Connecticut 2025 Regular Session

Connecticut Senate Bill SB00012 Compare Versions

Version 1 (Old)

Version 2 (New)

Old	New		Differences
1	1
2	2
3		-	LCO 1 of 10
4	3
5		-	General Assembly Substitute Bill No. 12
	4	+	LCO No. 5862 1 of 10
	5	+
	6	+	General Assembly Committee Bill No. 12
6	7		January Session, 2025
	8	+	LCO No. 5862
	9	+
	10	+
	11	+	Referred to Committee on HOUSING
	12	+
	13	+
	14	+	Introduced by:
	15	+	(HSG)
7	16
8	17
9	18
10	19		AN ACT CONCERNING CONNECTICUT'S HOUSING NEEDS.
11	20		Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General
12	21		Assembly convened:
13	22
14	23		Section 1. (Effective from passage) (a) There is established a working 1
15		-	group to study existing barriers at both the state and municipal level to 2
16		-	building additional starter homes in the state. Such study shall include, 3
17		-	but need not be limited to, an examination of zoning restrictions, 4
18		-	subdivision requirements, building and fire safety codes and common 5
19		-	interest community regulations. For purposes of this section, "starter 6
20		-	homes" means affordable single-family residential dwellings. 7
21		-	(b) The working group shall consist of the chairpersons of the joint 8
22		-	standing committee of the General Assembly having cognizance of 9
23		-	matters relating to housing, who shall serve as chairpersons of the 10
24		-	working group, and any individuals who such chairpersons believe 11
25		-	may serve as sources of information and data to accomplish the 12
26		-	purposes of this section, including, but not limited to, the Commissioner 13
27		-	of Housing, or the commissioner's designee, and any professionals with 14
28		-	expertise in the areas of housing and state, regional or local planning. 15
29		-	(c) The chairpersons shall schedule the first meeting of the working 16
30		-	group, which shall be held not later than sixty days after the effective 17
31		-	date of this section. 18
32		-	(d) The administrative staff of the joint standing committee of the 19 Substitute Bill No. 12
	24	+	group to study existing barriers to building additional starter homes in 2
	25	+	the state. Such study shall include, but need not be limited to, an 3
	26	+	examination of existing barriers at both the state and municipal level, 4
	27	+	including, but not limited to, zoning restrictions, subdivision 5
	28	+	requirements, building and fire safety codes and common interest 6
	29	+	community regulations. For purposes of this section, "starter homes" 7
	30	+	means affordable single-family residential dwellings. 8
	31	+	(b) The working group shall consist of the chairpersons of the joint 9
	32	+	standing committee of the General Assembly having cognizance of 10
	33	+	matters relating to housing, who shall serve as chairpersons of the 11
	34	+	working group, and any individuals who such chairpersons believe 12
	35	+	may serve as sources of information and data to accomplish the 13
	36	+	purposes of this section, including, but not limited to, the Commissioner 14
	37	+	of Housing, or the commissioner's designee, and any professionals with 15
	38	+	expertise in the areas of housing and state, regional or local planning. 16
	39	+	Committee Bill No. 12
33	40
34	41
35		-	LCO 2 of 10
	42	+	LCO No. 5862 2 of 10
36	43
37		-	General Assembly having cognizance of matters relating to housing 20
38		-	shall serve as the administrative staff of the working group. 21
39		-	(e) Not later than January 1, 2026, the working group shall submit a 22
40		-	report on its findings and recommendations to the joint standing 23
41		-	committee of the General Assembly having cognizance of matters 24
42		-	relating to housing, in accordance with the provisions of section 11-4a 25
43		-	of the general statutes. The working group shall terminate on the date 26
44		-	that it submits such report or January 1, 2026, whichever is later. 27
45		-	Sec. 2. Section 10-285a of the general statutes is amended by adding 28
46		-	subsection (l) as follows (Effective July 1, 2025): 29
47		-	(NEW) (l) On and after July 1, 2025, for applications submitted 30
48		-	pursuant to subsection (a) of section 10-283, the percentage of school 31
49		-	building project grant money a local board of education may be eligible 32
50		-	to receive shall be increased for a five-year period in accordance with 33
51		-	this subsection if, prior to December first of the year in which the board 34
52		-	submits an application for a grant, such board submits a written 35
53		-	determination issued by the Commissioner of Housing within such year 36
54		-	finding that the municipality in which the school building project is to 37
55		-	occur meets one of the thresholds of affordable housing, as provided in 38
56		-	section 8-30g, specified in subdivisions (1) to (3), inclusive, of this 39
57		-	subsection. A local board of education shall be eligible to receive the 40
58		-	following increase in such grant money: (1) Twenty per cent, if the 41
59		-	municipality for such board meets or exceeds a ten per cent threshold of 42
60		-	affordable housing, (2) eight per cent, if the municipality for such board 43
61		-	meets at least eight per cent but less than ten per cent of such threshold 44
62		-	of affordable housing, and (3) five per cent, if the municipality for such 45
63		-	board meets at least six per cent but less than eight per cent of such 46
64		-	threshold of affordable housing. 47
65		-	Sec. 3. (Effective July 1, 2025) (a) For the purposes described in 48
