House Bill No. 5256 aims to streamline the process for initiating local legislation in the General Assembly by removing the requirement for local governments to file a request for special legislation with the Secretary of the State at least ten days before the legislative session begins. The bill substitutes the existing language in Section 2-14 of the general statutes, which previously mandated this filing, with a new provision that allows local governments to request special legislation through a resolution or a petition without the need for prior submission to the Secretary of the State. The request must still be made by a two-thirds vote of the local governing body or by a petition signed by at least ten percent of the local electors.

The bill retains the existing mechanisms for local governments to initiate special legislation, including resolutions adopted by their legislative bodies or citizen petitions. However, it eliminates the procedural step of filing with the Secretary of the State, which is expected to have no fiscal impact on the state or municipalities. The effective date for this change is set for October 1, 2026.

Statutes affected:
Raised Bill: 2-14
GOS Joint Favorable: 2-14
File No. 322: 2-14