AN ACT CONCERNING THE SOCIAL EQUITY COUNCIL'S RECOMMENDATIONS REGARDING CANNABIS REGULATION.
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HB 5351 — AN ACT CONCERNING THE SOCIAL EQUITY COUNCIL'S RECOMMENDATIONS REGARDING CANNABIS REGULATION.
Last action — FILE NO. 386
No card. One bill, free forever — alerts when it moves.
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✓Introduced
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2In Committee
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3Passed House
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4Passed Senate
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5To Executive
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6Enacted
This bill is in committee in the House. Introduced February 26, 2026. It must pass committee before a floor vote.
Next likely step: a committee vote, then a floor vote in the House.
Prognosis
Where this bill stands today.
Odds of enactment
LowHow often bills like it became law.
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In Committee
Current position in the legislative process.
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2 sponsors
2 primary, 0 co-sponsors signed on.
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Single-party support
Sponsorship is currently within one party (2 D).
Prognosis reads this bill's own signals — stage, sponsorship breadth, committee status, recorded votes and cross-state momentum. Odds come from a model trained on which bills have become law.
Bill Text
What changed in the latest version
177 added · 39 removedPlain-language change summary
The latest version of Bill HB 5351 has updated the introductory details to clearly state its status and committee approval, confirming that it is ready for further discussions. Additionally, some repetitive lines from earlier drafts have been removed to streamline the document. These changes help clarify the bill's process and make it more efficient, ensuring that lawmakers and the public can better understand its current state.
House of Representatives General Assembly SubstituteFile Bill No.
5351386 February Session, 2026 ANSubstitute ACTHouse CONCERNINGBill THENo. SOCIAL EQUITY COUNCIL'S RECOMMENDATIONS REGARDING CANNABIS REGULATION.
5351 House of Representatives, April 2, 2026 The Committee onGeneralLawreportedthrough REP.LEMAR of the 96th Dist., Chairperson of the Committee on the part of the House, that the substitute bill ought to pass.
AN ACT CONCERNING THE SOCIAL EQUITY COUNCIL'S RECOMMENDATIONS REGARDING CANNABIS REGULATION.
(2) One appointed by the president pro tempore of the Senate, who hassHB5351 a/ professionalFile backgroundNo. of not less than five years working in the field of either social justice or civil rights;
(3)386 One appointed by the majority leader of the House of Representatives,whohasaprofessionalbackgroundofnotlessthanfive years working in the field of economic development to help minority- LCO 1 ofsHB5351 19File Substitute Bill No.
5351386 ownedhas businesses;a professional background of not less than five years working in the field of either social justice or civil rights;
(3) One appointed by the majority leader of the House of Representatives,whohasaprofessionalbackgroundofnotlessthanfive years working in the field of economic development to help minority- owned businesses;
(11)sHB5351 The/ StateFile Treasurer,No. or the State Treasurer's designee;
386 2 sHB5351 File No.
386 (11) The State Treasurer, or the State Treasurer's designee;
(c) (1) In making the appointments in subsection (b) of this section, LCOthe 2appointing authority shall use best efforts to make appointments that reflect the racial, gender and geographic diversity of 19the Substitutepopulation Billof No.the state.
5351 the appointing authority shall use best efforts to make appointments that reflect the racial, gender and geographic diversity of the population of the state.
(D) In addition to the council's authority under subparagraph (C) of this subdivision, if a final review board consisting of the chairperson and the members of the council appointed under subdivisions (1), (2), (5) and (6) of subsection (b) of this section determines, by a simple majority vote of the members of the final review board, that removing the executive director is in the best interest of serving the council's mission,sHB5351 such/ finalFile reviewNo. board shall issue a letter to the council recommending that the council remove the executive director.
386 3 sHB5351 File No.
386 mission, such final review board shall issue a letter to the council recommending that the council remove the executive director.
The chairperson shall directly LCOsupervise, 3establish ofannual 19goals Substitutefor Billand No.conduct an annual performance review of the executive director.
5351 supervise, establish annual goals for and conduct an annual performance review of the executive director.
(e) The Social Equity Council may (1) request, and shall receive, from any state agency such information and assistance as the council may require, (2) use such funds as may be available from federal, state or other sources[andmay]to carryout itspurposes, (3)enter into contracts or agreements to carry out [the] its purposes, [of the council,] including, but not limited to, contracts or agreements with Connecticut Innovations,sHB5351 Incorporated,/ constituentFile units of the state system of higher education, regional workforce development boards and community development financial institutions, [(3)] (4) utilize such voluntary and uncompensated services of private individuals, state or LCO 4 of 19 Substitute Bill No.
