These news briefs are part of The Connecticut Mirror’s 2026 political coverage. For more news about the 2026 legislative session, campaigns, elections and more, sign up here for The Issue, the CT Mirror’s weekly politics newsletter.
Record-long shutdown ends
Congress ended its record-breaking shutdown of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security after 76 days. But U.S. Rep. Rosa DeLauro, D-3rd District, said it could have happened a lot sooner. She said the bill that passed Thursday mirrored legislation she proposed more than two months ago, but that Republicans didn’t act until this week. “I said, damnit it’s about time that this happened,” DeLauro said. “And I mean that, and I’m delighted that the bill gets passed. Workers are going to be paid.” The legislation funds everything at DHS — FEMA, Secret Service, Coast Guard, and TSA — except for ICE and Border Patrol.
— Lisa Hagen, Federal Policy Reporter
Hunger awareness
Connecticut held its fourth annual Food Security Day at the State Capitol on Monday, aimed at emphasizing the importance of providing support to over 500,000 residents — or 14% of the state’s population — that is deemed food insecure, including 120,000 children. The number of food insecure residents has grown in recent years, according to Feeding America’s estimated food insecurity rate, making Connecticut the most food insecure state in New England.
Food insecurity is defined as inadequate access to nutritious food. Legislators and community leaders at the panel advocated for the state legislature to pass House Bill 5214 which would grant universal free school breakfast to all students across the state.
— Sara Bedigian, Legislative Reporting Intern
SNAP benefits
During a rally at the Capitol on Tuesday, representatives of Connecticut for All demanded that Gov. Ned Lamont tap funding reserves to create a state-funded supplement to the SNAP program, to ensure that people cut from the program through the One Big Beautiful Bill Act would continue to receive adequate food. Blowing bullhorns and wearing pink T-shirts that read ‘Opportunity Means Everybody,’ the group also had stacks of paper plates to deliver to Lamont’s office that read, ‘Governor, FUND SNAP NOW’. Though Lamont has put some funds into food assistance following federal cuts, the group said more is needed.
— Laura Tillman, Human Services Reporter
Sewage alerts
The House voted on Monday to advance a ‘right-to-know’ bill that would require Connecticut to establish a public alert system for sewage spills. The legislation, H.B. 5522, requires the Department of Energy and Environmental Protection to create the alert system by Dec. 1 2026, allowing people to sign up for text messages or emails about sewage spills. DEEP currently uses social media for its alerts.
Sewage spills, or overflows, happen when combined sewer systems become overwhelmed during large storms. The bill has an estimated cost of $141,781 annually, mostly for a new staff position at DEEP.
— John Moritz, Energy & Environment Reporter
Cameras in residential care
A bill that would allow virtual monitoring in residential care homes cleared the House on Monday with a unanimous vote. The measure extends the use of cameras to residential care homes; they already are permitted in nursing homes and assisted living facilities. Residents with roommates must get consent. The resident or his or her family members are responsible for the purchase, activation, installation, maintenance, repair, operation, and removal of the technology at their own expense. The proposal now heads to the Senate.
— Jenna Carlesso, Investigative Reporter
Lobsters and labor
A labor bill that passed the House on Tuesday included language allowing restaurants to serve lobsters that are too small to be legally caught in Connecticut waters. Restaurant owners say they already buy most of their lobsters from Maine, where the minimum legal catch size is slightly smaller than what’s allowed in Long Island Sound, where the lobster industry has struggled to rebound from a massive die-off in the 1990s.
The restrictions effectively increase the price of hot-buttered lobster rolls by a few dollars compared to surrounding states, owners say. The bill passed overwhelmingly after Republicans tried unsuccessfully to remove the lobster provision.
— John Moritz, Energy & Environment Reporter
Mandate relief for schools
Before the legislative session started, Education Committee Ranking Member Rep. Lezlye Zupkus, R-Prospect, told CT Mirror she wanted mandate relief for schools.
