The proposed General Assembly Committee Bill No. 9 aims to improve commuter and microtransit services in Connecticut by amending existing traffic reduction program statutes. A significant change includes the repeal of Section 12-217s, which previously allowed corporations to receive a tax credit of 50% of their expenses related to traffic reduction programs, capped at $250 per employee and a total of $1.5 million. The bill lowers the minimum employee threshold for corporate eligibility from 100 to 5 and requires the Department of Transportation to establish regulations for qualifying for this tax credit. Additionally, the bill repeals and replaces definitions and provisions in Sections 13b-38o, 13b-38p, 13b-38v, and 13b-38x to clarify employer roles and promote a voluntary traffic reduction program aimed at decreasing single-occupancy vehicle trips.

Moreover, the bill mandates the Commissioner of Transportation, in collaboration with the Commissioner of Energy and Environmental Protection, to adopt regulations that encourage employers to reduce single-occupancy vehicle trips and promote alternative commuting methods. It also establishes a public awareness campaign regarding tax credits and assistance for traffic reduction programs. The bill extends the microtransit pilot program from two to three years, allowing for testing in underserved rural areas, and appropriates nine million dollars from the Special Transportation Fund for its continuation. Various sections of the act will take effect at different times, with certain tax-related provisions becoming effective on January 1, 2026.

Statutes affected:
Committee Bill: 12-217s