Substitute House Bill No. 6957, also known as Public Act No. 25-73, introduces significant changes to local governance and property assessment laws. The bill allows towns to designate themselves as cities through charter amendments, thereby recognizing them as consolidated towns and cities under general statutes. It also mandates comprehensive training for members and staff of inland wetlands agencies, requiring completion of a program developed by the commissioner by January 1, 2027, and every four years thereafter. Additionally, the bill extends the time frame for municipalities to correct property assessments from three to four years if an ordinance is adopted, and it updates the procedures for correcting clerical errors in tax assessments.

The bill further enhances affordable housing initiatives and streamlines regulations for common interest communities. It introduces provisions for "inclusionary zoning," allowing the use of housing trust fund resources for affordable housing projects while prohibiting the use of such funds for property acquisition through eminent domain. New regulations for solar power installations on single-family units within common interest communities are established, including requirements for liability insurance and maintenance responsibilities for unit owners. Associations formed before January 1, 2026, can opt out of these solar provisions by a 75% board vote by January 1, 2028. The bill also modifies definitions, including the exclusion of Newington and West Hartford from the "capital region," and sets effective dates for various provisions.

Statutes affected:
Raised Bill: 7-101
PD Joint Favorable Substitute: 7-101
File No. 354: 7-101
File No. 906: 7-194, 12-60, 12-129, 8-2i, 47-257
Public Act No. 25-73: 7-194, 12-60, 12-129, 8-2i, 47-257