66		-	subsection (b) of this section, the State Bond Commission shall have the 49
67		-	power from time to time to authorize the issuance of bonds of the state 50
68		-	in one or more series and in principal amounts not exceeding in the 51 Substitute Bill No. 12
	44	+	(c) The chairpersons shall schedule the first meeting of the working 17
	45	+	group, which shall be held not later than sixty days after the effective 18
	46	+	date of this section. 19
	47	+	(d) The administrative staff of the joint standing committee of the 20
	48	+	General Assembly having cognizance of matters relating to housing 21
	49	+	shall serve as the administrative staff of the working group. 22
	50	+	(e) Not later than January 1, 2026, the working group shall submit a 23
	51	+	report on its findings and recommendations to the joint standing 24
	52	+	committee of the General Assembly having cognizance of matters 25
	53	+	relating to housing, in accordance with the provisions of section 11-4a 26
	54	+	of the general statutes. The working group shall terminate on the date 27
	55	+	that it submits such report or January 1, 2026, whichever is later. 28
	56	+	Sec. 2. Section 10-285a of the general statutes is amended by adding 29
	57	+	subsection (l) as follows (Effective July 1, 2025): 30
	58	+	(NEW) (l) On and after July 1, 2025, for applications submitted 31
	59	+	pursuant to subsection (a) of section 10-283, the percentage of school 32
	60	+	building project grant money a local board of education may be eligible 33
	61	+	to receive shall be increased for a five-year period in accordance with 34
	62	+	this subsection if, prior to December first of the year in which the board 35
	63	+	submits an application for a grant, such board submits a written 36
	64	+	determination issued by the Commissioner of Housing within such year 37
	65	+	finding that the municipality in which the school building project is to 38
	66	+	occur meets one of the thresholds of affordable housing, as provided in 39
	67	+	section 8-30g, specified in subdivisions (1) to (3), inclusive, of this 40
	68	+	subsection. A local board of education shall be eligible to receive the 41
	69	+	following increase in such grant money: (1) Twenty per cent if the 42
	70	+	municipality for such board meets or exceeds a ten per cent threshold of 43
	71	+	affordable housing, (2) eight per cent if the municipality for such board 44
	72	+	meets at least eight per cent but less than ten per cent of such threshold 45
	73	+	of affordable housing, and (3) five per cent if the municipality for such 46
	74	+	board meets at least six per cent but less than eight per cent of such 47
	75	+	threshold of affordable housing. 48
	76	+	Committee Bill No. 12
69	77
70	78
71		-	LCO 3 of 10
	79	+	LCO No. 5862 3 of 10
72	80
73		-	aggregate fifty million dollars. 52
74		-	(b) The proceeds of the sale of such bonds, to the extent of the amount 53
75		-	stated in subsection (a) of this section, shall be used by the Department 54
76		-	of Housing for the purpose of financing approved projects to create 55
77		-	employment opportunities in the construction industry to develop 56
78		-	affordable housing pursuant to section 4 of this act. 57
79		-	(c) All provisions of section 3-20 of the general statutes, or the exercise 58
80		-	of any right or power granted thereby, that are not inconsistent with the 59
81		-	provisions of this section are hereby adopted and shall apply to all 60
82		-	bonds authorized by the State Bond Commission pursuant to this 61
83		-	section. Temporary notes in anticipation of the money to be derived 62
84		-	from the sale of any such bonds so authorized may be issued in 63
85		-	accordance with section 3-20 of the general statutes and from time to 64
86		-	time renewed. Such bonds shall mature at such time or times not 65
87		-	exceeding twenty years from their respective dates as may be provided 66
88		-	in or pursuant to the resolution or resolutions of the State Bond 67
89		-	Commission authorizing such bonds. None of such bonds shall be 68
90		-	authorized except upon a finding by the State Bond Commission that 69
91		-	there has been filed with it a request for such authorization that is signed 70
92		-	by or on behalf of the Secretary of the Office of Policy and Management 71
93		-	and states such terms and conditions as said commission, in its 72
94		-	discretion, may require. Such bonds issued pursuant to this section shall 73
95		-	be general obligations of the state and the full faith and credit of the state 74
96		-	of Connecticut are pledged for the payment of the principal of and 75
97		-	interest on such bonds as the same become due, and accordingly and as 76
98		-	part of the contract of the state with the holders of such bonds, 77
99		-	appropriation of all amounts necessary for punctual payment of such 78
100		-	principal and interest is hereby made, and the State Treasurer shall pay 79
101		-	such principal and interest as the same become due. 80
102		-	Sec. 4. (Effective July 1, 2025) (a) The Commissioner of Housing shall, 81
103		-	within available bond authorizations, develop and establish a four-year 82
104		-	pilot program to provide funding for proposed projects that create 83
105		-	employment opportunities in the construction industry to develop 84 Substitute Bill No. 12
	81	+	Sec. 3. (Effective July 1, 2025) (a) For the purposes described in 49
	82	+	subsection (b) of this section, the State Bond Commission shall have the 50
	83	+	power from time to time to authorize the issuance of bonds of the state 51
