Connecticut 2026 Session Status: Passed Senate Bipartisan · 2 D · 1 R cosponsors

SB 260 — AN ACT CONCERNING ROAMING DOGS.

Last action — HOUSE CALENDAR NUMBER 483

  1. ✓
    Introduced
  2. ✓
    In Committee
  3. 3
    Passed Senate
  4. 4
    Passed House
  5. 5
    To Executive
  6. 6
    Enacted

This bill has passed the Senate. Introduced February 19, 2026. It now moves to the second chamber.

Next likely step: consideration and a floor vote in the House.

Odds of enactment

High chance

Based on the sponsor, cosponsors, and committee posture, this bill has a high chance of becoming law.

Upgrade to see the exact probability and what's driving it.

A statistical estimate from our own model of past outcomes — an insight, not a guarantee. Policymaking is volatile.

Prognosis

Advancing 50% · moderate confidence

  • Passed Senate

    Current position in the legislative process.

  • 4 sponsors

    4 primary, 0 co-sponsors signed on.

  • Bipartisan support

    Sponsored across 2 parties (2 D · 1 R) — cross-party backing.

Based on stage, sponsorship breadth, committee status, recorded votes, and cross-state momentum — a description of the observable signals, not a prediction.

Bill Text

What changed in the latest version

261 added · 175 removed

Plain-language change summary

In the updated version of Bill SB 260, there are several significant changes related to the regulation of dogs and livestock. The bill now explicitly states that the use of hunting dogs during the open hunting or training season, as well as dogs for handling livestock and for search and rescue operations, is allowed and not restricted by the new rules. Additionally, the section about violations of these regulations has been clarified; specifically, it has been removed that any violations will be considered infractions for livestock matters. This change is important because it adds clear allowances for certain types of dogs and reassures hunters, farmers, and rescue organizations about their activities without the worry of penalties associated with the unauthorized presence of their dogs or livestock.

