Earth Month is here, and momentum is building at the State Capitol in Hartford. With just a month left of the Connecticut legislative session, this is a critical moment for the environment, public health, and future. Several key environmental bills have advanced out of committees and are now moving toward votes in the House and Senate.

 

Your engagement can make a real difference. Now is the time to contact your legislators and encourage them to co-sponsor and support these bills.

 

Key Priority Bills We Support 

 

H.B. 5156 – An Act Concerning a Climate Change Superfund

Connecticut has been experiencing increasingly severe weather events that are causing millions of dollars in damage, driven largely by the climate crisis. A small number of major fossil fuel companies are responsible for a significant share of global emissions. This bill establishes a Climate Change Superfund to ensure that the largest fossil fuel corporations contribute to the costs of climate-related damages, rather than leaving those costs entirely to taxpayers. It is designed to promote fairness, accountability, and financial relief for Connecticut communities.

 

Please sign our petition asking for your legislators to co-sponsor and support this bill.

 

H.B. 5340 – An Act Concerning Renewable Power Generation

Solar energy is essential for addressing climate change, lowering energy costs, and strengthening the electric grid. This bill reauthorizes Connecticut’s residential, nonresidential, and shared solar programs, which would otherwise expire without legislative action. It also supports innovative approaches such as plug-in solar and agrivoltaics, and expands access for low-income and environmental justice communities through a targeted pilot program. The goal is to ensure that clean energy benefits are widely shared across the state.

 

H.B. 5524 – An Act Concerning the State’s Materials Management System

Connecticut currently produces more waste than it can process, leading to the costly practice of exporting nearly half of its trash to out-of-state landfills. At the same time, aging incinerators are closing and landfill capacity is shrinking. This bill strengthens waste reduction and diversion efforts by expanding organic waste requirements, banning most polystyrene food service products, restricting certain single-use items, prioritizing food donation, and increasing funding opportunities for sustainable materials management. It focuses on reducing waste at the source while lowering long-term costs.

 

S.B. 319 – An Act Concerning the Use of Battery-Powered Leaf Blowers and Similar Equipment by the State and Municipalities

Air quality remains a serious concern in Connecticut, with several counties receiving failing grades from the American Lung Association. Gas-powered landscaping equipment contributes significantly to air pollution through emissions such as carbon monoxide, nitrogen oxides, and volatile organic compounds, which are linked to smog and respiratory illness. This bill supports a transition to battery-powered equipment for state and municipal use, along with financial and technical assistance to help workers and agencies make the switch.

 

S.B. 453 – An Act Concerning a Climate Change Related Surcharge on Certain Insurance Policies

Connecticut residents are already paying for the impacts of climate-related disasters, including millions in federal assistance following major weather events. This bill creates a 5 percent surcharge on insurance policies covering fossil fuel infrastructure such as pipelines, terminals, refineries, and large-scale energy facilities. Revenue generated would be directed to a climate resilience fund focused on flood mitigation and public awareness efforts. The intent is to shift some of the financial burden of climate impacts away from taxpayers and toward those most responsible for emissions.

 

S.J. 37 – Resolution Proposing an Amendment to the State Constitution Concerning Environmental Rights

Clean air and clean water are fundamental to health, safety, and quality of life. This resolution proposes a constitutional amendment recognizing environmental rights in Connecticut. Currently, only a small number of states explicitly protect these rights at the constitutional level. This measure would ensure that environmental protections are treated as fundamental rights, alongside other core civil and political liberties.

 

Take Action

All of these bills are now at a critical stage in the legislative process. Contact your state legislators and ask them to co-sponsor and support these priorities. You can use this TEMPLATE to send a message.  Sharing your voice helps ensure that environmental and climate policy remain a priority in Connecticut policy decisions. 

 

Legislative Committee

Do you want to get more involved? Email and let us know. Our Legislative Committee meets weekly to track legislation and plan engagement. The Committee is a resource to help you engage effectively in the legislative process, including introductory advocacy training and advanced engagement strategies, including training on how the legislature works. Watch Part 1 of our legislative training is linked Watch Part 1 of our legislative training here and part 2 of our legislative training here. 

 

You can also take a look at our event page and attend an upcoming event this Earth Month! 

 

Earth Month is a reminder that meaningful progress depends on continued civic engagement.

 

Julianna Larue is an organizer at Sierra Club Connecticut, focusing on our state legislative efforts.