HB 5526 — AN ACT CONCERNING RECIPROCITY FOR CERTAIN INLAND WATERS FISHING LICENSES.

House of Representatives General Assembly RaisedFile Bill No.

5526438 February Session, 2026 LCOSubstitute House Bill No.

25025526 ReferredHouse toof Representatives, April 7, 2026 The Committee on ENVIRONMENTEnvironment Introducedreported by:through REP.

(ENV)PARKER ANof ACTthe CONCERNING101st RECIPROCITYDist., FORChairperson CERTAINof INLANDthe WATERSCommittee FISHINGon LICENSES.the part of the House, that the substitute bill ought to pass.

AN ACT CONCERNING RECIPROCITY FOR CERTAIN INLAND WATERS FISHING LICENSES.

(NEW) (Effective October 1, 2026) If and when the state of New York, the state of Massachusetts or the state of Rhode IslandIsland, as applicable, enacts a similar law granting reciprocal privileges to residents of this state, any person who holds a license to fish in inland waters in the state of New York, the state of Massachusetts or the state ofofRhode RhodeIsland,asapplicable,may Islandfishinany mayinlandwatersinthisstate fish in inland waters in this state, or in such waters as negotiated by the Commissioner of Energy and EnvironmentalProtectionof this state and any similar authority in such adjoining state, without a nonresident inland waters license to fish as required by title 26 of the general statutes, provided such nonresidents shall be subject to all other provisions of the general statutes and the regulations of the commissioner relating to fishing in lakes and ponds.

Section 1 October 1, 2026 New section LCOsHB5526 / File No.

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5526438 Statement of Purpose:Legislative Commissioners:

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[ProposedENV deletionsJoint areFavorable enclosedSubst. in brackets.

ProposedsHB5526 additions/ areFile 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.

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438 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 $ Department of Energy and GF – Potential Minimal Minimal Environmental Protection Revenue Loss Note:

GF=General Fund Municipal Impact:

None Explanation The bill results in a revenue loss to the General Fund associated with extending residents from New York, Massachusetts, or Rhode Island that hold an inland waters fishing license in their state, privileges to fish in Connecticut inland waters without a nonresident inland waters fishing license, if their state provides reciprocity to Connecticut residents.

It is unknown how many fewer nonresident inland water fishing licenses would be sold annually;

100 fewer licenses will result in a revenue loss of approximately $5,500 (each nonresident age 16 and older inland waters license is $55).

The Out Years The annualized ongoing fiscal impact identified above would continue into the future subject to the number of reciprocal licenses extended to residents of New York, Massachusetts and Rhode Island.

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438 OLR Bill Analysis sHB 5526 AN ACT CONCERNING RECIPROCITY FOR CERTAIN INLAND WATERS FISHING LICENSES.

SUMMARY This bill allows New York, Massachusetts, or Rhode Island residents who hold an inland waters fishing license in their state to fish in Connecticut inland waters without a nonresident inland waters fishing license if their state passes a similar reciprocal law for Connecticut residents.

The bill requires them to follow all other Connecticut laws and regulations for fishing in lakes and ponds.

EFFECTIVE DATE:

October 1, 2026 COMMITTEE ACTION Environment Committee Joint Favorable Substitute Yea 24 Nay 9 (03/18/2026) sHB5526 / File No.

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