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Previous
Latest
General Assembly Raised Bill No.
Senate General Assembly File No.
260 February Session, 2026 LCO No.
612 February Session, 2026 Substitute Senate Bill No.
1639 Referred to Committee on JUDICIARY Introduced by:
260 Senate, April 14, 2026 The Committee on Judiciary reportedthrough SEN.
(JUD) AN ACT CONCERNING ROAMING DOGS.
WINFIELD of the 10th Dist., Chairperson of the Committee on the part of the Senate, that the substitute bill ought to pass.
AN ACT CONCERNING ROAMING DOGS.
(a) No owner or keeper of any dog or livestock as defined in section 22-381 shall allow such dog or livestock to roam at large upon the land of another and not under control of the owner or keeper or the agent of the owner or keeper, nor allow such dog or livestock to roam at large on any portion of any public highway and not attended or under control of such owner or keeper or an agent of such owner or keeper, provided nothing in this subsection shall be construed to limit or prohibit the use of hunting dogs during the open hunting or training season.
(a) No owner or keeper of any dog or livestock as defined in section 22-381 shall allow such dog or livestock to roam at large upon the land of another and not under control of the owner or keeper or the agent of the owner or keeper, nor allow such dog or livestock to roam at large on any portion of any public highway and not attended or under control of such owner or keeper or an agent of such owner or keeper, provided [nothing in this subsection shall be construed to limit or prohibit the use of hunting dogs during the open hunting or training season] this section shall not apply to the use of a (1) hunting dog during the open hunting or training season, (2) dog used in the handling and control of livestock, or (3) dog engaged in a search or rescue operation.
The unauthorized presence of any dog or livestock onthe land ofany person other than the owner or keeper of such dog or livestock or on any portion of a public highway when such dog or livestock is not attended by or under the control of such owner or keeper, shall be prima facie evidence of a violation of the provisions of this subsection.
The unauthorized presence of any dog or livestock on the land of any person other than the owner or keeper of such dog or livestock or on any portion of a sSB260 / File No.
[Violation of any provision of this subsection shall be an infraction.] The animal LCO No.
612 1 sSB260 File No.
1639 1 of 6 Raised Bill No.260 control officer or regional animal control officer appointed pursuant to section 22-328, 22-331 or 22-331a, as applicable, of any city or town in which any such dog or livestock is found roaming at large may, in additiontoanyotherremediesprovidedbylaw,seekanorderenforcing the provisions of this section, including an injunction, from the superior court of the judicial district in which such dog or livestock is found roaming at large.
612 public highway when such dog or livestock is not attended by or under the control of such owner or keeper, shall be prima facie evidence of a violationoftheprovisionsofthissubsection.
[Violationofany provision of this subsection shall be an infraction.] The animal control officer or regional animal control officer appointed pursuant to section 22-328, 22- 331 or 22-331a, as applicable, of any city or town in which any such dog or livestock is found roaming at large may, in addition to any other remediesprovidedby law,seek anorder enforcing theprovisionsofthis section, including an injunction, from the superior court of the judicial district in which such dog or livestock is found roaming at large.
(b)Notwithstandinganyprovisionofthe generalstatutes,anyperson who is alleged to have committed (1) a violation under the provisions of section 1-9, 1-10, 1-11, 2-71h, 4b-13, 7-13, 7-14, 7-35 or 7-41, subsection (c) of section 7-66, section 7-83, 7-147h, 7-148, 7-283, 7-325, 7-393, 8-12, 8-25, 8-27, 9-63, 9-322, 9-350, 10-185, 10-193, 10-197, 10-198, 10-230, 10-251, 10- LCO No.
(b)Notwithstandinganyprovisionofthegeneralstatutes,anyperson who is alleged to have committed (1) a violation under the provisions of section 1-9, 1-10, 1-11, 2-71h, 4b-13, 7-13, 7-14, 7-35 or 7-41, subsection (c) sSB260 / File No.
