Connecticut House of Representatives

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Connecticut House of
Representatives
SLP-Infobox Image-Color.png
General Information
Party control:   Democrat
Session start:   February 7, 2024
Session end:   May 8, 2024
Term length:   2 years
Term limits:   None
Redistricting:  Legislature-dominant[1]
Salary:   $40,000/year
Members
Total:  151
Democrats:  97
Republicans:  53
Other:  0
Vacancies:  1
Leadership
Speaker:   Matthew Ritter (D)
Maj. Leader:   Jason Rojas (D)
Min. Leader:   Vincent Candelora (R)
Elections
Last election:  November 8, 2022
Next election:  November 5, 2024

The Connecticut House of Representatives is the lower chamber of the Connecticut General Assembly. Alongside the Connecticut State Senate, it forms the legislative branch of the Connecticut state government and works alongside the governor of Connecticut to create laws and establish a state budget. Legislative authority and responsibilities of the Connecticut House of Representatives include passing bills on public policy matters, setting levels for state spending, raising and lowering taxes, and voting to uphold or override gubernatorial vetoes.

The Connecticut House of Representatives meets in the state capitol building in Hartford, Connecticut.

  • All 151 Connecticut House seats were up for election in 2022. The chamber's Democratic majority increased from 97-54 to 98-53.
  • All 151 Connecticut House seats were up for election in 2020. The chamber's Democratic majority increased from 91-60 to 97-54.
  • Connecticut has a Democratic trifecta. The Democratic Party controls the office of governor and both chambers of the state legislature.

  • This page contains the following information on the Connecticut House of Representatives.

    Party control

    Current partisan control

    The table below shows the partisan breakdown of the Connecticut House of Representatives as of January 2024:

    Party As of January 2024
         Democratic Party 97
         Republican Party 53
         Other 0
         Vacancies 1
    Total 151

    Members

    Leadership

    The speaker of the House presides over the House of Representatives. The speaker is elected by the majority party caucus followed by confirmation of the full House through the passage of a House resolution. In addition to presiding over the body, the speaker is also its chief leadership position, and controls the flow of legislation and committee assignments. Other House leaders, such as the majority and minority leaders, are elected by their respective party caucuses relative to their party's strength in the chamber.[2]