	84	+	in one or more series and in principal amounts not exceeding in the 52
	85	+	aggregate fifty million dollars. 53
	86	+	(b) The proceeds of the sale of such bonds, to the extent of the amount 54
	87	+	stated in subsection (a) of this section, shall be used by the Department 55
	88	+	of Housing for the purpose of financing approved projects to create 56
	89	+	employment opportunities in the construction industry to develop 57
	90	+	affordable housing pursuant to section 4 of this act. 58
	91	+	(c) All provisions of section 3-20 of the general statutes, or the exercise 59
	92	+	of any right or power granted thereby, that are not inconsistent with the 60
	93	+	provisions of this section are hereby adopted and shall apply to all 61
	94	+	bonds authorized by the State Bond Commission pursuant to this 62
	95	+	section. Temporary notes in anticipation of the money to be derived 63
	96	+	from the sale of any such bonds so authorized may be issued in 64
	97	+	accordance with section 3-20 of the general statutes and from time to 65
	98	+	time renewed. Such bonds shall mature at such time or times not 66
	99	+	exceeding twenty years from their respective dates as may be provided 67
	100	+	in or pursuant to the resolution or resolutions of the State Bond 68
	101	+	Commission authorizing such bonds. None of such bonds shall be 69
	102	+	authorized except upon a finding by the State Bond Commission that 70
	103	+	there has been filed with it a request for such authorization that is signed 71
	104	+	by or on behalf of the Secretary of the Office of Policy and Management 72
	105	+	and states such terms and conditions as said commission, in its 73
	106	+	discretion, may require. Such bonds issued pursuant to this section shall 74
	107	+	be general obligations of the state and the full faith and credit of the state 75
	108	+	of Connecticut are pledged for the payment of the principal of and 76
	109	+	interest on such bonds as the same become due, and accordingly and as 77
	110	+	part of the contract of the state with the holders of such bonds, 78
	111	+	appropriation of all amounts necessary for punctual payment of such 79
	112	+	principal and interest is hereby made, and the State Treasurer shall pay 80
	113	+	such principal and interest as the same become due. 81
	114	+	Committee Bill No. 12
106	115
107	116
108		-	LCO 4 of 10
	117	+	LCO No. 5862 4 of 10
109	118
110		-	affordable housing. 85
111		-	(b) On and after July 1, 2025, a sponsor of a proposed project that is 86
112		-	eligible to receive funding under this section may submit an application, 87
113		-	in a form and manner provided by the commissioner, to receive funds 88
114		-	from the pilot program for such project. The commissioner shall 89
115		-	establish criteria for awarding funds pursuant to this section, including, 90
116		-	but not limited to, a requirement that (1) an applicant secure 91
117		-	coinvestment funding in the proposed project by a union pension fund 92
118		-	or comingled fund of union pension fund investments with a 93
119		-	demonstrated record of successful investment in the construction of 94
120		-	affordable housing, (2) the proposed project be covered by a project 95
121		-	labor agreement, and (3) an applicant be committed to workforce 96
122		-	training by adhering to state-registered apprenticeship standards and 97
123		-	apprenticeship readiness programs. 98
124		-	(c) All housing built with funds received from the pilot program 99
125		-	pursuant to this section shall remain affordable, through the use of 100
126		-	deeds containing covenants or restrictions that require such housing be 101
127		-	sold or rented at, or below, prices that will preserve the unit as housing, 102
128		-	for a period of not less than forty years, for which persons and families 103
129		-	pay thirty per cent or less of income, where such income is less than or 104
130		-	equal to eighty per cent of the median income or other means selected 105
131		-	by the commissioner. 106
132		-	(d) Not later than six months following the date of completion of the 107
133		-	pilot program, the Commissioner of Housing shall submit a report, in 108
134		-	accordance with the provisions of section 11-4a of the general statutes, 109
135		-	to the joint standing committee of the General Assembly having 110
136		-	cognizance of matters relating to housing. Such report shall include an 111
137		-	analysis of the efficacy of the pilot program administered pursuant to 112
138		-	this section and any recommendations for legislation to expand such 113
139		-	program or implement such program on a permanent basis. 114
140		-	Sec. 5. Section 47a-4 of the general statutes is repealed and the 115
141		-	following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective July 1, 2025): 116 Substitute Bill No. 12
	119	+	Sec. 4. (Effective July 1, 2025) (a) The Commissioner of Housing shall, 82
	120	+	within available bond authorizations, develop and establish a four-year 83
	121	+	pilot program to provide funding for proposed projects that create 84
	122	+	employment opportunities in the construction industry to develop 85
	123	+	affordable housing. 86
	124	+	(b) On and after July 1, 2025, an eligible project sponsor may submit 87
	125	+	an application, in a form and manner provided by the commissioner, to 88
	126	+	receive funds from the pilot program for a proposed project. The 89
	127	+	commissioner shall establish criteria for awarding funds pursuant to 90
	128	+	this section. Such criteria for awarding funds pursuant to this section 91
