HB 6926, An Act Concerning Funding for the Residential Energy Preparation Services Program. This bill will provide $8M for the REPS program, which helps income-eligible people by removing health hazards such as mold, lead, and asbestos from their homes, so that they can then participate in energy efficiency programs. IREJN supports this bill.
Next Action: HB 6926 is scheduled for a public hearing in the Energy & Technology Committee on Tuesday, February 18. .
H.B. No. 6925, An Act Concerning the Establishment of the Connecticut Home Energy Label and a Training Program for Energy Efficiency Auditors. This bill will establish a (1) standard, easy-to-understand labeling system to inform consumers of the energy efficiency and usage of a dwelling unit, and (2) training program for energy efficiency auditors. IREJN supports this bill
Next Action: HB 6925 has been raised in the Energy & Technology Committee and needs a public hearing.
HB 6916, An Act Concerning the Use of Neonicotinoids. This bill will ban the use of neonicotinoids for non-agricultural use and will also ban neonicotinoid coated corn, wheat, and soybean seeds. Neonics are harmful pesticides that applied to kill grubs, but they are not effective. Neonics kill pollinators and it only takes one neonicotinoid-coated seed to kill a songbird. IREJN supports this bill.
Next Action: HB 6916 is scheduled for a public hearing in the Environment Committee on Wednesday, February 19
HB 6915, An Act Concerning the Use of Second Generation Anti-Coagulant Rodenticides. This bill will restrict the use of SGARs, which cause slow, painful deaths to rodents and anything that consumes their dead bodies, including hawks, eagles, foxes, coyotes, and domesticated pets. IREJN supports this bill
Next Action: HB 6915 is scheduled for a public hearing in the Environment Committee on Wednesday, February 19
SB 887, An Act Exempting Certain Cookware from PFAS Requirements. In 2024, the CT State Legislature unanimously passed a bill to ban PFAS chemicals in products. PFAS chemicals are a class of over 10,000 chemicals that act as de-greasing or non-stick agents. They are found in items that are flame-retardant, stain-resistant, waterproof, and non-stick. PFAS chemicals are forever chemicals and have been linked to numerous health problems. This bill would weaken the 2024 law by permitting cookware to use PFAS chemicals. IREJN opposes this bill.
Next Action: SB 887 is scheduled for a public hearing on Wednesday, February 19.
SJ 36, Resolution Proposing a State Constitutional Amendment Concerning Environmental Rights. This resolution will give CT voters the chance to vote on adding environmental rights to the CT State Constitution. IREJN supports this bill.
Next Action: SJ 36 had a public hearing on Friday, February 7 and needs to be called for a vote.
