Substitute House Bill No. 5153 proposes several amendments to the statutes governing the Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP) and hunting regulations in Connecticut. Key changes include expanding eligibility for the Open Space and Watershed Land Acquisition Program to include land adjacent to environmental justice communities and modifying the Connecticut hydrogen and electric automobile purchase rebate program by removing prioritization for residents of these communities. The bill also reduces DEEP's funding obligations for grants related to zero-emission school buses and repeals the now-defunct Connecticut River Atlantic Salmon Compact. Additionally, it clarifies that prior conservation easements will not be considered as land already committed for public use under certain conditions.

In terms of hunting regulations, the bill allows individuals to hunt deer with a muzzleloader without needing a deer permit, while expanding the definition of "muzzleloader" to include specific rifles and shotguns. It also grants corporate entities the authority to manage resident Canada geese populations, requiring them to submit detailed plans for DEEP approval. Furthermore, the bill revises Sunday hunting regulations, allowing certain exemptions for individuals hunting with specific permits. The effective date of the bill is upon passage, with specific provisions related to hunting set to take effect on October 1, 2026. Overall, sHB 5153 aims to streamline DEEP's operations and update existing laws to better reflect current practices and community needs.

Statutes affected:
Raised Bill: 26-302
ENV Joint Favorable Substitute: 26-302
File No. 87: 26-302