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260 254, 10a-35, 12-52, 12-54, 12-129b or 12-170aa, subdivision (3) of subsection (e) of section 12-286, section 12-286a, 12-292, 12-314b or 12- 326g, subdivision (4) of section 12-408, subdivision (3), (5) or (6) of section 12-411, section 12-435c, 12-476a, 12-476b, 12-476c, 12-487, 13a- 26b, 13a-71, 13a-107, 13a-113, 13a-114, 13a-115, 13a-117b, 13a-123, 13a- 124, 13a-139, 13a-140, 13a-143b, 13a-253, 13a-263 or 13b-39f, subsection (f) of section 13b-42, section 13b-90 or 13b-100, subsection (a) of section 13b-108, section 13b-221 or 13b-292, subsection (a) or (b) of section 13b- 324, section 13b-336, 13b-337, 13b-338, 13b-410a, 13b-410b or 13b-410c, subsection (a), (b) or (c) of section 13b-412, section 13b-414 or 14-4, subdivision (2) of subsection (a) of section 14-12, subsection (d) of section 14-12, subsection (f) of section 14-12a, subsection (a) of section 14-15a, section 14-16c, 14-20a or 14-27a, subsection (f) of section 14-34a, subsection (d) of section 14-35, section 14-43, 14-44j, 14-49, 14-50a, 14-58 or 14-62a, subsection (b) of section 14-66, section 14-66a or 14-67a, subsection (g) of section 14-80, subsection (f) or (i) of section 14-80h, section 14-97a or 14-98, subsection (a), (b) or (d) of section 14-100a, section 14-100b, 14-103a, 14-106a, 14-106c, 14-145a, 14-146, 14-152, 14- 153, 14-161 or 14-163b, subsection (f) of section 14-164i, section 14-213b or 14-219, subdivision (1) of section 14-223a, subsection (d) of section 14- 224, section 14-240 or 14-250, subdivision (2) of subsection (e) of section 14-251, section 14-253a, 14-261a, 14-262, 14-264, 14-266, 14-267a, 14-269, 14-270, 14-272b, 14-274, 14-275 or 14-275a, subsection (c) of section 14- 275c, section 14-276, subsection (a) or (b) of section 14-277, section 14- 278, 14-279 or 14-280, subsection (b), (e) or (h) of section 14-283, section 14-283d, 14-283e, 14-283f, 14-283g, 14-289l, 14-291, 14-293b, 14-296aa, 14- 298a, 14-300, 14-300d,14-300f,14-319,14-320, 14-321,14-325a,14-326, 14- 330 or 14-332a, subdivision (1), (2) or (3) of section 14-386a, section 15- 15e, 15-25 or 15-33, subdivision (1) of section 15-97, subsection (a) of section 15-115, section 16-15, 16-16, 16-44, 16-256e, 16-278 or 16a-15, subsection (a) of section 16a-21, section 16a-22, subsection (a) or (b) of section 16a-22h, section 16a-106, 17a-24, 17a-145, 17a-149 or 17a-152, subsection (b) of section 17a-227, section 17a-465, subsection (c) of section 17a-488, section 17b-124, 17b-131, 17b-137, 19a-33, 19a-39 or 19a- LCO No.
612 of section 7-66, section 7-83, 7-147h, 7-148, 7-283, 7-325, 7-393, 8-12, 8-25, 8-27, 9-63, 9-322, 9-350, 10-185, 10-193, 10-197, 10-198, 10-230, 10-251, 10- 254, 10a-35, 12-52, 12-54, 12-129b or 12-170aa, subdivision (3) of subsection (e) of section 12-286, section 12-286a, 12-292, 12-314b or 12- 326g, subdivision (4) of section 12-408, subdivision (3), (5) or (6) of section 12-411, section 12-435c, 12-476a, 12-476b, 12-476c, 12-487, 13a- 26b, 13a-71, 13a-107, 13a-113, 13a-114, 13a-115, 13a-117b, 13a-123, 13a- 124, 13a-139, 13a-140, 13a-143b, 13a-253, 13a-263 or 13b-39f, subsection (f) of section 13b-42, section 13b-90 or 13b-100, subsection (a) of section 13b-108, section 13b-221 or 13b-292, subsection (a) or (b) of section 13b- 324, section 13b-336, 13b-337, 13b-338, 13b-410a, 13b-410b or 13b-410c, subsection (a), (b) or (c) of section 13b-412, section 13b-414 or 14-4, subdivision (2) of subsection (a) of section 14-12, subsection (d) of section 14-12, subsection (f) of section 14-12a, subsection (a) of section 14-15a, section 14-16c, 14-20a or 14-27a, subsection (f) of section 14-34a, subsection (d) of section 14-35, section 14-43, 14-44j, 14-49, 14-50a, 14-58 or 14-62a, subsection (b) of section 14-66, section 14-66a or 14-67a, subsection (g) of section 14-80, subsection (f) or (i) of section 14-80h, section 14-97a or 14-98, subsection (a), (b) or (d) of section 14-100a, section 14-100b, 14-103a, 14-106a, 14-106c, 14-145a, 14-146, 14-152, 14- 153, 14-161 or 14-163b, subsection (f) of section 14-164i, section 14-213b or 14-219, subdivision (1) of section 14-223a, subsection (d) of section 14- 224, section 14-240 or 14-250, subdivision (2) of subsection (e) of section 14-251, section 14-253a, 14-261a, 14-262, 14-264, 14-266, 14-267a, 14-269, 14-270, 14-272b, 14-274, 14-275 or 14-275a, subsection (c) of section 14- 275c, section 14-276, subsection (a) or (b) of section 14-277, section 14- 278, 14-279 or 14-280, subsection (b), (e) or (h) of section 14-283, section 14-283d, 14-283e, 14-283f, 14-283g, 14-289l, 14-291, 14-293b, 14-296aa, 14- 298a, 14-300, 14-300d,14-300f,14-319,14-320, 14-321,14-325a,14-326, 14- 330 or 14-332a, subdivision (1), (2) or (3) of section 14-386a, section 15- 15e, 15-25 or 15-33, subdivision (1) of section 15-97, subsection (a) of section 15-115, section 16-15, 16-16, 16-44, 16-256e, 16-278 or 16a-15, subsection (a) of section 16a-21, section 16a-22, subsection (a) or (b) of section 16a-22h, section 16a-106, 17a-24, 17a-145, 17a-149 or 17a-152, subsection (b) of section 17a-227, section 17a-465, subsection (c) of sSB260 / File No.
