Connecticut 2026 Session Status: Enacted Bipartisan · 4 R · 1 D cosponsors

HB 5532 — AN ACT IMPLEMENTING THE RECOMMENDATIONS OF THE OFFICE OF STATE ETHICS FOR REVISIONS TO THE STATE CODES OF ETHICS, REDEFINING "GIFT" FOR PURPOSES OF SAID CODES AND INCREASING VARIOUS MONETARY THRESHOLDS IN SAID CODES.

Last action — SIGNED BY GOVERNOR

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

This bill has been enacted into law. Introduced March 06, 2026. Enacted.

Signed by Governor Ned Lamont (Democratic) on May 19, 2026.

Prognosis

Likely to advance 76% · moderate confidence

Where this bill stands today.

Odds of enactment

High

How often bills like it became law.

  • Enacted

    Current position in the legislative process.

  • 5 sponsors

    5 primary, 0 co-sponsors signed on.

  • Bipartisan support

    Sponsored across 2 parties (4 R · 1 D) — cross-party backing.

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.

In plain language

The bill updates ethical guidelines and increases monetary thresholds in state ethics codes.

This legislation revises the state codes of ethics by redefining what counts as a 'gift' and increasing various financial limits. It applies to certain public officials and requires them to file financial interest statements regularly.

What this means for you
  • Workers: Public officials will need to disclose their financial interests, increasing transparency in government dealings.

Bill Text

What changed in the latest version

728 added · 1038 removed

Plain-language change summary

The latest version of HB 5532 makes a significant change by reducing the number of members needed for a quorum at board meetings from six to five. This adjustment is important because it allows the board to conduct business more easily, potentially leading to quicker decision-making and increased efficiency. Additionally, the bill redefines the term "gift" in the state’s ethics code and raises certain monetary thresholds, which may change how gifts to public officials are treated under the law. These changes aim to clarify ethical guidelines and modernize the state's approach to ethics in governance.