	129	+	shall include, but need not be limited to, a requirement that (1) an 92
	130	+	applicant secure coinvestment funding in the proposed project by a 93
	131	+	union pension fund or comingled fund of union pension fund 94
	132	+	investments with a demonstrated record of successful investment in the 95
	133	+	construction of affordable housing, (2) the proposed project be covered 96
	134	+	by a project labor agreement, and (3) an applicant be committed to 97
	135	+	workforce training by adhering to state-registered apprenticeship 98
	136	+	standards and apprenticeship readiness programs. 99
	137	+	(c) All housing built with funds received from the pilot program 100
	138	+	pursuant to this section shall remain affordable, through the use of 101
	139	+	deeds containing covenants or restrictions that require such housing be 102
	140	+	sold or rented at, or below, prices that will preserve the unit as housing, 103
	141	+	for a period of not less than forty years, for which persons and families 104
	142	+	pay thirty per cent or less of income, where such income is less than or 105
	143	+	equal to eighty per cent of the median income or other means selected 106
	144	+	by the commissioner. 107
	145	+	(d) Not later than six months following the date of completion of the 108
	146	+	pilot program, the Commissioner of Housing shall submit a report, in 109
	147	+	accordance with the provisions of section 11-4a of the general statutes, 110
	148	+	to the joint standing committee of the General Assembly having 111
	149	+	cognizance of matters relating to housing. Such report shall include an 112
	150	+	analysis of the efficacy of the pilot program administered pursuant to 113
	151	+	Committee Bill No. 12
142	152
143	153
144		-	LCO 5 of 10
	154	+	LCO No. 5862 5 of 10
145	155
146		-	~~(a) A rental agreement shall not provide that the tenant: (1) Agrees~~ to ~~117~~
147		-	~~waive~~ or ~~forfeit rights or remedies under this chapter and sections 47a-118~~
148		-	~~21,~~ 47a-~~23 to 47a-23b, inclusive,~~ ~~47a-26 to 47a-26g, inclusive,~~ ~~47a-35 to 119~~
149		-	~~47a-35b~~, ~~inclusive, 47a-41a, 47a-43 and 47a-46, or under any section of 120~~
150		-	the ~~general statutes or any municipal ordinance unless such section or 121~~
151		-	~~ordinance expressly states that such~~ rights ~~may be waived;~~ ~~(2) 122~~
152		-	~~authorizes the landlord~~ to ~~confess judgment on a claim arising out of the 123~~
153		-	~~rental agreement;~~ ~~(3) agrees to the exculpation~~ or ~~limitation~~ of ~~any 124~~
154		-	~~liability of~~ the ~~landlord arising under law~~ or ~~to indemnify the landlord 125~~
155		-	~~for~~ that ~~liability or the costs connected therewith~~; (4) ~~agrees to waive 126~~
156		-	~~[his] such tenant's right~~ to ~~the interest~~ on the ~~security deposit pursuant 127~~
157		-	~~to section 47a-21~~; (5) agrees to ~~permit~~ the ~~landlord to dispossess [him] 128~~
158		-	~~such tenant without resort~~ to ~~court order; (6) consents to~~ the ~~distraint of 129~~
159		-	~~[his] such tenant's property~~ for ~~rent~~; (7) agrees to ~~pay the landlord's 130~~
160		-	~~attorney~~'s ~~fees in excess of fifteen per cent of any judgment against~~ the ~~131~~
161		-	~~tenant in any action in which money damages are awarded~~; (8) agrees ~~132~~
162		-	to ~~pay a late charge prior~~ to the ~~expiration~~ of ~~the grace period set forth 133~~
163		-	~~in section 47a-15a~~ or to pay ~~rent in a reduced amount if such rent is paid 134~~
164		-	~~prior to~~ the ~~expiration of such grace period; (9) agrees to pay a late 135~~
165		-	~~charge on rent payments made subsequent to such grace period~~ in ~~an 136~~
166		-	~~amount exceeding~~ the ~~amounts~~ set forth ~~in section 47a-15a; [or] (10) 137~~
167		-	~~agrees~~ to pay a ~~heat or utilities surcharge~~ if ~~heat or utilities~~ is ~~included 138~~
168		-	in the ~~rental agreement~~; or (11) agrees to pay ~~for utilities if no separate 139~~
169		-	~~meter for~~ such ~~utilities exists for such tenant's dwelling unit. 140~~
170		-	~~(b) A provision prohibited by subsection (a) of this~~ section ~~included 141~~
171		-	in a ~~rental agreement~~ is ~~unenforceable. 142~~
172		-	~~Sec. 6. Section 7-148b of~~ the ~~general statutes is repealed and the 143~~
173		-	~~following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective~~ ~~July 1,~~ ~~2025): 144~~
174		-	(a) ~~For purposes~~ of this section ~~and sections 7-148c to 7-148f, 145~~
175		-	~~inclusive, "seasonal basis" means housing accommodations rented for~~ a ~~146~~
176		-	~~period or periods aggregating not more than one hundred twenty days 147~~
177		-	in ~~any one calendar year and "rental~~ ~~charge" includes any fee or charge 148~~
178		-	~~in addition to rent that is imposed or sought to be imposed upon a 149 Substitute~~ Bill No. 12
	156	+	this section and any recommendations for legislation to expand such 114
	157	+	program or implement such program on a permanent basis. 115
	158	+	Sec. 5. Section 47a-4 of the general statutes is repealed and the 116
	159	+	following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective July 1, 2025): 117
	160	+	(a) A rental agreement shall not provide that the tenant: (1) Agrees to 118
	161	+	waive or forfeit rights or remedies under this chapter and sections 47a-119
	162	+	21, 47a-23 to 47a-23b, inclusive, 47a-26 to 47a-26g, inclusive, 47a-35 to 120
	163	+	47a-35b, inclusive, 47a-41a, 47a-43 and 47a-46, or under any section of 121
	164	+	the general statutes or any municipal ordinance unless such section or 122
