Sec. 7-148b. Creation of fair rent commission. Powers.
Sec. 7-159e. Resiliency improvement districts. Definitions.
Sec. 7-159j. Costs authorized for payment from master plan fund.
Sec. 7-159l. Bonds. Authority.
Sec. 7-159m. Advisory board. Authority. Membership.
Sec. 7-148b. Creation of fair rent commission. Powers. (a) For purposes of this section and sections 7-148c to 7-148f, inclusive, “seasonal basis” means housing accommodations rented for a period or periods aggregating not more than one hundred twenty days in any one calendar year, “rental charge” includes any fee or charge in addition to rent that is imposed or sought to be imposed upon a tenant by a landlord, and “municipality” means a town, city or consolidated town and city.
(b) Any municipality may, and each municipality with a population of fifteen thousand or more, as determined by the most recent decennial census, shall, through its legislative body, adopt an ordinance that (1) creates a fair rent commission, (2) establishes or joins the municipality in a joint fair rent commission pursuant to subsection (d) of this section, or (3) joins the municipality in a regional fair rent commission pursuant to subsection (e) of this section. Any such commission shall make studies and investigations, conduct hearings and receive complaints relative to rental charges on housing accommodations, except those accommodations rented on a seasonal basis, within its jurisdiction, which term shall include mobile manufactured homes and mobile manufactured home park lots, in order to control and eliminate excessive rental charges on such accommodations, and to carry out the provisions of sections 7-148b to 7-148f, inclusive, section 47a-20 and subsection (b) of section 47a-23c. The commission, for such purposes, may compel the attendance of persons at hearings, issue subpoenas and administer oaths, issue orders and continue, review, amend, terminate or suspend any of its orders and decisions. The commission may be empowered to retain legal counsel to advise it. All hearings conducted pursuant to this section shall be open to the public.
(c) Any municipality required to create a fair rent commission pursuant to subsection (b) of this section shall adopt an ordinance creating a fair rent commission, or joining a joint fair rent commission or regional fair rent commission, on or before January 1, 2028. No municipality required to create a fair rent commission pursuant to subsection (b) of this section that has created a fair rent commission prior to January 1, 2026, shall abolish such commission before January 1, 2028, unless such municipality joins a joint fair rent commission or regional fair rent commission pursuant to this section. Not later than thirty days after the adoption of such ordinance, the chief executive officer of such municipality shall (1) notify the Commissioner of Housing that such commission has been created or joined by such municipality, and (2) transmit a copy of the ordinance adopted by the municipality to the commissioner.
(d) Two or more contiguous municipalities may, by concurrent ordinances adopted by their legislative bodies, establish a joint fair rent commission. Any municipality that is contiguous to a municipality that is a member of an existing joint fair rent commission may become a member of such joint fair rent commission upon the adoption of an ordinance by such municipality's legislative body. Any municipality that is a member of a joint fair rent commission may, by vote of its legislative body, elect to withdraw from such commission, provided such withdrawing municipality creates its own fair rent commission or joins another joint fair rent commission or regional fair rent commission in compliance with the requirements of this section.
(e) A regional council of governments formed pursuant to section 4-124j may establish a regional fair rent commission. Any municipality that is a member of such council may join such regional fair rent commission upon the adoption of an ordinance by such municipality's legislative body. Any regional fair rent commission shall prescribe a form and manner in which complaints to such commission shall be made.
(f) Upon the request of a party to a matter pending before a regional fair rent commission, a meeting or a portion of a meeting during which the participation of such party is required shall be conducted by means of electronic equipment, as defined in section 1-200, in conjunction with an in-person meeting of such commission.
(g) Except as otherwise provided by law, a regional fair rent commission shall not be liable for damages to person or property caused by: (A) Acts or omissions of any employee, officer or agent which constitute criminal conduct, fraud, actual malice or wilful misconduct; or (B) negligent acts or omissions which require the exercise of judgment or discretion as an official function of the authority expressly or impliedly granted by law.
(h) Any municipality that creates a fair rent commission pursuant to this section shall make any bylaws adopted by such fair rent commission publicly available on the Internet web site of such municipality.
(1969, P.A. 274, S. 1; 1971, P.A. 478, S. 1; 1972, P.A. 160, S. 1; P.A. 81-472, S. 101, 159; P.A. 82-356, S. 8, 14; June Sp. Sess. P.A. 83-3, S. 1; P.A. 89-289; P.A. 05-288, S. 40; P.A. 13-36, S. 1; P.A. 22-30, S. 1; P.A. 25-121, S. 1; Nov. Sp. Sess. P.A. 25-1, S. 35.)
History: 1971 act specified applicability to housing accommodations rather than “property”, including mobile homes and lots and excluding seasonal accommodations which were defined in new Subsec. (b); 1972 act added power to carry out provisions of Secs. 7-148b to 7-148e, to issue, amend, terminate, etc. orders and to retain legal counsel; P.A. 81-472 substituted reference to Sec. 47a-20 for reference to Sec. 19-375a, reflecting section's transfer; P.A. 82-356 amended Subsec. (a) to authorize a fair rent commission to carry out the provisions of Sec. 47a-23c(b); June Sp. Sess. P.A. 83-3 changed terms “mobile home” and “mobile manufactured homes” to “mobile manufactured home” and “mobile manufactured homes”; P.A. 89-289 added Subsec. (c) re creation of fair rent commissions in municipalities having more than 5,000 renter-occupied dwelling units and added Subsec. (d) re creation of joint fair rent commissions; P.A. 05-288 made a technical change in Subsecs. (a), (b) and (d), effective July 13, 2005; P.A. 13-36 added new Subsec. (a) defining “seasonal basis” and “rental charge” for purposes of section and Secs. 7-148c to 7-148f, redesignated existing Subsec. (a) as Subsec. (b) and deleted former Subsec. (b) re definition of “seasonal basis”; P.A. 22-30 amended Subsec. (b) to add provision re certain towns, cities, or boroughs to create fair rent commissions and amended Subsec. (c) re adoption of ordinances to create such commissions; P.A. 25-121 amended Subsec. (b) to require hearings held by fair rent commission be open to public and added Subsec. (e) re requirement that bylaws adopted by fair rent commission be publicly available on Internet web site of applicable town, city or borough, effective July 1, 2025; Nov. Sp. Sess. P.A. 25-1 amended Subsec. (a) to define “municipality”, amended Subsecs. (b) to (d) re municipality joining joint or regional fair rent commission, added new Subsec. (e) and Subsecs. (f) and (g) re establishment, proceedings and limitations on liability of regional fair rent commissions, redesignated Subsec. (e) as Subsec. (h) and made conforming changes throughout, effective January 1, 2026.