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House of Representatives File No.
House Bill No.
738 General Assembly February Session, 2026Reprint of File No.
5532 Public Act No.
547) House Bill No.
26-66 AN ACT IMPLEMENTING THE RECOMMENDATIONS OF THE OFFICE OF STATE ETHICS FOR REVISIONS TO THE STATE CODES OF ETHICS, REDEFINING "GIFT" FOR PURPOSES OF SAID CODES AND INCREASING VARIOUS MONETARY THRESHOLDS IN SAID CODES.
5532 As Amended by House Amendment Schedule "A" Approved by the Legislative Commissioner April 28, 2026 AN ACT IMPLEMENTING THE RECOMMENDATIONS OF THE OFFICE OF STATE ETHICS FOR REVISIONS TO THE STATE CODES OF ETHICS, REDEFINING "GIFT" FOR PURPOSES OF SAID CODES AND INCREASING VARIOUS MONETARY THRESHOLDS IN SAID CODES.
Except asprovidedinsubdivision(3) of subsection (a) of section 1-81, subsections (a) and (b) of section 1-82, subsection (b) of section 1-88, subsection (e) of section 1-92, subsections (a) and (b) of section 1-93 and subsection (b) of section 1-99, a majority vote of the HB5532 / File No.
Except asprovidedinsubdivision(3) of subsection (a) of section 1-81, subsections (a) and (b) of section 1-82, subsection (b) of section 1-88, subsection (e) of section 1-92, subsections (a) and (b) of section 1-93 and subsection (b) of section 1-99, a majority vote of the members shall be required for action of the board.
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738 members shall be required for action of the board.
Subsections (a) and (b) of section 1-83 of the general statutes are repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective October 1, 2026):
Subsections (a) and (b) of section 1-83 of the general statutes are repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective House Bill No.
5532 October 1, 2026):
(b) (1) The statement of financial interests, except as provided in subdivision (2) of this subsection, shall include the following HB5532 / File No.
(b) (1) The statement of financial interests, except as provided in subdivision (2) of this subsection, shall include the following information for the preceding calendar year in regard to the individual required to file the statement and the individual's spouse and dependent children residing in the individual's household:
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(A) The Public Act No.
738 information for the preceding calendar year in regard to the individual required to file the statement and the individual's spouse and dependent children residing in the individual's household:
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(A) The names of all businesses with which associated;
5532 names of all businesses with which associated;
(2) In the case of securities in excess of five thousand dollars at fair market value held within (A) a retirement savings plan, as described in Section 401 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, or any subsequent corresponding internal revenue code of the United States, as amended from time to time, (B) a tax-sheltered annuity retirement plan, as described in Section 403 of said Internal Revenue Code, (C) a payroll deduction individual retirement account plan, as described in Section HB5532 / File No.
(2) In the case of securities in excess of five thousand dollars at fair market value held within (A) a retirement savings plan, as described in Section 401 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, or any subsequent corresponding internal revenue code of the United States, as amended from time to time, (B) a tax-sheltered annuity retirement plan, as described in Section 403 of said Internal Revenue Code, (C) a payroll deduction individual retirement account plan, as described in Section or 408A of said Internal Revenue Code, [(C)] (D) a governmental Public Act No.
738 HB5532 File No.
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738 408 or 408A of said Internal Revenue Code, [(C)] (D) a governmental deferred compensation plan, as described in Section 457 of said Internal Revenue Code, or [(D)] (E) an education savings plan, as described in Section 529 of said Internal Revenue Code, the names of such securities shall not be required to be disclosed in any statement of financial interests and only the name of such retirement savings plan, tax- sheltered annuity retirement plan, individual retirement account plan, deferred compensation plan or education savings plan holding such securities shall be required.
5532 deferred compensation plan, as described in Section 457 of said Internal Revenue Code, or [(D)] (E) an education savings plan, as described in Section 529 of said Internal Revenue Code, the names of such securities shall not be required to be disclosed in any statement of financial interests and only the name of such retirement savings plan, tax- sheltered annuity retirement plan, individual retirement account plan, deferred compensation plan or education savings plan holding such securities shall be required.
(c) No public official or state employee shall wilfully and knowingly disclose, for financialgain,to any other person,confidentialinformation acquired by [him] such official or employee in the course of and by reason of [his] such official's or employee's official duties or employment and no public official or state employee shall use [his] such official's or employee's public office or position or any confidential HB5532 / File No.
(c) No public official or state employee shall wilfully and knowingly disclose, for financialgain,to any other person,confidentialinformation acquired by [him] such official or employee in the course of and by reason of [his] such official's or employee's official duties or employment and no public official or state employee shall use [his] such Public Act No.
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738 information received through [his] such official's or employee's holding such public office or position to obtain financial gain for [himself, his] such official or employee, such official's or employee's spouse, child, child's spouse, parent, brother or sister or a business with which he is associated.
5532 official's or employee's public office or position or any confidential information received through [his] such official's or employee's holding such public office or position to obtain financial gain for [himself, his] such official or employee, such official's or employee's spouse, child, child's spouse, parent, brother or sister or a business with which he is associated.
Nothing in this subsection shall be construed as applying (1) to theactionsofany teaching orresearchprofessionalemployee ofapublic institution of higher education if such actions are not in violation of any other provision of this chapter, (2) to the actions of any other HB5532 / File No.
Nothing in this subsection shall be construed as applying (1) to Public Act No.
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738 professional employee of a public institution of higher education if such actions are not compensated and are not in violation of any other provision of this chapter, (3) to any member of a board or commission who receives no compensation other than per diem payments or reimbursement for actual or necessary expenses, or both, incurred in the performance of the member's duties, or (4) to any member or director of a quasi-public agency.
5532 theactionsofany teaching orresearchprofessionalemployee ofapublic institution of higher education if such actions are not in violation of any other provision of this chapter, (2) to the actions of any other professional employee of a public institution of higher education if such actions are not compensated and are not in violation of any other provision of this chapter, (3) to any member of a board or commission who receives no compensation other than per diem payments or reimbursement for actual or necessary expenses, or both, incurred in the performance of the member's duties, or (4) to any member or director of a quasi-public agency.
(f) No person shall offer or give to a public official or state employee or candidate for public office or [his] such official's or employee's spouse, [his] parent, brother, sister or child or the spouse of such child or a business with which he is associated, anything of value, including, but not limited to, a gift, loan, political contribution, reward or promise of future employmentbased on any understanding that thevote, official action or judgment of the public official, state employee or candidate for public office would be or had been influenced thereby.