    Leadership and members


    Office Name Party Date assumed office
    Connecticut House of Representatives District 1 Matthew Ritter Democratic 2011
    Connecticut House of Representatives District 2 Raghib Allie-Brennan Democratic 2019
    Connecticut House of Representatives District 3 Minnie Gonzalez Democratic 1997
    Connecticut House of Representatives District 4 Julio Concepcion Democratic June 12, 2018
    Connecticut House of Representatives District 5 Maryam Khan Democratic March 7, 2022
    Connecticut House of Representatives District 6 James B. Sánchez Democratic March 6, 2023
    Connecticut House of Representatives District 7 Joshua Malik Hall Democratic April 28, 2017
    Connecticut House of Representatives District 8 Tim Ackert Republican 2011
    Connecticut House of Representatives District 9 Jason Rojas Democratic 2009
    Connecticut House of Representatives District 10 Henry Genga Democratic 2007
    Connecticut House of Representatives District 11 Jeffrey Currey Democratic January 7, 2015
    Connecticut House of Representatives District 12 Geoff Luxenberg Democratic 2019
    Connecticut House of Representatives District 13 Jason Doucette Democratic 2019
    Connecticut House of Representatives District 14 Tom Delnicki Republican 2017
    Connecticut House of Representatives District 15 Bobby Gibson Democratic January 12, 2018
    Connecticut House of Representatives District 16 Melissa E. Osborne Democratic January 4, 2023
    Connecticut House of Representatives District 17 Eleni Kavros DeGraw Democratic January 6, 2021
    Connecticut House of Representatives District 18 Jillian Gilchrest Democratic 2019
    Connecticut House of Representatives District 19 Tammy Exum Democratic 2019
    Connecticut House of Representatives District 20 Kate Farrar Democratic January 6, 2021
    Connecticut House of Representatives District 21 Mike Demicco Democratic January 9, 2013
    Connecticut House of Representatives District 22 Francis Rexford Cooley Republican January 4, 2023
    Connecticut House of Representatives District 23 Devin Carney Republican January 7, 2015
    Connecticut House of Representatives District 24 Manny Sanchez Democratic January 6, 2021
    Connecticut House of Representatives District 25 Bobby Sanchez Democratic 2011
    Connecticut House of Representatives District 26 Peter Tercyak Democratic 2003
    Connecticut House of Representatives District 27 Gary Turco Democratic 2019
    Connecticut House of Representatives District 28 Amy Morrin Bello Democratic January 6, 2021
    Connecticut House of Representatives District 29 Kerry Szeps Wood Democratic 2019
    Connecticut House of Representatives District 30 Donna Veach Republican January 6, 2021
    Connecticut House of Representatives District 31 Jill Barry Democratic 2019
    Connecticut House of Representatives District 32 Christie Carpino Republican 2011
    Connecticut House of Representatives District 33 Brandon Chafee Democratic January 6, 2021
    Connecticut House of Representatives District 34 Irene Haines Republican 2019
    Connecticut House of Representatives District 35 Chris Aniskovich Republican January 4, 2023
    Connecticut House of Representatives District 36 Christine Palm Democratic 2019
    Connecticut House of Representatives District 37 Holly Cheeseman Republican January 4, 2017
    Connecticut House of Representatives District 38 Kathleen McCarty Republican January 7, 2015
    Connecticut House of Representatives District 39 Anthony Nolan Democratic March 1, 2019
    Connecticut House of Representatives District 40 Christine Conley Democratic 2017
    Connecticut House of Representatives District 41 Aundré Bumgardner Democratic January 4, 2023
    Connecticut House of Representatives District 42 Keith Denning Democratic January 4, 2023
    Connecticut House of Representatives District 43 Greg Howard Republican January 6, 2021
    Connecticut House of Representatives District 44 Anne Dauphinais Republican 2017
    Connecticut House of Representatives District 45 Brian Lanoue Republican 2019
    Connecticut House of Representatives District 46 Derell Wilson Democratic January 4, 2023
    Connecticut House of Representatives District 47 Doug Dubitsky Republican January 7, 2015
    Connecticut House of Representatives District 48 Mark DeCaprio Republican January 4, 2023
    Connecticut House of Representatives District 49 Susan Johnson Democratic 2009
    Connecticut House of Representatives District 50 Pat Boyd Democratic 2017