	165	+	ordinance expressly states that such rights may be waived; (2) 123
	166	+	authorizes the landlord to confess judgment on a claim arising out of the 124
	167	+	rental agreement; (3) agrees to the exculpation or limitation of any 125
	168	+	liability of the landlord arising under law or to indemnify the landlord 126
	169	+	for that liability or the costs connected therewith; (4) agrees to waive 127
	170	+	[his] such tenant's right to the interest on the security deposit pursuant 128
	171	+	to section 47a-21; (5) agrees to permit the landlord to dispossess [him] 129
	172	+	such tenant without resort to court order; (6) consents to the distraint of 130
	173	+	[his] such tenant's property for rent; (7) agrees to pay the landlord's 131
	174	+	attorney's fees in excess of fifteen per cent of any judgment against the 132
	175	+	tenant in any action in which money damages are awarded; (8) agrees 133
	176	+	to pay a late charge prior to the expiration of the grace period set forth 134
	177	+	in section 47a-15a or to pay rent in a reduced amount if such rent is paid 135
	178	+	prior to the expiration of such grace period; (9) agrees to pay a late 136
	179	+	charge on rent payments made subsequent to such grace period in an 137
	180	+	amount exceeding the amounts set forth in section 47a-15a; [or] (10) 138
	181	+	agrees to pay a heat or utilities surcharge if heat or utilities is included 139
	182	+	in the rental agreement; or (11) agrees to pay for utilities if no separate 140
	183	+	meter for such utilities exists for such tenant's dwelling unit. 141
	184	+	(b) A provision prohibited by subsection (a) of this section included 142
	185	+	in a rental agreement is unenforceable. 143
	186	+	Sec. 6. Section 7-148b of the general statutes is repealed and the 144
	187	+	following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective July 1, 2025): 145
	188	+	Committee Bill No. 12
179	189
180	190
181		-	LCO 6 of 10
	191	+	LCO No. 5862 6 of 10
182	192
183		-	tenant by a landlord. 150
184		-	(b) Any town, city or borough [may, and any town, city or borough 151
185		-	with a population of twenty-five thousand or more, as determined by 152
186		-	the most recent decennial census,] shall, through its legislative body, 153
187		-	adopt an ordinance that creates a (1) fair rent commission, (2) joint fair 154
188		-	rent commission, pursuant to subsection (d) of this section, or (3) 155
189		-	regional fair rent commission, pursuant to subsection (e) of this section. 156
190		-	Any such commission shall make studies and investigations, conduct 157
191		-	hearings and receive complaints relative to rental charges on housing 158
192		-	accommodations, except those accommodations rented on a seasonal 159
193		-	basis, within its jurisdiction, which term shall include mobile 160
194		-	manufactured homes and mobile manufactured home park lots, in 161
195		-	order to control and eliminate excessive rental charges on such 162
196		-	accommodations, and to carry out the provisions of sections 7-148b to 163
197		-	7-148f, inclusive, as amended by this act, section 47a-20 and subsection 164
198		-	(b) of section 47a-23c. The commission, for such purposes, may compel 165
199		-	the attendance of persons at hearings, issue subpoenas and administer 166
200		-	oaths, issue orders and continue, review, amend, terminate or suspend 167
201		-	any of its orders and decisions. The commission may be empowered to 168
202		-	retain legal counsel to advise it. 169
203		-	(c) Any town, city or borough [required to create a fair rent 170
204		-	commission pursuant to subsection (b) of this section] shall adopt an 171
205		-	ordinance creating such fair rent commission on or before [July 1, 2023] 172
206		-	January 1, 2028. Not later than thirty days after the adoption of such 173
207		-	ordinance, the chief executive officer of such town, city or borough shall 174
208		-	(1) notify the Commissioner of Housing that such commission has been 175
209		-	created, and (2) transmit a copy of the ordinance adopted by the town, 176
210		-	city or borough to the commissioner. 177
211		-	(d) Any two or more towns, cities or boroughs [not subject to the 178
212		-	requirements of subsection (b) of this section] may, through their 179
213		-	legislative bodies, create a joint fair rent commission. 180
214		-	(e) Any towns, cities or boroughs that are members of a regional 181 Substitute Bill No. 12
	193	+	(a) For purposes of this section and sections 7-148c to 7-148f, 146
	194	+	inclusive, "seasonal basis" means housing accommodations rented for a 147
	195	+	period or periods aggregating not more than one hundred twenty days 148
	196	+	in any one calendar year and "rental charge" includes any fee or charge 149
	197	+	in addition to rent that is imposed or sought to be imposed upon a 150
	198	+	tenant by a landlord. 151
	199	+	(b) Any town, city or borough [may, and any town, city or borough 152
	200	+	with a population of twenty-five thousand or more, as determined by 153
	201	+	the most recent decennial census,] shall, through its legislative body, 154
	202	+	adopt an ordinance that creates a (1) fair rent commission, (2) joint fair 155
	203	+	rent commission, pursuant to subsection (d) of this section, or (3) 156
	204	+	regional fair rent commission, pursuant to subsection (e) of this section. 157
	205	+	Any such commission shall make studies and investigations, conduct 158
	206	+	hearings and receive complaints relative to rental charges on housing 159
