2025 Legislative Session in Connecticut
The 2025 Connecticut legislative session begins on January 8 and runs through June 4, with key committees like Public Health, Judiciary, and Education addressing critical issues our organization focuses on. CTRAMM will closely monitor proposed legislation and launch its updated bill tracker in January 2025, providing residents with tools to stay informed and advocate effectively throughout the session.
The Connecticut Legislative Process for Bill
The process for creating and passing laws in Connecticut involves several distinct stages, beginning with the drafting of informal proposals and ending with potential enactment into law. Here is an expanded explanation of how bills are introduced and move through the legislative process in Connecticut:
1. Proposed Bill
A proposed bill is the starting point in the legislative process.
2. Committee Bill
When a proposed bill is reviewed by a legislative committee, the committee has several options:
3. Raised Bill
A raised bill is a bill initiated directly by a committee, without first originating as a proposed bill from an individual legislator.
Additional Legislative Steps
After a bill (whether a Committee Bill or Raised Bill) is finalized, it must go through the following steps to become law:
Key Points to Remember
A proposed bill is the starting point in the legislative process.
- Who Drafts It?
A member of the Connecticut General Assembly (state senator or state representative) drafts a proposed bill, typically using informal language to outline the bill's purpose or intent. - Purpose:
Proposed bills are often general in nature, focusing on broad ideas or policy goals without specific statutory details. - What Happens Next?
Once drafted, the proposed bill is submitted to the appropriate legislative committee. The committee decides whether to take further action on it or not.
2. Committee Bill
When a proposed bill is reviewed by a legislative committee, the committee has several options:
- Ignore the Bill:
The committee may choose not to act on the proposed bill, effectively halting its progress. - Call the Bill for a Hearing:
If the committee decides the proposed bill has merit, it may hold a hearing or meeting to discuss it. Public input, expert testimony, and stakeholder feedback are often gathered during this stage. - Amend or Rewrite the Bill:
After discussion, the committee may:- Revise the original proposed bill, adding or changing language to address specific concerns or policy details.
- Combine multiple proposed bills with similar topics into a single piece of legislation.
- Drafting a Formal Committee Bill:
If the committee approves the revised content, they instruct legislative staff to draft the proposal in formal, statutory (legal) language. This final draft becomes the Committee Bill.
3. Raised Bill
A raised bill is a bill initiated directly by a committee, without first originating as a proposed bill from an individual legislator.
- Who Initiates It?
Legislative committees have the authority to raise a bill on their own, often in response to public concerns, advocacy group recommendations, or ongoing policy debates. - Formal Drafting:
Unlike proposed bills, raised bills are written in formal statutory language from the outset, ensuring they are ready for legal review and consideration. - Purpose:
Raised bills are often more detailed and comprehensive, as they are typically based on committee discussions, research, and expert input.
Additional Legislative Steps
After a bill (whether a Committee Bill or Raised Bill) is finalized, it must go through the following steps to become law:
- Public Hearing:
- Committees often hold public hearings to gather feedback and testimony on bills.
- Input from citizens, experts, and organizations can influence the committee’s decision on whether to advance the bill.
- Committee Vote:
- The committee votes on whether to advance the bill to the full General Assembly for debate and vote.
- Bills that do not pass out of committee usually die at this stage.
- Debate and Voting:
- Bills approved by committees are sent to the chamber where they originated (House or Senate) for debate and vote. If passed, they move to the other chamber for consideration.
- Reconciliation:
- If the two chambers pass different versions of the bill, a conference committee may be convened to reconcile the differences.
- Governor’s Approval:
- Once both chambers pass the final version of a bill, it is sent to the Governor for signature.
- The Governor can either sign the bill into law, veto it, or allow it to become law without a signature if no action is taken within a specified time.
Key Points to Remember
- Committees play a central role in shaping, amending, or even halting proposed legislation.
- Public involvement, including testimonies and advocacy, can significantly influence the outcome of bills.