5351386 federal4 agenciessHB5351 andFile organizationsNo. as may, from time to time, be offered and needed, [(4)] (5) accept any gift,donationor bequest for the purpose of performing [the] its duties, [of the council, (5)] (6) conduct such investigations as the council may deem necessary to carry out its duties, (7) hold public hearings, [(6)] (8) establish [such] standing committees, as necessary, to perform [the] its duties, [of the council,] and [(7)] (9) adopt such regulations, in accordance with the provisions of chapter 54, as the council may deem necessary to carry out [the] its duties.
386 Innovations, Incorporated, constituent units of the state system of higher education, regional workforce development boards and community development financial institutions, [(3)] (4) utilize such voluntary and uncompensated services of private individuals, state or federal agencies and organizations as may, from time to time, be offered and needed, [(4)] (5) accept any gift,donationor bequest for the purpose of performing [the] its duties, [of the council, (5)] (6) conduct such investigations as the council may deem necessary to carry out its duties, (7) hold public hearings, [(6)] (8) establish [such] standing committees, as necessary, to perform [the] its duties, [of the council,] and [(7)] (9) adopt such regulations, in accordance with the provisions of chapter 54, as the council may deem necessary to carry out [the] its duties.
(3)sHB5351 Foreseeable/ long-termFile social,No. economic and familial consequences of unremedied past racial discrimination and disparities arising from past and continued cannabis prohibition, stigmatization and criminalization;
LCO386 5 ofsHB5351 19File Substitute Bill No.
5351386 (4)(3) ExistingForeseeable patternslong-term ofsocial, racialeconomic discrimination and racialfamilial disparitiesconsequences inof accessunremedied topast entrepreneurship,racial employmentdiscrimination and otherdisparities economic benefits arising infrom thepast lawfuland palliativecontinued use cannabis sectorprohibition, asstigmatization establishedand pursuantcriminalization; to chapter 420f;
(4) Existing patterns of racial discrimination and racial disparities in access to entrepreneurship, employment and other economic benefits arising in the lawful palliative use cannabis sector as established pursuant to chapter 420f;
(4) Establishing minimum criteria for any cannabis establishment licensedsHB5351 on/ orFile afterNo. January 1, 2022, to comply with an approved workforce development plan to reinvest or provide employment and training opportunities for individuals in disproportionately impacted areas;
LCO386 6 ofsHB5351 19File Substitute Bill No.
5351386 (5)licensed Establishingon criteriaor forafter aJanuary social1, equity2022, planto forcomply anywith cannabisan establishmentapproved licensedworkforce ondevelopment plan to reinvest or afterprovide Januaryemployment 1,and 2022,training toopportunities furtherfor theindividuals principlesin ofdisproportionately equity;impacted areas;
(5) Establishing criteria for a social equity plan for any cannabis establishment licensed on or after January 1, 2022, to further the principles of equity;
(2) Not later than August 1, 2023, the council shall use poverty rate datasHB5351 from/ theFile most recent five-year United States Census Bureau American Community Survey estimates, population data from the most recent decennial census and conviction information from databases managed by the Department of Emergency Services and Public LCO 7 of 19 Substitute Bill No.
5351386 Protection7 tosHB5351 identifyFile allNo. United States census tracts in the state that are disproportionately impacted areas and shall publish a list of such tracts on the council's Internet web site.
386 data from the most recent five-year United States Census Bureau American Community Survey estimates, population data from the most recent decennial census and conviction information from databases managed by the Department of Emergency Services and Public Protection to identify all United States census tracts in the state that are disproportionately impacted areas and shall publish a list of such tracts on the council's Internet web site.
(k)sHB5351 The/ SocialFile Equity Council shall develop criteria for evaluating the ownership and control of any equity joint venture created under section 21a-420j, 21a-420m, 21a-420u, 21a-420aa, [21a-420bbb] 21a-420bb or LCO 8 of 19 Substitute Bill No.
5351386 [21a-420ccc]8 21a-420ccsHB5351 andFile shallNo. review and approve or deny in writing such equity joint venture prior to such equity joint venture being licensed under section 21a-420j, 21a-420m, 21a-420u, 21a-420aa, [21a- 420bbb] 21a-420bb or [21a-420ccc] 21a-420cc.
