Bill > SB00732

This bill requires the State Water Planning Council to amend the state water plan to more comprehensively address climate change. Specifically, the bill mandates that the Water Planning Council modify its existing water resources plan to explicitly consider climate change impacts, including potential changes to water availability, abundance, and infrastructure resilience. The bill changes the language from "may" to "shall" regarding submitting a revised water plan, emphasizing the mandatory nature of updating the plan to address climate change. The amendments require the council to develop strategies for climate resiliency, assess the impact of extreme weather events, and recommend modifications to laws and regulations to support these goals. The bill preserves the existing process for developing, reviewing, and approving the state water plan, which includes public comment periods, submission to legislative committees, and potential approval by the General Assembly. The key innovation is the explicit requirement to integrate climate change considerations into water resource planning, recognizing the potential long-term effects of climate change on water resources, infrastructure, and ecological systems.

Agriculture and Natural Resources

Environment Committee (J)

https://www.cga.ct.gov/asp/cgabillstatus/cgabillstatus.asp?selBillType=Bill&bill_num=SB00732&which_year=2025