Eilish Collins Main

Dear Neighbor,

The Legislative Session is officially underway. My colleagues and I are prepared for a busy short session, working hard to pass critical legislation through May 6th. It is truly an honor and a privilege to serve Stamford in the Connecticut General Assembly.  

2026 looks to be a critical year for our state. I look forward to meeting the moment and tackling issues that will benefit our community as well as the state as a whole. Thank you to everyone in the 146th District who has reached out to my office over the past few weeks. Please don't hesitate to reach out if you have any questions, comments, or concerns.  

Click on the links below to go to each section, and as always, if I can be of service to you, please be in touch!

• Legislative Session Update
• News 12 Feature on H.B. 5283
• Judiciary Public Hearing S.B. 260
• How to Stay Engaged with the Legislative Session
• Important SNAP Update
• Women's Business Development Council Grants
• Connecticut Student Loan Reimbursement Program Reopens
• Generation Power CT Emergency Energy Assistance
• Read Across America Week
• St. Patrick's Day Parade Reminder

The first order of business at the beginning of February was a vote to extend the state's Emergency Response Fund established during the November 2025 Special Session. We voted to extend the fund, which shields Connecticut from federal funding cuts and protects vital health and human services for our communities.

This funding supports:

• Food assistance
• Health care
• Energy assistance
• Housing
• Child care

These investments ensure Connecticut families don’t lose essential services amid federal chaos and uncertainty. This fund will be available through the end of the next fiscal year to quickly respond to additional federal funding reductions.  

Last Thursday, the House was in session and passed two important bills: Senate Bill 298 and Senate Bill 299.

Senate Bill 298 is a comprehensive measure that advances several key priorities for our communities. It supports first responders by aiding the firefighter cancer relief fund and increases reimbursement rates for intermediate care facilities. The bill also updates freedom of information and election laws to improve efficiency and transparency.

For workers, SB 298 establishes stronger, worker-friendly standards for warehouse operations, including a clear private right of action so employees can seek damages if workplace standards are violated. It revises police training standards for interactions with individuals with disabilities, adjusts municipal pension calculations, and repeals a prior building code change to ensure responsible development standards. It also includes a certificate-of-need change designed to support UConn Health.

Senate Bill 299 addresses bottle redemption fraud following the increase in Connecticut’s beverage container deposit. The bill increases penalties for fraudulently redeeming out-of-state containers and lowers the threshold from 2,500 to 1,000 containers before identification is required at redemption centers. These changes protect the integrity of the system while maintaining the 10-cent deposit.

I am proud to co-sponsor H.B. 5283, An Act Authorizing Municipalities To Prohibit The Sale Of Dogs, Cats, And Rabbits In Pet Shops. Here in Stamford, we saw firsthand how unclear state law created confusion and legal uncertainty when the Board of Representatives attempted to act.  Too often, families purchase pets without full transparency about where the animals are sourced or the conditions in which they were bred. When problems arise, including serious health issues, families can face heartbreaking decisions and thousands of dollars in unexpected veterinary bills. Clarifying municipal authority gives communities a tool to address these concerns responsibly.

H.B. 5283 does not impose a statewide ban. Instead, it clarifies that municipalities may regulate or prohibit retail pet sales if they determine it best serves the public interest. 

This session, I am proud to co-sponsor S.B. 260, An Act Concerning Roaming Dogs. This bill seeks to enhance penalties for unlawfully permitting a dog to roam at large. After hearing the story of one of my constituents who, when out walking her dog, encountered a roaming dog that viciously attacked her small dog and ultimately died. Animal Control was previously made aware of the owner of the roaming dog due to prior incidents. The current penalties and fines are not strict enough to properly enforce no-roaming laws. This bill would increase fines and strengthen consequences for owners who routinely allow their dog to roam, knowing their dog has displayed vicious and reckless behavior. 

To be clear, this bill is not designed to penalize owners who abide by leash laws or for accidental situations. This is about enforcing no-roaming laws and holding owners who are known to allow ill-behaved dogs to roam accountable. I hope to see this bill over the finish line and prevent incidents like the one that happened here in Stamford from happening to other dogs and their owners. 

It's easier than ever to follow along and get involved. There are several resources you can utilize that will help you stay updated on the legislative process as it unfolds in Hartford.

Here's how you can stay connected and actively participate:  

• The Office of Legislative Research (OLR) provides nonpartisan and unbiased research to members of the General Assembly and their staff. Part of their duties includes writing bill analyses, which are summaries of bills in plain language. Click here to check out their website. 
• You can view the Connecticut General Assembly's upcoming events by checking out its schedule on the CGA's official website. 
• Follow CT-N for live coverage of committee meetings, as well as House and Senate floor debates. 
• You can register to monitor any bill's journey through the legislative process. By signing up, you can enter the bill number and receive real-time updates. Stay informed with email notifications whenever there's a change in the bill's progress. 
• Click here for information on how to testify on a bill at a public hearing.

Beginning Sunday, March 1, important changes to Connecticut law will take effect regarding how the state will issue SNAP benefits. 

Under the new legislation, Connecticut will begin staggering the distribution of SNAP benefits throughout the first eight days of the month, rather than loading them primarily the first few days. This change is designed to:

• reduce congestion at grocery stores and retailers
• improve access to food
• create a smoother, more dignified experience for SNAP recipients

Governor Ned Lamont announced that the Connecticut Student Loan Reimbursement Program has opened a new grant round and is now accepting applications for student loan payments that were made during the 2025 calendar year.

Since launching its first grant round in January 2025, the program has awarded more than $2.2 million in reimbursements to borrowers statewide.

Eligible applicants can apply for reimbursement grants of up to $5,000 per year, with a maximum reimbursement of $20,000 over four years. Under the program, a new grant round launches each year, providing reimbursements for payments made during the preceding calendar year.

Eligible applicants may qualify if they:

• Are Connecticut residents and meet program residency requirements
• Made qualifying student loan payments during the 2025 calendar year
• Earned a degree from a Connecticut institution of higher education or completed a state-approved program required for professional licensure or certification
• Meet income limits of $125,000 for single filers or $175,000 for married filers
• Completed required community service or qualify for a hardship waiver in certain circumstances

Applications must be submitted online through the CT Scholars portal, where applicants need to complete an application and upload required documentation. Applications will be reviewed on a first come first serve basis through December 2026 or until funds are exhausted.

Click here for application instructions. Questions regarding the program and the application process can be directed to OHE.SLRP@ct.gov. 

The Generation Power CT (GPCT) Emergency Energy Assistance Program will open on Monday, March 2nd, and will run through March 10th. This program provides a one-time grant of up to $500 to help eligible Connecticut households with electric, gas, or fuel expenses. 
 
Increasing energy costs are a challenge for many in the state, but through this program, GPCT has helped to provide families across Connecticut with secure access to heat, power, and water.
 
All GPCT energy programs are available to income-eligible households making up to 75% State Median Income (SMI) gross household income. Each income-eligible household that receives a GPCT Energy Assistance Award will receive up to $500 toward a future fuel delivery or toward a past-due utility bill. For the best chance of approval, and to make full use of this once-per-12-months grant. This is the last GPCT Energy Assistance Application Cycle this season.
 

To learn more about eligibility requirements and application materials, go to: gpct.org/gethelp/