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HB05334 • 2026

AN ACT CONCERNING RIPARIAN AREAS.

AN ACT CONCERNING RIPARIAN AREAS.

Energy Labor
Passed Legislature

This bill passed both chambers and reached final enrollment, even if later executive action is not shown here.

Sponsor
Environment Committee
Last action
2026-05-20
Official status
Signed by the Governor
Effective date
Not listed

Plain English Breakdown

The official bill excerpt does not explicitly define 'riparian areas' beyond describing them as adjacent to watercourses; the summary text adds context about improving quality, but the legal mandate is strictly for hiring and training.

Act Concerning Riparian Areas

This law directs state funds from fiscal year 2027 to hire an employee who will train local wetland commissions on protecting land next to water.

What This Bill Does

  • Requires the Commissioner of Energy and Environmental Protection to use available state funds for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2027.
  • Funds hiring one employee specifically to conduct training sessions.
  • Directs this new employee to train inland wetland commissions on matters related to the Inland Wetlands and Watercourses Act.
  • Includes preservation of riparian areas as a topic for the required training.

Who It Names or Affects

  • The Department of Energy and Environmental Protection
  • Inland wetland commissions across the state

Terms To Know

Riparian areas
Areas immediately adjacent to watercourses.
Inland wetland commissions
Local groups that receive training on the Inland Wetlands and Watercourses Act under this law.

Limits and Unknowns

  • The funding applies only to state funds made available for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2027.
  • The text does not specify a specific dollar amount set aside for this purpose.
  • The law takes effect on July 1, 2026.

Bill History

  1. 2026-05-20 Connecticut General Assembly

    Signed by the Governor

  2. 2026-05-15 Connecticut General Assembly

    Transmitted to the Secretary of State

  3. 2026-05-15 Connecticut General Assembly

    Transmitted by Secretary of the State to Governor

  4. 2026-05-14 LCO

    Public Act 26-61

  5. 2026-05-05 Connecticut General Assembly

    Senate Adopted House Amendment Schedule A

  6. 2026-05-05 Connecticut General Assembly

    Senate Passed as Amended by House Amendment Schedule A

  7. 2026-05-05 Connecticut General Assembly

    On Consent Calendar / In Concurrence

  8. 2026-05-04 Connecticut General Assembly

    House Adopted House Amendment Schedule A 5993

  9. 2026-05-04 Connecticut General Assembly

    House Passed as Amended by House Amendment Schedule A

  10. 2026-05-04 Connecticut General Assembly

    Transmitted Pursuant To Joint Rule 17

  11. 2026-05-04 Connecticut General Assembly

    Favorable Report, Tabled for the Calendar, Senate

  12. 2026-05-04 Connecticut General Assembly

    Senate Calendar Number 549

  13. 2026-04-15 Connecticut General Assembly

    No New File by Committee on Appropriations

  14. 2026-04-15 Connecticut General Assembly

    Tabled for the Calendar, House

  15. 2026-04-14 LCO

    Filed with Legislative Commissioners' Office

  16. 2026-04-14 LCO

    Reported Out of Legislative Commissioners' Office

  17. 2026-04-13 APP

    Joint Favorable

  18. 2026-04-07 Connecticut General Assembly

    Referred by House to Committee on Appropriations

  19. 2026-03-26 LCO

    Reported Out of Legislative Commissioners' Office

  20. 2026-03-26 Connecticut General Assembly

    Favorable Report, Tabled for the Calendar, House

  21. 2026-03-26 Connecticut General Assembly

    House Calendar Number 158

  22. 2026-03-26 LCO

    File Number 192

  23. 2026-03-20 LCO

    Referred to Office of Legislative Research and Office of Fiscal Analysis 03/25/26 5:00 PM

  24. 2026-03-13 ENV

    Joint Favorable Substitute

  25. 2026-03-13 LCO

    Filed with Legislative Commissioners' Office

  26. 2026-02-27 Connecticut General Assembly

    Public Hearing 03/04

  27. 2026-02-26 Connecticut General Assembly

    Referred to Joint Committee on Environment

Official Summary Text

To create greater protection and preservation of areas immediately adjacent to watercourses in the state in order to preserve and improve the quality of such watercourses.

Current Bill Text

Read the full stored bill text 
Substitute House Bill No. 5334

Public Act No. 26-61

AN ACT CONCERNING RIPARIAN AREAS.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General
Assembly convened:

Section 1. (NEW) (Effective July 1, 2026) The Commissioner of Energy
and Environmental Protection shall utilize any state funds made
available to the Department of Energy and Environmental Protection,
for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2027, for the purpose of the
preservation of riparian areas to hi re an employee to conduct training
for inland wetland commissions on matters pertaining to the Inland
Wetlands and Watercourses Act, including, but not limited to, the
preservation of riparian areas.