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260 87, subsection (b) of section 19a-87a, section 19a-91, 19a-102a, 19a-102b, 19a-105, 19a-107, 19a-113, 19a-215, 19a-216a, 19a-219, 19a-222, 19a-224, 19a-286, 19a-287, 19a-297, 19a-301, 19a-309, 19a-335, 19a-336, 19a-338, 19a-339, 19a-340, 19a-425, 19a-442, 19a-502, 19a-565, 20-7a, 20-14, 20- 153a, 20-158, 20-231, 20-233, 20-249, 20-257, 20-265, 20-324e, 20-329c or 20-329g, subsection (b) of section 20-334, section 20-341l, 20-366, 20-482, 20-597, 20-608, 20-610, 20-623, 21-1, 21-38, 21-39, 21-43, 21-47, 21-48 or 21-63, subsection (d) of section 21-71, section 21-76a or 21-100, subsection (c) of section 21a-2, subdivision (1) of section 21a-19, section 21a-20 or 21a-21, subdivision (1) of subsection (b) of section 21a-25, section 21a-26, subsection (a) of section 21a-37, section 21a-46, 21a-61, 21a-63, 21a-70b or 21a-77, subsection (b) or (c) of section 21a-79, section 21a-85 or 21a-154, subdivision (1) of subsection (a) of section 21a-159, section 21a-278b, subsection (c), (d) or (e) of section 21a-279a, section 21a-415a, 21a-421eee, 21a-421fff or 21a-421hhh, subsection (a) of section 21a-430, section 22-12b, 22-13, 22-14, 22-15, 22-16, 22-26g, 22-30, 22-34, 22-35, 22-36, 22-38, 22-39, 22-39f, 22-49, 22-54, 22-61j or 22-61l, subdivision (1) of subsection (n) of section 22-61l, subsection (f) of section 22-61m, subdivision (1) of subsection (f) of section 22-61m, section 22-84, 22-89, 22-90, 22-96, 22-98, 22-99, 22-100 or 22-111o, subsection (d) of section 22-118l, section 22-167, subsection (c) of section 22-277, section 22-278, 22-279, 22-280a, 22-318a, 22-320h, 22-324a or 22- 326, subsection (b), subdivision (1) or (2) of subsection (e) or subsection (g) of section 22-344, subsection (a) or (b) of section 22-344b, subsection (d) of section 22-344d, section 22-344f, 22-350a, 22-354, 22-359, 22-366, 22-391, 22-413, 22-414, 22-415, 22-415c, 22a-66a or 22a-246, subsection (a) of section 22a-250, section 22a-256g, subsection (e) of section 22a-256h, section 22a-363, [or] subparagraph (A) of subdivision (1) of subsection (d) of section 22-364, as amended by this act, section 22a-381d, subsections (c) and (d) of section 22a-381e, section 22a-449, 22a-450, 22a- 461, 23-4b, 23-38, 23-45, 23-46 or 23-61b, subsection (a) or subdivision (1) of subsection (c) of section 23-65, section 25-37 or 25-40, subsection (a) of section 25-43, section 25-43d, 25-135, 26-18, 26-19, 26-21, 26-31, 26-40, 26- 40a, 26-42, 26-43, 26-49, 26-54, 26-55, 26-56, 26-58 or 26-59, subdivision LCO No.
612 section 17a-488, section 17b-124, 17b-131, 17b-137, 19a-33, 19a-39 or 19a- 87, subsection (b) of section 19a-87a, section 19a-91, 19a-102a, 19a-102b, 19a-105, 19a-107, 19a-113, 19a-215, 19a-216a, 19a-219, 19a-222, 19a-224, 19a-286, 19a-287, 19a-297, 19a-301, 19a-309, 19a-335, 19a-336, 19a-338, 19a-339, 19a-340, 19a-425, 19a-442, 19a-502, 19a-565, 20-7a, 20-14, 20- 153a, 20-158, 20-231, 20-233, 20-249, 20-257, 20-265, 20-324e, 20-329c or 20-329g, subsection (b) of section 20-334, section 20-341l, 20-366, 20-482, 20-597, 20-608, 20-610, 20-623, 21-1, 21-38, 21-39, 21-43, 21-47, 21-48 or 21-63, subsection (d) of section 21-71, section 21-76a or 21-100, subsection (c) of section 21a-2, subdivision (1) of section 21a-19, section 21a-20 or 21a-21, subdivision (1) of subsection (b) of section 21a-25, section 21a-26, subsection (a) of section 21a-37, section 21a-46, 21a-61, 21a-63, 21a-70b or 21a-77, subsection (b) or (c) of section 21a-79, section 21a-85 or 21a-154, subdivision (1) of subsection (a) of section 21a-159, section 21a-278b, subsection (c), (d) or (e) of section 21a-279a, section 21a-415a, 21a-421eee, 21a-421fff or 21a-421hhh, subsection (a) of section 21a-430, section 22-12b, 22-13, 22-14, 22-15, 22-16, 22-26g, 22-30, 22-34, 22-35, 22-36, 22-38, 