(f) No person shall offer or give to a public official or state employee or candidate for public office or [his] such official's or employee's spouse, [his] parent, brother, sister or child or the spouse of such child Public Act No.
HB5532 / File No.
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5532 or a business with which he is associated, anything of value, including, but not limited to, a gift, loan, political contribution, reward or promise of future employmentbased on any understanding that thevote, official action or judgment of the public official, state employee or candidate for public office would be or had been influenced thereby.
738 (g) No public official or state employee or candidate for public office shall solicit or accept anything of value, including but not limited to, a gift, loan, political contribution, reward or promise of future employment based on any understanding that the vote, official action or judgment of the public official or state employee or candidate for public office would be or had been influenced thereby.
(g) No public official or state employee or candidate for public office shall solicit or accept anything of value, including but not limited to, a gift, loan, political contribution, reward or promise of future employment based on any understanding that the vote, official action or judgment of the public official or state employee or candidate for public office would be or had been influenced thereby.
(i) (1) No public official or state employee or member of the official's or employee's immediate family or a business with which he or she is associated shall enter into any contract with the state, valued at [one] two hundred fifty dollars or more, unless (A) such contract is awarded throughanopenandpublicprocessthat includes,at aminimum,(i) pre- award public disclosure of all offers to enter into such contract, and (ii) post-award public disclosure of such contract, or (B) such contract is a contract (i) of employment as a state employee, (ii) with the Technical Education and Career System for students enrolled in a school in the system to perform services in conjunction with vocational, technical, technologicalor postsecondary educationandtraining any suchstudent isreceiving at a schoolinthesystem,subject to thereviewprocessunder subdivision (2) of this subsection, (iii) with a public institution of higher education to support a collaboration with such institution to develop and commercialize any invention or discovery, (iv) pursuant to a court appointment, or (v) with the office of the Attorney General to be retained as an expert witness for, or in anticipation of, litigation or an administrative proceeding, provided the office of the Attorney General files with the Office of State Ethics, in a form and manner prescribed by the Office of State Ethics and not later than thirty days after the expert witness is disclosed, or required to be disclosed, to the opposing party or parties, either directly or through the court of competent jurisdiction or administrative agency, or resolution of the litigation or administrative proceeding for which the expert witness was retained, HB5532 / File No.
(i) (1) No public official or state employee or member of the official's or employee's immediate family or a business with which he or she is associated shall enter into any contract with the state, valued at [one] two hundred fifty dollars or more, unless (A) such contract is awarded throughanopenandpublicprocessthat includes,at aminimum,(i) pre- award public disclosure of all offers to enter into such contract, and (ii) post-award public disclosure of such contract, or (B) such contract is a contract (i) of employment as a state employee, (ii) with the Technical Education and Career System for students enrolled in a school in the system to perform services in conjunction with vocational, technical, technologicalor postsecondary educationandtraining any suchstudent isreceiving at a schoolinthesystem,subject to thereviewprocessunder subdivision (2) of this subsection, (iii) with a public institution of higher education to support a collaboration with such institution to develop and commercialize any invention or discovery, (iv) pursuant to a court appointment, or (v) with the office of the Attorney General to be Public Act No.
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738 whichever occurs first, a statement disclosing (I) the name of the expert witness, (II) the qualifications of the expert witness, (III) the scope of the services provided by the expert witness, (IV) the date of execution of such contract, (V) the beginning and ending dates of the term of such contract, and (VI) the value of such contract, if known by the office of the Attorney General.
5532 retained as an expert witness for, or in anticipation of, litigation or an administrative proceeding, provided the office of the Attorney General files with the Office of State Ethics, in a form and manner prescribed by the Office of State Ethics and not later than thirty days after the expert witness is disclosed, or required to be disclosed, to the opposing party or parties, either directly or through the court of competent jurisdiction or administrative agency, or resolution of the litigation or administrative proceeding for which the expert witness was retained, whichever occurs first, a statement disclosing (I) the name of the expert witness, (II) the qualifications of the expert witness, (III) the scope of the services provided by the expert witness, (IV) the date of execution of such contract, (V) the beginning and ending dates of the term of such contract, and (VI) the value of such contract, if known by the office of the Attorney General.
(2) The superintendent of the Technical Education and Career System shall establish an open and transparent process to review any contract entered into under subparagraph (B)(ii) of subdivision (1) of this subsection.
Public Act No.
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5532 (2) The superintendent of the Technical Education and Career System shall establish an open and transparent process to review any contract entered into under subparagraph (B)(ii) of subdivision (1) of this subsection.
HB5532 / File No.
(k) No public official, spouse of the Governor or state employee shall accept a fee or honorarium for an article, appearance or speech, or for participation at an event, in the public official's, spouse's or state employee's official capacity, provided a public official, Governor's spouse or state employee may receive payment or reimbursement for necessary expenses for any such activity in his or her official capacity.
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738 (k) No public official, spouse of the Governor or state employee shall accept a fee or honorarium for an article, appearance or speech, or for participation at an event, in the public official's, spouse's or state employee's official capacity, provided a public official, Governor's spouse or state employee may receive payment or reimbursement for necessary expenses for any such activity in his or her official capacity.
When a public official, Governor's spouse or state employee attends an event in this state in the public official's, Governor's spouse's or state employee's official capacity and as a principal speaker at such event and receives admission to or food or beverage at such event from the sponsor of the event, such admission or food or beverage shall not be considered a gift and no report shall be required from such public official, spouse or state employee or from the sponsor of the event.
When a public official, Governor's spouse or state employee attends an event in this state in the public official's, Public Act No.
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5532 Governor's spouse's or state employee's official capacity and as a principal speaker at such event and receives admission to or food or beverage at such event from the sponsor of the event, such admission or food or beverage shall not be considered a gift and no report shall be required from such public official, spouse or state employee or from the sponsor of the event.
(m) No public official or state employee shall knowingly accept, HB5532 / File No.
