Substitute House Bill No. 6930 establishes the Social Equity Council within the Department of Economic and Community Development, comprising seventeen members appointed by various legislative leaders and the Governor, with a focus on reflecting the state's racial, gender, and geographic diversity. The council is tasked with developing bylaws, overseeing budgetary allocations, and promoting equity in the cannabis industry. Key changes include the deletion of specific definitions of equity and the introduction of provisions regarding member attendance and removal, allowing for the removal of members who miss three consecutive meetings or 50% of meetings in a calendar year by a simple majority vote. The council is also empowered to request information from state agencies, enter contracts, and accept donations to support its mission.

The bill mandates the council to investigate the social, economic, and racial disparities resulting from cannabis prohibition and to make recommendations for equitable access to cannabis licenses by January 1, 2022. It introduces requirements for licensed cannabis establishments to maintain active social equity plans and submit annual impact reports, which the council will review. Additionally, the bill establishes a revolving loan program for social equity applicants, with specific eligibility and application requirements, and allows the council to enforce regulations related to cannabis establishments, including imposing fines for violations. Notably, the bill changes the timeframe for the council to adopt regulations from forty-eight to sixty months and repeals Section 21a-421i, replacing it with new language clarifying the roles of the Department and the Council in the loan program.

Statutes affected:
Raised Bill:
GL Joint Favorable:
File No. 592:
File No. 811:
Public Act No. 25-137: