State Representative Christine Palm Updates Community About Bills

ESSEX, CHESTER, DEEP RIVER, CT — A letter to the community from State Representative Christine Palm (D-36);

Dear Neighbor,

I want to provide an update on some important pieces of legislation that are progressing through the Environment Committee -- one of three committees I sit on that has the ability to raise bills.

As you may know, bills must be voted on by members of "committees of cognizance" before they advance to the floor of House or Senate for a vote by the full General Assembly. It is at this point in the process that bill language is debated and refined.

In recent weeks, this committee has voted on several bills. I deeply appreciate hearing from so many of you who care about the environment.

-HJ 0053, RESOLUTION PROPOSING THE ADOPTION OF THE LONG ISLAND SOUND BLUE PLAN.
This bill would adopt the excellent and comprehensive LI Blue Plan which helps the state guide industry, recreation, and conservation in a coordinated way.

-SB 837, AN ACT CONCERNING THE USE OF PERFLUOROALKYL OR POLYFLUOROALKYL SUBSTANCES IN CLASS B FIREFIGHTING FOAM.
The substances known as PFAS are dangerous to human health and to the environment. (This is the substance found in a public well in the Town of Killingworth.)

-SB 926, AN ACT CONCERNING THE PRESENCE OF PFAS IN CERTAIN CONSUMER PACKAGING.
This bill would ban the use of PFAS in such products as food takeaway containers but exempts packaging for medical devices and equipment.

-HB 6502, AN ACT CONCERNING THE USE OF CERTAIN POLYSTYRENE PRODUCTS, THE AVAILABILITY OF SINGLE-USE STRAWS, THE RELEASE OF CERTAIN BALLOONS AND THE COMPOSTABLE NATURE OF SINGLE-USE PRODUCE BAGS.
This bill would dramatically reduce the use of throwaway plastics.

-HB 6441, AN ACT CONCERNING CLIMATE CHANGE ADAPTATION.
This bill, which came from the Governor's Office and about which many of you have written to me, would give towns an optional "conveyance fee" for home sales to protect open space. As Committee Vice Chair, I was pleased to offer language that gave discretion to the town, the buyer, and the seller to decide who pays this fee.

-HB 6504, AN ACT CONCERNING ANIMAL WELFARE.
This bill, which generated a great deal of interest from residents of my district, enhances the humane treatment of animals by any control officers, and provides for an increase in the available funds for the sterilization and vaccination of feral cats. I was pleased to be able to advocate for vets by introducing language that makes the rate of reimbursement for these services to 75% of local fair market value.

-SB 925, AN ACT PROHIBITING THE IMPORT, SALE AND POSSESSION OF AFRICAN ELEPHANTS, LIONS, LEOPARDS, BLACK RHINOCEROS, WHITE RHINOCEROS AND GIRAFFES.
This bill addresses the atrocious practice of trophy hunting by prohibiting the import of these endangered species.

-HB 6497, AN ACT CONCERNING STORMWATER AUTHORITIES.
This bill would allow municipalities to establish a stormwater authority. We were careful to protect farmers from penalties against impervious surfaces from which storm water runoff is generated.

-HB 6384, AN ACT CONCERNING AQUATIC INVASIVE SPECIES' EFFECTS ON LAKES AND RELATED FUNDING.
Hydrilla is a scourge to recreational boaters, environmentalists, and all of us who enjoy the Connecticut River, its coves, and tributaries. I am working with local advocates and experts on an amendment to strengthen this bill. We need a coordinated regional approach to combatting this virulent invasive plant. If you haven't already seen it, please take a look at this excellent short documentary by Emily DeLuca on hydrilla. I want to extend my personal thanks to local advocates who have been an invaluable resource to me in advocating for hydrilla remediation, in particular: Margot Burns, RiverCOG; Kelsey Wentling, CT River Conservancy; and Jeane Davies, CT Resource Conservation & Development Area.

To watch past or live Environment Committee hearings online, click HERE. To submit testimony to the committee, track bills, and view agendas of past meetings, click HERE.

We must commit to policies that help cut our carbon footprint, reduce the use of harmful chemicals, find equitable and efficient ways to handle solid waste management, promote environmental justice, awareness and education, and protect our state’s precious ecosystem for future generations.

Please help me reach your neighbors, who may be in need, by forwarding this email to them. Feel free to contact me by email at Christine.Palm@cga.ct.gov with any questions or concerns.

Sincerely,

Christine Palm
State Representative