| (Return to Chapter Table of Contents) |
(Return to List of Chapters) |
(Return to List of Titles) |
Sec. 7-148v. Requirements for competitive bidding. Purchase from person having contract to sell goods or services. (a) Notwithstanding the provisions of any municipal charter or any special act to the contrary, any municipality may, by ordinance, establish requirements for competitive bidding for the award of any contract or the purchase of any real or personal property by the municipality. Such ordinance may provide that, except as otherwise required by any provision of the general statutes, sealed bidding shall not be required for contracts or purchases having a value less than or equal to an amount established in the ordinance, which amount shall not be greater than thirty-five thousand dollars. Nothing in this section shall be deemed to invalidate any ordinance enacted by a municipality prior to October 1, 1989. Nothing in this section and no ordinance adopted pursuant to this section shall be construed to limit the ability of a municipality to enter into a contract pursuant to section 4a-53a.
(b) Notwithstanding the provisions of the general statutes or any municipal charter, special act or ordinance, any municipality may purchase equipment, supplies, materials or services from a person who has a contract to sell such goods or services to other state governments, political subdivisions of the state, nonprofit organizations or public purchasing consortia available through a regional educational service center or regional council of governments, in accordance with the provisions of such contract.
(P.A. 89-136; Nov. 24 Sp. Sess. P.A. 08-2, S. 2; P.A. 13-71, S. 1; P.A. 16-144, S. 1; P.A. 25-92, S. 1.)
History: Nov. 24 Sp. Sess. P.A. 08-2 added provision re ability of municipality to enter into contract pursuant to Sec. 4a-53a, effective November 25, 2008; P.A. 13-71 changed exception to sealed bidding limit from $7,500 to $25,000; P.A. 16-144 designated existing provisions re requirements for competitive bidding as Subsec. (a) and added Subsec. (b) re municipal purchase of equipment, supplies, materials or services from certain persons, effective June 9, 2016; P.A. 25-92 changed exception to sealed bidding limit from $25,000 to $35,000.
| (Return to Chapter Table of Contents) |
(Return to List of Chapters) |
(Return to List of Titles) |
Sec. 7-148aa. Lien on real estate where penalty for violation of zoning regulations or blight ordinance is unpaid. Any unpaid penalty imposed by a municipality pursuant to the provisions of an ordinance (1) adopted pursuant to section 8-12a, (2) regulating blight, adopted pursuant to subparagraph (H)(xv) of subdivision (7) of subsection (c) of section 7-148, or (3) requiring the maintenance of safe and sanitary housing, adopted pursuant to subparagraph (A)(i) of subdivision (7) of subsection (c) of section 7-148, shall constitute a lien upon the real estate against which the penalty was imposed from the date of such penalty. Each such lien may be continued, recorded and released in the manner provided by the general statutes for continuing, recording and releasing property tax liens. Each such lien shall take precedence over all other liens filed after July 1, 1997, and encumbrances except taxes, and may be enforced in the same manner as property tax liens.
(P.A. 97-320, S. 3, 11; P.A. 12-146, S. 4; P.A. 24-143, S. 8; P.A. 25-23, S. 1.)
History: P.A. 97-320 effective July 1, 1997; P.A. 12-146 substituted “penalty” for “fine”; P.A. 24-143 added reference to Sec. 8-12a re violation of zoning regulations as Subdiv. (1), designated existing provision re blight as Subdiv. (2) and made a technical change; P.A. 25-23 added Subdiv. (3) re penalties for violations of ordinances concerning safe and sanitary housing.
| (Return to Chapter Table of Contents) |
(Return to List of Chapters) |
(Return to List of Titles) |
Sec. 7-148rr. Municipal function. Appointment by interlocal agreement or agreement for regional services. Regulations. (a) As used in this section (1) “municipality” means any municipality, as defined in section 7-187, any district, as defined in section 7-324, any metropolitan district or any municipal district created under section 7-330 and located within the state, and (2) “regional council of governments” means any regional council of governments organized under the provisions of sections 4-124i to 4-124p, inclusive.
(b) Any appointment that a municipality is authorized or required by law to make on its own behalf with respect to a municipal function may be made by a regional council of governments or jointly with one or more other municipalities pursuant to an interlocal agreement for the joint performance of municipal functions pursuant to section 7-148cc or an agreement for regional services pursuant to section 8-31b. Such appointment shall pertain jointly to each municipality that is a party to such agreement and be in lieu of any individual appointment by any such municipality. The provisions of this subsection shall supersede any provision of the general statutes or any special act, charter, special act charter, home rule ordinance or local law that would prohibit or limit the ability to make such joint appointments, including, but not limited to, any provision that (1) prohibits a municipality from entering into an agreement for shared services, (2) requires an appointee to fulfill such appointee's duties to the exclusion of other employment, (3) requires an appointee to reside within a particular municipality, or (4) requires a municipality to make an individual appointment.
(c) For the purposes of this section, a municipal function shall include, but not be limited to, administrative and regulatory activities described in chapters 93, 96a and 100, sections 7-148b, 7-148g, 7-148p, 8-3, 12-136, 22-331, 22-340, 22a-36 to 22a-45, inclusive, and 29-251 to 29-371, inclusive, and planning activities described in sections 8-23 and 19a-181b.
