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HB 7281

AN ACT AMENDING A PRIOR CONVEYANCE OF A PARCEL OF STATE LAND TO THE TOWN OF SOUTHBURY TO CHANGE THE RESTRICTIONS ON THE USE, OWNERSHIP AND LEASING OF SAID PARCEL.

2025 Regular Session

Amends Special Act 25-26 to revise the Southbury land conveyance, expanding allowed uses, altering ownership options, and broadening leasing authority for the town.

SIGNED BY GOVERNOR
#conveyances #housingdevelopment #southbury #stateland
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Bill Summary · HB 7281

Summary — HB 7281 (Special Act 25-26)

Title: AN ACT AMENDING A PRIOR CONVEYANCE OF A PARCEL OF STATE LAND TO THE TOWN OF SOUTHBURY TO CHANGE THE RESTRICTIONS ON THE USE, OWNERSHIP AND LEASING OF SAID PARCEL
Status: Signed by Governor (Special Act 25-26)

Purpose / Intent

HB 7281 amends a prior conveyance of a parcel of state-owned land to the Town of Southbury. The stated aim is to change the restrictions that govern how that parcel may be used, who may own it, and how it may be leased. The change is intended to alter the legal limitations attached to the earlier transfer of state land to allow different or expanded uses, ownership arrangements, or leasing terms than were previously permitted.

Key provisions (based on bill title and legislative classification)

  • Modifies the terms of an earlier conveyance of a specific parcel of state land to the Town of Southbury.
  • Revises restrictions related to:
    • Permitted uses of the parcel (e.g., public purpose, municipal use, housing, recreational, commercial — exact permitted uses are specified in the enrolled act).
    • Ownership conditions (who may hold title now or in the future — e.g., continued municipal ownership, transfer to a nonprofit or private entity, etc.).
    • Leasing authority and limits (whether the town may lease the property, to whom, for what terms and purposes).
  • Converts those modifications into a Special Act (Special Act 25-26) applicable to the identified parcel and the Town of Southbury.

Note: The summary above reflects the bill’s title and status. The full text of Special Act 25-26 contains the specific legal language (acreage, deed references, precise restrictions removed or added, any reversionary clauses, timelines, and conditions).

Who is affected

  • Town of Southbury — gains revised legal authority and flexibility regarding the parcel.
  • State of Connecticut — changes in the conditions of an earlier state land conveyance and potential change in state land inventory obligations.
  • Current or prospective lessees, private developers, nonprofits, and municipal departments — to the extent the new restrictions permit leasing, alternative ownership, or new uses (including housing development).
  • Local residents and stakeholders — land use, development, or recreational access could be affected depending on the specifics.

Procedural and timeline highlights

  • Introduced: April 30, 2025 (referred to the Joint Committee on Government Oversight).
  • Public hearing: May 5, 2025.
  • Reports/Committee actions: Joint Favorable Substitute filed May 15; referred to OLR and OFA May 20.
  • House passed: May 31, 2025 (House Calendar No. 653; File No. 971).
  • Senate passed (in concurrence): June 4, 2025 (Senate Calendar No. 581).
  • Transmitted to Governor: June 25, 2025 (and to Secretary of the State).
  • Signed by Governor / Enacted as Special Act 25-26: July 1, 2025.

Potential impacts and considerations

  • Increased municipal flexibility in developing or leasing the parcel could facilitate housing or other local projects, but specific impacts depend on the precise changes in the enacted text (permitted uses, any limitations, timing, and conditions).
  • Fiscal effects (revenue from leases or sales, costs of development, maintenance obligations) were reviewed by the Office of Fiscal Analysis; consult the OFA report for specifics.
  • Any deed reversion or state oversight provisions in the original conveyance that are removed or altered could have long-term land-use consequences.

Next steps / where to find details

  • Review the enrolled Special Act 25-26 (final text) for exact legal language, property description, and effective date.
  • Consult the Office of Legislative Research (OLR) and Office of Fiscal Analysis (OFA) reports referenced in the legislative history for legal and fiscal analyses.
  • Contact the Town of Southbury or the State agency that handled the original conveyance (e.g., Department of Administrative Services) for local implementation plans and public records (deeds, maps).

If you would like, I can locate and summarize the specific language of Special Act 25-26 (HB 7281 final enrolled text) and the OFA/OLR reports to provide detailed changes (parcel description, exact restriction changes, and fiscal implications).

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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