22-39, 22-39f, 22-49, 22-54, 22-61j or 22-61l, subdivision (1) of subsection (n) of section 22-61l, subsection (f) of section 22-61m, subdivision (1) of subsection (f) of section 22-61m, section 22-84, 22-89, 22-90, 22-96, 22-98, 22-99, 22-100 or 22-111o, subsection (d) of section 22-118l, section 22-167, subsection (c) of section 22-277, section 22-278, 22-279, 22-280a, 22-318a, 22-320h, 22-324a or 22- 326, subsection (b), subdivision (1) or (2) of subsection (e) or subsection (g) of section 22-344, subsection (a) or (b) of section 22-344b, subsection (d) of section 22-344d, section 22-344f, 22-350a, 22-354, 22-359, 22-366, 22-391, 22-413, 22-414, 22-415, 22-415c, 22a-66a or 22a-246, subsection (a) of section 22a-250, section 22a-256g, subsection (e) of section 22a-256h, section 22a-363, [or] subparagraph (A) of subdivision (1) of subsection (c) of section 22-364, as amended by this act, section 22a-381d, subsections (c) and (d) of section 22a-381e, section 22a-449, 22a-450, 22a- 461, 23-4b, 23-38, 23-45, 23-46 or 23-61b, subsection (a) or subdivision (1) of subsection (c) of section 23-65, section 25-37 or 25-40, subsection (a) of section 25-43, section 25-43d, 25-135, 26-18, 26-19, 26-21, 26-31, 26-40, 26- 40a, 26-42, 26-43, 26-49, 26-54, 26-55, 26-56, 26-58 or 26-59, subdivision sSB260 / File No.
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260 (1) of subsection (d) of section 26-61, section 26-64, subdivision (1) of section 26-76, section 26-79, 26-87, 26-89, 26-91, 26-94, 26-97, 26-98, 26- 104, 26-105, 26-107, 26-114a, 26-117, subsection (b) of section 26-127, 26- 128, 26-128a, 26-131, 26-132, 26-138, 26-139 or 26-141, subdivision (1) of section 26-186, section 26-207, 26-215, 26-217 or 26-224a, subdivision (1) of section 26-226, section 26-227, 26-230, 26-231, 26-232, 26-244, 26-257a, 26-260, 26-276, 26-280, 26-284, 26-285, 26-286, 26-287, 26-288, 26-290, 26- 291a, 26-292, 26-294, 27-107, 28-13, 29-6a, 29-16, 29-17, 29-25, 29-143o, 29- 143z or 29-156a, subsection (b), (d), (e), (g) or (h) of section 29-161q, section 29-161y or 29-161z, subdivision (1) of section 29-198, section 29- 210, 29-243 or 29-277, subsection (c) of section 29-291c, section 29-316 or 29-318, subsection (b) of section 29-335a, section 29-381, 30-19f, 30-48a or 30-86a, subsection (b) of section 30-89, subsection (c) or (d) of section 30- 117, section 31-3, 31-10, 31-11, 31-12, 31-13, 31-14, 31-15, 31-16, 31-18, 31- 23, 31-24, 31-25, 31-32, 31-36, 31-47 or 31-48, subsection (b) of section 31- 48b, section 31-51, 31-51g, 31-52, 31-52a, 31-53 or 31-54, subsection (a) or (c) of section 31-69, section 31-70, 31-74, 31-75, 31-76, 31-76a, 31-89b or 31-134, subsection (i) of section 31-273, section31-288, 31-348, 33-624, 33- 1017, 34-13d or 34-412, subdivision (1) of section 35-20, subsection (a) of section 36a-57, subsection (b) of section 36a-665, section 36a-699, 36a- 739, 36a-787, 38a-2 or 38a-140, subsection (a) or (b) of section 38a-278, section38a-479qq, 38a-479rr,38a-506,38a-548,38a-626,38a-680,38a-713, 38a-733, 38a-764, 38a-786, 38a-828, 38a-829, 38a-885, 42-133hh, 42-470 or 42-480, subsection (a) or (c) of section 43-16q, section 45a-283, 45a-450, 45a-634 or 45a-658, subdivision(13)or (14)ofsection46a-54,section46a- 59, 46a-81b, 46b-22, 46b-24, 46b-34, 46b-38d, 47-34a, 47-47 or 47-53, subsection (i) of section 47a-21, subdivision (1) of subsection (k) of section 47a-21, section 49-2a, 49-8a, 49-16, 52-143 or 52-289, subsection (j) of section 52-362, section 53-133, 53-199, 53-212a, 53-249a, 53-252, 53- 264, 53-280, 53-290a, 53-302a,53-303e, 53-311a,53-314,53-321,53-322,53- 323 or 53-331, subsection (b) of section 53-343a, section 53-344, subsection (b) or (c) of section 53-344b, subsection (b) of section 53-345a, section 53-377, 53-422 or 53-450 or subsection (i) of section 54-36a, or (2) a violation under the provisions of chapter 268, or (3) a violation of any LCO No.