(m) No public official or state employee shall knowingly accept, directly or indirectly, any gift, as defined in subdivision (5) of section 1- 79, as amended by this act, from any person the public official or state employee knows or has reason to know:
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738 directly or indirectly, any gift, as defined in subdivision (5) of section 1- 79, as amended by this act, from any person the public official or state employee knows or has reason to know:
(n) (1) As used in this subsection, (A) "investment services" means investment legal services, investment banking services, investment advisory services, underwriting services, financial advisory services or brokerage firm services, and (B) "principal of an investment services firm" means (i) an individual who is a director of or has an ownership interest in an investment services firm, except for an individual who owns less than five per cent of the shares of an investment services firm which is a publicly traded corporation, (ii) an individual who is employed by an investment services firm as president, treasurer, or executive or senior vice president, (iii) an employee of such an investment services firm who has managerial or discretionary responsibilities with respect to any investment services, (iv) the spouse or dependent child of an individual described in this subparagraph, or (v) a political committee established by or on behalf of an individual described in this subparagraph.
(n) (1) As used in this subsection, (A) "investment services" means investment legal services, investment banking services, investment advisory services, underwriting services, financial advisory services or brokerage firm services, and (B) "principal of an investment services firm" means (i) an individual who is a director of or has an ownership Public Act No.
(2) The State Treasurer shall not pay any compensation, expenses or fees or issue any contract to any firm which provides investment services when (A) a political committee, as defined in section 9-601, established by such firm, or (B) a principal of the investment services firmhasmadeacontribution,asdefinedinsection9-601a,to,orsolicited HB5532 / File No.
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5532 interest in an investment services firm, except for an individual who owns less than five per cent of the shares of an investment services firm which is a publicly traded corporation, (ii) an individual who is employed by an investment services firm as president, treasurer, or executive or senior vice president, (iii) an employee of such an investment services firm who has managerial or discretionary responsibilities with respect to any investment services, (iv) the spouse or dependent child of an individual described in this subparagraph, or (v) a political committee established by or on behalf of an individual described in this subparagraph.
738 contributions on behalf of, any exploratory committee or candidate committee, as defined in section 9-601, established by the State Treasurer as a candidate for nomination or election to the office of State Treasurer.
(2) The State Treasurer shall not pay any compensation, expenses or fees or issue any contract to any firm which provides investment services when (A) a political committee, as defined in section 9-601, established by such firm, or (B) a principal of the investment services firmhasmadeacontribution,asdefinedinsection9-601a,to,orsolicited contributions on behalf of, any exploratory committee or candidate committee, as defined in section 9-601, established by the State Treasurer as a candidate for nomination or election to the office of State Treasurer.
(o) If (1) any person (A) is doing business with or seeking to do business with the department or agency in which a public official or state employee is employed, or (B) is engaged in activities which are directly regulated by such department or agency, and (2) such person or a representative of such person gives to such public official or state employee anything having a value of more than [ten] twenty dollars, such person or representative shall, not later than ten days thereafter, give such recipient and the executive head of the recipient's department or agency a written report stating the name of the donor, a description of the item or items given, the value of such items and the cumulative value of all items given to such recipient during that calendar year.
(o) If (1) any person (A) is doing business with or seeking to do business with the department or agency in which a public official or state employee is employed, or (B) is engaged in activities which are directly regulated by such department or agency, and (2) such person or a representative of such person gives to such public official or state employee anything having a value of more than [ten] twenty dollars, such person or representative shall, not later than ten days thereafter, give such recipient and the executive head of the recipient's department or agency a written report stating the name of the donor, a description Public Act No.
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5532 of the item or items given, the value of such items and the cumulative value of all items given to such recipient during that calendar year.
(B) Services provided by persons volunteering their time, if provided to aid or promote the success or defeat of any political party, any candidate or candidates for public office or the position of convention HB5532 / File No.
(B) Services provided by persons volunteering their time, if provided to aid or promote the success or defeat of any political party, any candidate or candidates for public office or the position of convention delegate or town committee member or any referendum question;
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738 delegate or town committee member or any referendum question;
As used in this subparagraph, "state property" meansproperty ownedby thestate or aquasi-public agency or property leased to a state agency or quasi-public agency;
As used in this subparagraph, "state property" Public Act No.
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5532 meansproperty ownedby thestate or aquasi-public agency or property leased to a state agency or quasi-public agency;
For the purposes of such limit, (i) a reception HB5532 / File No.
For the purposes of such limit, (i) a reception hosted by a lobbyist who is an individual shall be deemed to have also been hosted by the business organization which such lobbyist owns or is employed by, and (ii) a reception hosted by a business organization shall be deemed to have also been hosted by all owners and employees of the business organization who are lobbyists.
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738 hosted by a lobbyist who is an individual shall be deemed to have also been hosted by the business organization which such lobbyist owns or is employed by, and (ii) a reception hosted by a business organization shall be deemed to have also been hosted by all owners and employees of the business organization who are lobbyists.
(K) Food or beverage or both, costing less than [fifty] one hundred dollars per person and consumed at a publicly noticed reception to which all members of the General Assembly from a region of the state are invited and which is hosted not more than once in any calendar year by a lobbyist or business organization.
(K) Food or beverage or both, costing less than [fifty] one hundred dollars per person and consumed at a publicly noticed reception to Public Act No.
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5532 which all members of the General Assembly from a region of the state are invited and which is hosted not more than once in any calendar year by a lobbyist or business organization.
(L) A gift, including, but not limited to, food or beverage or both, provided by an individual for the celebration of a major life event, provided any such gift provided by an individual who is not a member ofthefamily oftherecipient doesnot exceedonethousand five hundred dollars in value;
(L) A gift, including, but not limited to, food or beverage or both, provided by an individual for the celebration of a major life event, provided any such gift provided by an individual who is not a member ofthefamily oftherecipient doesnot exceedonethousandfive hundred dollars in value;
