The proposed General Assembly Raised Bill No. 5521 aims to permit the sale, distribution, or offering for sale of sterile cultivars of certain plant species that are otherwise prohibited under current law. This is contingent upon the Commissioner of Energy and Environmental Protection, in consultation with the Connecticut Agricultural Experiment Station, determining that the cultivar cannot reproduce or spread in the state's typical environmental conditions. The bill also allows the commissioner to establish standards for assessing sterility and to revoke approval if a cultivar poses an ecological risk. Importantly, the bill clarifies that it does not authorize the sale of nonsterile forms of any prohibited plant species.

Additionally, the bill modifies existing regulations regarding the issuance of certificates for energy-related facilities. It repeals certain provisions that previously limited the capacity of facilities requiring a certificate and introduces new language that allows for the construction of solar photovoltaic facilities on prime farmland or forestland, provided that specific conditions are met. The bill also mandates that the commissioner adopt regulations without regard to the land's use for sterile cultivars, thereby streamlining the process for landowners seeking to participate in farmland preservation programs. Overall, the bill seeks to facilitate the use of sterile cultivars while ensuring environmental protections are maintained.

Statutes affected:
Raised Bill: 22-26gg