2025 LEGISLATION
2025 Priority Legislation Tracker
Bill Number | Bill Topic | Bill Title | Bill Description | CVA Position | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
HB 6761 | Animal Cruelty | AN ACT PROHIBITING THE USE OF ACCELERATED REHABILITATION IN THE CASES OF CERTAIN ANIMAL CRUELTY CHARGES | To prohibit any person charged with animal abuse that involves violence, starvation or death of an animal from using the accelerated rehabilitation program. | Supports | Died in Committee |
SB 54 | Bear Hunting | AN ACT AUTHORIZING BLACK BEAR HUNTING IN LITCHFIELD COUNTY | To authorize black bear hunting in Litchfield County. | Opposes | Died in Committee |
HB 5671 | Bear Hunting | AN ACT CONCERNING A LIMITED BLACK BEAR HUNTING SEASON | To manage the black bear population and protect residents of the state. | Opposes | Died in Committee |
HB 6234 | Bear Hunting | AN ACT CONCERNING BLACK BEAR CONSERVATION AND THE REDUCTION OF PERSON TO BEAR CONFLICTS AND PREDATION OF WHITE-TAILED DEER BY BLACK BEARS | To provide for protections from black bear predation of white-tailed deer fawns and reduce human-bear conflicts through certain conservation measures. | Opposes | Died in Committee |
HB 6285 | Bear Hunting | AN ACT AUTHORIZING A LIMITED BLACK BEAR HUNTING SEASON | To manage the black bear population and protect the residents of the state. | Opposes | Died in Committee |
HB 5021 | Bear Hunting | AN ACT AUTHORIZING A LIMITED BLACK BEAR HUNTING SEASON | To manage the black bear population and protect residents of the state. | Opposes | Died in Committee |
SB 49 | Bear Hunting | AN ACT AUTHORIZING THE KILLING OF BLACK BEAR THAT INJURE OR KILL LIVESTOCK OR OTHER DOMESTIC ANIMALS | To permit a person to kill a black bear that attacks such person's livestock. | Opposes | Died in Committee |
HB 5315 | Bear Hunting | AN ACT CONCERNING THE REGULATION AND CONTROL OF THE BLACK BEAR POPULATION IN THE STATE | To establish a bear management framework intended to ensure a healthy bear population, minimize conflicts between bears and humans and allow for limited regulated hunting of black bear. | Opposes | Died in Committee |
HB 7051 | Bear Hunting | AN ACT CONCERNING THE BLACK BEAR POPULATION IN THE STATE | To require the Commissioners of Energy and Environmental Protection and Emergency Services and Public Protection to develop a black bear management plan to ensure public safety and the protection of property and maintain a sustainable black bear population in the state. | Opposes | Died on House Calendar |
HB 5261 | Bear Hunting | AN ACT AUTHORIZING A LIMITED BLACK BEAR HUNTING SEASON | To manage the black bear population in the state and protect residents. | Opposes | Died in Committee |
SB 1523 | Bear Hunting | AN ACT CONCERNING THE TAKING OF WILDLIFE THAT DAMAGE CROPS OR BLACK BEAR THAT INJURE OR KILL LIVESTOCK | To authorize the Department of Energy and Environmental Protection to establish a bear hunting season. | Opposes | Passed House; Died on Senate Calendar |
HB 7231 | Bear Hunting, Sunday Hunting | AN ACT AUTHORIZING SUNDAY HUNTING ON PRIVATE LANDS | To authorize hunting on Sundays. | Opposes | Signed into law (PA 25-138) |
HB 5260 | Neonics | AN ACT PROHIBITING THE NONAGRICULTURAL USE OF NEONICOTINOIDS | To prohibit the nonagricultural use of neonicotinoids. | Supports | Died in Committee |
HB 5903 | Neonics | AN ACT CONCERNING REFORM OF THE USE AND REGULATION OF NEONICOTINOIDS | To reform the use and regulation of neonicotinoids in the state. | Supports | Died in Committee |
HB 6258 | Neonics | AN ACT LIMITING THE NONAGRICULTURAL USE OF NEONICOTINOIDS | To safeguard public health and pollinator protection. | Supports | Died in Committee |