(M) Gifts costing less than [one] two hundred fifty dollars in the aggregate or food or beverage provided at a hospitality suite at a meeting or conference of an interstate legislative association, by a HB5532 / File No.
(M) Gifts costing less than [one] two hundred fifty dollars in the aggregate or food or beverage provided at a hospitality suite at a meeting or conference of an interstate legislative association, by a person who is not a registrant or is not doing business with the state of Connecticut;
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738 person who is not a registrant or is not doing business with the state of Connecticut;
(O)Anything ofvalueprovidedbyanemployerof(i)apublicofficial, (ii) a state employee, or (iii) a spouse of a public official or state employee, to such official, employee or spouse, provided such benefits are customarily and ordinarily provided to others in similar circumstances;
(O)Anything ofvalueprovidedbyanemployerof(i)a publicofficial, Public Act No.
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5532 (ii) a state employee, or (iii) a spouse of a public official or state employee, to such official, employee or spouse, provided such benefits are customarily and ordinarily provided to others in similar circumstances;
[or] HB5532 / File No.
[or] (T) Travel expenses, lodging, food, beverage and other benefits customarily provided in the course of employment, when provided to a public member of the Investment Advisory Council established under section 3-13b;
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or (U) Admission to an intercollegiate sporting event in the state hosted by a constituent unit, as defined in section 10a-1, at the invitation of the constituent unit, when provided to a public official or state employee Public Act No.
738 (T) Travel expenses, lodging, food, beverage and other benefits customarily provided in the course of employment, when provided to a public member of the Investment Advisory Council established under section 3-13b;
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or (U) Admission to an intercollegiate sporting event in the state hosted by a constituent unit, as defined in section 10a-1, at the invitation of the constituent unit, when provided to a public official or state employee and not more than one guest of such public official or state employee not more than once per calendar year.
5532 and not more than one guest of such public official or state employee not more than once per calendar year.
"Expenditure" does not include (A) the payment of a registrant's fee pursuant to section 1-95, (B) any expenditure made by any club, committee, partnership, organization, business, union, association or corporation for the purpose of publishing a newsletter or other release intended primarily for its members, shareholders or employees, whether in written or electronic form or made orally during a regularly noticed meeting, (C) any expenditure made by any club, committee, partnership, organization, business, union, association or corporation for the HB5532 / File No.
"Expenditure" does not include (A) the payment of a registrant's fee pursuant to section 1-95, (B) any expenditure made by any club, committee, partnership, organization, business, union, association or corporation for the purpose of publishing a newsletter or other release intended primarily for its members, shareholders or employees, whether in written or electronic form or made orally during a regularly noticed meeting, (C) any expenditure made by any club, committee, partnership, organization, business, union, association or corporation for the purpose of transporting its members, shareholders or employees to or from a specific site, where such members, shareholders or employees received no other compensation or reimbursement for lobbying from such club, committee, partnership, organization, business, union, association or corporation, or (D) contributions, membership dues or Public Act No.
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738 purpose of transporting its members, shareholders or employees to or from a specific site, where such members, shareholders or employees received no other compensation or reimbursement for lobbying from such club, committee, partnership, organization, business, union, association or corporation, or (D) contributions, membership dues or other fees paid to associations, nonstock corporations or tax-exempt organizationsunderSection501(c)oftheInternalRevenueCodeof1986, or any subsequent corresponding internal revenue code of the United States, as amended from time to time.
5532 other fees paid to associations, nonstock corporations or tax-exempt organizationsunderSection501(c)oftheInternalRevenueCodeof1986, or any subsequent corresponding internal revenue code of the United States, as amended from time to time.
(E) Goods or services (i) that are provided to a state agency or quasi- public agency (I) for use on state or quasi-public agency property, or (II) HB5532 / File No.
(E) Goods or services (i) that are provided to a state agency or quasi- public agency (I) for use on state or quasi-public agency property, or (II) that support an event or the participation by a public official or state employee at an event, and (ii) that facilitate state or quasi-public agency action or functions.
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As used in this subparagraph, "state property" Public Act No.
738 that support an event or the participation by a public official or state employee at an event, and (ii) that facilitate state or quasi-public agency action or functions.
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As used in this subparagraph, "state property" meansproperty ownedby thestate or aquasi-public agency or property leased to a state or quasi-public agency;
5532 meansproperty ownedby thestate or aquasi-public agency or property leased to a state or quasi-public agency;
(K) Food or beverage or both, costing less than [fifty] one hundred HB5532 / File No.
(K) Food or beverage or both, costing less than [fifty] one hundred dollars per person and consumed at a publicly noticed reception to Public Act No.
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738 dollars per person and consumed at a publicly noticed reception to which all members of the General Assembly from a region of the state are invited and which is hosted not more than once in any calendar year by a lobbyist or business organization.
5532 which all members of the General Assembly from a region of the state are invited and which is hosted not more than once in any calendar year by a lobbyist or business organization.
(L) A gift, including, but not limited to, food or beverage or both, provided by an individual for the celebration of a major life event, provided any such gift provided by an individual who is not a member ofthefamily oftherecipient doesnot exceedonethousand five hundred dollars in value;
(L) A gift, including, but not limited to, food or beverage or both, provided by an individual for the celebration of a major life event, provided any such gift provided by an individual who is not a member ofthefamily oftherecipient doesnot exceedonethousandfive hundred dollars in value;
(O)Anything ofvalueprovidedbyanemployerof(i)apublicofficial, (ii) a state employee, or (iii) a spouse of a public official or state HB5532 / File No.
(O)Anything ofvalueprovidedbyanemployerof(i)a publicofficial, Public Act No.
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738 employee, to such official, employee or spouse, provided such benefits are customarily and ordinarily provided to others in similar circumstances;
5532 (ii) a state employee, or (iii) a spouse of a public official or state employee, to such official, employee or spouse, provided such benefits are customarily and ordinarily provided to others in similar circumstances;
(C) An individual representing himself or herself or another person before the legislature or a state agency other than for the purpose of HB5532 / File No.
Public Act No.
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738 influencing legislative or administrative action;
5532 (C) An individual representing himself or herself or another person before the legislature or a state agency other than for the purpose of influencing legislative or administrative action;
