CMC Report

June 2025 – by Justin Swanson

2025 Legislative Session Recap

The 2025 Connecticut legislative session was one of the busiest in recent history, with over 4,000 bills introduced and several major policy changes impacting manufacturers. NESMA, through the Connecticut Manufacturers’ Collaborative (CMC), tracked 134 bills, with key wins including expanded “right-to-repair” access (SB 3), new funding for EV infrastructure and clean energy programs (SB 4), and $45 million in Manufacturing Innovation Fund bonding over the next two years (HB 7288). The state budget bill (HB 7287) also boosts R&D tax credit refunds for biotech companies and extends the corporate tax surcharge. Meanwhile, several potentially burdensome bills—such as mandatory advance scheduling (SB 831) and expanded wage transparency (HB 6517)—did not pass. For full details on workforce, energy, environmental, and tax-related legislation, keep reading below or download the full report by our lobbyist Eric @Statehouse Partners.

Session Overview

  • The 2025 Connecticut legislative session was unusually busy, with over 4,100 bills introduced and 2,500 filed in the first few weeks alone.

  • Key focus areas included: electricity costs, childcare funding, housing, healthcare for small businesses, and special education costs.

  • Budget negotiations were tense, with a $200 million gap finally resolved by prepaying teacher pensions to free up spending cap space.

  • The final budget bill, HB 7287, spans nearly 700 pages, incorporating major policy changes alongside appropriations.

Key Legislation Passed (Affecting CMC & Manufacturing)

SB 3 – Consumer Protection & Safety

  • Transparency in pricing (all-in pricing required).

  • Privacy and security for devices with cameras/mics.

  • “Right to repair” law for electronics/appliances.

  • Expanded price gouging rules.

  • Consumer auto-renewal contract reforms.

SB 4 – Energy Affordability, Access, Accountability

  • Over $2 billion in authorized securitization for utility services.

  • Bonding for EV charging and hardship protections.

  • Expands PURA oversight, clean energy programs, and ratepayer protections.

  • Moves toward advanced nuclear energy, solar tax adjustments, and new rate models.

SB 8 – Workers’ Rights

  • Allows unemployment benefits after 14 days on strike (set for Dec 2026).

  • Governor Lamont has threatened a veto.

SB 1179 – Makerspace Program

  • Creates a pilot grant/loan program to fund community makerspaces.

SB 1402 – Small Business Regulation Reform

  • Expands regulatory impact analysis requirements.

SB 1404 & HB 7085 – Environmental Cleanup Transition

  • Moves from Transfer Act to release-based cleanup model.

  • Sets timelines, exemptions, and property owner protections.

SB 1455 – Reporting Changes

  • Eliminates upcoming mandate to report employee work hours and zip codes.

SB 1465 – Skilled Trades Flexibility

  • Eases apprentice-to-journeyperson ratio under certain conditions.

HB 5019 – Battery Recycling

  • Establishes statewide stewardship for consumer battery recycling.

HB 6863 – Workers’ Compensation & Budget Adjustments

  • Adds new injury categories.

  • Expands eligibility for survivor and supplemental benefits.

  • Makes budget adjustments exceeding the spending cap by $283.5M.

HB 6868 – Environmental Permitting Reform

  • DEEP hearings streamlined; permits extended more easily.

  • Calls for review of Endangered Species Act procedures.

HB 7287 – Budget Bill

  • Major tax provisions:

    • Ends favorable NOL treatment for companies with >$6B in losses.

    • Increases biotech R&D tax refund to 90% (from 65%).

    • Extends 10% corporate tax surcharge through 2028.

HB 7288 – Bond Package

  • $45M total for the Manufacturing Innovation Fund over 2025–2026.

Key Defeated (“Dead”) Bills

  • SB 831: Mandatory 14-day work schedule notice.

  • HB 6225: Extended producer responsibility for packaging.

  • HB 6517: Mandatory salary disclosure in job ads.

  • SB 1254 / HB 6907: Added warehouse worker protections.

  • HB 7196: Broader restrictions on non-compete agreements.

Takeaways for Manufacturers

  • Manufacturers benefit from expanded innovation funding, right-to-repair access, and reduced regulatory burdens.

  • New environmental and energy rules introduce compliance and opportunity, especially in clean tech.

  • Watch closely for pending vetoes and upcoming implementation of new policies, especially around labor and energy.