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It was a busy week, as the State House of Representatives was in session Monday-Thursday. We passed a number of bills, and you can read about some of them below. You can click the links below to navigate between sections.
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This week, HB 5127 -- a measure designed to protect Connecticut consumers from high-pressure sales tactics involving third-party financial products in health care and veterinary settings -- passed with overwhelming bipartisan support.
Across Connecticut and the nation, consumers have reported being encouraged, and even pressured, to sign up for financial products such as medical credit cards, loans, and lines of credit while undergoing treatment, in pain, or under sedation. Many later face unexpected high-interest charges due to confusing promotional terms, leaving them burdened with significant and unforeseen debt.
HB 5127 addresses these concerns by establishing clear, targeted protections while preserving consumer choice and access to financing options. |
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Connecticut House Democrats are modernizing our cannabis laws—cutting unnecessary costs, expanding access, and strengthening a growing industry.
- Expanding access to medical cannabis, including for out-of-state patients
- Lowering costs for businesses through reduced testing and streamlined regulations
- Aligning potency rules with neighboring states to stay competitive
- Increasing the range of products made and sold in Connecticut, including coffee and tea
- Strengthening consumer protections, including data privacy
Modernizing our laws, leveling the playing field, and supporting a growing industry—this is how Connecticut keeps jobs, investment, and innovation here at home.
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This week, the House passed HB 5044: An Act Establishing Connecticut Vaccine Standards.
In the past, Connecticut's vaccine policies and standards have been tied to the expert recommendations developed by the National Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (the CDC). Unfortunately, the CDC has recently abandoned its standing as the premier resource of medicine and science guidelines.
HB 5044 seeks to update Connecticut's vaccine policies so they are based on science, not political agendas. The bill will:
- Allow the Connecticut Department of Public Health to promote COVID and flu vaccines
- Require private insurance companies to cover the cost of your vaccinations
- Allow Connecticut to buy vaccines from suppliers other than the CDC
- Establish an adult vaccine program for uninsured and under-insured individuals
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Connecticut is advancing a gun violence prevention bill aimed at strengthening public safety and closing dangerous gaps in current law. House Bill 5043: An Act Concerning Convertible Pistols and Unfinished Frames or Unfinished Lower Receivers.
The proposal would ban convertible pistols, firearms that can be easily modified to function like automatic weapons, sometimes with minimal tools such as a screwdriver or knife. By addressing these modifications, the bill targets a growing concern among law enforcement and public safety officials.
It would also make it easier for individuals to safely surrender firearms to local police. Current law primarily applies to assault weapons, but this change would expand that option, helping to ensure that more firearms can be removed from potentially unsafe situations.
Together, these measures are designed to reduce the risk of gun violence while promoting responsible ownership and safer communities across the state. |
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Connecticut House Democrats passed legislation to make sure our 2026 elections are free and fair.
We took steps to:
- Modernize our absentee ballot laws and vote counting procedures
- Create more safeguards to ensure your vote counts
- Protect our elections from corrupt outside forces
Additionally, we’ll keep ICE and people with weapons away from our polls, increase penalties for tampering with vote counts and intimidating poll workers, and empower the Attorney General to prevent people from interfering with our elections, among other provisions.
People’s right to vote is under constant attack around the country, but here in Connecticut, we’re making sure elections are free and fair.
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Starting May 1, Connecticut residents can expect some welcome relief on their energy bills. Earlier this week, the Connecticut Public Utilities Regulatory Authority (PURA) approved an interim decision to lower residential electricity rates across the state.
Under this change, rates will decrease by approximately 4.3 cents per kilowatt-hour, about $30 per month for the average Eversource customer, and 4.9 cents per kilowatt-hour, or roughly $34 per month, for the average United Illuminating customer.
This reduction is largely driven by a drop in the public benefits charge, which will now appear as a credit on customers’ bills rather than an added cost, at least through September. Much of this shift is tied to long-term energy contracts negotiated by Millstone and Seabrook nuclear power plants. These agreements provide electricity at stable, fixed prices, helping shield ratepayers from the volatility of fossil fuel markets.
The state’s continued investment in a diversified energy portfolio has helped cushion the impact of rising natural gas prices this winter, underscoring the value of a balanced and forward-looking energy strategy.
Customers should begin seeing these lower rates reflected in their bills starting May 1, with the reductions expected to remain in place through at least September for most households.
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A reminder that as you begin spring cleaning, clearing out old medications is an essential step toward a refreshed and safe home. National Prescription Drug Take Back Day, administered by the DEA, will take place this Saturday, April 25. This event provides residents with a free, convenient way to safely dispose of unwanted, unused, or expired medications at local collection sites. The DEA partners with local law enforcement agencies across the United States to host this event in local communities like ours.
You can click here to use a locator tool to find your nearest disposal site. |
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Host sites will collect pills and capsules, as well as prescription and over-the-counter medicines. The DEA cannot accept liquid, sharps, or needles. Trained volunteers will be present to handle collected materials and ensure safe disposal. Any medication you wish to dispose of should be presented in a clear, sealed bag. Loose pills or capsules will not be accepted.
If you are unable to attend the event, MyOldMeds.com offers a Locator Tool to help you find the nearest disposal site year-round. There are more than 29,000 verified locations in all 50 states that have secure unwanted or expired medicine disposal kiosks, and/or provide free in-home disposal kits upon request. Additionally, the Locator Tool provides disposal site hours of operation, hours of collection, what is collected, and other helpful information. |
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The state’s 2026 Sky’s The Limit Hiking and Walking Challenge has been released, and it looks a bit different from previous iterations.
The challenge – with the theme “America’s 250th" -- invites you to explore some of Connecticut's State Parks and Forests, each with a story to tell.
This year’s challenge starts with 20 different hikes. The Department of Energy and Environmental Protection has said there could be additional missions to be launched as the year progresses.
To get started, you must download the Goosechase app on your phone and enter the code ZMUCP8 to take part in fun, interactive missions – such as checking in at designated locations, snapping photos, answering trivia, and discovering hidden gems along the way.
You get to choose missions to start and go from there.
The challenge started on April 16 and goes until Dec. 4 at 5 p.m.
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| National Bike & Roll to School Day takes place on May 6 and offers a chance to celebrate the benefits of active commuting while building a sense of community, safety, and school spirit. Events can be as simple as a few families walking or biking to school together, or as elaborate as a large celebration with organized activities. Click here to check to see if your school is registered, and if not, sign up today! |
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Please feel free to contact me at the Capitol at 1-800-842-8267 or by email at Larry.Pemberton@cga.ct.gov if you have any questions or concerns.
All my best,
Larry Pemberton
State Representative
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