(a) Each client lobbyist registrant shall file with the Office of State Ethics between the first and tenth day of April, July and January a financial report, signed under penalty of false statement.
(a) Each client lobbyist registrant shall file with the Office of State Public Act No.
The April and July reports shall cover its lobbying activities during the previous calendar quarter and the January report shall cover its lobbying HB5532 / File No.
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738 HB5532 File No.
5532 Ethics between the first and tenth day of April, July and January a financial report, signed under penalty of false statement.
738 activities during the previous two calendar quarters.
The April and July reports shall cover its lobbying activities during the previous calendar quarter and the January report shall cover its lobbying activities during the previous two calendar quarters.
Such financial report shall include an itemized statement of each expenditure of [ten] twenty dollars or more per personfor eachoccasionmadeby thereportingregistrant or agroup of registrants which includes the reporting registrant for the benefit of a public official in the legislative or executive branch, a member of his staff or immediate family, itemized by date, beneficiary, amount and circumstances of the transaction.
Such financial report shall include an itemized statement of each expenditure of [ten] twenty dollars or more per personfor eachoccasionmadeby thereportingregistrant or agroup of registrants which includes the reporting registrant for the benefit of a public official in the legislative or executive branch, a member of his Public Act No.
The requirement of an itemized statement shall not apply to an expenditure made by a reporting registrant or a group of registrants which includes the reporting registrant for (1) the benefit of the members of the General Assembly at an event that is a reception to which all such members are invited or all members of a region of the state, as such term is used in subparagraph HB5532 / File No.
26-66 22 of 24 House Bill No.
738 HB5532 File No.
5532 staff or immediate family, itemized by date, beneficiary, amount and circumstances of the transaction.
738 (K) of subdivision (7) of section 1-91, as amended by this act, are invited, unless the expenditure is [thirty] sixty dollars or more per person, or (2) benefits personally and directly received by a public official or state employee at a charitable or civic event at which the public official or state employee participates in his official capacity, unless the expenditure is [thirty] sixty dollars or more per person, per event.
The requirement of an itemized statement shall not apply to an expenditure made by a reporting registrant or a group of registrants which includes the reporting registrant for (1) the benefit of the members of the General Assembly at an event that is a reception to which all such members are invited or all members of a region of the state, as such term is used in subparagraph (K) of subdivision (7) of section 1-91, as amended by this act, are invited, unless the expenditure is [thirty] sixty dollars or more per person, or (2) benefits personally and directly received by a public official or state employee at a charitable or civic event at which the public official or state employee participates in his official capacity, unless the expenditure is [thirty] sixty dollars or more per person, per event.
Sec.
Public Act No.
26-66 23 of 24 House Bill No.
5532 Sec.
(a) Each registrant shall obtain and preserve all accounts, bills, receipts and other documents necessary to substantiate the financial reports required by section 1-96, as amended by this act, for a period of three years from the date of the filing of the report referring to such financial matters, provided this section shall apply to each expenditure HB5532 / File No.
(a) Each registrant shall obtain and preserve all accounts, bills, receipts and other documents necessary to substantiate the financial reports required by section 1-96, as amended by this act, for a period of three years from the date of the filing of the report referring to such financial matters, provided this section shall apply to each expenditure for the benefit of a public official of [ten] twenty dollars or more and all other expenditures of [fifty] one hundred dollars or more.
738 HB5532 File No.
738 for the benefit of a public official of [ten] twenty dollars or more and all other expenditures of [fifty] one hundred dollars or more.
This act shall take effect as follows and shall amend the following sections:
Governor's Action:
from passage Section 1 1-80(d) Sec.
Approved May 19, 2026 Public Act No.
2 October 1, 2026 1-83(a) and (b) Sec.
26-66 24 of 24
3 October 1, 2026 1-84(a) to (o) Sec.
4 October 1, 2026 1-79(5) Sec.
5 October 1, 2026 1-91(6) Sec.
6 October 1, 2026 1-91(7) Sec.
7 October 1, 2026 1-91(12) October 1, 2026 Sec.
8 1-96(a) Sec.
9 October 1, 2026 1-96(e) Sec.
10 October 1, 2026 1-96(g) Sec.
11 October 1, 2026 1-96a(a) Sec.
12 October 1, 2026 1-96e HB5532 / File No.
738 HB5532 File No.
738 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:
None Municipal Impact:
None Explanation The bill results in no fiscal impact.
The bill makes a variety of changes to existing law, including expanding the types of financial holdings that public officials must disclose and increasing reporting thresholds under certain circumstances.
There is no impact, because the Office of State Ethics has the expertise to provide the oversight required by the amendment.
House "A" eliminates the original bill and its associated fiscal impact, and results in the fiscal impact described above.
The Out Years State Impact:
None Municipal Impact:
None HB5532 / File No.
738 24 HB5532 File No.
738 OLR Bill Analysis HB 5532 (as amended by House "A")* AN ACT IMPLEMENTING THE RECOMMENDATIONS OF THE OFFICE OF STATE ETHICS FOR REVISIONS TO THE STATE CODES OF ETHICS AND INCREASING VARIOUS MONETARY THRESHOLDS IN SAID CODES.
SUMMARY This bill makes numerous changes to the state Code of Ethics for Public Officials (see BACKGROUND).
Specifically, it (1) adjusts disclosure requirements for tax-sheltered annuity retirement plans on public statements of financial interest (§ 2) and (2) raises the code’s financial thresholds (for example, the dollar limit for an allowable gift).
It also reduces the quorum requirement for the nine-member Citizen’s Ethics Advisory Board (CEAB) from six to five (§ 1).
The code places limits on gifts that may be given to and received by public officials and state employees (see below), but exempts certain items or circumstances from being a “gift” (for example, the primary sponsoring entity of a charitable or civic event providing admission, includingfoodandbeverage,toanofficialoremployeewhoparticipates in his or her official capacity).
The bill additionally exempts admission to one intercollegiate sporting event in the state hosted by a higher education constituent unit per calendar year if provided by the unit to an official or employee and up to one guest (§ 4).
The bill also makes technical and conforming changes.
EFFECTIVE DATE:
October 1, 2026, except that the quorum requirement change is effective upon passage.
*House Amendment “A” (1) strikes provisions on (a) conflicts of HB5532 / File No.
738 25 HB5532 File No.
738 interest related to non-state employers and (b) nepotism and (2) adds an exemption to the code’s definition of “gift” regarding certain intercollegiate sporting events.
STATEMENTS OF FINANCIAL INTERESTS Existing law requires all state-wide elected officers, General Assembly members, department heads and deputies, quasi-public agency members or directors, Investment Advisory Council members, and other governor-designated officials to file statements of financial interest with the Office of State Ethics (OSE).
These statements must include, among other things, the name of securities with a fair market value over $5,000 owned by the official or his or her spouse or dependent children, or held in the name of a corporation,partnership,ortrust for their benefit.
Under thebill,ifthese securities are a tax-sheltered annuity retirement plan under federal tax law (a “403(b) plan”), then only the name of the retirement savings plan must bedisclosed and not thename ofthesecurities.