    Connecticut House of Representatives District 51 Ricky Hayes Republican 2019
    Connecticut House of Representatives District 52 Kurt Vail Republican January 7, 2015
    Connecticut House of Representatives District 53 Tammy Nuccio Republican January 6, 2021
    Connecticut House of Representatives District 54 Gregory Haddad Democratic 2011
    Connecticut House of Representatives District 55 Steve Weir Republican January 4, 2023
    Connecticut House of Representatives District 56 Kevin Brown Democratic January 4, 2023
    Connecticut House of Representatives District 57 Jaime Foster Democratic January 6, 2021
    Connecticut House of Representatives District 58 Tom Arnone Democratic 2019
    Connecticut House of Representatives District 59 Carol Hall Republican January 4, 2017
    Connecticut House of Representatives District 60 Jane Garibay Democratic 2019
    Connecticut House of Representatives District 61 Tami Zawistowski Republican April 16, 2014
    Connecticut House of Representatives District 62 Mark Anderson Republican January 6, 2021
    Connecticut House of Representatives District 63 Jay Case Republican January 9, 2013
    Connecticut House of Representatives District 64 Maria Horn Democratic 2019
    Connecticut House of Representatives District 65 Michelle Cook Democratic 2009
    Connecticut House of Representatives District 66 Karen Reddington-Hughes Republican January 4, 2023
    Connecticut House of Representatives District 67 William Buckbee Republican 2017
    Connecticut House of Representatives District 68 Joe Polletta Republican May 1, 2017
    Connecticut House of Representatives District 69 Cindy Harrison Republican January 6, 2021
    Connecticut House of Representatives District 70 Seth Bronko Republican January 4, 2023
    Connecticut House of Representatives District 71 William Pizzuto Republican February 28, 2022
    Connecticut House of Representatives District 72 Larry Butler Democratic 2007
    Connecticut House of Representatives District 73 Ronald Napoli Jr. Democratic 2019
    Connecticut House of Representatives District 74 Michael DiGiovancarlo Democratic January 6, 2021
    Connecticut House of Representatives District 75 Geraldo Reyes Democratic April 28, 2016
    Connecticut House of Representatives District 76 John Piscopo Republican 1989
    Connecticut House of Representatives District 77 Cara Pavalock-D'Amato Republican January 7, 2015
    Connecticut House of Representatives District 78 Joe Hoxha Republican January 4, 2023
    Connecticut House of Representatives District 79 Mary Fortier Democratic January 4, 2023
    Connecticut House of Representatives District 80 Gale Mastrofrancesco Republican 2019
    Connecticut House of Representatives District 81 Christopher Poulos Democratic January 4, 2023
    Connecticut House of Representatives District 82 Michael Quinn Democratic January 6, 2021
    Connecticut House of Representatives District 83 Jonathan Fazzino Democratic January 4, 2023
    Connecticut House of Representatives District 84 Hilda Santiago Democratic January 9, 2013
    Connecticut House of Representatives District 85 Mary Mushinsky Democratic 1981
    Connecticut House of Representatives District 86 Vincent Candelora Republican 2007
    Connecticut House of Representatives District 87 Dave Yaccarino Sr. Republican 2011
    Connecticut House of Representatives District 88 Joshua Elliott Democratic 2017
    Connecticut House of Representatives District 89 Lezlye Zupkus Republican January 9, 2013
    Connecticut House of Representatives District 90 Craig Fishbein Republican November 18, 2016
    Connecticut House of Representatives District 91 Michael D'Agostino Democratic January 9, 2013
    Connecticut House of Representatives District 92 Patricia Dillon Democratic 1985
    Connecticut House of Representatives District 93 Toni Walker Democratic 2001
    Connecticut House of Representatives District 94 Robyn Porter Democratic April 28, 2014
    Connecticut House of Representatives District 95 Juan Candelaria Democratic 2003
    Connecticut House of Representatives District 96 Roland J. Lemar Democratic 2011
    Connecticut House of Representatives District 97 Alphonse Paolillo Democratic 2017
    Connecticut House of Representatives District 98 Moira Rader Democratic January 4, 2023
    Connecticut House of Representatives District 99 Joseph Zullo Republican March 1, 2019
    Connecticut House of Representatives District 100 Kai Juanna Belton Democratic March 3, 2023
    Connecticut House of Representatives District 101 John-Michael Parker Democratic January 6, 2021