386 (k) The Social Equity Council shall develop criteria for evaluating the ownership and control of any equity joint venture created under section 21a-420j, 21a-420m, 21a-420u, 21a-420aa, [21a-420bbb] 21a-420bb or [21a-420ccc] 21a-420cc and shall review and approve or deny in writing such equity joint venture prior to such equity joint venture being licensed under section 21a-420j, 21a-420m, 21a-420u, 21a-420aa, [21a- 420bbb] 21a-420bb or [21a-420ccc] 21a-420cc.
If the council denies any such social equity plan, the applicantsHB5351 may/ reviseFile andNo. resubmit such social equity plan without prejudice.
LCO386 9 ofsHB5351 19File Substitute Bill No.
5351386 (2)applicant (A)may Eachrevise licensed cannabis establishment shall (i) maintain an active social equity plan at all times while such cannabis establishment is in operation, and (ii)resubmit not later than March 1, 2026, and annually thereafter, submit to the council a report disclosing the impact such social equity plan hadwithout onprejudice. the disproportionately impacted area in which such cannabis establishment is located during the preceding calendar year.
(2) (A) Each licensed cannabis establishment shall (i) maintain an active social equity plan at all times while such cannabis establishment is in operation, and (ii) not later than March 1, 2026, and annually thereafter, submit to the council a report disclosing the impact such social equity plan had on the disproportionately impacted area in which such cannabis establishment is located during the preceding calendar year.
(o) Not later than [July 1, 2024, and quarterly thereafter] the first days of January, April, July and October for the preceding calendar quarter, the Social Equity Council shall prepare and submit a quarterly report, in accordance with the provisions of section 11-4a, to the Governor, the speaker of the House of Representatives, the president pro tempore of the Senate, the majority leader of the House of Representatives, the majoritysHB5351 leader/ ofFile the Senate, the minority leader of the House of Representatives, the minority leader of the Senate, [and] the joint LCO 10 of 19 Substitute Bill No.
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5351386 standing10 committeessHB5351 ofFile theNo. General Assembly having cognizance of matters relating to appropriations and consumer protection and the chairperson of the Black and Puerto Rican Caucus of the General Assembly.
386 majority leader of the Senate, the minority leader of the House of Representatives, the minority leader of the Senate, [and] the joint standing committees of the General Assembly having cognizance of matters relating to appropriations and consumer protection and the chairperson of the Black and Puerto Rican Caucus of the General Assembly.
and (2) The status of the council's performance of the council's responsibilities in the licensing process under RERACA, including, but notlimitedto:(A)Thenumberofapplicationsforsocialequityapplicant status, social equity plans and workforce development plans pending beforesHB5351 the/ council,File categorized into the number of applications, social equity plans and workforce development plans pending before the LCO 11 of 19 Substitute Bill No.
5351386 council11 forsHB5351 (i)File lessNo. than thirty days, (ii) at least thirty days but less than sixty days, (iii) at least sixty days but less than ninety days, and (iv) at least ninety days;
386 before the council, categorized into the number of applications, social equity plans and workforce development plans pending before the council for (i) less than thirty days, (ii) at least thirty days but less than sixty days, (iii) at least sixty days but less than ninety days, and (iv) at least ninety days;
(A) The number of applications for social equity applicant status that are pending before the council and the date each such application was submitted,sHB5351 brokendownby/ licenseFile type,municipality,assemblyNo. district and senate district;
(B)386 the number of social equity plans that are LCO 12 ofsHB5351 19File Substitute Bill No.
5351386 pendingbeforethecouncilandthedateeachsuchsocialequityplanwas submitted, brokenbrokendownby downlicense bytype,municipality,assembly licensedistrict type;and senate district;
(B) the number of social equity plans that are pendingbeforethecouncilandthedateeachsuchsocialequityplanwas submitted, broken down by license type;
The council shall post all policies and procedures on its Internet web site, and submit such policies and procedures to the Secretary of the State for posting on the eRegulations System, at least fifteen days priorsHB5351 to/ theFile effectiveNo. date of any policy or procedure.
Any386 such policy LCO 13 ofsHB5351 19File Substitute Bill No.
5351386 orprior procedureto shallthe no longer be effective upondate the earlier of eitherany the adoption of such policy or procedureprocedure. as a final regulation under section 4-172 or October 1, 2027, if such regulations have not been submitted to the legislative regulation review committee for consideration under section 4-170.
Any such policy or procedure shall no longer be effective upon the earlier of either the adoption of such policy or procedure as a final regulation under section 4-172 or October 1, 2027, if such regulations have not been submitted to the legislative regulation review committee for consideration under section 4-170.