(d) The Secretary of the Office of Policy and Management may adopt regulations in accordance with the provisions of chapter 54 to implement the provisions of this section.
(P.A. 24-151, S. 127; Nov. Sp. Sess. P.A. 25-1, S. 51.)
History: P.A. 24-151 effective July 1, 2024; Nov. Sp. Sess. P.A. 25-1 deleted reference to repealed Sec. 8-30j in Subsec. (c), effective January 1, 2026.
| (Return to Chapter Table of Contents) |
(Return to List of Chapters) |
(Return to List of Titles) |
Sec. 7-152h. Ordinances regulating motor vehicle towing or transporting and storage of motor vehicles by wrecker services. (a) For the purposes of this section, (1) “wrecker service” has the same meaning as provided in section 14-1, (2) “nonconsensual towing or transporting” has the same meaning as provided in section 14-66, and (3) “parking facility” and “residential parking facility” have the same meanings as provided in section 14-145e.
(b) A municipality may, by ordinance of its legislative body, regulate the provision of motor vehicle towing or transporting and storage of motor vehicles by wrecker services within such municipality, except motor vehicle towing or transporting performed with the prior consent or authorization of the owner or operator of the motor vehicle or performed due to the repossession of motor vehicles. Any such ordinance may regulate, in a manner not inconsistent with the general statutes, the provision of nonconsensual towing or transporting and the management of parking facilities and residential parking facilities. In the event a motor vehicle is towed from a municipality that adopted an ordinance pursuant to the provisions of this section and subsequently stored at a motor vehicle storage facility located in another municipality that adopted an ordinance, the provisions of the ordinance adopted by the municipality where the motor vehicle is towed from shall control.
(P.A. 25-55, S. 4.)
History: P.A. 25-55 effective June 10, 2025.
| (Return to Chapter Table of Contents) |
(Return to List of Chapters) |
(Return to List of Titles) |
Sec. 7-159e. Resiliency improvement districts. Definitions. As used in this section and sections 7-159f to 7-159n, inclusive, unless the context otherwise requires:
(1) “Captured assessed value” means the amount, as a percentage or stated sum, of increased assessed value that is utilized from year to year to finance project costs pursuant to the district master plan.
(2) “Clean energy project” means a renewable energy project that utilizes Class I renewable sources, as defined in section 16-1.
(3) “Current assessed value” means the assessed value of all taxable real property within a resiliency improvement district as of October first of each year that the resiliency improvement district remains in effect.
(4) “District master plan” means a statement of means and objectives prepared by the municipality, or two or more municipalities acting jointly under an interlocal agreement, relating to a resiliency improvement district that is designed to (A) reduce the risk of, or exposure to, extreme events, hazards and the effects of climate change, (B) support economic development, (C) provide housing opportunities in existing residential areas, (D) improve or broaden the tax base, and (E) construct or improve the physical facilities and structures necessary for resilience projects, environmental infrastructure or clean energy projects, or any combination thereof, as described in section 7-159l.
(5) “Environmental infrastructure” has the same meaning as provided in section 16-245n.
(6) “Financial plan” means a statement of the project costs and sources of revenue required to accomplish the district master plan.
(7) “Increased assessed value” means the valuation amount by which the current assessed value of a resiliency improvement district exceeds the original assessed value of the resiliency improvement district. If the current assessed value is equal to or less than the original assessed value, there is no increased assessed value.
(8) “Increased savings” means the valuation amount by which the current cost of any existing insurance premium, or other premium, surcharge or other fee identified within the resiliency improvement district may be reduced after the implementation of such district, resulting in a monetary savings to a resident of, or a business located in, such district.
(9) “Joint resiliency improvement district” means a resiliency improvement district established by two or more contiguous municipalities that have entered into an interlocal agreement in accordance with sections 7-339a to 7-339l, inclusive.
(10) “Maintenance and operation” means all activities necessary to maintain facilities after they have been developed and all activities necessary to operate such facilities, including, but not limited to, informational, promotional and educational programs and safety and surveillance activities.
(11) “Municipality” means a town, city, borough, consolidated town and city or consolidated town and borough.
(12) “Original assessed value” means the assessed value of all taxable real property within a resiliency improvement district as of October first of the tax year preceding the year in which the resiliency improvement district was established by the legislative body of a municipality.
(13) “Project costs” means any expenditures or monetary obligations incurred or expected to be incurred that are authorized by section 7-159l and included in a district master plan.
(14) “Resilience” has the same meaning as provided in section 16-243y.
(15) “Resilience project” means a project, including a capital project, that is designed and implemented to address climate change mitigation, adaptation or resilience, including, but not limited to, the following:
(A) A project that mitigates the effects of river, bay or sea level rise, or rising groundwater, including wetlands or marsh restoration, riparian buffers, vegetated dunes, living shorelines, erosion control, road elevation, levees or other flood structures;
(B) A project that mitigates the effects of extreme heat or the urban heat island effect, including increasing shade, deploying building and surface materials designed to reflect or absorb less heat, using pavement materials designed to reflect or absorb less heat, constructing, improving or modifying new or existing facilities or increasing access to cooling opportunities;
(C) A project that mitigates the effects of drought, including the repurposing of land for multiple uses, the reduction of impervious surfaces, groundwater replenishment or groundwater storage or a combination of such uses; or
(D) A project intended to reduce the risk of flooding, including structure elevation or relocation, wetlands restoration, flood easements or bypasses, riparian buffers or levees.
(16) “Tax increment” means real property taxes assessed by a municipality upon the increased assessed value of property in the resiliency improvement district.
(17) “Resiliency improvement district” means an area wholly within the corporate limits of one or more municipalities that has been established and designated as such pursuant to section 7-159f and that is to be developed in accordance with a district master plan.
(18) “Tax year” means the period of time beginning on July first and ending on the succeeding June thirtieth.
