Substitute House Bill No. 7174 establishes a working group within the legislative branch to enhance the protection of vegetated riparian buffers in Connecticut. The group is tasked with identifying how to incorporate these protections into existing statutes and regulations to improve the health of the state's watercourses while respecting private property rights. The working group will review practices from other states, assess current resources from the Department of Energy and Environmental Protection, analyze existing case law, and make recommendations for legislative changes regarding inland wetlands and watercourses.

The working group will be co-chaired by members of the General Assembly and will include representatives from various sectors, including environmental advocacy, homebuilding, municipal commissions, and water utilities. The group is required to convene within sixty days of the bill's effective date and must submit a report of its findings and recommendations by January 15, 2026. The bill does not include any deletions from current law but introduces new provisions to establish the working group and outline its responsibilities.

Statutes affected:
Raised Bill: 26-136
ENV Joint Favorable Substitute: 26-136
File No. 686: 26-136
PD Joint Favorable: 26-136