(b) Except as provided in sections 21a-420o and 21a-420aa to 21a- 420cc, inclusive, prior to the first date that the department begins acceptingapplicationsforalicensetype,thedepartmentshalldetermine thesHB5351 maximum/ numberFile of applications that shall be considered for such LCO 14 of 19 Substitute Bill No.
5351386 license14 typesHB5351 andFile postNo. such information on its Internet web site.
386 the maximum number of applications that shall be considered for such license type and post such information on its Internet web site.
LCOsHB5351 15/ ofFile 19 Substitute Bill No.
5351386 (2)No15 applicantsHB5351 shallapplyFile moreNo. thanonce in any applicationperiod to the social equity lottery round, if applicable, or the general lottery round.
386 (2)No applicant shallapply more thanonce in any applicationperiod to the social equity lottery round, if applicable, or the general lottery round.
LCO(e) 16(1) Upon receipt of 19an Substituteapplication Billfor social equity consideration sHB5351 / File No.
5351386 (e)16 (1)sHB5351 UponFile receiptNo. of an application for social equity consideration or, in the case where a social equity lottery is conducted, after such lottery applicants are selected, the department shall provide to the Social Equity Council the documentation received by the department during the application process that is required under subsection (a) of this section.
386 or, in the case where a social equity lottery is conducted, after such lottery applicants are selected, the department shall provide to the Social Equity Council the documentation received by the department during the application process that is required under subsection (a) of this section.
(3) For each license type, the Social Equity Council shall identify for LCOthe 17department ofthe 19social Substituteequity Billapplications that qualify as social sHB5351 / File No.
5351386 the17 departmentsHB5351 theFile socialNo. equity applications that qualify as social equity applicants and that should be reviewed by the department for purposes of awarding a provisional license.
386 equity applicants and that should be reviewed by the department for purposes of awarding a provisional license.
(g) (1) No additional backers may be added to a cannabis LCOestablishment 18application between the time of 19lottery Substituteentry, Billor any sHB5351 / File No.
5351386 establishment18 applicationsHB5351 betweenFile theNo. time of lottery entry, or any initial application for a license, and when a final license is awarded to the cannabis establishment, except:
386 initial application for a license, and when a final license is awarded to the cannabis establishment, except:
-LCO LCOsHB5351 19/ ofFile 19No.
386 19 sHB5351 File No.
386 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.
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 $ Resources of the General Fund GF - Potential See Below See Below Revenue Gain Note:
GF=General Fund Municipal Impact:
None Explanation The bill allows the Social Equity Council (SEC) to adopt regulations and issue certain policies and procedures and refer violations to the Department of Consumer Protection, who can issue a fine of up to $10 million.
This could result in a potential revenue gain to the General Fund to the extent violations occur.
The bill also makes various modifications to the SECs reporting requirements and administrative duties which do not result in a fiscal impact.
It is anticipated that the SEC can accommodate these changes within existing resources.
The Out Years The annualized ongoing fiscal impact identified above would continue into the future subject to the number of violations.
sHB5351 / File No.
386 20 sHB5351 File No.
386 OLR Bill Analysis sHB 5351 AN ACT CONCERNING THE SOCIAL EQUITY COUNCIL'S RECOMMENDATIONS REGARDING CANNABIS REGULATION.
SUMMARY This bill makes several changes related to the Social Equity Council, including:
1.
allowing the council to conduct investigations it deems needed to carry out its duties;
2.
specifically prohibiting the change of ownership and control of equity joint ventures and social equity applicants for seven and three years after final licensure, respectively, but letting the council allow otherwise through policies and procedures and regulations;
3.
consolidating reporting requirements by eliminating the monthly reportto theBlack andPuerto RicanCaucus(BPRC) and instead adding them to the required quarterly report;
and 4.
allowing an applicant or provisional licensee that is a social equity applicant to replace an original backer, as long as the backer is not a social equity applicant.
The bill also makes various minor, technical, and conforming changes, including correcting certain statutory citations.
EFFECTIVE DATE:
Upon passage CHANGE IN OWNERSHIP OR CONTROL Under existing law, cultivators, producers, dispensary facilities, and micro-cultivators are prohibited from increasing their ownership in an sHB5351 / File No.
386 21 sHB5351 File No.
386 equity joint venture by more than 50% for seven years after receiving final licensure.
The law also requires the Social Equity Council to developcriteriafor evaluating ownershipandcontrolofany equity joint venture.
