The 2025 regular session of the Connecticut General Assembly adjourned on June 4, 2025. As an odd-numbered year, this was a “long session,” during which legislators may propose bills on any subject. True to form, more than 3,000 bills were introduced this year, with only five to seven percent passing both chambers and advancing to the Governor for final action.
CRCOG was actively engaged throughout the session and successfully championed several legislative priorities to benefit our member municipalities and the broader capital region. On other bills, we sought to address key policy issues and concerns. Notable outcomes include:
Funding to Remediate Crumbling Foundations
The legislature committed $100 million in additional bond funding to the Connecticut Foundation Solutions Indemnity Company (CFSIC), enabling continued support for the remediation of crumbling residential foundations in eastern Connecticut. This issue affects several CRCOG member municipalities. This funding is included in Section 73 of the bond bill (HB 7288).
Housing Policy & Funding – Public Act 25-49 (HB 5002)
CRCOG staff spent significant time tracking and testifying on housing-related legislation this past session. PA 25-49 (HB 5002) was introduced late in the session, enacting numerous municipal housing and planning requirements. The act also includes additional funding for Connecticut’s councils of governments to enable them to provide their member towns with technical assistance and otherwise assist with implementing the law.
Notable elements of the legislation include provisions to promote the development of middle housing, eliminate parking minimums for certain multifamily projects, and require most towns to prepare priority affordable housing plans linked to allocations identified in the state’s Fair Share Housing Study. The act also prohibits municipalities from erecting new “hostile architecture” in public spaces, creates tax-deductible savings accounts for first-time homebuyers, and amends the CGS Sec. 8-30(g) appeals process to penalize towns that act in bad faith or unreasonably delay the approval of an application. In addition, the act prioritizes certain state discretionary grants (e.g., STEAP) to encourage the development of transit-oriented communities and requires all municipalities with a population of 15,000 to establish a local fair rent commission or join a multi-town or regional entity.
On June 23, Governor Lamont vetoed PA 25-49 (HB 5002) and announced his intent to call a special session of the General Assembly to prepare a revised housing bill. CRCOG staff will follow this development closely and advocate for legislation that meets the needs of our towns and the larger region.
Key Bond Authorizations
The bond bill (HB 7288) is always a critical piece of legislation. While CRCOG had sought increases in some programs, such as Local Bridge and the Transportation Rural Improvement Program (TRIP), overall appropriations remain stable for municipal grant programs. Section 40 of the bill details the funding for key transportation initiatives, including:
- $80 million for the Local Transportation Capital Improvement Program (LOTCIP)
- $40 million in grants-in-aid to municipalities for major transportation projects
- $20 million for the Local Bridge Program
- $10 million for the Transportation Rural Improvement Program (TRIP)
- $20 million for wrong-way driving countermeasures
- $5 million for the Automated Work Zone Speed Control Program
- $277.43 million for bus and rail facilities, rights-of-way, acquisitions, and related projects
Section 13 of the bond bill also includes funding for important programs for our cities and towns, in particular:
- $15 million for grants-in-aid to municipalities, homeowners, and small businesses impacted by catastrophic events
- $7.6 million for hazardous waste site mitigation
- $6.8 million for incinerator and landfill improvements
- $20 million for urban brownfield remediation
- $5 million for PFAS pollution remediation and potable water access
- $7.5 million for flood and erosion damage repair and resiliency planning
- $10 million for municipal open space acquisition and recreational development
- $15 million for solid waste facility improvements
- $40 million for the Brownfield Remediation and Revitalization Program
- $50 million for the new Greyfield Revitalization Program
Greyfield Revitalization Program – Sections 112 & 113 of HB 7288
CRCOG supported the establishment of a new Greyfield Revitalization Program to assist municipalities in repurposing vacant or underutilized commercial properties that are economically nonviable and ineligible for brownfield programs. Under this initiative, the DECD Commissioner may allocate up to $50 million in grants or loans. Eligible uses include assessments, demolition, remediation, construction, planning studies, and administrative costs (5% cap). The legislation also establishes a non-lapsing “Greyfield Revitalization Account” to fund program activities and loan repayments. In addition, municipalities with “summary review” zoning regulations will receive priority funding.