    Connecticut House of Representatives District 102 Robin Comey Democratic 2019
    Connecticut House of Representatives District 103 Liz Linehan Democratic 2017
    Connecticut House of Representatives District 104 Kara Rochelle Democratic 2019
    Connecticut House of Representatives District 105 Nicole Klarides-Ditria Republican 2017
    Connecticut House of Representatives District 106 Mitch Bolinsky Republican January 9, 2013
    Connecticut House of Representatives District 107 Marty Foncello Republican January 4, 2023
    Connecticut House of Representatives District 108 Pat Callahan Republican January 6, 2021
    Connecticut House of Representatives District 109 Farley Santos Democratic January 4, 2023
    Connecticut House of Representatives District 110 Bob Godfrey Democratic 1989
    Connecticut House of Representatives District 111 Aimee Berger-Girvalo Democratic January 6, 2021
    Connecticut House of Representatives District 112 Tony Scott Republican April 19, 2021
    Connecticut House of Representatives District 113 Jason Perillo Republican 2007
    Connecticut House of Representatives District 114 Mary Welander Democratic January 6, 2021
    Connecticut House of Representatives District 115 Vacant
    Connecticut House of Representatives District 116 Treneé McGee Democratic December 22, 2021
    Connecticut House of Representatives District 117 Charles Ferraro Republican January 7, 2015
    Connecticut House of Representatives District 118 Frank Smith Democratic January 6, 2021
    Connecticut House of Representatives District 119 Kathy Kennedy Republican 2019
    Connecticut House of Representatives District 120 Laura Dancho Republican January 4, 2023
    Connecticut House of Representatives District 121 Joe Gresko Democratic February 3, 2016
    Connecticut House of Representatives District 122 Ben McGorty Republican July 25, 2014
    Connecticut House of Representatives District 123 David Rutigliano Republican January 9, 2013
    Connecticut House of Representatives District 124 Andre Baker Democratic January 7, 2015
    Connecticut House of Representatives District 125 Tom O'Dea Republican January 9, 2013
    Connecticut House of Representatives District 126 Fred Gee Jr. Democratic January 4, 2023
    Connecticut House of Representatives District 127 Marcus Brown Democratic January 4, 2023
    Connecticut House of Representatives District 128 Christopher Rosario Democratic January 7, 2015
    Connecticut House of Representatives District 129 Steven Stafstrom Democratic February 27, 2015
    Connecticut House of Representatives District 130 Antonio Felipe Democratic May 13, 2019
    Connecticut House of Representatives District 131 David Labriola Republican 2003
    Connecticut House of Representatives District 132 Jennifer Leeper Democratic January 6, 2021
    Connecticut House of Representatives District 133 Cristin Vahey Democratic January 7, 2015
    Connecticut House of Representatives District 134 Sarah Keitt Democratic January 4, 2023
    Connecticut House of Representatives District 135 Anne Hughes Democratic 2019
    Connecticut House of Representatives District 136 Jonathan Steinberg Democratic 2011
    Connecticut House of Representatives District 137 Kadeem Roberts Democratic January 4, 2023
    Connecticut House of Representatives District 138 Rachel Chaleski Republican January 4, 2023
    Connecticut House of Representatives District 139 Kevin Ryan Democratic 1993
    Connecticut House of Representatives District 140 Travis Simms Democratic 2019
    Connecticut House of Representatives District 141 Tracy Marra Republican January 4, 2023
    Connecticut House of Representatives District 142 Lucy Dathan Democratic 2019
    Connecticut House of Representatives District 143 Dominique Johnson Democratic January 4, 2023
    Connecticut House of Representatives District 144 Hubert Delany Democratic February 1, 2022
    Connecticut House of Representatives District 145 Corey Paris Democratic May 4, 2021
    Connecticut House of Representatives District 146 David Michel Democratic 2019
    Connecticut House of Representatives District 147 Matt Blumenthal Democratic 2019
    Connecticut House of Representatives District 148 Anabel Figueroa Democratic March 3, 2023
    Connecticut House of Representatives District 149 Rachel Khanna Democratic January 4, 2023
    Connecticut House of Representatives District 150 Steve Meskers Democratic 2019
    Connecticut House of Representatives District 151 Hector Arzeno Democratic January 4, 2023


