Bills Passed in Session, April 26th

michel
May 4, 2022

It's a very busy week at the Capitol! Please see below for a list of bills passed on Tuesday, April 26th. 

 
H.B. 5044, AN ACT IMPLEMENTING THE GOVERNOR'S BUDGET RECOMMENDATIONS REGARDING THE USE OF OPIOID LITIGATION PROCEEDS: The opioid crisis has wreaked havoc on many people and families across Connecticut. HB 5044 takes another step in addressing this crisis by establishing an Opioid Settlement Fund, which must contain money Connecticut receives from opioid-related judgments or settlements. Crucially, these funds can only be used for specified substance use disorder abatement purposes.
 

H.B. 5297: AN ACT CONCERNING THE MULTIPLICITY OF AFFECTING FACILITIES IN CERTAIN CENSUS BLOCK GROUPS IN THE STATE:

As we work to better Connecticut's environmental outcomes in the future – equity is critical component of that conversation. This bill works to ensure equitable access to a safe and healthy environment. While I support the language of this bill, I do not think it is addressing many ongoing concerns and issues for our environmental justice communities. Click HERE to listen to my remarks on the House floor. 
 
H.B. 5045, AN ACT REDUCING LEAD POISONING: Though lead poisoning is often viewed as a thing of the past, a recent report by the Department of Public Health found that more than 1,000 Connecticut children under the age of 6 were poisoned by lead in 2020. The state has continued to work on several initiatives to combat this still very real issue, which includes the legislation just passed today. It will reduce the level of lead in blood required for treatment, thereby making more children eligible for this life-saving intervention. I'm happy to report this was passed in a rare unanimous show of bipartisanship.
 
H.B. 5329, AN ACT CONCERNING CANNABIS: This bill seeks to clarify some of regulations included in the cannabis legislation we passed in the General Assembly last year. I vote no on this bill because of issues in the language of the statute and the impacts this bill would have on veterans and medical card holders. Hear my remarks by clicking the photo above.
 
H.B. 5140, AN ACT CONCERNING THE HAND-HARVESTING OF HORSESHOE CRABS IN THE STATE: Connecticut is home a beautiful shoreline with a Horseshoe Crab population that plays an integral role in the survival of several shore species. Horseshoe crab blood is valued for detection of medical infections, and the crabs are also caught for bait. Both practices have endangered the population. Through HB 5140, harvesting would be banned to help protect the remaining population. Click HERE to listen to my remarks on the House floor.
 
H.B. 5355, AN ACT CONCERNING DOMESTIC VIOLENCE POSTING IN THE WORKPLACE: The most effective way to combat domestic violence is to continue speaking about it and erasing the stigma often felt by survivors. By passing HB 5355, the House is shining a light on the issue by providing information and training to help protect survivors and potential victims both in and out of workplaces.
 
H.B. 5315, AN ACT ESTABLISHING A FINANCIAL WELLNESS TRUST FUND AND AUTHORIZING THE TREASURER TO ESTABLISH A CENTER FOR FINANCIAL WELLNESS: A strong understanding finances is critical to success and being properly prepared for the future. HB 5315 would allow the Treasurer of the State of Connecticut to create a Center for Financial Wellness and establish a Financial Wellness Trust Fund so that communities would have access to programs and resources necessary to increase financial literacy.
 
H.B. 5367, AN ACT CONCERNING MOTOR VEHICLE MARKER PLATES FOR CERTAIN VETERANS AND SERVICE MEMBERS, TAX RELIEF FOR VETERANS, MUNICIPAL VETERANS SERVICES AND TECHNICAL REVISIONS TO VETERANS' AND MILITARY AFFAIRS STATUTES: Connecticut has worked to honor the sacrifice of our veterans. With the passage of HB 5367, the House continues this work by updating state statutes to, among other technical changes, provide expanded tax relief for veterans and update the veterans license plates to include the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan.
 
H.B. 5141, AN ACT CONCERNING THE PROTECTION OF CERTAIN FISH SPECIES: Marine forage fish play a critical role in the ecosystem of Connecticut's shoreline, but the lack of a limit on catching these species has caused a depletion of the species threatening the health of our coast. The House passed HB 5141 to protect and limit the number of certain forage fish species and prevent large scale commercial fisheries.