The 2025 regular legislative session of the Connecticut General Assembly got underway last Wed., Jan. 8. All but two of the 187 lawmakers elected in November were sworn in for a two-year term, and the Governor delivered his annual state of the state address. Two legislators re-elected in November submitted their resignations and didn’t take the oath of office, creating vacancies and the need for special elections, which the Governor has scheduled for February 25.
Legislative leadership has appointed committee chairmen and ranking members and lawmakers have been assigned to serve on the 28 committees. (A new committee will focus on government oversight.) Nineteen new members of the House took the oath of office along with two freshmen Senators in the upper chamber.
The budget, which will be introduced in February, will be the primary focus of lawmakers in the five-month-long legislative session, but individual legislators can propose bills on any subject matter or policy. Hundreds of proposed bills have already been introduced and filed in various committees. Public hearings will begin shortly. Additionally, the state’s so-called fiscal guardrails, financial relief for citizens and taxpayers, electricity costs and energy policy, and special education funding will be considered, among several policies to expect. State agencies are proposing department bills that will be considered by committees for introduction shortly.
LDAC will closely monitor and advocate for policies during the session that help the state to remain competitive, foster job growth and improve the economy for the lumber and building material supply industry.
This is a report concerning legislation and public policy LDAC is participating in or monitoring in the 2025 legislative session.
Housing affordability
In his state of the state address delivered to the General Assembly last week, Governor Lamont emphasized affordability and opportunity and expressed his continued support for affordable workforce housing policies. “We have doubled our commitment to housing with more new housing being built. But time is money. Speed up the permitting process. Get those shovels in the ground,” he said. The Governor may propose additional funding for housing in his budget next month. Meantime, several proposed bills have been introduced by legislators to support housing initiatives and homeownership, including Senate Bill 12.
The Home Builders and Remodelers Association of Connecticut CEO said that any changes that the legislature considers should be done in collaboration with municipalities and with insight from builders and developers, according to CT NewsJunkie.
Additionally, in its legislative outlook for the housing industry, HBRAC said the industry should prepare for significant discussions on policies aimed at addressing the state’s ongoing housing affordability challenges. “With Connecticut facing increased pressure to expand its housing supply, we anticipate legislative proposals that promote zoning reform, streamline permitting processes, and incentivize higher-density development in suitable areas.”
HBRAC reported that key issues likely to emerge include:
- Zoning modernization.
- Affordability initiatives such as tax credits, public-private partnerships, and subsidies to support the development of affordable and workforce housing.
- Environmental and sustainability standards such as updates to energy efficiency codes and incentives for green construction practices.
- Infrastructure and workforce development such as proposals to improve housing-related infrastructure and address labor shortages in the construction sector.
LDAC will partner and form coalitions with organizations such as HBRAC to support measures that reduce regulatory barriers, lower construction costs and encourage growth.
Association health plans
Proposed Senate Bill 189, filed last week in the Insurance Committee, would permit sponsoring associations greater than a specified membership threshold to create multiple employer welfare arrangements. The bill is sponsored by the ranking members and one other member in the minority of the committee. LDAC has supported the policy, which has generated significant controversy and debate among lawmakers in the past.