	207	+	accommodations, except those accommodations rented on a seasonal 160
	208	+	basis, within its jurisdiction, which term shall include mobile 161
	209	+	manufactured homes and mobile manufactured home park lots, in 162
	210	+	order to control and eliminate excessive rental charges on such 163
	211	+	accommodations, and to carry out the provisions of sections 7-148b to 164
	212	+	7-148f, inclusive, as amended by this act, section 47a-20 and subsection 165
	213	+	(b) of section 47a-23c. The commission, for such purposes, may compel 166
	214	+	the attendance of persons at hearings, issue subpoenas and administer 167
	215	+	oaths, issue orders and continue, review, amend, terminate or suspend 168
	216	+	any of its orders and decisions. The commission may be empowered to 169
	217	+	retain legal counsel to advise it. 170
	218	+	(c) Any town, city or borough [required to create a fair rent 171
	219	+	commission pursuant to subsection (b) of this section] shall adopt an 172
	220	+	ordinance creating such fair rent commission on or before [July 1, 2023] 173
	221	+	January 1, 2028. Not later than thirty days after the adoption of such 174
	222	+	ordinance, the chief executive officer of such town, city or borough shall 175
	223	+	(1) notify the Commissioner of Housing that such commission has been 176
	224	+	created, and (2) transmit a copy of the ordinance adopted by the town, 177
	225	+	city or borough to the commissioner. 178
	226	+	Committee Bill No. 12
215	227
216	228
217		-	LCO 7 of 10
	229	+	LCO No. 5862 7 of 10
218	230
219		-	~~council of governments formed pursuant~~ to ~~section 4-124j~~ ~~may, through 182~~
220		-	~~their legislative bodies and such regional council~~ of ~~governments~~, ~~create 183~~
221		-	a ~~regional~~ fair rent commission. ~~184~~
222		-	~~Sec. 7.~~ (~~NEW~~) ~~(Effective July 1~~, ~~2025) (~~a~~) As used in this section: 185~~
223		-	~~(1) "As~~ of ~~right" has the same meaning as provided in~~ section ~~8-1a of 186~~
224		-	~~the general statutes;~~ ~~187~~
225		-	~~(2) "Commercial building" means~~ a ~~structure primarily designed or 188~~
226		-	used ~~for nonresidential purposes,~~ ~~including, but not limited to, hotels, 189~~
227		-	~~retail space and office space.~~ "~~Commercial building~~" ~~does not include an 190~~
228		-	~~industrial building~~; ~~191~~
229		-	(3) "~~Dwelling unit~~" ~~has the same meaning as provided in section 47a-192~~
230		-	~~1 of the general statutes;~~ ~~193~~
231		-	~~(4)~~ "~~Industrial~~ building" ~~means a structure that is used primarily for 194~~
232		-	industrial ~~activity and is generally not open to the public, including, but 195~~
233		-	~~not limited to,~~ ~~warehouses, factories and storage facilities;~~ ~~and 196~~
234		-	~~(5) "Residential~~ ~~development" means a structure or structures, or a 197~~
235		-	~~portion of~~ a structure, that ~~contains one or more dwelling units. 198~~
236		-	~~(b) Any zoning regulations adopted pursuant~~ to ~~section 8-2 of~~ the ~~199~~
237		-	~~general statutes shall allow the conversion or partial conversion of any 200~~
238		-	~~commercial building into~~ a ~~residential development as of right.~~ ~~201~~
239		-	~~(c) No municipality shall condition the approval~~ of ~~the conversion~~ or ~~202~~
240		-	~~partial conversion~~ of ~~a commercial building into a residential 203~~
241		-	~~development on~~ the ~~correction~~ of ~~a nonconforming use, structure or lot. 204~~
242		-	~~(d) Nothing in this section shall be interpreted or enforced to exempt 205~~
243		-	the conversion or ~~partial conversion of a commercial building into a 206~~
244		-	~~residential development from the requirements~~ of ~~any applicable 207~~
245		-	~~building code~~, ~~fire safety code~~ or ~~fire prevention code~~. ~~No municipality 208~~
246		-	~~shall unreasonably delay any inspection required~~ in ~~connection with 209~~
247		-	~~such conversion or partial conversion. 210 Substitute~~ Bill No. 12
	231	+	(d) Any two or more towns, cities or boroughs [not subject to the 179
	232	+	requirements of subsection (b) of this section] may, through their 180
	233	+	legislative bodies, create a joint fair rent commission. 181
	234	+	(e) Any towns, cities or boroughs that are members of a regional 182
	235	+	council of governments formed pursuant to section 4-124j may, through 183
	236	+	their legislative bodies and such regional council of governments, create 184
	237	+	a regional fair rent commission. 185
	238	+	Sec. 7. (NEW) (Effective July 1, 2025) (a) As used in this section: 186
	239	+	(1) "As of right" has the same meaning as provided in section 8-1a of 187
	240	+	the general statutes; 188
	241	+	(2) "Commercial building" means a structure primarily designed or 189
	242	+	used for nonresidential purposes, including, but not limited to, hotels, 190
	243	+	retail space and office space. "Commercial building" does not include an 191
	244	+	industrial building; 192
	245	+	(3) "Dwelling unit" has the same meaning as provided in section 47a-193
	246	+	1 of the general statutes; 194
	247	+	(4) "Industrial building" means a structure that is used primarily for 195
	248	+	industrial activity and is generally not open to the public, including, but 196
	249	+	not limited to, warehouses, factories and storage facilities; and 197
	250	+	(5) "Residential development" means a structure or structures, or a 198
	251	+	portion of a structure, that contains one or more dwelling units. 199
	252	+	(b) Any zoning regulations adopted pursuant to section 8-2 of the 200
