Advocating for policies that grow our state’s life science industry.

In this fast-moving industry, BioCT keeps policy makers and influencers abreast of the latest developments and changing needs of the life science community.

Legislative Session Update 04.02.26

We have been actively tracking 33 proposed bills of interest for BioCT this session. SB 314 AAC, the Protection of Animals Used in Certain Research, which we opposed, died in committee. Testimony was provided on the following priority bills:     

  • HB 5244 AAC the Department of Economic Development and Community Development’s Recommendations Regarding the Agency Financial Assistance Cap and Employment of Promissory Notes. In Support of the bill. The bill was voted out of committee. This bill modifies the regulations surrounding employment promissory notes by clarifying that employers cannot require employees to sign such notes as a condition of employment, rendering any such agreements void. However, it does allow an exception for promissory notes related to the repayment of federal H-1B visa application fees paid by employers on behalf of employees. This change is intended to protect employees from financial obligations tied to their employment while allowing for specific exceptions that support workforce needs. 
  • SB 237 AAC Public Transportation. In support of the bill. The bill was voted out of committee. This bill requires the Department of Transportation to restore Shore Line East regional rail service to the same level as existed prior to the reduction in service due to the COVID-19 public health emergency and the civil preparedness emergency declared by the Governor on March 10, 2020.   
  • SB 84 AAC Revenue Items to Implement the Governor’s Budget. In support of the bill. The bill was voted out of committee. Section 5 of SB 84 represents an important and positive step toward creating a more competitive and innovation-friendly tax environment in Connecticut. By expanding access to the R&D tax credit, the proposal acknowledges a fundamental reality of the modern life sciences industry: innovation occurs across company structures, sizes, and stages of development, and state policy must reflect that reality if Connecticut is to compete nationally and globally.      
  • HB 5443 AAC the Sales and Use Taxes Rate for and Applicability to Certain Motor Vehicles, Peer-to-Peer Car Sharing, Certain Personal Property Used in Burials and Cremations and Electricity for Biotechnology Businesses, dedicating Funding for the Tourism Fund and Increasing the Exemption Amount for Sales Tax-Free Week. In support of the bill. BioCT supported Section 4 of the bill, which exemped electricity used by biotechnology businesses from sales and use taxes, which unfortunately was removed in its entirety at the Finance, Revenue and Bonding Committees meeting held on 3/31/2026. 
  • SB 342 AAC Health Coverage. In support of the bill. The bill was voted out of committee. In support of Section 4 of the bill. Section 4 of this bill is essential because it prohibits the automatic downcoding or denial of health insurance claims without clinical peer review. While AI tools can improve efficiency, they are not yet capable of consistently understanding the full clinical context, the nuances of patient history, or the realities of complex medical cases. These decisions directly affect people’s health, safety, and financial stability, and they cannot be left solely to an algorithm. An approval or a denial could be the difference between life and death or severe morbidity. We have an ethical obligation to ensure that humans review these decisions.   
  • HB 5571 AN ACT ESTABLISHING A TAX CREDIT FOR QUALIFIED OPERATORS AND A WORKING GROUP TO EXAMINE MARKET-BASED SOURCING FOR CERTAIN INVESTMENT ASSETS INCOME, AND CONCERNING THE ANGEL INVESTOR TAX CREDIT AND THE DEFINITIONS FOR CERTAIN TAX CREDITS. In support of the bill. The bill was voted out of committee. In support of section 3 of this bill, which expands and updates the Angel Investment Tax Credit.  

One bill that we are tracking closely is SB 494 (RAISED) AN ACT CONCERNING RECOMMENDATIONS OF THE BIPARTISAN PRESCRIPTION DRUG TASK FORCE. This was amended in the Human Services Committee adding sections 4 and 5 regarding 340B drugs. BioCT opposes the legislation and has reached out to stakeholders and will be reaching out to legislators regarding this issue.