House Bill No. 5525 establishes a Rapid Response Program aimed at managing certain aquatic invasive species, particularly hydrilla, in Connecticut. The bill defines "rapid response" as a systematic effort to eradicate or control localized infestations of invasive species and mandates the Connecticut Agricultural Experiment Station's Office of Aquatic Invasive Species to set criteria for newly discovered species eligible for rapid response. The Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP) is required to expedite permitting for rapid response actions, especially for hydrilla, and the Office of Aquatic Invasive Species is authorized to coordinate and conduct rapid response efforts for new populations of invasive species.

Key provisions include the modification of notification requirements for herbicide treatments, allowing for a single notice to waterfront property owners instead of two, and the development of a state rapid response protocol that outlines the roles of the involved agencies. The bill also emphasizes the importance of timing rapid response actions to coincide with key reproductive periods of invasive species to minimize their establishment and spread. Additionally, the Department of Public Health is tasked with coordinating with DEEP to set conditions for permits related to treatments near public water supply areas. The bill is set to take effect on October 1, 2026.