The bill specifically prohibits a sale or change in ownership or control of a cannabis establishment license awarded to a social equity applicant for the seven-year period beginning when the equity joint venture is licensed, unless the council’s policies and procedures or regulations allow it.
The bill (1) codifies the prohibition in changing ownership or control of a social equity applicant for three years following final licensure and (2) allows the council to make exceptions through policies and procedures or regulations.
Existing law requires the council to adopt regulations and issue policies and procedures to prevent these changes.
Additionally, the bill requires the council to adopt regulations to implement these provisions.
Regardless of the Uniform Administrative Procedure Act’s regulation adoption process, to carry out this provision and before adopting the required regulations, the council must issue policies and procedures, by October 1, 2026, to implement the bill’s provisions.
These policies and procedures have the force and effect of law.
At least 15 days before the policies and procedures take effect, the bill requires the council to post them on its website and submit them to the secretary of the state (SOTS) to be posted on the eRegulations system.
A policy or procedure is no longer effective once SOTS codifies the final regulation or, if the regulations have not been submitted to the Regulation Review Committee, October 1, 2027, whichever occurs earlier.
Under the bill, the council may refer any violation of these policies or procedures or regulations to the Department of Consumer Protection (DCP) for administrative enforcement action, which may result in a fine of up to $10 million or action against the cannabis establishment’s license.
By law, a “cannabis establishment” is a cannabis producer, dispensary facility, cultivator, micro-cultivator, retailer, hybrid retailer sHB5351 / File No.
386 22 sHB5351 File No.
386 (one licensed to sell both recreational cannabis and medical marijuana), food and beverage manufacturer, product manufacturer or packager, delivery service, or transporter.
REPORT CONSOLIDATION Under current law, the Social Equity Council must submit (1) a monthly report to the BPRC and (2) quarterly reports to the governor, legislative leaders, and Appropriations and General Law chairpersons.
The bill consolidates the reporting by eliminating the monthly reporting requirement and instead adds the BPRC to the quarterly report.
These reports have similar requirements, except the monthly report requires the council to report on planned expenditures for the following month while thequarterly report coversexpendituresalready made.
The monthly report also requires the pending social equity applicant applications to be broken down by municipality, assembly district, and senate district, while the quarterly report requires pending social equity applicant applications, social equity plans, and workforce development plans to be broken down by how long they have been pending.
ADDING BACKERS OR PROVISIONAL LICENSEES Existing lawgenerally prohibitsadditionalbackersfrombeing added to a cannabis establishment application between the lottery entry or initial license application and when the final license is awarded.
The bill allows an applicant or provisional licensee that is a social equity applicant to apply to the DCP commissioner, in a way he prescribes,foraone-timereplacementofanoriginalbacker, ifthebacker is not a social equity applicant.
BACKGROUND Social Equity Council By law, the Social Equity Council is charged with, among other duties, promoting and encouraging full participation in the cannabis industry by people from communities disproportionately harmed by sHB5351 / File No.
386 23 sHB5351 File No.
386 cannabis prohibition.
Related Bill sHB 5350, § 54, favorably reported by the General Law Committee, generally prohibits a social equity applicant issued a cannabis license from changing ownership or control for three years after final licensure.
COMMITTEE ACTION General Law Committee Joint Favorable Yea 16 Nay 5 (03/16/2026) sHB5351 / File No.
386 24
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Action History
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FILE NO. 386
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HOUSE CALENDAR NUMBER 273
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FAV. RPT., TABLED FOR HOUSE CALENDAR
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RPTD. OUT OF LCO
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REFERRED TO Office of Legislative Research AND Office of Fiscal Analysis 04/01/26
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FILED WITH LCO
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Joint Favorable
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PUBLIC HEARING 0304
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REF. TO JOINT COMM. ON General Law
Sponsors
- Travis Simms · Primary
- Fred Gee · Primary
Sponsorship breakdown
Export CSV (upgrade) →2 sponsors · 0 co-sponsors · 185 not signed on
Sponsors (2)
- Travis Simms Democratic
- Fred Gee Democratic
Co-sponsors (0)
None.
Not signed on (185)
185 members have not signed on to this bill.
Show all 185 →"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.
Subjects
Frequently asked questions
- Who sponsors HB 5351?
- HB 5351 is sponsored by Travis Simms (Democratic) and Fred Gee (Democratic).
- What is the current status of HB 5351?
- This bill is in committee in the House. Introduced February 26, 2026. It must pass committee before a floor vote.
- Where can I track HB 5351?
- Track HB 5351 free on One Click Politics — get push/email alerts when it moves.
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