Bill > HB05156

This bill establishes a "climate change superfund cost recovery program" and a dedicated "climate change adaptation fund" to finance projects that help communities adapt to the impacts of climate change. The program will be administered by the Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP) and will seek compensatory payments from "responsible parties," defined as entities that extracted or refined fossil fuels and are attributable for over one billion metric tons of covered greenhouse gas emissions between 1995 and 2024. These payments, known as "cost recovery demands," will be based on strict liability, meaning fault is not a factor. The bill outlines a process for DEEP to identify responsible parties, calculate their emissions, issue notices of intent and cost recovery demands, and collect payments, with options for installment plans and appeals. A significant portion, at least 40%, of the funds collected must directly benefit "environmental justice communities," which are areas disproportionately affected by environmental hazards. The bill also includes provisions for assessing the costs of climate change impacts, developing a statewide adaptation master plan, and conducting an independent evaluation of the program's effectiveness. An initial appropriation of $300,000 from the General Fund is provided to kickstart the program.

Agriculture and Natural Resources

Environment Committee (Joint)

https://www.cga.ct.gov/asp/cgabillstatus/cgabillstatus.asp?selBillType=Bill&bill_num=HB05156&which_year=2026