WeVote
Log In

Bill

Bill

HB 5676

AN ACT CONCERNING A REPORT ON THE STATE'S POTENTIAL MANAGEMENT OF THE COLEBROOK RIVER LAKE.

2025 Regular Session Introduced by Mark Anderson

Directs DEEP to prepare a report evaluating potential state management of Colebrook River Lake, outlining options, costs, regulatory impacts, and effects on residents and users.

REF. TO JOINT COMM. ON Environment
#colebrook #energyandenvironmentalprotection #departmentof #lakes-named #reports
0
WeVote Research Nonpartisan
Bill Summary · HB 5676

Summary — HB 5676

Title: AN ACT CONCERNING A REPORT ON THE STATE'S POTENTIAL MANAGEMENT OF THE COLEBROOK RIVER LAKE
Introduced: April 14, 2025
Status (as of provided record): Referred to Local Government (after passage in originating chamber); originally referred to Joint Committee on the Environment

Note: The full bill text was not included in the materials provided. This summary is based on the bill title, subject metadata (including the Department of Energy and Environmental Protection and Colebrook River Lake) and the legislative action history. Exact statutory language, required timelines, funding, and specific report elements are not present in the available record.

Main purpose and intent

HB 5676 directs the state to prepare a formal report evaluating the state's potential role in managing Colebrook River Lake. The intent is to study options for state management, identify impacts and costs, and inform legislative or administrative decisions about future oversight, operations, or ownership related to the lake.

Key provisions (inferred from title/metadata)

  • Requires a state agency (likely the Department of Energy and Environmental Protection, based on subject tags) to produce a written report concerning the state's potential management of Colebrook River Lake.
  • The report would be expected to examine management options, potential environmental and recreational impacts, regulatory considerations, and resource or funding needs.
  • Because the full bill text is not available, specific elements such as reporting deadlines, required data, cost estimates, public engagement requirements, or submission recipients are not specified in the provided materials.

Typical topics the report would likely address

(These items are commonly requested in similar report bills; they are plausible elements but not confirmed for HB 5676.)
- Current ownership, operational responsibilities, and legal constraints affecting the lake and any associated dam or infrastructure.
- Environmental status (water quality, habitat, species), regulatory compliance, and mitigation needs.
- Recreational uses, public access, and local economic impacts.
- Estimated costs and funding mechanisms for state management, maintenance, or improvements.
- Stakeholder engagement summary (town of Colebrook, local residents, conservation groups, emergency services).
- Recommendations and options (e.g., continued local management, state takeover, shared management, or transfer).

Who would be affected

  • Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (or other designated state agency) — tasked with preparing the report and potentially implementing recommendations.
  • Town of Colebrook, local residents, property owners, and recreational users of Colebrook River Lake.
  • State and local fiscal authorities if recommendations involve state spending or changes in ownership/management.
  • Environmental groups, boating/fishing communities, and emergency/public safety agencies.

Procedural and timeline aspects (legislative history)

  • 2025-01-21: Referred to Joint Committee on the Environment
  • 2025-04-14: Filed
  • 2025-04-17: Referred to Land & Resource Management
  • 2025-05-01: Public hearing; testimony recorded
  • 2025-05-02: Reported favorably without amendment; recommended to Local & Consent Calendar
  • 2025-05-07 to 05-08: Committee report processed; placed on calendar
  • 2025-05-10: Passed (originating chamber), recorded votes and engrossed
  • 2025-05-12: Received by other chamber
  • 2025-05-21: Read first time in receiving chamber; referred to Local Government

Next steps would include committee consideration in the receiving chamber, possible amendment, floor votes, and (if passed) enactment and any administrative implementation steps specified in the bill text.

If you would like, I can:
- Draft a likely bill text that specifies report elements and a submission deadline, or
- Identify comparable existing state reports or statutes to show typical statutory language and timeframes.

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

Sign in to ask a question.