Existing lawmakes a similar allowance for other savings plans allowed under federal tax law(forexample,401(k)retirementsavingsplans,529educationsavings plans).
FINANCIAL THRESHOLDS The state ethics codes generally prohibit public officials, candidates, and state employees from soliciting or accepting (and lobbyists from giving) various gifts if they are worth more than a certain amount.
The codes also impose various prohibitions, requirements, and other conditions on certain items and actions if they are worth more than a certain amount.
The bill increases these financial thresholds in the ethics codes as shown in the table below.
More specifically, it increases the thresholds that determine whether (1) something is a gift subject to various prohibitions under the codes and (2) other various prohibitions, requirements, and conditions apply to an item or action (for example, the minimum value of an expenditure that must be reported on client HB5532 / File No.
738 26 HB5532 File No.
738 lobbyist registrant financial reports).
Table:
Financial Thresholds Under Current Law and the Bill Current Financial Threshold Threshold Under the Bill $10 $20 60 100 250 1,000 1,500 Gifts (§§ 4 & 6) The bill increases the value thresholds that determine whether something is a “gift” subject to various prohibitions under the Code of Ethics for Public Officials (§ 4) or the Code of Ethics for Lobbyists (§ 6).
For example, the code for public officials generally prohibits public officials and state employees from (1) accepting a gift based on any understanding that their vote, official action, or judgment would be influenced by it;
(2) knowingly accepting a gift from a known registered lobbyist;or(3)knowinglyacceptingagiftfromsomeonewhotheofficial or employee knows is seeking to do business with their department or agency (CGS § 1-84(g), (j) & (m)).
The code for lobbyists similarly prohibits registered lobbyists from knowingly giving a gift to a state employee or public official (CGS § 1-97(a)).
The table below shows a brief description of the covered gift and its value threshold under current law and the bill for determining whether it is exempted under the codes.
Table:
Exempted Gift Thresholds Under Current Law and the Bill  Gift Current Exempted Gift Exempted Gift Value Value  Under the Bill  Certificate, plaque, or other ceremonial Less than $100  Less than $250  award Food and beverages per recipient, per year, consumed at an occasion attended by the person paying for the food and Less than $50  Less than $100  beverages  Food and beverages per person Less than $50  Less than $100  HB5532 / File No.
738 27 HB5532 File No.
738 Current Exempted Gift Exempted Gift Value Gift Value  Under the Bill  consumed at a publicly noticed legislative reception for all legislators, or those from a particular state region, hosted once per year by a lobbyist or business organization  Gifts, including food and beverages, from someone who is not a family member to $1,000 or less $1,500 or less celebrate a major life event Total gifts or food and beverages provided at a hospitality suite at a meeting or conference of an interstate legislative Less than $100 Less than $250  association, by someone who is not a registered lobbyists or doing business with Connecticut  Less than $10 for Less than $20 for individual items and less individual items and less than $50 total value for than $100 total value for Anything with a certain value all things provided by a all things provided by a donor to a recipient in a donor to a recipient in a calendar year calendar year   Other Prohibitions, Requirements, and Conditions (§§ 3, 5 & 7-12) The bill also increases the financial thresholds that trigger various prohibitions, requirements, or other additional conditions.
These include, for example, the value of a contract that a public official cannot enter into without an open and public process, or expenditure amounts that trigger certain reporting requirements.
The table below shows the bill’s threshold increases and a brief description of the applicable provision.
Table:
Thresholds for Other Prohibitions, Requirements, and Conditions Bill Threshold Increase Section Under the Bill Provision The value of most contracts that public officials and From at least $100 to state employees (and members of their immediate at least $250 families and associated businesses) cannot enter unless awarded through an open and public process The value of anything given to a public official or From greater than $10 state employee that must be reported if it was given to greater than $20 by a person (1) doing business, or seeking to, with the official’s or employee’s agency or (2) engaged in HB5532 / File No.
738 28 HB5532 File No.
738 Bill Threshold Increase Provision Section Under the Bill activities regulated by the agency The annual cost of an “expenditure” under the code for lobbyists if it is (1) paid communications on pending administrative or legislative action or (2) From at least $50 to at solicitations of another person to communicate with least $100 public officials or state employees to influence a legislative or administrative act (by law, expenditures are subject to various reporting requirements (for example, see CGS § 1-96)) The amount that someone may spend to benefit a public official in the legislative or executive branch From less than $50 to without being considered a lobbyist (as long as they less than $100 are not paid or reimbursed specifically for lobbying and spend five hours or less lobbying) The monthly amount that a client lobbyist registrant that attempts to influence legislative action may From up to $100 to up spend or agree to spend for lobbying without having to $250 to file an interim monthly report on its lobbying activities during regular legislative session The value of each expenditure per person to benefit From at least $10 to at a legislative or executive branch public official that least $20 must be reported on client lobbyist registrant financial reports The amount of expenditures per person that do not have to be reported if they (1) benefit General Assembly members at an event open to all legislators From less than $30 to or members of a particular region or (2) are less than $60 personally and directly received by a public official or state employee at a charitable or civic event where they participate in their official capacity The amount of each expenditure to benefit a public From at least $10 to at least $20 official that a former registrant must report if it occurs within six months after the end of their registration The value of each expenditure to benefit a public From at least $10 to at official for which registrants must keep records for least $20 three years From at least $50 to at The value of all other expenditures for which least $100 registrants must keep records for three years From at least $10 to at The amount a registrant paid or reimbursed to a least $20 public official or state employee that triggers a requirement to file a statement with OSE BACKGROUND HB5532 / File No.
738 29 HB5532 File No.
738 “Public Officials” Under the Code of Ethics Under the state Code of Ethics for Public Officials, a “public official” is any:
1.
state-wide elected officer or officer-elect;
2.
member or member-elect of the General Assembly;
3.
person appointed to an office of the state government’s legislative, judicial, or executive branch by the governor or his appointee, with or without the legislature’s advice and consent;
4.
public member or representative of the teachers’ unions or state employees’ unions appointed to the Investment Advisory Council;
5.
person appointed or elected by the General Assembly or by any member of either legislative chamber;
6.
member or director of a quasi-public agency;
or 7.
spouse of the governor.
Public officials under the code do not include advisory board members, judges of any court either elected or appointed, or senators or representatives in Congress (CGS § 1-79(11)).
Related Bill sSB 323 (File 349), reported favorably by the Government Oversight Committee, contains substantially similar provisions concerning statements of financial interest and the CEAB quorum requirement.
COMMITTEE ACTION Government Administration and Elections Committee Joint Favorable Yea 18 Nay 0 (03/20/2026) HB5532 / File No.
738 30
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How this bill changes current law