    Salaries

    See also: Comparison of state legislative salaries
    State legislative salaries, 2023
    SalaryPer diem
    $40,000/yearNo per diem is paid.

    Swearing in dates

    See also: When state legislators assume office after a general election

    Connecticut legislators assume office the Wednesday following the first Monday of January after their election.

    Membership qualifications

    See also: State legislature candidate requirements by state

    Article III, Section 4 of the Connecticut Constitution states: "The house of representatives shall consist of not less than one hundred twenty-five and not more than two hundred twenty-five members, each of whom shall be an elector residing in the assembly district from which he is elected. Each assembly district shall be contiguous as to territory and shall elect no more than one representative. For the purpose of forming assembly districts no town shall be divided except for the purpose of forming assembly districts wholly within the town."[3]

    Historical party control

    Democrats won control of the Connecticut House of Representatives in 1986. In 2022, they won a 98-53 majority.

    The table below shows the partisan history of the Connecticut House following every general election from 1992 to 2022. All data from 2006 or earlier comes from Michael Dubin's Party Affiliations in the State Legislatures (McFarland Press, 2007). Data after 2006 was compiled by Ballotpedia staff.

    Connecticut House of Representatives election results: 1992-2022

    Year '92 '94 '96 '98 '00 '02 '04 '06 '08 '10 '12 '14 '16 '18 '20 '22
    Democrats 87 90 97 96 100 94 99 106 114 97 98 87 79 92 97 98
    Republicans 64 61 54 55 51 57 52 45 37 54 53 64 72 59 54 53

    Before 1992

    Republicans controlled the House following most elections during the first half of the 20th century, while Democrats controlled the chamber following most elections during the latter half of the 20th century.


    Trifecta history

    A state government trifecta is a term that describes single party government, when one political party holds the governor's office and has majorities in both chambers of the legislature in a state government. Between 1992 and 2023, Connecticut was under the following types of trifecta control:

    • Democratic trifecta: 2011-2023
    • Republican trifecta: None
    • Divided government: 1992-2010

    Connecticut Party Control: 1992-2024
    Fourteen years of Democratic trifectas  •  No Republican trifectas
    Scroll left and right on the table below to view more years.

    Year 92 93 94 95 96 97 98 99 00 01 02 03 04 05 06 07 08 09 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24
    Governor I I I R R R R R R R R R R R R R R R R D D D D D D D D D D D D D D
    Senate D D D R R D D D D D D D D D D D D D D D D D D D D D D D D D D D D
    House D D D D D D D D D D D D D D D D D D D D D D D D D D D D D D D D D

    Elections

    Elections by year

    Connecticut state representatives serve two-year terms, with all seats up for election every two years. Connecticut holds elections for its legislature in even years.

    2024

    See also: Connecticut House of Representatives elections, 2024

    Elections for the Connecticut House of Representatives will take place in 2024. The general election is on November 5, 2024.

    2022

    See also: Connecticut House of Representatives elections, 2022

    Elections for the Connecticut House of Representatives took place in 2022. The general election was on November 8, 2022. A primary was scheduled for August 9, 2022. The filing deadline was June 7, 2022.

    The Democratic Party gained one seat in the general election, expanding its majority from 97-54 to 98-53.

    Connecticut House of Representatives
    Party As of November 8, 2022 After November 9, 2022
         Democratic Party 97 98
         Republican Party 54 53
    Total 151 151

    2020

    See also: Connecticut House of Representatives elections, 2020

    Elections for the office of Connecticut House of Representatives took place in 2020. The general election was held on November 3, 2020. A primary was scheduled for August 11, 2020. The filing deadline was June 11, 2020.

    In the 2020 elections, Democrats increased their majority in the Connecticut House of Representatives from 91-60 to 97-54.

    Connecticut House of Representatives
    Party As of November 3, 2020 After November 4, 2020
         Democratic Party 91 97
         Republican Party 60 54
    Total 151 151

    2018

    See also: Connecticut House of Representatives elections, 2018

    Elections for the Connecticut House of Representatives took place in 2018. A closed primary election took place on August 14, 2018. The general election was held on November 6, 2018. The candidate filing deadline was June 12, 2018.

    In the 2018 elections, Democrats increased their majority in the Connecticut House of Representatives from 80-71 to 92-59.

    Connecticut House of Representatives
    Party As of November 6, 2018 After November 7, 2018
         Democratic Party 80 92
         Republican Party 71 59
    Total 151 151

    2016

    See also: Connecticut House of Representatives elections, 2016

    Elections for the Connecticut House of Representatives took place in 2016. The primary election took place on August 9, 2016, and the general election was held on November 8, 2016. The candidate filing deadline was June 7, 2016. All 151 seats in the Connecticut House of Representatives were up for election in 2016.

    Heading into the election, Democrats held an 86-64 majority. Democrats lost seven seats in the election, giving them a 79-72 majority.

    Connecticut House of Representatives
    Party As of November 7, 2016 After November 8, 2016
         Democratic Party 86 79
         Republican Party 64 72
         Vacancy 1 0
    Total 151 151

    Vacancies

    See also: How vacancies are filled in state legislatures

    If there is a vacancy in the Connecticut General Assembly, a special election must be conducted to fill the vacant seat. The governor must call for an election no later than 10 days after the vacancy happens. All special elections must be held no later than 46 days after a governor's declaration. If the vacancy occurs between the 125th day and the 49th day before the day of the regular election, the special election will be held on the same day as the general election. If a vacancy occurs after the 49th day before the general election but before the Wednesday following the first Monday of January of the next-succeeding year, the governor shall not call a special election unless the vacant position is that of a member-elect.[10]

    DocumentIcon.jpg See sources: Connecticut Gen. Stat. § 9-215

    District map

    See also: Connecticut state legislative districts

    The state of Connecticut has 151 state House districts. Each district elects one representative.