(P.A. 25-33, S. 21.)
History: P.A. 25-33 effective July 1, 2025.
| (Return to Chapter Table of Contents) |
(Return to List of Chapters) |
(Return to List of Titles) |
Sec. 7-159f. Resiliency improvement districts. Municipal authority to establish. Powers. Dissolving or modification of district. Interlocal agreements. (a) Any municipality may, by vote of its legislative body, establish a resiliency improvement district located wholly within the boundaries of such municipality in accordance with the requirements of this section and sections 7-159g to 7-159n, inclusive. If a municipality is governed by a home rule charter, and such charter prohibits the establishment of a resiliency improvement district, such municipality shall not establish such district. Except as provided in subsection (d) of this section, the establishment of a resiliency improvement district approved by such municipality shall be effective upon the concurrent approval of such district and the adoption of a district master plan pursuant to section 7-159h.
(b) Within a resiliency improvement district, and consistent with the district master plan, the municipality, in addition to powers granted to such municipality under the Constitution of the state of Connecticut, the general statutes, the provisions of any special act or sections 7-159g to 7-159n, inclusive, shall have the following powers:
(1) To acquire, construct, reconstruct, improve, preserve, alter, extend, operate or maintain property or promote development intended to meet the objectives of the district master plan. The municipality may acquire property, land or easements through negotiation or by other means authorized for any municipality under the general statutes;
(2) To execute and deliver contracts, agreements and other documents relating to the operation and maintenance of the resiliency improvement district;
(3) To issue bonds and other obligations of the municipality in accordance with the provisions set forth in section 7-159l;
(4) Acting through its board of selectmen, town council or other governing body of such municipality, to enter into written agreements with a taxpayer that fixes the assessment of real property located within a resiliency improvement district, provided (A) the term of such agreement shall not exceed thirty years from the date of the agreement; and (B) the agreed assessment for such real property plus future improvements shall not be less than the assessment of the real property as of the last regular assessment date without such future improvements. Any such agreement shall be recorded in the land records of the municipality. The recording of such agreement shall constitute notice of the agreement to any subsequent purchaser or encumbrancer of the property or any part of it, whether voluntary or involuntary, and such agreement shall be binding upon any subsequent purchaser or encumbrancer. If the municipality claims that the taxpayer or a subsequent purchaser or encumbrancer has violated the terms of such agreement, the municipality may bring an action in the superior court for the judicial district in which the municipality is located to enforce such agreement;
(5) To accept grants, advances, loans or other financial assistance from the federal government, the state, private entities or any other source, including, but not limited to, such funds as allowable from sections 7-159d, 16-245n, 22a-498 and 25-85, and undertake any additional actions necessary or desirable to secure such financial aid; and
(6) Upon such terms as the municipality determines, to furnish services or facilities, provide property, lend, grant or contribute funds and take any other action such municipality is authorized to perform for any other purposes.
(c) The resiliency improvement district may be dissolved or the boundaries of such district may be modified upon the vote of the legislative body of the municipality, except that the resiliency improvement district may not be dissolved nor may the boundaries of the resiliency improvement district be decreased if any bonds or other indebtedness authorized and issued by the municipality under sections 7-159g to 7-159n, inclusive, remain outstanding. Outstanding obligation bonds of the municipality secured solely by the full faith and credit of the municipality shall not preclude the dissolution of, or the decrease of the boundaries of, a resiliency improvement district.
(d) Two or more contiguous municipalities may enter into an interlocal agreement in accordance with sections 7-339a to 7-339l, inclusive, to establish a joint resiliency improvement district and adopt a district master plan for a district that consists of contiguous properties partially located in each such municipality. Such interlocal agreement shall be adopted prior to the establishment of any such joint district and the adoption of a district master plan for such district. A joint resiliency improvement district shall be deemed established upon the concurrent approval of such district and the adoption of a district master plan by the legislative bodies of all of the municipalities participating in the interlocal agreement.
(e) The interlocal agreement under which two or more contiguous municipalities establish a joint resiliency improvement district shall apportion any power, right, duty or obligation granted to, or required of, any municipality under the provisions of sections 7-159g to 7-159n, inclusive, among the municipalities participating in the interlocal agreement.
(f) Nothing in this section shall be construed to limit the power granted to a municipality pursuant to any provision of the general statutes or any special act to offer, enter into or modify any tax abatement for real property located in a resiliency improvement district if such real property contains one or more units of affordable housing, as defined in section 8-39a.
(P.A. 25-33, S. 22.)
History: P.A. 25-33 effective July 1, 2025.