612 (1) of subsection (d) of section 26-61, section 26-64, subdivision (1) of section 26-76, section 26-79, 26-87, 26-89, 26-91, 26-94, 26-97, 26-98, 26- 104, 26-105, 26-107, 26-114a, 26-117, subsection (b) of section 26-127, 26- 128, 26-128a, 26-131, 26-132, 26-138, 26-139 or 26-141, subdivision (1) of section 26-186, section 26-207, 26-215, 26-217 or 26-224a, subdivision (1) of section 26-226, section 26-227, 26-230, 26-231, 26-232, 26-244, 26-257a, 26-260, 26-276, 26-280, 26-284, 26-285, 26-286, 26-287, 26-288, 26-290, 26- 291a, 26-292, 26-294, 27-107, 28-13, 29-6a, 29-16, 29-17, 29-25, 29-143o, 29- 143z or 29-156a, subsection (b), (d), (e), (g) or (h) of section 29-161q, section 29-161y or 29-161z, subdivision (1) of section 29-198, section 29- 210, 29-243 or 29-277, subsection (c) of section 29-291c, section 29-316 or 29-318, subsection (b) of section 29-335a, section 29-381, 30-19f, 30-48a or 30-86a, subsection (b) of section 30-89, subsection (c) or (d) of section 30- 117, section 31-3, 31-10, 31-11, 31-12, 31-13, 31-14, 31-15, 31-16, 31-18, 31- 23, 31-24, 31-25, 31-32, 31-36, 31-47 or 31-48, subsection (b) of section 31- 48b, section 31-51, 31-51g, 31-52, 31-52a, 31-53 or 31-54, subsection (a) or (c) of section 31-69, section 31-70, 31-74, 31-75, 31-76, 31-76a, 31-89b or 31-134, subsection (i) of section 31-273, section31-288, 31-348, 33-624, 33- 1017, 34-13d or 34-412, subdivision (1) of section 35-20, subsection (a) of section 36a-57, subsection (b) of section 36a-665, section 36a-699, 36a- 739, 36a-787, 38a-2 or 38a-140, subsection (a) or (b) of section 38a-278, section38a-479qq, 38a-479rr,38a-506,38a-548,38a-626,38a-680,38a-713, 38a-733, 38a-764, 38a-786, 38a-828, 38a-829, 38a-885, 42-133hh, 42-470 or 42-480, subsection (a) or (c) of section 43-16q, section 45a-283, 45a-450, 45a-634 or 45a-658, subdivision(13)or (14)ofsection46a-54,section46a- 59, 46a-81b, 46b-22, 46b-24, 46b-34, 46b-38d, 47-34a, 47-47 or 47-53, subsection (i) of section 47a-21, subdivision (1) of subsection (k) of section 47a-21, section 49-2a, 49-8a, 49-16, 52-143 or 52-289, subsection (j) of section 52-362, section 53-133, 53-199, 53-212a, 53-249a, 53-252, 53- 264, 53-280, 53-290a, 53-302a,53-303e, 53-311a,53-314,53-321,53-322,53- 323 or 53-331, subsection (b) of section 53-343a, section 53-344, subsection (b) or (c) of section 53-344b, subsection (b) of section 53-345a, section 53-377, 53-422 or 53-450 or subsection (i) of section 54-36a, or (2) a violation under the provisions of chapter 268, or (3) a violation of any regulation adopted in accordance with the provisions of section 12-484, sSB260 / File No.
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260 regulation adopted in accordance with the provisions of section 12-484, 12-487 or 13b-410, or (4) a violation of any ordinance, regulation or bylaw of any town, city or borough, except violations of building codes, the health code or an ordinance described in subdivision (5) of this subsection, for which the penalty exceeds ninety dollars but does not exceed two hundred fifty dollars, unless such town, city or borough has established a payment and hearing procedure for such violation pursuant to section 7-152c, or (5) a violation of any ordinance adopted by a town, city or borough pursuant to section 14-224a, 14-390 or 14- 390m for which the penalty does not exceed two thousand dollars, unless such town, city or borough has established a payment and hearing procedure for such violation pursuant to section 7-152c, shall follow the procedures set forth in this section.
612 12-487 or 13b-410, or (4) a violation of any ordinance, regulation or bylaw of any town, city or borough, except violations of building codes, the health code or an ordinance described in subdivision (5) of this subsection, for which the penalty exceeds ninety dollars but does not exceed two hundred fifty dollars, unless such town, city or borough has established a payment and hearing procedure for such violation pursuant to section 7-152c, or (5) a violation of any ordinance adopted by a town, city or borough pursuant to section 14-224a, 14-390 or 14- 390m for which the penalty does not exceed two thousand dollars, unless such town, city or borough has established a payment and hearing procedure for such violation pursuant to section 7-152c, shall follow the procedures set forth in this section.
2 October 1, 2026 51-164n(b) Statement of Purpose:
2 October 1, 2026 51-164n(b) JUD Joint Favorable Subst.
To enhance penalties for unlawfully permitting a dog to roam at large.
sSB260 / File No.
[Proposed deletions are enclosed in brackets.
612 6 sSB260 File No.
Proposed additions are indicated by underline, except that when the entire text of a bill or resolution or a section of a bill or resolution is new, it is not underlined.] LCO No.