    Use the interactive map below to find your district.



    Redistricting

    See also: Redistricting in Connecticut

    In Connecticut, the state legislature is primarily responsible for drawing both congressional and state legislative district lines. Maps must be approved by a two-thirds vote in each chamber. If the state legislature is unable to approve new maps, a backup commission is convened to draw congressional and state legislative district boundaries. The commission consists of nine members. The four legislative leaders (i.e., the majority and minority leaders of each chamber of the legislature) appoint two members each. The ninth member is selected by the eight previously selected commissioners.[11][12]

    The Connecticut Constitution requires that all districts, whether congressional or state legislative, be contiguous. In addition, state House districts must "not divide towns except where necessary to comply with other legal requirements."[13]

    2020

    See also: Redistricting in Connecticut after the 2020 census

    The Connecticut Reapportionment Commission voted 8-0 in favor of new maps for the state's 151 House districts and 36 Senate districts on November 18 and November 23, 2021, respectively.[14][15] The commission, made up of four Democratic lawmakers, four Republican lawmakers, and a ninth member selected by the commissioners, took over the redistricting process after the previous Reapportionment Committee failed to meet its Sept. 15 deadline to select maps and win two-thirds approval from both chambers of the Connecticut General Assembly.[16] Census data was not delivered until Sept. 16. Unlike the committee, maps prepared by the Reapportionment Commission did not need to win approval from the General Assembly.[17] This map took effect for Connecticut's 2022 legislative elections.

    District map after 2020 redistricting

    This map took effect for Connecticut's 2022 legislative elections.

    CT HD 2021 plan.jpeg

    2010

    See also: Redistricting in Connecticut after the 2010 census

    The U.S. Census Bureau shipped detailed information to Connecticut on March 10, 2011.[18] The legislature missed its September 15, 2011, deadline for creating new maps for the House and Senate, causing a back-up commission to take over writing the new maps. The redistricting commission approved the House and Senate maps before their November 30, 2011 deadline.[19][20]

    Sessions

    Legislation

    The legislation tracker below displays all legislation that the Connecticut House of Representatives has approved in its most recent legislative session—this includes legislation that has been sent from the House to the Senate and legislation that has already been approved by both chambers and signed by the governor. The table below includes the bill number, its name, progress, most recent action date, and sponsor. Scroll up and down and side to side to see more. Click the bill number to read the bill text and see its voting history. Click the headings to sort the content. Rearrange the order of the headings by clicking and dragging them. Click the magnifying glass in the bottom left corner to search for specific terms. The legislation tracker is maintained and updated by BillTrack50.

    Dates of legislative sessions in Connecticut by year

    2024

    See also: 2024 Connecticut legislative session and Dates of 2024 state legislative sessions

    In 2024, the legislature is scheduled to convene on February 7, 2024, and adjourn on May 8, 2024.

    2023

    See also: 2023 Connecticut legislative session and Dates of 2023 state legislative sessions

    In 2023, the legislature was scheduled to convene on January 4, 2023, and adjourn on June 7, 2023.



    About legislative sessions in Connecticut

    The Tenth Amendment of the U.S. Constitution declares that any power not already given to the federal government is reserved to the states and the people.[69] State governments across the country use this authority to hold legislative sessions where a state's elected representatives meet for a period of time to draft and vote on legislation and set state policies on issues such as taxation, education, and government spending. The different types of legislation passed by a legislature may include resolutions, legislatively referred constitutional amendments, and bills that become law.

    Article III of the Connecticut Constitution establishes when the Connecticut State Legislature, which the House of Representatives is a part of, is to be in session. Section 2 of Article III states that, in odd-numbered years, the Legislature shall convene its regular session on the Wednesday after the first Monday in January. Section 2 requires regular sessions in odd-numbered years to adjourn by the Wednesday after the first Monday in June.

