, though I’d like to see it go further. Still, this represents significant progress in supporting those at the mercy of insurance companies and I hope to see it become law.”

Senate Bill 478 seeks to require insurers to file annual reports with the Insurance Commissioner on actual losses paid, and beginning in 2027, legislative committees will review that information. The Commissioner will also gain the power to study whether policyholders should be able to cancel and get full premium refunds when an insurer files a rate increase above the inflation rate.

Additionally, any rate increase of 20% or more must be spread out over at least three years, insurers must notify policyholders before implementing large increases and give at least 30 days to choose reduced benefits or a lower-cost option, and there will be new enforcement authority in the event of violations.

Long-term care insurance provides support for skilled in-home care, rehabilitation therapy, assisted living, nursing home stays and respite care, but its costs have skyrocketed in the last few years, according to the Connecticut Mirror, which found rate increases range from 50% to as high as 174%.

That issue is largely due to interest rates being lower than expected, more people than expected holding onto their plans and policyholders living longer, increasing periods of care. Still, policy holders often find themselves facing extreme financial challenges as a result of the changing market, making change necessary.

With today’s passage, the bill now heads to the House.

***NEWS ADVISORY *** TOMORROW: SENATORS OSTEN & BERTHEL HONOR MISSING AND MURDERED INDIGENOUS NATIVE AMERICAN WOMEN

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**NEWS ADVISORY **

TOMORROW: SENATORS OSTEN & BERTHEL HONOR MISSING AND MURDERED INDIGENOUS NATIVE AMERICAN WOMEN

HARTFORD – State Senators Carthy Osten (D-Sprague) and Eric Berthel (R-Watertown) will host Connecticut’s annual Missing and Murdered Indigenous Persons Awareness Day – also known as “Red Dress Day” – at the State Capitol tomorrow, Friday, May 1, beginning at 9:30 a.m.

National Missing and Murdered Indigenous Persons (MMIP) Awareness Day is observed annually on May 5 to honor victims, support families, and raise awareness of the high rates of violence against Indigenous people. Established in 2017, this day of advocacy addresses the crisis of Native women and girls who are missing or being murdered at disproportionate rates.

Schedule:

  • 9:30 a.m.- Capitol, South Lobby
  • Opening Ceremony – Flute Honoring Song – Mashantucket Pequot Tribal Member
  •                               Rashad Young Director of the MPTN Language Department
  • 9:40 a.m.  – Capitol, South Lobby
  • Opening Prayer –  Herbert “Half-Crow” Boyd, Vice Chairman, Mashantucket Pequot   
  •                                    Tribal Elders Council
  • Opening Remarks – Senators Osten & Berthel   
  • Tribal Nation Guest Speakers:
  • Eastern Pequot Tribal Nation – Secretary Dawnrae Rocha
  • Golden Hill Paugussett Tribal Nation – Clan Mother Shoran Waupatukuay Piper
  • Mashantucket Pequot Tribal Nation Vice Chairwoman Latoya Cluff
  • Mashantucket Pequot Tribal Nation Mashantucket Royalty, Jr Miss Mashantucket Chloe Cox
  • Mashantucket Pequot Tribal Nation Mashantucket Royalty, Tiny Tot Miss Mashantucket Izarra Eleazer
  • Mohegan Tribe Nation Chairwoman Council of Elders Beth Regan; Vice Chairwoman of Strong Wolves Speak Loudly MMIP Committee-Teri McHale
  • Schaghticoke Tribal Nation – Member Darlene Kascak

Senator Cohen Welcomes Senate Passage of Distracted Driving, Work Zone Safety Legislation

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Senator Cohen Welcomes Senate Passage of Distracted Driving, Work Zone Safety Legislation

HARTFORD — Senator Christine Cohen (D-Guilford), Senate Chair of the Transportation Committee, today welcomed the Senate’s passage of SB 484, an act concerning distracted driving and the safe operation of a motor vehicle in a highway work zone.

The bill makes distracted driving in a highway work zone a reckless driving violation, meaning offenders face criminal penalties rather than a civil infraction. It also expands Connecticut’s distracted driving law to explicitly include playing a video on a mobile electronic device in full view of the driver, and closes a technological loophole by adding video converters to the definition of prohibited mobile electronic devices, addressing devices designed to stream video to dashboard screens while a vehicle is in motion.

“The people who pave our roads and maintain our highways deserve to go home safely, and this legislation is designed to ensure that motorists who drive through their workspaces keep their eyes on the road,” Senator Cohen said. “It’s important that our work zone safety laws keep pace with today’s technology especially as drivers are faced with increasing distractions from smart phones, on board systems and other devices. This bill sets clear consequences for unsafe behavior and closes loopholes that make it possible.”

Under S.B. 484, fines for distracted driving in a work zone would be set at $400 for a first violation, $750 for a second, and $1,250 for subsequent violations.

The bill will now head to the House of Representatives for consideration before the legislative session’s May 6 adjournment date.

