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Appropriations Committee advances six bills, including energy, campaign finance and special education
Summary
The Connecticut Appropriations Committee on May 23 advanced six substitute bills and one House bill to the next stage, recording roll-call votes. Committee members described many measures as "works in progress" and noted that several items are not included in the current biennial budget.
The Appropriations Committee met May 23 and voted to advance six substitute bills and a House bill to the next legislative stage. The measures moved out of committee were substitute for Senate Bill 4 (energy affordability, access and accountability), substitute for Senate Bill 1322 (studies of insurance pooling for nonprofit organizations and certain homeowners insurance practices), substitute for Senate Bill 1539 (certificates of need), substitute for Senate Bill 1409 (municipal campaign finance filings), substitute for Senate Bill 1536 (use of ranked-choice voting in some party processes and certain municipal elections), and House Bill 7277 (provision of special education in Connecticut). Roll-call voting was recorded for each item.
Representative Walker, who convened the meeting, told members that "none of this is in the budget" and that several measures remain under active development. "This is not the final document," Walker said as the committee considered the first item, signaling that language and fiscal details could change before floor consideration.
Why it matters: The committee's approvals send these measures to the next stage of the process where they may receive further amendment, fiscal review or floor debate. Several members framed their votes in fiscal terms: Representative Corpus said, "I view personally these votes as purely fiscal," explaining opposition or support as tied to the committee's budgetary responsibilities. Representative McCarthy Behay noted that an amendment's fiscal note "shows no fiscal impact," which she said could affect members' votes on that substitute.
Bill summaries and committee discussion
Substitute for Senate Bill 4 — energy affordability, access and accountability: Committee members described the measure as still being negotiated and not yet reflected in the biennial budget. Representative Walker told members the text remains a work in progress. The chair called for a roll-call vote and the committee recorded votes; Representative Nuccio recorded a no vote at several roll calls.
Substitute for Senate Bill 1322 — insurance pooling study and homeowners insurance practices: Representative Corpus addressed the committee on fiscal principles and said he treated his vote as a fiscal matter tied to the budget. Committee members debated the fiscal implications and then recorded their votes by roll call.
Substitute for Senate Bill 1539 — certificates of need: During the roll call on this substitute, Representative McCarthy Behay told members that the fiscal note for the amendment "shows no fiscal impact." The comment was presented to inform members before voting; the committee then recorded votes.
Substitute for Senate Bill 1409 — municipal campaign finance filings: Representative Dathan moved this substitute; sponsors described it as a transparency measure with no immediate impact on the 2026–27 biennial budget. Members discussed out-year fiscal implications and proceeded to a roll-call vote.
Substitute for Senate Bill 1536 — ranked-choice voting in certain party and municipal processes: Several members characterized this as a work in progress but agreed to advance it so the Legislature can continue to refine the policy. Representative Rosario said she was "voting to get it out of committee" while noting that the bill needs further work.
House Bill 7277 — provision of special education in Connecticut: Sponsors said the substitute remains under active revision. The committee recorded roll-call votes; some members cast no votes or flagged their positions for floor consideration while moving the substitute forward.
Votes and next steps: The committee recessed with votes left open until noon to allow members who were remote or in caucus to be recorded. Multiple members noted that moving a bill out of appropriations does not place its costs into the current biennial budget; further fiscal review can occur on the floor and in later committee action.
The measures advanced by the committee will proceed to the next legislative steps for further consideration, amendment or floor action.
