Substitute House Bill No. 5521 allows for the sale and distribution of sterile cultivars of plant species that are otherwise prohibited under Connecticut law, provided that the Commissioner of Energy and Environmental Protection, in consultation with the director of the Connecticut Agricultural Experiment Station, determines that these cultivars cannot reproduce or spread in the state's typical environmental conditions. The bill grants the commissioner the authority to establish standards for assessing sterility and to revoke approval if a cultivar is found to pose an ecological risk. Importantly, the bill clarifies that it does not permit the sale of nonsterile forms of any prohibited plant species.

The bill amends current law by inserting provisions that specifically allow for the sale of sterile cultivars while deleting references to previous restrictions that may have applied to these plants. The effective date of the bill is upon passage, and it is not expected to have any fiscal impact on the state or municipalities, as the relevant agencies already possess the necessary staff and expertise to implement the new requirements.

Statutes affected:
Raised Bill: 22-26gg