| (Return to Chapter Table of Contents) |
(Return to List of Chapters) |
(Return to List of Titles) |
Sec. 7-159g. Legislative body or board of selectmen responsibilities re establishment of resiliency improvement district. Master plan. Public hearing. Conditions for district. Prior to the establishment of a resiliency improvement district and approval of a district master plan for such district, the legislative body of the municipality, or the board of selectmen in the case of a municipality in which the legislative body is a town meeting, shall:
(1) Consider whether the proposed resiliency improvement district and district master plan will contribute to the well-being of the municipality or to the betterment of the health, welfare or safety of the inhabitants of the municipality;
(2) Transmit the proposed district master plan to the planning commission of the municipality, if any, requesting a study of the proposed district master plan and a written advisory opinion, which shall include a determination on whether the proposed plan is consistent with the plan of conservation and development of the municipality adopted under section 8-23;
(3) Hold at least one public hearing on the proposal to establish a resiliency improvement district and to adopt the proposed district master plan. Notice of the hearing shall be published not less than ten days prior to such hearing in a conspicuous place on the Internet web site of the municipality, or the municipalities acting jointly pursuant to an interlocal agreement, with the date and time such notice was so posted, and such notice shall include (A) the date, time and place of such hearing, (B) the legal description of the boundaries of the proposed resiliency improvement district, and (C) the draft district master plan, which plan shall be made available for physical review and posted electronically on the Internet web site of any applicable municipality; and
(4) Determine whether the proposed resiliency improvement district meets the following conditions:
(A) The district contains an area that experiences or is likely to experience adverse impacts from hazards or climate change, including, but not limited to, sea level rise, rising groundwater, extreme heat, wildfire, drought or flooding;
(B) The district has been identified in a municipal hazard mitigation plan, local plan of conservation and development or regional plan of conservation and development or has been identified by another related planning process;
(C) The plan demonstrates a reduction of risk in the district from such identified adverse impacts from hazards or climate change;
(D) A portion of the real property within the district shall be suitable for commercial, industrial, mixed use or retail uses or transit-oriented development;
(E) In the case of existing residential use, provides for the replacement of, or renovation to, residential buildings in the district, if the district is in a flood zone or within the boundaries of sea level rise as determined by the requirements of section 25-68o, to include a height standard of not less than two feet of freeboard above the base flood elevation, or as designated by the State Building Code or municipal building requirements, whichever imposes a greater height standard, and whether construction of or renovation to commercial or industrial buildings shall be flood-proofed or elevated;
(F) Provides for vehicle access to residential buildings in the district if the district is in a flood zone or is impacted by sea level rise, pursuant to section 25-68o, at a height of two feet above base flood elevation;
(G) The proposed district will not increase the vulnerability and risk to properties adjacent to the district or increase the risk to other hazards within the district; and
(H) The original assessed value of a proposed resiliency improvement district plus the original assessed value of all existing tax increment districts within the relevant municipalities may not exceed ten per cent of the total value of taxable property within the municipalities as of October first of the year immediately preceding the establishment of the tax increment district. Excluded from the calculation in this subparagraph is any tax increment district established on or after October 1, 2015, that consists entirely of contiguous property owned by a single taxpayer. For the purpose of this subdivision, “contiguous property” includes a parcel or parcels of land divided by a road, power line, railroad line or right-of-way.
(P.A. 25-33, S. 23.)
History: P.A. 25-33 effective July 1, 2025.
| (Return to Chapter Table of Contents) |
(Return to List of Chapters) |
(Return to List of Titles) |
Sec. 7-159h. District master plan. Requirements. Statement of increased assessed value. Financial plan. Requirements. (a) In connection with the establishment of a resiliency improvement district, the legislative body of a municipality shall adopt a district master plan for each resiliency improvement district and a statement of the percentage or stated sum of increased assessed value to be designated as captured assessed value in accordance with such plan. Such legislative body shall adopt such plan after receipt of a written advisory opinion from the planning commission or combined planning and zoning commission of the municipality pursuant to section 7-159g or ninety days after such request was made, whichever is earlier. The district master plan shall be adopted at the same time that the resiliency improvement district is established as part of the resiliency improvement district adoption proceedings set forth in sections 7-159f to 7-159n, inclusive.
(b) The district master plan shall include: (1) The legal description of the boundaries of the resiliency improvement district; (2) a list of the tax identification numbers for all lots or parcels within the resiliency improvement district; (3) a description of the present condition and uses of all land and buildings within the resiliency improvement district and how the construction or improvement of physical facilities or structures will reduce or eliminate risk from any existing or expected hazards; (4) a description of the existing or expected hazards facing the district; (5) a description of the public facilities, improvements or programs within the resiliency improvement district anticipated to be undertaken and financed in whole or in part; (6) in the event of existing residential use within the resiliency improvement district, a plan for the rehabilitation, construction or replacement of any such existing housing in accordance with the state's consolidated plan for housing and community development prepared pursuant to section 8-37t and the state plan of conservation and development prepared pursuant to chapter 297, which plan shall also include meaningful efforts to reduce displacement plans; (7) a financial plan in accordance with subsection (c) of this section; (8) a plan for the proposed maintenance and operation of the resiliency improvements after the improvements are completed; and (9) the maximum duration of the resiliency improvement district, which may not exceed a total of fifty tax years beginning with the tax year in which the resiliency improvement district is established.
(c) The financial plan in a district master plan shall include: (1) Cost estimates for the public improvements and developments anticipated in the district master plan; (2) cost estimates to support relocation or temporary housing for displaced residents; (3) the maximum amount of indebtedness to be incurred to implement the district master plan; (4) sources of anticipated revenues, including, but not limited to, increased savings, fees, assessments, grants or other sources; (5) a description of the terms and conditions of any agreements, including any anticipated savings agreements, assessment agreements, contracts or other obligations related to the district master plan; (6) estimates of increased assessed values and estimates of increased savings of the resiliency improvement district; and (7) the portion of the increased assessed values and increased savings to be applied to the district master plan as captured assessed values and resulting tax increments in each year of the plan.
(d) The district master plan may be amended from time to time by the legislative body of each applicable municipality. Such legislative body shall review the district master plan not less than once every ten years after the initial approval of the resiliency improvement district and the district master plan in order for the resiliency improvement district and the district master plan to remain in effect, provided no such district may be dissolved for the failure to comply with this section if any bonds or other indebtedness authorized and issued by the municipality under sections 7-159f to 7-159n, inclusive, remain outstanding. With respect to any district master plan that includes development that is funded in whole or in part by federal funds, the provisions of this subsection shall not apply to the extent that such provisions are prohibited by federal law.
(P.A. 25-33, S. 24.)
History: P.A. 25-33 effective July 1, 2025.
| (Return to Chapter Table of Contents) |
(Return to List of Chapters) |
(Return to List of Titles) |
Sec. 7-159i. Designation of tax increment revenues from increased assessed values. Assessor duties. District master plan fund. (a) In the district master plan, each applicable municipality may designate all or part of the tax increment revenues generated from the increased assessed value and all or part of any additional revenue resulting from the increased savings of a resiliency improvement district for the purpose of financing all or part of the implementation of the district master plan, and, in the case of any existing or planned residential use in such district, the percentage of such revenue necessary to rehabilitate, construct or replace dwellings for such use and to preserve, increase or improve access to affordable housing, as defined in section 8-39a, within the municipality, either within or adjacent to such district. The amount of tax increment revenues to be designated shall be determined by designating the captured assessed value, subject to any assessment agreements.