	253	+	general statutes shall allow the conversion or partial conversion of any 201
	254	+	commercial building into a residential development as of right. 202
	255	+	(c) No municipality shall condition the approval of the conversion or 203
	256	+	partial conversion of a commercial building into a residential 204
	257	+	development on the correction of a nonconforming use, structure or lot. 205
	258	+	(d) Nothing in this section shall be interpreted or enforced to exempt 206
	259	+	Committee Bill No. 12
248	260
249	261
250		-	LCO 8 of 10
	262	+	LCO No. 5862 8 of 10
251	263
252		-	(e) The as-of-right permit application and review process for 211
253		-	approval of the conversion or partial conversion of a commercial 212
254		-	building into a residential development shall require that a decision on 213
255		-	any such application be rendered not later than sixty-five days after 214
256		-	receipt of such application by the applicable zoning commission, except 215
257		-	that an applicant may consent to one or more extensions of not more 216
258		-	than an additional sixty-five days or may withdraw such application. 217
259		-	(f) Notwithstanding the provisions of section 12-62 of the general 218
260		-	statutes, no municipality shall subject a commercial building that has 219
261		-	been converted or partially converted under this section to a 220
262		-	revaluation, as defined in section 12-62 of the general statutes, for a 221
263		-	period of not less than three years after a certificate of occupancy is 222
264		-	issued in connection with such conversion or partial conversion. 223
265		-	Sec. 8. (NEW) (Effective July 1, 2025) (a) The Connecticut Housing 224
266		-	Finance Authority shall, as part of the homeownership loan program 225
267		-	established pursuant to section 8-286 of the general statutes, and within 226
268		-	the resources allocated by the State Bond Commission to the 227
269		-	Department of Housing for the purposes of said program, develop and 228
270		-	administer a pilot program for certain mortgage borrowers with unpaid 229
271		-	student loan debt. Such program shall authorize the authority to 230
272		-	provide a rate reduction to eligible mortgage holders in the amount of 231
273		-	up to one and one hundred twenty-five thousandths per cent. 232
274		-	(b) The Connecticut Housing Finance Authority shall establish 233
275		-	guidelines for the program established pursuant to subsection (a) of this 234
276		-	section. Such guidelines shall include the eligibility requirements for 235
277		-	program participants and other guidelines as deemed necessary by the 236
278		-	authority. 237
279		-	(c) To be eligible for the program, a borrower shall: 238
280		-	(1) Be a first-time homebuyer or have not owned a home in the past 239
281		-	three years unless purchasing in a targeted area, as defined in Section 240
282		-	143 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, or any subsequent 241
283		-	corresponding internal revenue code of the United States, as amended 242 Substitute Bill No. 12
	264	+	the conversion or partial conversion of a commercial building into a 207
	265	+	residential development from the requirements of any applicable 208
	266	+	building code, fire safety code or fire prevention code. No municipality 209
	267	+	shall unreasonably delay any inspection required in connection with 210
	268	+	such conversion or partial conversion. 211
	269	+	(e) The as-of-right permit application and review process for 212
	270	+	approval of the conversion or partial conversion of a commercial 213
	271	+	building into a residential development shall require that a decision on 214
	272	+	any such application be rendered not later than sixty-five days after 215
	273	+	receipt of such application by the applicable zoning commission, except 216
	274	+	that an applicant may consent to one or more extensions of not more 217
	275	+	than an additional sixty-five days or may withdraw such application. 218
	276	+	(f) Notwithstanding the provisions of section 12-62 of the general 219
	277	+	statutes, no municipality shall subject a commercial building that has 220
	278	+	been converted or partially converted under this section to a 221
	279	+	revaluation, as defined in section 12-62 of the general statutes, for a 222
	280	+	period of three years after a certificate of occupancy is issued in 223
	281	+	connection with such conversion or partial conversion. 224
	282	+	Sec. 8. (NEW) (Effective July 1, 2025) (a) The Connecticut Housing 225
	283	+	Finance Authority shall, as part of the homeownership loan program 226
	284	+	established pursuant to section 8-286 of the general statutes, and within 227
	285	+	the resources allocated by the State Bond Commission to the 228
	286	+	Department of Housing for the purposes of said program, develop and 229
	287	+	administer a pilot program for certain mortgage borrowers with unpaid 230
	288	+	student loan debt. Such program shall authorize the authority to 231
	289	+	provide a rate reduction to eligible mortgage holders in the amount of 232
	290	+	up to one and one hundred twenty-five thousandths per cent. 233
	291	+	(b) The Connecticut Housing Finance Authority shall establish 234
	292	+	guidelines for the program established pursuant to subsection (a) of this 235
	293	+	section. Such guidelines shall include the eligibility requirements for 236
	294	+	program participants and other guidelines as deemed necessary by the 237
	295	+	authority. 238
	296	+	Committee Bill No. 12
284	297
285	298
286		-	LCO 9 of 10
	299	+	LCO No. 5862 9 of 10