SB 505 | Neonics | AN ACT CONCERNING THE REGULATION OF NEONICOTINOIDS | To protect pollinators, birds, ecosystems and public health by further regulating the use of neonicotinoids. | Supports | Died in Committee |
HB 5907 | Neonics | AN ACT PROHIBITING THE APPLICATION OF PESTICIDES TO ORGANIC FOODS | To prohibit the application of pesticides to organic foods. | Supports | Died in Committee |
HB 5913 | Neonics | AN ACT PROHIBITING THE REGULATION OF PESTICIDE USE BY MUNICIPALITIES | To preempt municipalities from regulating the use of pesticides and leaving such regulation to the state and federal governments. | Supports | Died in Committee |
HB 6916 | Neonics | AN ACT CONCERNING THE USE OF NEONICOTINOIDS | To restrict the use of neonicotinoids for certain commercial and agricultural applications. | Supports | Died in Committee |
HB 5450 | Pet Store Ban | AN ACT AUTHORIZING MUNICIPALITIES TO PROHIBIT PET SHOPS FROM SELLING CERTAIN ANIMALS | To authorize municipalities to prohibit pet shops from selling dogs, cats and rabbits. | Supports | Died in Committee |
HB 5112 | Pet Store Ban | AN ACT PROHIBITING PET STORES FROM PURCHASING OR PROCURING DOGS, CATS AND RABBITS | To provide that no pet shop licensee shall purchase or otherwise procure any dog, cat or rabbit for the purpose of auctioning, bartering, selling, leasing or transferring, or offering to auction, barter, sell, lease or transfer, such dog, cat or rabbit. | Supports | Died in Committee |
HB 5138 | Pet Store Ban | AN ACT PROHIBITING THE SALE OF CATS, DOGS AND RABBITS IN PET SHOPS
| To prohibit the sale of animals in pet shops that originate from puppy mills and other inhumane commercial breeding facilities. | Supports | Died in Committee |
HB 6255 | Pet Store Ban | AN ACT PROHIBITING THE SALE OF DOGS, CATS AND RABBITS IN PET STORES | To protect the health and safety of dogs, cats and rabbits. | Supports | Died in Committee |
HB 6832 | Pet Store Ban | AN ACT AUTHORIZING MUNICIPALITIES TO PROHIBIT THE SALE OF DOGS, CATS AND RABBITS IN PET SHOPS | To authorize municipalities to adopt ordinances to prohibit the sale of dogs, cats and rabbits in pet shops. | Supports | Died on House Calendar |
HB 6240 | Pet Store Ban | AN ACT CONCERNING THE HEALTH AND WELFARE OF ANIMALS SOLD AT PET STORES | To enhance oversight of the sale of animals in pet shops. | Opposes | Died on House Calendar |
HB 5909 | Pet Store Ban | AN ACT CONCERNING THE CARE OF PETS SOLD IN PET STORES | To study the care provided to pets sold in pet stores in the state. | Supports | Died in Committee |
HB 5134 | Rabbit Farming | AN ACT CONCERNING THE COMMISSIONER OF AGRICULTURE'S RESPONSIBILITIES FOR RABBIT PROCESSING IN THE STATE | To provide a way for rabbits to be processed in the state for consumption by consumers and retail food establishments. | Opposes | Died in Committee |
HB 5020 | Rabbit Farming | AN ACT CONCERNING THE PROCESSING OF RABBITS FOR CONSUMPTION BY LOCAL CONSUMERS AND RETAIL FOOD ESTABLISHMENTS | To provide for the in-state processing of rabbits for local consumers and retail food establishments. | Opposes | Died in Committee |
SB 643 | SGARs | AN ACT CONCERNING THE SALE AND USE OF SECOND-GENERATION ANTICOAGULANT RODENTICIDES | To protect wildlife, ecosystems and the public health from the toxic effects of second-generation anticoagulant rodenticides. | Supports | Died in Committee |
HB 5919 | SGARs | AN ACT PROHIBITING THE USE OF SECOND-GENERATION ANTICOAGULANT RODENTICIDES | To prohibit the use of second-generation anticoagulant rodenticides. | Supports | Died in Committee |