    The Constitution does not establish when the Legislature is supposed to meet in even-numbered years, so these dates are established by law. In even-numbered years, the Legislature convenes on the Wednesday following the first Monday in February, pending the decision of the Legislature, and it must adjourn by the Wednesday after the first Monday in May.[70][71]

    Legislative roles and procedures

    Every state legislature throughout the country features its own internal procedures that it uses to govern itself and how it interacts with other parts of state government. Ballotpedia's coverage of internal state legislative procedures includes veto overrides, the role of the legislature in the state budget, and procedures for filling membership vacancies.

    Veto overrides

    Veto Override Graphic-No party.png

    See also: Veto overrides in state legislatures

    State legislatures can override governors' vetoes. Depending on the state, this can be done during the regular legislative session, in a special session following the adjournment of the regular session, or during the next legislative session. The rules for legislative overrides of gubernatorial vetoes in Connecticut are listed below.

    How many legislators are required to vote for an override? Two-thirds of members present in both chambers.

    Two-thirds of members present in both chambers must vote to override a veto. If all members are in attendance, this is 101 of the 151 members in the Connecticut House of Representatives and 24 of the 36 members in the Connecticut State Senate. Connecticut is one of 36 states that requires a two-thirds vote from both of its legislative chambers to override a veto.

    How can vetoes be overridden after the legislature has adjourned?

    According to Article III, Section 2 of the Connecticut Constitution, any bill that the governor vetoes after the legislature adjourns or that was vetoed during the session but not taken up by the legislature can be overridden at an automatic veto session called by the secretary of state. The automatic veto session occurs two weeks after the governor's bill signing period ends.

    Authority: Article IV, Section 15 of the Connecticut Constitution.

    "If the governor shall approve a bill, he shall sign and transmit it to the secretary of the state, but if he shall disapprove, he shall transmit it to the secretary with his objections, and the secretary shall thereupon return the bill with the governor's objections to the house in which it originated. After the objections shall have been entered on its journal, such house shall proceed to reconsider the bill. If, after such reconsideration, that house shall again pass it, but by the approval of at least two-thirds of its members, it shall be sent with the objections to the other house, which shall also reconsider it. If approved by at least two-thirds of the members of the second house, it shall be a law and be transmitted to the secretary; but in such case the votes of each house shall be determined by yeas and nays and the names of the members voting for and against the bill shall be entered on the journal of each house respectively."

    Role in state budget

    See also: Connecticut state budget and finances
    Connecticut on Public Policy Logo-one line-on Ballotpedia.png
    Check out Ballotpedia articles about policy in your state on:
    BudgetsCivil libertiesEducationElectionsEnergyEnvironmentHealthcarePensions

    The state operates on a biennial budget cycle. The sequence of key events in the budget process is as follows:[72]

    1. Budget instructions are sent to state agencies in July.
    2. State agencies submit their budget requests to the governor in September.
    3. The governor submits his or her proposed budget to the state legislature in February.
    4. The legislature adopts a budget in May or June. A simple majority is required to pass a budget. The fiscal year begins on July 1.

    Connecticut is one of 43 states in which the governor has line item veto authority.[72]

    The governor is legally required to submit a balanced budget. Likewise, the legislature must adopt a balanced budget.[72]

    Committees

    See also: List of committees in Connecticut state government

    Every state legislature and state legislative chamber in the country contains several legislative committees. These committees are responsible for studying, amending, and voting on legislation before it reaches the floor of a chamber for a full vote. The different types of committees include standing committees, select or special, and joint.

    • Standing committees are generally permanent committees, the names of which sometimes change from session to session.
    • Select or special committees are temporary committees formed to deal with specific issues such as recent legislation, major public policy or proposals, or investigations.
    • Joint committees are committees that feature members of both chambers of a legislature.

    Ballotpedia covers standing and joint committees. Unique among the 50 state legislatures, in Connecticut, all legislative committees are joint committees of the upper house and lower house. Permanent committees are authorized and required by state statute to be continued each session. No separate chamber committees are established. The Connecticut General Assembly has 25 joint committees:


    Constitutional amendments

    In every state but Delaware, voter approval is required to enact a constitutional amendment. In each state, the legislature has a process for referring constitutional amendments before voters. In 18 states, initiated constitutional amendments can be put on the ballot through a signature petition drive. There are also many other types of statewide measures.