612 The following Fiscal Impact Statement and Bill Analysis are prepared for the benefit of the members of the General Assembly, solely for purposes of information, summarization and explanation and do not represent the intent of the General Assembly or either chamber thereof for any purpose.
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In general, fiscal impacts are based upon a variety of informational sources, including the analyst’s professional knowledge.
Whenever applicable, agency data is consulted as part of the analysis, however final products do not necessarily reflect an assessment from any specific department.
OFA Fiscal Note State Impact:
Agency Affected Fund-Effect FY 27 $ FY 28 $ Judicial Dept.
(Probation) GF - Potential Minimal Minimal Cost Resources of the General Fund GF - Potential Minimal Minimal Revenue Gain Note:
GF=General Fund Municipal Impact:
None Explanation The billincreasespenaltiesfor violating thebanonroaming dogsand adds two exemptions from the ban, resulting in a net potential cost to the Judicial Department for probation and a potential revenue gain to the General Fund from fines.
1,2 On average, the marginal cost for supervision in the community is less than $600 each year for adults and $450 each year for juveniles.
The Out Years 1Violations are currently punished as an infraction, with violators typically charged a $50 fine, $7 fee, and $35 surcharge.
The bill makes first offenses punishable by a fine of up to $350 and second and subsequent offenses punishable by up to $500.
Third or subsequent violations occurring within one year after the immediate prior violation is a class C misdemeanor, punishable by up to three months in prison and a fine of up to a $500.
2Between FY 22 and FY 25, there were a total of 3,644 offenses recorded and $181,625 in fines collected under CGS § 22-364.
3Probation marginal cost is based on services provided by private providers and only includes costs that increase with each additional participant.
This does not include a cost for additional supervision by a probation officer unless a new offense is anticipated to result in enough additional offenders to require additional probation officers.
sSB260 / File No.
612 7 sSB260 File No.
612 The annualized ongoing fiscal impact identified above would continue into the future subject to the number of offenses and fines collected.
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sSB260 / File No.
612 8 sSB260 File No.
612 OLR Bill Analysis sSB 260 AN ACT CONCERNING ROAMING DOGS.
SUMMARY This bill increases the penalty for dog owners or keepers who allow their dogs to roam at large on another’s land or on a public highway when not under their control.
The bill also adds two exemptions from the roaming restriction.
Under current law, this is an infraction (see BACKGROUND).
The bill instead generally makes it punishable by a fine of up to (1) $350 for a first violation and (2) $500 for a subsequent violation.
People fined for these violations must follow the law’s procedure for infractions.
For example, they can pay the fine by mail without making a court appearance.
Under the bill, a third or subsequent violation occurring within one year after theimmediate priorviolationisaclassC misdemeanor,which is punishable by a fine of up to $500, up to three months in prison, or both.
The bill exempts fromthe roaming ban dogsthat are (1) handling and controlling livestock or (2) participating in a search or rescue operation.
Currently, only hunting dogs during the open hunting or training season are exempt.
By law, the unauthorized presence of a dog on another’s land or a public highway when not under its owner’s or keeper’s control is prima facie evidence of a violation.
Lastly, the bill makes technical changes.
EFFECTIVE DATE:
October 1, 2026 sSB260 / File No.
612 9 sSB260 File No.
612 BACKGROUND Infractions Infractions are punishable by fines, usually set by Superior Court judges, of between $35 and $90, plus a $20 or $35 surcharge and an additional fee based on the fine’s amount.
There may be other added charges depending upon the type of infraction.
For example, certain motor vehicle infractions trigger a Special Transportation Fund surcharge of 50% of the fine.
An infraction is not a crime, and violators can generally pay the fine by mail without making a court appearance.
COMMITTEE ACTION Judiciary Committee Joint Favorable Substitute Yea 41 Nay 0 (03/30/2026) sSB260 / File No.
612 10
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Action History