HB 6254 | SGARs | AN ACT RESTRICTING THE USE OF SECOND GENERATION ANTICOAGULANT RODENTICIDES | To protect the health of raptors and other animals. | Supports | Died in Committee |
HB 6915 | SGARs | AN ACT CONCERNING THE USE OF SECOND-GENERATION ANTICOAGULANT RODENTICIDES | To restrict the use of second-generation anticoagulant rodenticides. | Supports | Died on House Calendar |
HB 5016 | SGARs | AN ACT CONCERNING THE USE OF CERTAIN RODENTICIDES | To protect the health of birds of prey and other rodent predator animals. | Supports | Died in Committee |
SB 9 | SGARs, Neonics | AN ACT CONCERNING THE ENVIRONMENT, CLIMATE AND SUSTAINABLE MUNICIPAL AND STATE PLANNING, AND THE USE OF NEONICOTINOIDS AND SECOND-GENERATION ANTICOAGULANT RODENTICIDES | To provide municipalities certain authorities concerning climate resiliency efforts and restrict the use of neonicotinoids and second-generation rodenticides | Opposes | Signed into law (PA 25-33) |
CVA has identified five strategic legislative priorities for the 2025 Legislative Session. In addition to the following topics, CVA is prepared to advocate on behalf of animals in Connecticut on other important topics such as puppy mills, leghold traps, wildlife trafficking, and more.
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Ban the Use and Sale of SGARs
Second Generation Anticoagulant Rodenticides (SGARs) are harmful poisons intended to reduce rodent populations. Since SGARs are slow to take effect, rodents can consume large quantities before succumbing to the poison, resulting in other animals like birds of prey, foxes, cats, dogs, and others eating the poisoned rodent and becoming poisoned themselves.
As of January 2025, A Place Called Hope, a bird of prey rehabilitation center, has completed 100 tests on birds who have been found dead. 77 of these birds came back positive for SGARs, including 51 hawks, 4 bald eagles, and an endangered barn owl. Additionally, Wildlife in Crisis, the largest wildlife rehabilitation center in the state, estimates that at the least 100 birds of prey and 40 foxes die from SGARs while in their care annually.
In 2024, this bill died on the Appropriations Committee calendar. CVA anticipates similar legislation being introduced in 2025 and will advocate to ban the use and sale of SGARs entirely in Connecticut.
2. Expand Desmond’s Law
After Desmond, a Pit-Boxer mix who was murdered by his guardian’s ex-boyfriend in 2012, was found dead in a garbage bag with a multitude of bruises and broken teeth, animal advocates began to protest the apathetic approach courts took in animal cruelty cases. After four years, Desmond’s Law was finally enacted in Connecticut in October 2016. The law provides animals with their own court-appointed representation in animal cruelty cases, effectively giving animals a voice to the cruel treatment they have endured.
After 8 years, CVA believes it’s time to expand Desmond’s Law. The focus will be on including a wider range of animals under its protection, with clear definitions and parameters. Additional inclusion of constitutional rights for animals, similar to Maine, is also a priority.
3. Ban the Nonagricultural Use of Neonicotinoids
Neonicotinoids (neonics) are widely used pesticides intended to prevent plants from being affected by bugs and insects. These plants, however, become toxic and threaten the existence of over 200 endangered species: roughly 11% of the entire endangered species list. 2025 CVA Legislative Priorities
In 2024, this bill died in the Environment Committee. CVA intends on advocating for this bill in 2025 to ban the nonagricultural use of neonics, similar to the language of the bill from the 2023 Legislative Session.