(b) On or after the establishment of a resiliency improvement district and the adoption of a district master plan, the assessor of the municipality in which such district is located shall certify the original assessed value of the taxable real property within the boundaries of the resiliency improvement district. Each year after the establishment of a resiliency improvement district, the assessor shall certify the amount of the (1) current assessed value; (2) amount by which the current assessed value has increased or decreased from the original assessed value, subject to any assessment agreements; and (3) amount of the captured assessed value. Nothing in this subsection shall be construed to authorize the unequal apportionment or assessment of the taxes to be paid on real property in the municipality. Subject to any assessment agreements, an owner of real property within the resiliency improvement district shall pay real property taxes apportioned equally with real property taxes paid elsewhere in such municipality.
(c) If a municipality has designated captured assessed value under subsection (a) of this section:
(1) Each applicable municipality shall establish a district master plan fund that consists of: (A) A project cost account that is pledged to and charged with the payment of project costs that are outlined in the financial plan, including the reimbursement of project cost expenditures incurred by a public body, which public body may be the municipality, a developer, any property owner or any other third-party entity, and that are paid in a manner other than as described in subparagraph (B) of this subdivision; and (B) in instances of indebtedness issued by the municipality in accordance with section 7-159l to finance or refinance project costs, a development sinking fund account that is pledged to and charged with the (i) payment of the interest and principal as the interest and principal fall due, including any redemption premium; (ii) payment of the costs of providing or reimbursing any provider of any guarantee, letter of credit, policy of bond insurance or other credit enhancement device used to secure payment of debt service on any such indebtedness; and (iii) funding any required reserve fund;
(2) The municipality shall annually set aside all tax increment revenues on captured assessed values and deposit all such revenues to the appropriate district master plan fund account established under subdivision (1) of this subsection in the following order of priority: (A) To the development sinking fund account, an amount sufficient, together with estimated future revenues to be deposited to the account and earnings on the amount, to satisfy all annual debt service on the indebtedness issued in accordance with section 7-159l and the financial plan, except for general obligation bonds of the municipality secured solely by the full faith and credit of the municipality; and (B) to the project cost account, all such remaining tax increment revenues on captured assessed values;
(3) The municipality shall make transfers between district master plan fund accounts established under subdivision (1) of this subsection, provided the transfers do not result in a balance in either account that is insufficient to cover the annual obligations of each respective account;
(4) The municipality may, at any time during the term of the resiliency improvement district, by vote of the legislative body of the municipality, return to the municipal general fund any tax increment revenues remaining in either account established under subdivision (1) of this subsection that exceeds those estimated to be required to satisfy the obligations of the account after taking into account any transfer made under subdivision (3) of this subsection; and
(5) Any account or fund established pursuant to subdivision (1) of this subsection shall be audited annually by an independent auditor who is a public accountant licensed to practice in this state and who meets the independence standards included in generally accepted government auditing standards. A report of such audit shall be open to public inspection. Certified copies of such audit shall be provided to the State Auditors of Public Accounts.
(P.A. 25-33, S. 25.)
History: P.A. 25-33 effective July 1, 2025.
| (Return to Chapter Table of Contents) |
(Return to List of Chapters) |
(Return to List of Titles) |
Sec. 7-159j. Costs authorized for payment from master plan fund. Costs authorized for payment from a district master plan fund, established pursuant to section 7-159i shall be limited to:
(1) Costs of improvements made within the resiliency improvement district, including, but not limited to, (A) capital costs, including, but not limited to, (i) the acquisition or construction of land, improvements, infrastructure, measures designed to improve resilience, environmental infrastructure, clean energy projects, public ways, parks, buildings, structures, railings, signs, landscaping, plantings, curbs, sidewalks, turnouts, recreational facilities, structured parking, transportation improvements, pedestrian improvements and other related improvements, fixtures and equipment for public or private use, (ii) the demolition, alteration, remodeling, repair or reconstruction of existing buildings, structures and fixtures, (iii) environmental remediation, (iv) site preparation and finishing work, and (v) all fees and expenses associated with the capital cost of such improvements, including, but not limited to, licensing and permitting expenses and planning, engineering, architectural, testing, legal and accounting expenses; (B) financing costs, including, but not limited to, closing costs, issuance costs, reserve funds and capitalized interest; (C) real property assembly costs; (D) costs of technical and marketing assistance programs; (E) professional service costs, including, but not limited to, licensing, architectural, planning, engineering, development and legal expenses; (F) maintenance and operation costs; (G) administrative costs, including, but not limited to, reasonable charges for the time spent by municipal employees, other agencies or third-party entities in connection with the implementation of a district master plan; and (H) organizational costs relating to the planning and the establishment of the resiliency improvement district, including, but not limited to, the costs of conducting environmental impact and other studies and the costs of informing the public about the creation of resiliency improvement districts and the implementation of the district master plan;
(2) Costs of improvements that are made outside the resiliency improvement district but are directly related to or are made necessary by the establishment or operation of the resiliency improvement district, including, but not limited to, (A) that portion of the costs reasonably related to the construction, alteration or expansion of any facilities not located within the resiliency improvement district that are required due to improvements or activities within the resiliency improvement district, including, but not limited to, roadways, traffic signalization, easements, sewage treatment plants, water treatment plants or other environmental protection devices, storm or sanitary sewer lines, water lines, electrical lines, improvements to fire stations and street signs; (B) costs of public safety and public school improvements made necessary by the establishment of the resiliency improvement district; and (C) costs of funding to mitigate any adverse impact of the resiliency improvement district upon the municipality and its constituents; and
(3) Costs related to environmental improvement projects developed by the municipality related to the resiliency improvement district.