287	300
288		-	from time to time; 243
289		-	(2) Meet the income guidelines as established by the authority's 244
290		-	income limits based on household size and have a gross income at or 245
291		-	below one hundred per cent of the area median income; 246
292		-	(3) Have a combined student loan debt with at least a fifteen-247
293		-	thousand-dollar unpaid principal balance, provided such loan is in 248
294		-	good standing with no past due amounts and may be in repayment or 249
295		-	deferment status; and 250
296		-	(4) Meet other eligibility requirements as deemed necessary by the 251
297		-	authority. 252
298		-	Sec. 9. (Effective July 1, 2025) The sum of four million two hundred 253
299		-	thousand dollars is appropriated to the Department of Housing from 254
300		-	the General Fund, for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2026, to increase 255
301		-	rental assistance certificates issued to elderly or disabled persons 256
302		-	pursuant to section 8-119kk of the general statutes by at least four 257
303		-	hundred twenty-five certificates. 258
304		-	Sec. 10. (Effective July 1, 2025) The sum of four million five hundred 259
305		-	thousand dollars is appropriated to the Department of Housing from 260
306		-	the General Fund, for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2026, to provide a 261
307		-	grant-in-aid to the Head Start on Housing Program in order to increase 262
308		-	rental assistance program certificates issued to families participating in 263
309		-	Head Start by at least two hundred seventy-five certificates. 264
	301	+	(c) To be eligible for the program, a borrower shall: 239
	302	+	(1) Be a first-time homebuyer or have not owned a home in the past 240
	303	+	three years unless purchasing in a targeted area, as defined in Section 241
	304	+	143 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, or any subsequent 242
	305	+	corresponding internal revenue code of the United States, as amended 243
	306	+	from time to time; 244
	307	+	(2) Meet the income guidelines as established by the authority's 245
	308	+	income limits based on household size and have a gross income at or 246
	309	+	below one hundred per cent of the area median income; 247
	310	+	(3) Have a combined student loan debt with at least a fifteen-248
	311	+	thousand-dollar unpaid principal balance, provided such loan is in 249
	312	+	good standing with no past due amounts and may be in repayment or 250
	313	+	deferment status; and 251
	314	+	(4) Meet other eligibility requirements as deemed necessary by the 252
	315	+	authority. 253
	316	+	Sec. 9. (Effective July 1, 2025) The sum of four million two hundred 254
	317	+	thousand dollars is appropriated to the Department of Housing from 255
	318	+	the General Fund, for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2026, to increase 256
	319	+	rental assistance certificates issued to elderly or disabled persons 257
	320	+	pursuant to section 8-119kk of the general statutes by at least four 258
	321	+	hundred twenty-five certificates. 259
	322	+	Sec. 10. (Effective July 1, 2025) The sum of four million five hundred 260
	323	+	thousand dollars is appropriated to the Department of Housing from 261
	324	+	the General Fund, for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2026, to provide a 262
	325	+	grant-in-aid to the Head Start on Housing Program in order to increase 263
	326	+	rental assistance program certificates issued to families participating in 264
	327	+	Head Start by at least two hundred seventy-five certificates. 265
310	328		This act shall take effect as follows and shall amend the following
311	329		sections:
	330	+
	331	+	Committee Bill No. 12
	332	+
	333	+
	334	+	LCO No. 5862 10 of 10
312	335
313	336		Section 1 from passage New section
314	337		Sec. 2 July 1, 2025 10-285a(l)
315	338		Sec. 3 July 1, 2025 New section
316	339		Sec. 4 July 1, 2025 New section
317	340		Sec. 5 July 1, 2025 47a-4
318	341		Sec. 6 July 1, 2025 7-148b
319		-	Sec. 7 July 1, 2025 New section Substitute Bill No. 12
320		-
321		-
322		-	LCO 10 of 10
323		-
	342	+	Sec. 7 July 1, 2025 New section
324	343		Sec. 8 July 1, 2025 New section
325	344		Sec. 9 July 1, 2025 New section
326	345		Sec. 10 July 1, 2025 New section
327	346
328		-	Statement of ~~Legislative Commissioners~~:
329		-	~~Sections 1(a)~~ and ~~4(b) were rewritten for clarity, and~~ in ~~Section 7(f),~~
330		-	~~"not less than"~~ ~~was added for clarity~~.
	347	+	Statement of Purpose:
	348	+	To promote fair and equitable housing opportunities in every
	349	+	community in the state.
331	350
	351	+	[Proposed deletions are enclosed in brackets. Proposed additions are indicated by underline, except
	352	+	that when the entire text of a bill or resolution or a section of a bill or resolution is new, it is not
	353	+	underlined.]
332	354
333		-	HSG Joint Favorable Subst. -LCO
	355	+	Co-Sponsors: SEN. LOONEY, 11th Dist.; SEN. DUFF, 25th Dist.
	356	+	SEN. ANWAR, 3rd Dist.; SEN. CABRERA, 17th Dist.
	357	+	SEN. FLEXER, 29th Dist.; SEN. GADKAR-WILCOX, 22nd Dist.
	358	+	SEN. GASTON, 23rd Dist.; SEN. HOCHADEL, 13th Dist.
	359	+	SEN. HONIG, 8th Dist.; SEN. KUSHNER, 24th Dist.
	360	+	SEN. LESSER, 9th Dist.; SEN. LOPES, 6th Dist.
	361	+	SEN. MAHER, 26th Dist.; SEN. MARX, 20th Dist.
	362	+	SEN. MCCRORY, 2nd Dist.; SEN. MILLER P., 27th Dist.
	363	+	SEN. RAHMAN, 4th Dist.; SEN. SLAP, 5th Dist.
	364	+	SEN. WINFIELD, 10th Dist.; REP. REYES, 75th Dist.
	365	+	REP. LUXENBERG, 12th Dist.; REP. SANCHEZ R., 25th Dist.
334	366
	367	+	S.B. 12