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HB05521

Law on Sterile Plants and Reclaimed Fill Materials

Last scannedAug 25, 2026, 6:19 AM

In one sentence

This law requires a report on the safety of sterile plants and Japanese barberry, while creating rules for using certain recycled materials as fill in construction projects.

What it does

  • Requires the Connecticut Agricultural Experiment Station to study and submit a report by January 15, 2027, on the safety of selling, planting, importing, transporting, purchasing sterile cultivars, and distributing Japanese barberry.
  • Defines 'beneficially reclaimed materials' as specific items like soil, crushed glass, concrete, or sand that may contain very small amounts of waste but are safe for reuse.
  • Allows the Commissioner of Energy and Environmental Protection to run a pilot program using up to four authorizations for these recycled materials at single locations with an engineering need for fill.
  • Sets strict rules requiring this fill to be placed in areas where groundwater quality is classified as 'GB' or 'GC', served by public drinking water supplies, and not located in aquifer protection areas.
  • Requires applicants to pay a $25,000 nonrefundable fee and provide plans for monitoring the site's water quality during filling and for at least 30 years after completion.

Who it affects

  • The Connecticut Agricultural Experiment Station
  • Applicants seeking permission to use recycled materials as fill in construction or redevelopment projects

Limits and unknowns

  • The official text does not specify a general effective date for all sections, only stating that specific parts are 'Effective from passage'.
  • The pilot program allows a maximum of four authorizations total.
  • Specific details about how energy-related facilities will be reviewed under this act are mentioned in the summary but not detailed in the provided text excerpt.

Plain language

Terms to know

Sterile cultivars
Plant varieties that are the subject of a safety report regarding their sale and planting.
Beneficially reclaimed materials
Materials like soil, concrete, or glass that may contain very small amounts of waste but can be used as fill if they meet specific safety criteria.
Aquifer protection area
A zone where the use of beneficially reclaimed materials is prohibited under this law.

Official record

Sources

Validated
Official bill pageIntroduced textOfficial digestCurrent bill textStored full record

Official summary

To authorize the sale and distribution of sterile cultivars of certain plant species and provide for the review of certain energy-related facilities regardless of their use for sterile cultivar propagation.

Official activity

Bill history

  1. Signed by the Governor
  2. Transmitted to the Secretary of State
  3. Transmitted by Secretary of the State to Governor
  4. Public Act 26-129LCO
  5. House Adopted House Amendment Schedule A 6188
  6. House Passed as Amended by House Amendment Schedule A
  7. Transmitted Pursuant To Joint Rule 17
  8. Favorable Report, Tabled for the Calendar, Senate
  9. Senate Calendar Number 555
  10. Rules Suspended
  11. Senate Adopted House Amendment Schedule A
  12. Senate Adopted Senate Amendment Schedule A 6243
  13. Senate Passed as Amended by House Amendment Schedule A
  14. Senate Passed as Amended by Senate Amendment Schedule A
  15. Transmitted Pursuant To Joint Rule 17
  16. Potential Disagreeing Action, Tabled for the Calendar, House
  17. House Adopted Senate Amendment Schedule A
  18. House Passed as Amended by House Amendment Schedule A
  19. House Passed as Amended by Senate Amendment Schedule A
  20. In Concurrence