Streamlined Commercial-to-Residential Conversions – SB 1444
SB 1444, as amended by Senate Amendment B, allows municipalities that exercise zoning powers under state statute (rather than special acts) to authorize the conversion or partial conversion of commercial buildings into residential developments through a streamlined “summary review” process. To qualify, the building owner must certify in writing that the building has either been vacant or had an average occupancy rate below 50% over the preceding year.
Under a summary review process, towns may approve an application without a public hearing, variance, special permit, or any other discretionary zoning action—the process only requires a determination that the site plan conforms to applicable zoning regulations and that public health and safety will not be substantially impacted. The bill sets related requirements for the application and review process, including municipal property revaluation procedures, and provides priority access to the DECD’s new Greyfield Revitalization Program for municipalities that adopt zoning regulations allowing such conversions.
Energy Affordability and Ratepayer Relief – SB 4
SB 4 aims to reduce energy costs for residents and small businesses through both immediate rate relief and long-term structural reforms. The bill provides an estimated $325 to $400 million in annual statewide savings, including a reduction in electric rates by approximately 1 to 2 cents per kilowatt-hour—translating to savings of about $100 per year for typical households, with larger savings for small businesses.
To deliver these savings, SB 4 authorizes using up to $125 million per year in general obligation bonds to cover the cost of public-benefit charges expenses that are typically passed onto ratepayers through their electric bills. It also includes an additional $50 million over two years to support electric vehicle charging infrastructure. Furthermore, the bill allows for the securitization of approximately $135 million per year in storm recovery and grid modernization costs through rate-reduction bonds, spreading these expenses over time to ease the burden on ratepayers.
SB 4 also enacts significant policy and procurement reforms. It encourages the deployment of smart meters and advanced grid technologies to improve efficiency and reduce long-term operational costs. It scales back subsidies for high-cost renewable energy sources such as biomass and landfill gas, which could generate up to $75 million in savings through 2030. Additionally, it provides utilities with greater flexibility in how they procure electricity, enabling them to take advantage of cost-saving opportunities in the wholesale market.
To ensure better oversight and accountability, the bill separates the Public Utilities Regulatory Authority (PURA) from the Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP), granting PURA greater independence and administrative authority to streamline rate-setting processes. It also expands the membership of the state’s utility oversight board from three to five members to enhance transparency and representation. Through this combination of immediate ratepayer relief, smarter financing, operational reforms, and stronger regulatory oversight, SB 4 could deliver substantial and sustained reductions in Connecticut’s energy costs.
Traffic Safety Reforms – SB 1377
SB 1377 amends various transportation-related statutes, several of which are relevant to CRCOG’s Legislative Agenda. The most relevant provisions would:
- Permit the local traffic authority to erect signage and other traffic control devices to improve safety at crosswalks, intersections, and roadway areas that lack sidewalks.
- Restrict driving in the extreme left-hand lane on divided highways and increase the age for mandatory wearing of helmets from 18 to 21 for motorcycle riders.
- Permit the CT DMV to require drivers that have been convicted of various offenses to participate in a driver’s retraining program.
- Charge the state’s Vision Zero Council with studying the feasibility of implementing intelligent speed assistance devices to curb speeding and reckless driving.
- Require the CTDOT to develop a plan to expand the use of speed safety cameras on state highways. Allow municipalities to utilize fines collected from the use of use fines collected from automated traffic enforcement safety devices to help defray the costs associated with the equipment.
- Permit the CTDOT to expand the use of work zone speed control systems in highway work zones across the state.
- Require the CTDOT to discount fares for the use of state-controlled bus service for veterans, people age 65 and older, persons with disabilities, and people 18 and under.
Acknowledgments
CRCOG’s success this session was made possible by our Legislative Committee, chaired by East Windsor First Selectman Jason Bowsza, MPA. We commend our municipal leaders, legislators, and CRCOG staff for their tireless support, including hosting our first legislative breakfast in several years and working on testimony, outreach, and advocacy. We also greatly appreciate the productive working relationship we have developed with many of our legislators and thank them for their service to our communities.
Matt Hart, Executive Director
Donna Hamzy, Vice President, Kozak & Salina
