Substitute Senate Bill No. 416 aims to modernize transportation systems in Connecticut by establishing a matching grant program for municipalities to upgrade traffic signal equipment and operations, particularly in congested areas. The bill allows for up to $75 million in funding for this program and introduces new definitions for "zero-emission school bus" and "distressed municipality." It sets a target for all school buses in the state to be zero-emission or alternative fuel by July 1, 2035, with specific compliance timelines for distressed municipalities. The bill also authorizes the issuance of $40 million in General Obligation bonds to support a zero-emission bus grant program and mandates that diesel buses use a biodiesel blend starting July 1, 2027.

Additionally, the bill modifies existing transportation laws by adjusting the requirements for school bus emissions, allowing for a phased approach to compliance for distressed municipalities, and eliminating the previous mandate for environmental justice communities to fully transition to zero-emission buses by 2030. It establishes a working group led by the Commissioner of Economic and Community Development to study freight rail utilization and report findings by January 1, 2027. The bill includes technical amendments for clarity, such as changing references from "all school districts" to "each school district," and sets the effective date for most provisions to July 1, 2026, with specific changes to the traffic signal grant program taking effect on October 1, 2026.

Statutes affected:
Raised Bill:
TRA Joint Favorable Substitute:
File No. 468: