SB 63 — AN ACT CONCERNING THE MITIGATION OF EFFECTS ON WILDLIFE AND FISHERIES FROM FUTURE OFFSHORE WIND PROJECTS.

Senate General Assembly CommitteeFile Bill No.

6335 January Session, 2025 LCOSenate Bill No.

356363 ReferredSenate, toMarch 5, 2025 The Committee on ENVIRONMENTEnvironment Introducedreported by:through SEN.

(ENV)LOPES ANof ACTthe CONCERNING6th THEDist., MITIGATIONChairperson OFof EFFECTSthe ONCommittee WILDLIFEon ANDthe FISHERIESpart FROMof FUTUREthe OFFSHORESenate, WINDthat PROJECTS.the bill ought to pass.

AN ACT CONCERNING THE MITIGATION OF EFFECTS ON WILDLIFE AND FISHERIES FROM FUTURE OFFSHORE WIND PROJECTS.

(1) Increase the mitigation measures for offshore wind projects to mitigate adverse consequences to wildlife, birds, marine mammals, fisheries and any other aspects of the fishing industry that result from activities connected with the development and operation of the offshore wind facilities, including workforce development retraining for fishermen adversely impacted by offshore wind operations, (2) require contract commitments that provide for selected bidders to make an initial payment and regular recurring payments into an offshore wind project mitigation fund to mitigate the ongoing adverse consequences that result from activities connected with the development and operationSB63 of/ offshoreFile wind facilities by such selected bidders and prohibit the return of any such mitigation funds to selected bidders, (3) LCO 3563 1 of 2 Committee Bill No.

6335 prohibit1 suchSB63 biddersFile fromNo. administering any such mitigation funds, and (4) establish an independent mitigation fund oversight committee to administer, manage and distribute any such mitigation funds, which shall include payment for ongoing damages suffered by such stakeholders and the environment caused during and after the operational phase of such offshore wind projects.

35 operation of offshore wind facilities by such selected bidders and prohibit the return of any such mitigation funds to selected bidders, (3) prohibit such bidders from administering any such mitigation funds, and (4) establish an independent mitigation fund oversight committee to administer, manage and distribute any such mitigation funds, which shall include payment for ongoing damages suffered by such stakeholders and the environment caused during and after the operational phase of such offshore wind projects.

Section 1 from passage New section ENV Joint Favorable LCOSB63 3563/ 2File ofNo. 2

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35 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 requires the Commissioner of the Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP) to adopt various regulations related to offshore wind project proposals.

This is not anticipated to result in a fiscal impact as DEEP has the staff and expertise necessary to complete the regulations.

The Out Years State Impact:

None Municipal Impact:

None SB63 / File No.

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35 OLR Bill Analysis SB 63 AN ACT CONCERNING THE MITIGATION OF EFFECTS ON WILDLIFE AND FISHERIES FROM FUTURE OFFSHORE WIND PROJECTS.

SUMMARY The Office of Legislative Research does not analyze Special Acts.

COMMITTEE ACTION Environment Committee Joint Favorable Yea 35 Nay 0 (02/19/2025) SB63 / File No.

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