House Bill No. 5503, presented in the January Session of 2023 and reported favorably by the Transportation Committee, proposes a change to the name of the Thames River. The bill mandates that the Commissioners of Transportation and Energy and Environmental Protection consult with the Eastern Pequot Tribe, the Mashantucket Pequot Tribe, and the Mohegan Tribe of Indians of Connecticut to consider restoring the river's name to one that honors its heritage. If the tribes reach an agreement on a former name, the commissioners are then required to apply to the United States Board on Geographic Names to officially restore the Thames River to that agreed-upon former name. This act is to be effective from passage and is a new section to be inserted into the law.

The fiscal impact statement indicates that the Department of Transportation may incur a one-time cost associated with replacing signage, estimated at $2,500 per sign, with approximately four signs affected. This cost would be drawn from the Transportation Fund. The bill does not have any municipal impact. The Office of Legislative Research does not analyze Special Acts, and the Transportation Committee has given a joint favorable vote with 22 yeas and 13 nays on March 10, 2023.