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 regulatory changes and new legislation.

The working group will be formed within sixty days of the bill's passage, with cochairpersons selected by the joint standing committee on environmental matters. Membership will include representatives from various sectors, including state departments, environmental organizations, municipal commissions, and industry groups. The group is required to submit a report with its findings and recommendations by January 15, 2026, after which it will be dissolved. 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