Substitute House Bill No. 5526 proposes to allow residents of New York, Massachusetts, or Rhode Island who possess a valid inland waters fishing license from their respective states to fish in Connecticut's inland waters without needing to obtain a nonresident fishing license. This provision is contingent upon the enactment of similar reciprocal laws by these states that grant Connecticut residents the same fishing privileges. The bill emphasizes that these nonresident anglers must still adhere to all other relevant Connecticut fishing laws and regulations.

The bill is set to take effect on October 1, 2026, and introduces new legal language to current law, specifically stating the conditions under which nonresidents can fish in Connecticut. It also notes a potential revenue loss for the General Fund due to a decrease in sales of nonresident fishing licenses, estimating that a reduction of 100 licenses could result in a loss of approximately $5,500 annually. The phrase "as applicable" was added for clarity in the bill's language.