LobbyComply Blog

The Connecticut General Assembly adjourned on May 6. During the session, lawmakers passed House Bill 5532, which makes changes to monetary thresholds under the state code of ethics. Changes include increasing the threshold for filing monthly lobbyist reports, reporting lobbying expenditures, and for registration of lobbyists who are not compensated but make gifts to public officials. The thresholds for certain exempted gifts also increased. Additionally, the threshold for reporting gifts given to public officials by a person doing business or seeking to do business with the state is doubled to $20. If approved by the governor, relevant provisions of the bill will be effective October 1. This does affect lobbying reporting. The final monthly employer activity report required for the regular session is due June 10.

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The Connecticut State Elections Enforcement Commission decided lobbyists who represent domestic subsidies of foreign principals can make contributions despite the ban on contributions from foreign nationals in Connecticut elections. These lobbyists can make personal contributions if they are using their own funds and their lobbying and political activities are not directed or controlled by a foreign parent company.

The Connecticut House of Representatives introduced a bill to expand the ban on lobbyist contributions during legislative sessions. Under current law, lobbyists are prohibited from giving to state and legislative candidates and incumbents while the General Assembly is in session. House Bill 5547 expands this prohibition to include municipal candidates and probate judges.

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A special election will be held January 13 to fill a vacancy in Assembly District 139. The seat was previously held by Kevin Ryan, who recently passed away at the age of 73.

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A special election will be held January 6 to fill a vacancy in Assembly District 25. The seat was previously held by Bobby Sanchez who resigned after being elected as the mayor of New Britain.

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The Connecticut State Elections Enforcement Commission (SEEC) voted to appoint Ryan Burns as their new Executive Director. Burns, a former staff attorney for the SEEC and Deputy Legal Director of the Department of Public Health, replaces Interim Director Clare Kindall.

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The Connecticut General Assembly met for a brief two-day special session beginning November 12. Lawmakers passed House Bill 8002, which focuses on housing growth, and other legislation from the governor’s limited agenda. A previous version of the housing bill was vetoed by Gov. Lamont. 

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The State Elections Enforcement Commission (SEEC) proposed a declaratory ruling to allow contributions from digital wallets for the 2026 election cycle on a provisional basis. Payments from digital wallets will be included in the definition of checks and credit cards for campaign contributions if the processor provides enough information to detect fraud. The SEEC is requesting written public comment until September 22 on the proposed ruling.

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The Connecticut General Assembly adjourned on June 4. During the session, lawmakers passed Senate Bill 1405, which makes various changes to campaign finance laws. Changes include extending the existing political communication disclaimer requirements to include text messages and modifies when qualifying contributions are adjusted for inflation. If approved by the governor, most provisions of the bill will be effective July 1, with some being effective from passage. This does affect lobbying reporting. The final monthly employer activity report required any month the General Assembly is in regular session is due July 10.

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Gov. Lamont ordered a special election to be held on April 22 for state House District 113 after Rep. Jason Perillo’s resignation. Perillo resigned on February 28 after winning a special election for Senate District 21.

The Connecticut General Assembly adjourned sine die on May 8.

During the session, lawmakers passed Senate Bill 253 concerning foreign political spending.

The bill prohibits foreign nationals from making contributions or expenditures and individuals from receiving contributions from foreign nationals.

Additionally, it requires certification on independent expenditure reports that the person making the expenditure is not a foreign national.

If signed by the governor, Senate Bill 253 becomes effective from passage.

This does affect lobbying reporting.

The monthly employer activity report required any month the General Assembly is in regular session is due June 10.

Voters in New Haven, Connecticut approved changes to the City Charter, which includes extending the terms of the mayor, the city clerk, and alders (members of the Board of Aldermen) from two to four years.

Additionally, the revision allows the Board of Alderman to increase the salaries for alders, allows them more power to reform commissions and boards, and requires all city contracts of above $100,000 to be approved by them.

The increases in the length of terms takes effect in 2027, following two more election cycles.

A charter revision for Stamford, Connecticut failed to pass in yesterday’s election.

The ballot measure would have altered the appointment process for non-elected boards and commissions, changed allowing board members with expired terms to continue to hold seats and participate in voting, and allowed any member of the Board of Representatives to nominate a candidate to a board or commission in certain circumstances.

Additionally, the measure would change how outside legal counsel is retained by the Board and added residency requirements for certain non-elected city officials.

Both opponents and proponents of the charter revisions saw it as shifting power away from the mayor to the Board of Representatives.

On November 7, citizens of Hartford, Connecticut elected Democrat Arunan Arulampalam.

Arulampalam, CEO of Hartford Land Bank, defeated Republican Mike McGarry and a variety of petitioning candidates.

Before becoming CEO, Arulampalam worked as a commissioner with the Connecticut Department of Consumer Protection.

Arulampalam will replace Mayor Luke Bronin, who did not seek reelection.