On Tuesday, a bill to accomplish that cleared the lower chamber by a vote of 142-4. House Bill 5324 makes a handful of small changes, such as removing certain mandated trainings for school staff. It also empowers the Education Mandate Review Advisory Council to collect data necessary to report annually on what state mandates may be burdensome for schools.
— Theo Peck-Suzuki, Education Reporter
Trafficking bill
The Senate on Wednesday passed a bill allowing the Department of Consumer Protection to audit hotels to ensure that they are posting notices and training employees about human trafficking. They also cannot offer discounts for people renting a motel room hourly. Sen. James Maroney, D-Milford, noted that I-95 is located between two of the sites for the World Cup, and that they were likely to see an increase in trafficking during that event. Republicans supported the bill but said there should be harsher penalties for people who are arrested for trafficking, rather than just putting more regulations on the hotels.
— Emilia Otte, Justice Reporter
No second-look for Aquarion sale
The Public Utilities Regulatory Authority denied requests to re-consider last month’s decision approving the $2.4 billion sale of the Aquarion Water Company. The decision allows Eversource to sell Aquarion to the South Central Connecticut Regional Water Authority, a quasi-public entity. But opponents of the deal, including Attorney General William Tong, said in recent weeks that PURA missed nearly half a billion dollars in future rate increases during its review of the deal. In a ruling on Thursday, PURA dismissed those claims as “hyperbolic” and said that no errors were found in a review of its original decision.
— John Moritz, Energy & Environment Reporter
Sex offenders law change
The Senate on Tuesday approved a bill lessening penalties for sex offenders who miss sending in an address verification form because of circumstances outside their control. Sen. Gary Winfield, D-New Haven, noted that people who don’t comply can be charged with a felony. “It doesn’t matter how you feel about a particular group of folks … they should not be penalized for trying to comply with the law,” said Winfield.
Sen. John Kissel, R-Enfield, called the current system “demonstrably unjust.”
“All of a sudden, their life is hanging in the balance because of a postmark,” he said.
— Emilia Otte, Justice Reporter
Expansion of tuition-free dual credit
Connecticut has recently invested millions in dual credit courses, which many see as a gateway to higher education. Those investments may grow further under Senate Bill 427. The bill allows higher education institutions to apply for state aid in creating dual credit courses. In exchange, they will not charge tuition to high school students for those courses. The money will be limited to available appropriations. The bill also calls on the commissioner of education to appoint someone to track dual credit courses throughout the state. S.B. 427 cleared the Senate unanimously and now goes to the House.
— Theo Peck-Suzuki, Education Reporter
AI small business bill
Last week the Senate passed comprehensive artificial intelligence legislation over objections that regulations would harm businesses. Days later, lawmakers returned to the topic, this time with an AI bill that could help small business owners. On Tuesday the Senate unanimously passed Senate Bill 417, which calls for DECD to create a program that encourages small businesses to use AI. The program would offer financial assistance for businesses interested in using AI, and would also require businesses that receive assistance to develop a plan to support and attempt to retain employees who may be displaced by AI.
— P.R. Lockhart, Economic Development Reporter
NAACP advocacy day
On Thursday morning, close to 200 youth advocates, a group spanning middle school to college, visited the state Capitol in the hopes of making their voices heard. The students were there to participate in the CT NAACP Youth & College Division’s Legislative Day, a chance for young people from around the state to interact with lawmakers, learn about the state government and share their thoughts on bills that will directly impact their lives. “Today’s mission was to take back the mic, to make sure that our youth is heard and comprehended,” said CT NAACP Youth and College Division president Amia Lott. “It is our future that’s going to be affected.”
— P.R. Lockhart, Economic Development Reporter
Certificate of need
The House on Thursday passed a bill to establish long-awaited reforms to the state’s approval process for major healthcare transactions, like unit closures and hospital mergers, known as the “certificate of need.” The certificate of need process has for years come under heated criticism from both sides of the aisle and many corners of the health industry. The legislation, which was backed by Gov. Ned Lamont, shortens timelines for state review and reduces the types of transactions that require state approval. The bill passed nearly unanimously with a 149-1 vote. Up next, it heads to the Senate.
— Katy Golvala, Health Reporter
