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Committee clarifies HB 5288 won’t override separate public-health or utility requirements for accessory apartments
Summary
Senator Gordon questioned whether substitute language in HB 5288 would prevent a water company from requiring a separate connection for an accessory dwelling when public health or supply constraints make one necessary; committee counsel said the draft amends zoning only (citing section 8.2o of the General Statutes) and would not preempt separate regulatory requirements.
Senator Gordon asked whether substitute language in House Bill 5288, which addresses utility connections for accessory apartments, would prevent a water company from requiring a separate connection when necessary for public health or when the existing supply is inadequate.
An LCO attorney (recorded on the transcript during committee discussion) replied that the draft amendment "only applies to zoning regulations" and specifically modifies section 8.2o of the General Statutes, so it would not change other regulatory requirements that could impose connection or public-health obligations.
Senator Gordon said he understood the intent to help municipalities with special acts and noted the need to avoid interfering with public-health protections: if a primary residence has adequate water but an accessory dwelling requires a separate supply for health reasons, the bill should not stand in the way of necessary measures. The chair signaled willingness to continue work on the language after the bill is JFS to the floor.
The committee placed HB 5288 on the consent calendar for further consideration and asked staff and counsel to continue refining the bill language so it addresses special-act municipalities without undermining public-health standards.