4. Oppose Bear Hunting
Bear hunting is framed as the solution to stopping the growing number of bear sightings in the State. However, killing the bears that remain in their natural habitat is counterproductive to solving this issue. Killing bears in the wild, the very same bears who would teach their cubs the normal behaviors we wish to see, would only serve to increase the number of bear sightings.
Instead, the problem resides with humans providing easily accessible food sources near homes and businesses by littering and leaving their garbage poorly secured. CVA aims to oppose the expansion of hunting in Connecticut to prevent more unnecessary slaughtering of bears in the state.
5. Prevent Rabbit Farming
Rabbit farming expansion has been a recurring piece of legislation in recent years. Advocates of this proposal state the current supply does not meet the demands of the consumer, without any evidence to support this idea. Attempts at selling rabbit meat in the State have already been tried, with Whole Foods removing it from their shelves less than a year after stocking them. Additionally, these incredibly social creatures are not included in the USDA’s definition of livestock, which would result in horrific forms on cruelty and torture for these animals.
This bill died on the Senate calendar in 2024. Should this bill be proposed again, CVA will address it with the same level of urgency and dedication it has in previous years.
Other Animal-Related Testimony for 2025
Alternatives to Animal Testing - HB6278 Testimony
Cat Declawing - HB6267 Testimony
Lighter Than Air Balloons - SB1154 Testimony
Mandated Adoption of Animals Used in Research and Testing - HB6277 Testimony
Health & Welfare of Animals Sold at Pet Stores - HB6240 Testimony
Shark Finning - HB5012 Testimony
Sunday Hunting - HB7231 Testimony
How CT Votes for Animals Decides on Its Legislative Priorities
Each legislative session, the Board of Directors of CT Votes for Animals undertakes the challenging task of determining which 2-3 bills will become the organization’s legislative priorities. While there are hundreds of pressing issues affecting animal welfare, we must narrow our focus to remain politically effective.
The Decision-Making Process
Many people ask how we decide which issues to prioritize. To make these decisions, we carefully consider a number of variables:
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History and Momentum: Is this an issue we have been working on for years? Creating new legislation often requires persistence over multiple sessions. Each year, we may achieve incremental “wins,” but achieving full legislative change can take time. For example, this year, we are focusing on banning the use and sale of Second Generation Anticoagulant Rodenticides (SGARs), harmful poisons that impact wildlife. This issue has been a focus for the past three legislative sessions.
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Political Climate: What is the current environment at the state level? The budget, for instance, creates challenges for bills that require funding. In a time of fiscal constraints, any bill with a fiscal note has a much harder time moving forward. Shifts in the political landscape greatly influence our ability to advance our priorities.
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Legislator Support: Which issues have backing from lawmakers? Each session, we engage with legislators who champion animal welfare and others who may have opposing views. Since all bills rely on legislative sponsors to progress (or risk being stalled), these conversations play a crucial role in shaping our agenda.
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Member Expectations: What do our members expect from us? Beyond political feasibility, we aim to address issues that resonate broadly with our supporters. Their passion and advocacy are the backbone of our work.
Staying Flexible
While we focus on long-term priorities, we also recognize the need to remain agile. Each legislative session brings unexpected bills that could significantly impact animal welfare. This year, as we continue to advocate for our established priorities, we are equally committed to responding swiftly to emerging threats and opportunities.Advocacy is a marathon, not a sprint, and our success depends on strategic focus and unwavering commitment. By balancing persistence, political pragmatism, and responsiveness, CT Votes for Animals ensures we’re fighting for the most impactful changes in animal welfare. We invite you to stay informed and engaged—together, we can make Connecticut a better place for all animals.
Every voice makes a difference. Thank you for joining us in shaping a future where every animal is protected and valued.