  1. HOUSE CALENDAR NUMBER 483

  2. FAV. RPT., TABLED FOR HOUSE CALENDAR

  3. SENATE PASSED

  4. FILE NO. 612

  5. SENATE CALENDAR NUMBER 390

  6. FAV. RPT., TAB. FOR CAL., SEN.

  7. RPTD. OUT OF LCO

  8. REFERRED TO Office of Legislative Research AND Office of Fiscal Analysis 04/13/26

  9. FILED WITH LCO

  10. Joint Favorable Substitute

  11. PUBLIC HEARING 0227

  12. REF. TO JOINT COMM. ON Judiciary

Sponsors

Sponsorship breakdown

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4 sponsors · 0 co-sponsors · 183 not signed on

Sponsors (4)

Co-sponsors (0)

None.

Not signed on (183)

183 members have not signed on to this bill.

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"Not signed on" means a member has not sponsored or co-sponsored this bill — it does not imply opposition. Members flagged Voted No have a recorded No vote on this bill.

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Frequently asked questions

Who sponsors SB 260?
SB 260 is sponsored by Collins Main, Craig C. Fishbein (Republican), Kadeem Roberts (Democratic), and Patricia Billie Miller (Democratic).
What is the current status of SB 260?
This bill has passed the Senate. Introduced February 19, 2026. It now moves to the second chamber.
Where can I track SB 260?
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