(P.A. 25-33, S. 26.)
History: P.A. 25-33 effective July 1, 2025.
| (Return to Chapter Table of Contents) |
(Return to List of Chapters) |
(Return to List of Titles) |
Sec. 7-159k. Benefit assessment. Authority. Adoption. Public hearing requirement. Ordinances. Collection and enforcement. Failure to pay. Lien. (a)(1) Notwithstanding any provision of the general statutes, whenever a municipality constructs, improves, extends, equips, rehabilitates, repairs, acquires or provides a grant for any public improvements within a resiliency improvement district or finances the cost of such public improvements, the proportion of such cost or estimated cost of such public improvements and financing thereof, as determined by the municipality, may be assessed by the municipality, as a benefit assessment, in the manner prescribed by such municipality, upon the real property within the resiliency improvement district that is benefited by such public improvements. The municipality may provide for the payment of such benefit assessments in annual installments, not exceeding fifty years, and may forgive such benefit assessments in any given year without causing the remainder of installments of benefit assessments to be forgiven. Benefit assessments on real property where buildings or structures are constructed or expanded after the initial benefit assessment may be assessed as if the new or expanded buildings or structures on such real property existed at the time of the original benefit assessment.
(2) Any benefit assessment shall be adopted and revised by the municipality not less than annually and not more than sixty days before the beginning of the fiscal year. If any benefit assessment is assessed and levied prior to the acquisition or construction of the public improvements, the amount of any such assessment may be adjusted to reflect the actual cost of such public improvements, including all financing costs, once such public improvements are complete, if the actual cost is greater than or less than the estimated costs.
(b) Before estimating and making a benefit assessment under subsection (a) of this section, the municipality shall hold not less than one public hearing on such municipality's schedule of benefit assessments or any revision thereof. Notice of such hearing shall be published not less than ten days before such hearing in a conspicuous place on the Internet web site of the municipality, or the municipalities acting jointly pursuant to an interlocal agreement, with the date and time such notice was posted. The notice shall include (1) the date, time and place of such hearing; (2) the boundaries of the resiliency improvement district by legal description; (3) a statement that all interested persons owning real estate or taxable property located within the resiliency improvement district will be given an opportunity to be heard at the hearing and an opportunity to file objections to the amount of the assessment; (4) the maximum rate of assessments to be increased in any one year; and (5) a statement indicating that the proposed list of properties to be assessed and the estimated assessments against those properties are available at the city or town office or at the office of the assessor. The notice may include a maximum number of years the assessments will be levied. Not later than the date of the publication, the municipality shall make available to any member of the public, upon request, the proposed schedule of benefit assessments. The procedures for public hearing and appeal set forth in section 7-250 shall apply for all benefit assessments made by a municipality pursuant to this section, except that the board of finance, or the municipality's legislative body if no board of finance exists, shall be substituted for the water pollution control authority.
(c) A municipality may adopt ordinances apportioning the value of improvements within a resiliency improvement district according to a formula that reflects actual benefits that accrue to the various properties because of the development and maintenance.
(d) A municipality may increase assessments or extend the maximum number of years the assessments will be levied after notice and public hearing is held pursuant to subsection (b) of this section.
(e) (1) Benefit assessments made under this section shall be collected and enforced in the same manner as municipal taxes unless otherwise provided in sections 7-159f to 7-159n, inclusive. Benefit assessments shall be due and payable at such times as are fixed by the municipality, provided the municipality shall give notice of such due date not less than thirty days prior to such due date by publication in a conspicuous place on the Internet web site of each applicable municipality with the date and time such notice was so posted and by mailing such notice to the owners of the assessed real property at the last-known address of any such owner. All revenues from any assessment under this section shall be paid into the appropriate district master plan fund account established under subsection (c) of section 7-159i.
(2) If any property owner fails to pay any assessment or part of an assessment on or before the date on which such assessment or part of such assessment is due, the municipality shall have all the authority and powers to collect the delinquent assessments vested in the municipality by law to collect delinquent municipal taxes. Benefit assessments, if not paid when due, shall constitute a lien upon the real property served and a charge against the owners thereof, which lien and charge shall bear interest at the same rate as delinquent property taxes. Each such lien may be continued, recorded and released in the manner provided for property tax liens and shall take precedence over all other liens or encumbrances except a lien for property taxes of the municipality.
(P.A. 25-33, S. 27.)
History: P.A. 25-33 effective July 1, 2025.
| (Return to Chapter Table of Contents) |
(Return to List of Chapters) |
(Return to List of Titles) |
Sec. 7-159l. Bonds. Authority. (a) For the purpose of carrying out or administering a district master plan or other functions authorized under sections 7-159f to 7-159n, inclusive, a municipality is authorized, subject to the limitations and procedures set forth in this section, to issue from time to time bonds and other obligations of the municipality that are payable solely from and secured by (1) the full faith and credit pledge of the municipality; (2) a pledge of and lien upon any or all of the income, proceeds, revenues and property of the projects within the resiliency improvement district, including the proceeds of grants, loans, advances or contributions from the federal government, the state or other source; (3) all revenues derived under sections 7-159k and 7-159m received by the municipality; or (4) any combination of the methods in subdivisions (1) to (3), inclusive, of this subsection. Except for bonds secured by the full faith credit pledge of the municipality, bonds authorized by this section shall not be included in computing the aggregate indebtedness of the municipality.
(b) Notwithstanding the provisions of any other statute, municipal ordinance or charter provision governing the authorization and issuance of bonds generally by the municipality, any bonds payable and secured as provided in this section shall be authorized by a resolution adopted by the legislative body of the municipality. Such bonds shall, as determined by the legislative body of the municipality or the municipal officers who are designated such authority by such body, (1) be issued and sold; (2) bear interest at the rate or rates determined by the legislative body or its designee, including variable rates; (3) provide for the payment of interest on the dates determined by the legislative body or its designee, whether before or at maturity; (4) be issued at, above or below par; (5) mature at such time or times not exceeding thirty years; (6) have rank or priority; (7) be payable in such medium of payment; (8) be issued in such form, including, without limitation, registered or book-entry form, carry such registration and transfer privileges and be made subject to purchase or redemption before maturity at such price or prices and under such terms and conditions, including the condition that such bonds be subject to purchase or redemption on the demand of the owner thereof; and (9) contain such other required terms and particulars.