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AI-generated reading aid from the bill's amendatory text — verify against the official bill.

The bill revises provisions related to the ethics framework for state officials and employees, reducing quorum requirements and updating financial disclosure rules.

  • Section 1-80

    Six → Five

    The quorum required for board meetings is decreased from six members to five.

  • Section 1-83(a)(1)

    on or before the May first next in any year in which they hold such an office or position. If, in any year, May first falls on a weekend or legal holiday, such statement shall be filed not later than the next business day. → on or before May first next in any year they hold such an office or position. If May first falls on a weekend or legal holiday, such statement shall be filed not later than the next business day.

    Removes unnecessary words for clarity in the filing deadline for financial interests.

  • Section 1-83(b)(1)(B)

    in excess of one thousand dollars → in excess of one thousand dollars

    This change ensures clarity regarding income thresholds that must be reported.

  • Section 1-83(b)(1)(C)

    in excess of five thousand dollars at fair market value → in excess of five thousand dollars at fair market value

    Clarifies the threshold value for securities that must be disclosed.

  • Section 1-83(b)(1)(F)

    more than ten thousand dollars → more than ten thousand dollars

    Clarifies the threshold for disclosing creditors to whom debts are owed.

  • Section 1-84(a)

    [his] → such official's or employee's

    Changes the pronoun to be gender-neutral for inclusivity.

  • Section 1-84(b)

    [his] → such official's or employee's

    Changes the pronoun to be gender-neutral for inclusivity.

  • Section 1-84(c)

    [his] → such official's or employee's

    Changes the pronoun to be gender-neutral for inclusivity.

  • Section 1-84(c)

    [his] → such official's or employee's

    Changes the pronoun to be gender-neutral for inclusivity.

  • Section 1-84(d)

    [his] → such official's or employee's

    Changes the pronoun to be gender-neutral for inclusivity.

  • Section 1-84(e)

    [his] → the legislative commissioner's

    Changes pronoun to clarify that the prohibition applies to the legislative commissioner's associates.

Action History

  1. SIGNED BY GOVERNOR

  2. TRANSMITTED BY SECRETARY OF THE STATE TO GOVERNOR

  3. TRANSMITTED TO SECRETARY OF THE STATE

  4. PUBLIC ACT 26-66

  5. ON CONSENT CALENDAR /IN CONCURRENCE

  6. SEN. PASSED, HO. AMEND. SCH. A

  7. SEN. ADOPTED HO. AMEND. SCH. A

  8. FILE NO. 738

  9. SENATE CALENDAR NUMBER 471

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

  11. IMMEDIATE TRANSMITTAL TO THE SENATE

  12. HOUSE PASSED, HOUSE AMEND. SCH. A

  13. HOUSE ADOPTED HOUSE AMEND. SCH. A

  14. FILE NO. 547

  15. HOUSE CALENDAR NUMBER 367

  16. FAV. RPT., TABLED FOR HOUSE CALENDAR

  17. RPTD. OUT OF LCO

  18. REFERRED TO Office of Legislative Research AND Office of Fiscal Analysis 04/08/26

  19. FILED WITH LCO

  20. Joint Favorable

  21. PUBLIC HEARING 0313

  22. REF. TO JOINT COMM. ON Government Administration and Elections

Sponsors

Sponsorship breakdown

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5 sponsors · 0 co-sponsors · 182 not signed on

Sponsors (5)

Co-sponsors (0)

None.

Not signed on (182)

182 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 HB 5532?
HB 5532 is sponsored by Stephen G. Harding (Republican), Jason Perillo (Republican), Eric C. Berthel (Republican), Kenneth Gucker (Democratic), and Rob Sampson (Republican).
What is the current status of HB 5532?
This bill has been enacted into law. Introduced March 06, 2026. Enacted.
Where can I track HB 5532?
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