Resources for understanding the importance of SB 9 and its neonics provisions

Gray Catbirds are among the scores of Connecticut birds that rely on an ample supply of caterpillars and other insects to survive.

Updated May 29, 2025

The State Senate voted in favor of SB 9 on May 15; the House voted in favor of it on May 28.

This page contains a summary of SB 9; links to the Senate vote and the House vote, and to the complete the text of the bill; links to the 2024 Connecticut State of the Birds report and to a summary of the report; and more.

How your State Representative voted on SB 9.

It’s unclear when that will happen, and it’s also not necessarily as simple as the Governor signing the bill.

If the General Assembly is still in session when the Governor gets the bill, the Governor has 5 calendar days (not counting Sundays or holidays) to either Sign the bill, and it becomes law, Veto it, or do nothing. If the Governor does nothing within those 5 days, the bill automatically becomes law.

If the General Assembly sends it to the Governor after it has ended its session, the Governor has 15 calendar days to either sign the bill, veto it, or do nothing. If the Governor does nothing within those 15 days, the bill automatically becomes law.

There has been absolutely no indication that Govenor Lamont will veto SB 9..

A Summary of SB 9

Flood Risk Awareness & Insurance Disclosures

• Starting July 2026:
  • Homeowners & Renters Insurance: Insurers must inform policyholders that flood damage isn’t covered and provide info on flood insurance options.
  • Mortgage Loans: Lenders must warn buyers 10+ days before closing that flood damage isn’t usually covered and suggest looking into flood insurance.
  • Real Estate Sales: Sellers must disclose flood risk info (e.g. FEMA zones, flood history, insurance needs). Missing this results in a $500 credit to buyers.
• Starting July 2026 for leases (with prep beginning in 2025):
  • Landlords must disclose flood risks (like location in flood zones, prior flood damage) and tell tenants flood insurance for personal property is available.

Coastal Development Rules

• October 2025: Minor home additions (like decks or pools) are exempt from coastal site plan reviews, but major flood control structures are not.
• Coastal projects in high-risk flood areas must be reviewed by the state environmental commissioner.

Climate and Hazard Planning

• Starting July 2025:
  • Towns must factor in sea level rise, flooding, and extreme weather when updating evacuation plans, development plans, and zoning regulations.
  • Municipal and regional development plans must use geospatial data to identify risks and plan accordingly.
  • Zoning laws can include building standards to reduce flood risk.
  • The state’s emergency preparedness plan must address climate-related hazards by 2028.
• Infrastructure Updates:
  • Towns must map and report culverts and bridges annually.
  • Road funds can be used to address damage from climate-related events.
• Funding Limits:
  • State and federal funds cannot be used to build or expand homes in high-risk flood areas or on repeatedly flooded properties after Dec 2025.

Municipal Financing Tools

• Starting July 2025:
  • Towns can use capital funds for climate-resilient improvements.
  • New tools like Resiliency Improvement Districts (RIDs) and Transfer of Development Rights (TDR) can help manage and finance climate adaptation:
    • RIDs allow special taxing districts to fund resilience projects.
    • TDRs can move development rights from flood-prone areas to safer zones.
  • Affordable housing lost due to resilience projects must be replaced.

Pesticide and Rodenticide Rules

• Effective Immediately:
  • Second-generation rodenticides are for restricted use only by Jan 2026.
• From Oct 2027:
  • Most uses of neonicotinoid pesticides are banned, including the use on turf grass such as lawns and golf courses. Exempted are agriculture, seeds, ornamental plants, and non-plant-related uses like pet or structural pest control.

The 2024 Connecticut State of the Birds report, released in December 2024, focused on neonics and was titled “The Next Conservation Frontier: Protecting Birds from Insecticides.”

You can find a summary of the report’s key points here.