    The methods in which the Connecticut Constitution can be amended:

    See also: Article XII and Article XIII of the Connecticut Constitution and Laws governing ballot measures in Connecticut

    The Connecticut Constitution provides two mechanisms for amending the state's constitution—a legislative process, and a state constitutional convention. Connecticut requires a simple majority vote (50% plus 1) for voters to approve constitutional amendments. Connecticut does not feature the power of initiative for either initiated constitutional amendments or initiated state statutes.

    Legislature

    See also: Legislatively referred constitutional amendment

    In Connecticut, a constitutional amendment can be referred to the ballot after one legislative session or two legislative sessions depending on the vote count.

    When an amendment receives a 75% vote in both legislative chambers, the amendment goes on the ballot. That amounts to a minimum of 114 votes in the Connecticut House of Representatives and 27 votes in the Connecticut State Senate, assuming no vacancies.

    When an amendment receives a simple majority vote in both legislative chambers, the amendment must pass during two successive legislative sessions to go on the ballot. That amounts to a minimum of 76 votes in the Connecticut House of Representatives and 19 votes in the Connecticut State Senate, assuming no vacancies.

    Amendments do not require the governor's signature to be referred to the ballot.

    Convention

    See also: Convention-referred constitutional amendment

    According to Article XIII of the Connecticut Constitution, a question about whether to hold a state constitutional convention is to automatically appear on the state's ballot every 20 years starting in 1978. Connecticut is one of 14 states that provides for an automatic constitutional convention question.

    The table below shows the last and next automatic constitutional convention question election years:

    State Interval Last question on the ballot Next question on the ballot
    Connecticut 20 years 2008 2028

    The Legislature can also refer a constitutional convention question to the ballot. A two-thirds vote is required in each legislative chamber to refer a convention question to the ballot.

    Proposals adopted at a state constitutional convention require voter approval.



    2025 measures:

    See also: 2025 ballot measures

    Certified:

    The following measures have been certified for the ballot.

    No measures to list


    Potential:

    The following measures have made it through one chamber—or one session for two session states—and may appear on the ballot in 2025.

    No measures to list

    2024 measures:

    Below is a list of measures that were referred to the 2024 ballot by the legislature or that have made it approximately halfway through the process in the legislature for referral to the ballot in 2024.

    See also: Connecticut 2024 ballot measures

    Certified:

    The following measures have been certified for the ballot.


    Potential:

    The following measures have made it through one chamber—or one session for two session states—and may appear on the ballot in 2024.

    No measures to list

    See also

    Elections Connecticut State Government State Legislatures State Politics
    Ballotpedia Elections Badge-VOTE-no shadow-Square.jpg
    Connecticut State Flag-Close Up.jpg
    State Houses-Tile image.png
    State Courts-Tile image.png

    External links

    Footnotes

    1. In Connecticut, the state legislature is primarily responsible for drawing both congressional and state legislative district lines. Maps must be approved by a two-thirds vote in each chamber. If the state legislature is unable to approve new maps, a backup commission is convened to draw congressional and state legislative district boundaries. The commission consists of nine members. The four legislative leaders (i.e., the majority and minority leaders of each chamber of the legislature) appoint two members each. The ninth member is selected by the eight previously selected commissioners.
    2. Connecticut General Assembly, "Leadership and Reference," accessed April 22, 2015
    3. Connecticut General Assembly, "Constitution of the State of Connecticut - Article 3, Section 4," accessed January 25, 2023
    4. Follow the Money, "Connecticut House 2010 Campaign Contributions," accessed April 22, 2015
    5. Follow the Money, "Connecticut 2008 Candidates," accessed July 5, 2013
    6. Follow the Money, "Connecticut 2006 Candidates," accessed July 5, 2013
    7. Follow the Money, "Connecticut 2004 Candidates," accessed July 5, 2013
    8. Follow the Money, "Connecticut 2002 Candidates," accessed July 5, 2013
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