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House approves SB 9, a broad climate‑resiliency and pesticide package after multi‑hour debate
Summary
The House passed SB 9, a comprehensive resilience and environment bill that updates disclosures for flood insurance, extends coastal site‑plan review, creates municipal resilience financing tools and limits retail access to second‑generation anticoagulant rodenticides while tightening rules on neonicotinoids. Lawmakers debated zoning, transfer of development rights, and applicator rules for rodenticides.
HARTFORD — The House voted to pass SB 9 as amended, a sweeping environment and resilience bill that brings together changes ranging from property‑transaction disclosures to restrictions on certain pesticides.
Representative Parks (chair of the environment committee) summarized the bill as a "theme of resilience," saying it "creates a culture of preparedness" by improving information flows between state and municipal planning and giving towns new tools to finance resiliency projects. Key components include new disclosure requirements for buyers about flood insurance (sections 1–4), expanded coastal site plan reviews and consultation with DEEP for projects in FEMA‑designated flood areas (sections 5–6), requirements to include climate vulnerability in plans of conservation and development after 10/01/2027, new municipal reserve fund and town‑aid‑road eligibility for resiliency improvements, transfer‑of‑development‑rights rules to move development away from vulnerable areas, and a process for resilience improvement districts and tax‑increment financing of coastal protections.
The bill also amended pesticide policy: it would restrict the sale and retail purchase of second‑generation anticoagulant rodenticides so that most uses become restricted to licensed applicators while providing private applicator certification pathways for farmers, and it tightens but does not wholly ban neonicotinoid uses, preserving certain agricultural and emergency applications subject to agency review.
Debate flagged both support and concern. Supporters argued the measure helps towns plan and invest sensibly for rising tides and more frequent flooding; Representative Callahan and others praised provisions on culverts, evacuation planning and municipal reserve funds. Opponents and some rural lawmakers worried about additional permitting burdens, potential delays for development applications when DEEP review is requested, and costs for small homeowners who would now rely on professional applicators for some rodenticides. The bill includes a private‑applicator certification pathway for farmers, and the bill also limits online sales.
The House recorded a roll‑call and the clerk announced the tally and that "the bill as amended in concurrence with the senate passes." Supporters said the package balances environmental protection, agricultural needs and public safety.
Next steps: The bill now proceeds consistent with the legislative calendar and the amendments adopted in the House.