(c) The municipality may require that the bonds issued hereunder be secured by a trust agreement by and between the municipality and a corporate trustee, which may be any trust company or bank having the powers of a trust company within the state. The trust agreement may contain covenants or provisions for protecting and enforcing the rights and remedies of the bondholders as may be necessary, reasonable or appropriate and not in violation of law or other provisions or covenants that are consistent with sections 7-159h to 7-159n, inclusive, and which the municipality determines in such proceedings are necessary, convenient or desirable to better secure the bonds, or will tend to make the bonds more marketable, and which are in the best interests of the municipality. The pledge by any trust agreement shall be valid and binding from time to time when the pledge is made. The revenues or other moneys so pledged and then held or thereafter received by the municipality shall immediately be subject to the lien of the pledge without any physical delivery thereof or further act and the lien of the pledge shall be valid and binding as against all parties having claims of any kind in tort, contract or otherwise against the board, irrespective of whether the parties have notice thereof. All expenses incurred in carrying out such trust agreement may be treated as project costs. In case any municipal officer whose signature or a facsimile of whose signature shall appear on any bonds or coupons shall cease to be an officer before the delivery of the obligations, the signature or facsimile shall nevertheless be valid and sufficient for all purposes the same as if the officer had remained in office until the delivery. Notwithstanding any provision of the Uniform Commercial Code, neither this section, the resolution of the municipality approving the bonds or any trust agreement by which a pledge is created need be filed or recorded, and no filing need be made under title 42a.
(d) While any bonds issued hereunder remain outstanding, the existence of the resiliency improvement district and the powers and duties of the municipality with respect to such resiliency improvement district shall not be diminished or impaired in any way that will affect adversely the interests and rights of the holders of the bonds. Any bonds issued by a municipality pursuant to this section, except for general obligation bonds of the municipality secured by the full faith and credit pledge of the municipality, shall contain on their face a statement to the effect that neither the state nor the municipality shall be obliged to pay the principal of or the interest thereon, and that neither the full faith and credit or taxing power of the state or the municipality is pledged to the payment of the bonds. All bonds issued under this section shall have and are hereby declared to have all the qualities and incidents of negotiable instruments, as provided in title 42a.
(e) Any pledge made by a municipality pursuant to this section shall be valid and binding from the time when the pledge is made, and any revenues or other receipts, funds or moneys so pledged and thereafter received by the municipality shall be subject immediately to the lien of such pledge without any physical delivery thereof or further act. The lien of any such pledge shall be valid and binding as against all parties having claims of any kind in tort, contract or otherwise against the municipality, irrespective of whether such parties have notice of such lien.
(f) Bonds issued under this section are hereby made securities in which all public officers and public bodies of the state and its political subdivisions, all insurance companies, trust companies, banking associations, investment companies, executors, administrators, trustees and other fiduciaries may properly and legally invest funds, including capital in their control and belonging to them, and such bonds shall be securities that may properly and legally be deposited with and received by any state or municipal officer or any agency or political subdivision of the state for any purpose for which the deposit of bonds of the state is now or may hereafter be authorized by law. Bonds may be issued under this section without obtaining the consent of the state and without any proceedings or the happening of any other conditions or things other than those proceedings, conditions or things that are specifically required thereof by this section.
(g) Nothing in this section shall be construed to restrict the ability of the municipality to raise revenue for the payment of project costs in any manner otherwise authorized by law.
(h) As used in this section, “bonds” means any bonds, including refunding bonds, notes, interim certificates, debentures or other obligations.
(P.A. 25-33, S. 28.)
History: P.A. 25-33 effective July 1, 2025.
| (Return to Chapter Table of Contents) |
(Return to List of Chapters) |
(Return to List of Titles) |
Sec. 7-159m. Advisory board. Authority. Membership. The legislative body of each applicable municipality may create an advisory board, whose members include owners or occupants of real property located in or adjacent to a resiliency improvement district. The advisory board may advise the legislative body and any designated administrative entity on the planning, construction and implementation of the district master plan and maintenance and operation of the resiliency improvement district after the district master plan is complete.
(P.A. 25-33, S. 29.)
History: P.A. 25-33 effective July 1, 2025.
| (Return to Chapter Table of Contents) |
(Return to List of Chapters) |
(Return to List of Titles) |
Sec. 7-159n. Priority consideration for projects within resiliency improvement district. Affordable housing demolition or reduction. Replacement. (a) Within a resiliency improvement district, priority consideration shall be given in the solicitation, selection and design of infrastructure projects designed to increase resilience and that (1) utilize natural and nature-based solutions intended to restore, maintain or enhance ecosystem services and processes that maintain or improve on environmental quality in or adjacent to the district, or (2) address the needs of environmental justice communities, as defined in section 22a-20a, or of vulnerable communities, as defined in section 16-243y.
(b) To the extent that a resiliency project results in the demolition or reduction of affordable housing, as defined in section 8-39a, the municipality, the developer of the resiliency project, a property owner or a third-party entity shall commit to replace such affordable housing units within the district. The replacement of such affordable housing shall occur not later than four years after such demolition or reduction. If the replacement is not feasible within the district boundaries, such affordable housing shall be replaced within a reasonable proximity to the district at a rate of not less than two units for each unit that otherwise would have been replaced within the district.
(P.A. 25-33, S. 30.)
History: P.A. 25-33 effective July 1, 2025.
| (Return to Chapter Table of Contents) |
(Return to List of Chapters) |
(Return to List of Titles) |