Senator Cohen Leads Passage of Motor Vehicle Reform Bill Protecting Connecticut Drivers

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Senator Cohen Leads Passage of Motor Vehicle Reform Bill Protecting Connecticut Drivers

HARTFORD — Senator Christine Cohen (D-Guilford), Senate Chair of the Transportation Committee, led passage Wednesday of Senate Bill 413, a comprehensive motor vehicle reform bill that strengthens consumer protections for the owners of towed vehicles, car buyers, and people with disabilities who rely on accessible parking.

The legislation makes various changes to Connecticut motor vehicle laws and among other policies, addresses three areas where drivers and residents have reported the system was not working for them: hidden fees in car dealership advertising, unfair towing practices, and widespread misuse of accessible parking placards.

Conveyance fees

The bill requires car dealers to include conveyance fees in advertised prices and to disclose those fees when negotiating a final sale price. Connecticut consumers will no longer be surprised by fees that appear only at the moment they sign a purchase agreement.

“Buying a car is already one of the biggest financial decisions a family makes,” Senator Cohen said. “Consumers shouldn’t be hit with hidden fees at the closing table, and this bill makes clear that Connecticut dealers must be transparent with their customers from the start.”

Towing

The bill creates a publicly accessible online portal where vehicle owners can locate their towed car within 48 hours, establishes a clear schedule of rates and charges for police-ordered and private-property trespass towing, and strengthens the consumer bill of rights that wrecker services must provide to vehicle owners. Senator Cohen worked closely with small towing businesses throughout the process to ensure that good actors in the industry were not burdened by reforms targeting bad ones.

“This bill strikes a careful balance that protects both drivers and small towing companies who do right by consumers,” Senator Cohen said. “No one should have to wonder where their car is or what they owe to get it back, and good actors in the towing industry should not be punished for the behavior of bad ones.”

Accessible parking

The bill redesigns the removable windshield placard so the expiration date is prominently visible from outside the vehicle, strengthens the Accessible Parking Advisory Council’s fraud prevention tools, and establishes an annual Accessible Parking Awareness Day to promote responsible use of accessible spaces statewide.

“I heard directly from constituents with disabilities about how frustrating it is to arrive at an accessible parking space and find it taken by someone who does not need it,” Senator Cohen said. “This bill takes that seriously. It gives us better tools to prevent fraud and abuse while making sure the people who truly depend on accessible parking can count on those spaces when they need them.”

Senate Bill 413 passed the Senate on a bipartisan, 35-1 vote and will now head to the House of Representatives for consideration.

Senator Honig Votes to Pass Legislation Benefitting Dairy Farms

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Senator Honig Votes to Pass Legislation Benefitting Dairy Farms

HARTFORD — Senator Paul Honig (D-Harwinton) voted Wednesday to pass legislation that will help Connecticut dairy farms modernize their operations, preserve working farmland, and plan for the long-term sustainability of the state’s agricultural sector.

“Northwest Connecticut has a strong agricultural tradition worth protecting, and this bill gives our dairy farmers new tools to invest in their operations and stay competitive,” Senator Honig said. “Farms in places like Granby, Harwinton, and New Hartford are essential to what makes this region what it is, and I’m glad we were able to pass something that takes their future seriously.”

Senate Bill 148 establishes a new Dairy Modernization Grant Program through the Department of Agriculture to help farms invest in equipment, operations, and infrastructure. It also creates a Dairy Farming Sustainability Working Group, brought together at the recommendation of the Office of Policy and Management, the Department of Agriculture, and the industry, to develop long-term support recommendations.

The bill also expands eligibility for a farm investment tax credit to include Connecticut taxpayers with at least $250,000 in annual farming income, correcting an eligibility issue from last session’s legislation.

Additional provisions reinstate land use values for forest land in the PA 490 program, remove an existing cap on farmland preservation development rights offers to keep Connecticut competitive in preserving working farmland, and update the Farmers Market Nutrition Program to reflect current electronic benefit practices.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact: Hugh McQuaid | hugh.mcquaid@cga.ct.gov |

Senator Rahman Leads Passage of Blight Enforcement Bill

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Senator Rahman Leads Passage of Blight Enforcement Bill

HARTFORD — Senator MD Rahman (D-Manchester), Senate Chair of the Planning and Development Committee, led passage Wednesday of Senate Bill 272, legislation that gives municipalities stronger tools to act against blighted properties that have become a persistent problem in their communities.

Under current law, municipalities must wait until a third blight violation within a twelve-month period before they can take immediate enforcement action without first providing written notice and an opportunity to remediate. SB 272 lowers that threshold to a second violation, allowing towns and cities to move faster against property owners who have already received notice and failed to address blighted conditions.

“Blighted properties don’t just hurt the people who live next door to them. They undermine the stability of entire neighborhoods and put responsible property owners at a disadvantage,” Senator Rahman said. “This bill is a practical fix: if a property owner has already been put on notice and the problem keeps coming back, our towns shouldn’t have to wait for a third strike before they can act. I’m proud to have led this bill through the Senate and I look forward to seeing it signed into law.

The bill passed the Planning and Development Committee on a unanimous vote and received support from municipal officials across Connecticut, who testified that faster enforcement authority gives communities better leverage against violations that continue to be ignored.