reglab/statecodes huggingface dataset:
2023 Connecticut General Statutes › Title 25 - Water Resources. Flood and Erosion Control › Chapter 485 - Multiple Use Rivers › Section 25-233. - Membership of river commissions. Procedures.

(a) An ordinance authorizing the establishment of a river commission pursuant to section 25-232 shall provide for the membership of the commission, the method of selecting members, their terms of office and the filling of vacancies. Such ordinance shall provide for not more than twelve members from any one municipality and shall include: The chief elected official of each such municipality, or his designee, the chairman of the inland wetlands agency of each such municipality, or his designee, and a member of another land use regulation agency of each such municipality appointed by the chief elected official for such municipality; one representative each of a public utility or rail service company which owns property within the municipality or serves the municipality; one member representing a conservation organization or interest; one member representing a recreation organization or interest; one member representing a private or municipal economic development foundation, agency or interest; one member representing agriculture interests; one member representing business or industry interests; one member representing real estate interests and one member who is a riverfront property owner or a representative of a riverfront property owners' association. In addition, the commission shall appoint as voting members-at-large one representative of each regional council of governments associated with the commission's geographic area. The commission may appoint subcommittees as it deems appropriate and may elect an executive committee to carry out its business provided such executive committee shall include at least one representative of a conservation organization and one representative of a regional council of governments.
(b) Prior to transacting any official business, a river commission shall establish written procedures and bylaws for conducting business. Such procedures and bylaws shall be open to public inspection.
(P.A. 95-333, S. 4; P.A. 97-227, S. 3, 5; P.A. 13-247, S. 312.)
History: P.A. 97-227 amended Subsec. (a) to provide for a maximum of 12 members of the commission from each municipality, to add representatives of local land use agencies, regional planning agencies and riverfront property owners to the commission and to authorize creation of subcommittees and an executive committee, and amended Subsec. (b) to add provisions re bylaws, effective June 27, 1997; pursuant to P.A. 13-247, “regional planning agency” was changed editorially by the Revisors to “regional council of governments” in Subsec. (a), effective January 1, 2015.
2023 Connecticut General Statutes › Title 25 - Water Resources. Flood and Erosion Control › Chapter 485 - Multiple Use Rivers › Section 25-237. - Structures and uses existing at time of management plan approval.

For purposes of sections 25-230 to 25-238, inclusive: (1) Any structure or related facility, including, but not limited to, a parking lot, septic system or pool or railroad right-of-way; (2) any surfaced area, including, but not limited to, a paved, bricked or graveled walk or driveway; (3) a lawn or other landscaped area which exists on the date the commissioner approves an applicable river corridor management plan; (4) a waste discharge, authorized under chapter 446k, which exists within a river corridor on the date the commissioner approves an applicable river corridor management plan; (5) a water supply diversion within a river corridor which diversion is authorized under chapter 446i on the date the commissioner approves the applicable river corridor management plan; or (6) agricultural land, identified by the Commissioner of Agriculture in the inventory provided to the river commission pursuant to section 25-234, which is in use on such date, including land reserved for crop rotation, may be maintained as such and, if on or after the date of approval of a river corridor management plan any such structure, related facility, surfaced or landscaped area or agricultural land is degraded, damaged or destroyed, it may be replaced or restored without regard to the provisions of sections 25-230 to 25-238, inclusive, and subsection (a) of section 13a-94, provided there is no significant change in its location, dimensions or elevations and provided further that nothing in sections 25-230 to 25-238, inclusive, shall preclude the performance of routine maintenance or repair activities for such structures, related facilities, surfaced areas, lawn or landscaped areas or agricultural land. Any waste discharge authorized under chapter 446k, which exists within a river corridor on the date of approval of a river corridor management plan or a water supply diversion within a river corridor which diversion is authorized under chapter 446i on the date the commissioner approves the applicable river corridor management plan may be reauthorized under said chapter 446k or 446i without regard to the provisions of sections 25-230 to 25-238, inclusive, and subsection (a) of section 13a-94. Land reserved for crop rotation shall not include “forest land”, as defined in section 12-107b.
(P.A. 95-333, S. 8; June 30 Sp. Sess. P.A. 03-6, S. 146(e); P.A. 04-189, S. 1.)
History: June 30 Sp. Sess. P.A. 03-6 replaced Commissioner of Agriculture with Commissioner of Agriculture and Consumer Protection, effective July 1, 2004; P.A. 04-189 repealed Sec. 146 of June 30 Sp. Sess. P.A. 03-6, thereby reversing the merger of the Departments of Agriculture and Consumer Protection, effective June 1, 2004.
2023 Connecticut General Statutes › Title 25 - Water Resources. Flood and Erosion Control › Chapter 485 - Multiple Use Rivers › Section 25-238. - Guidance by commissioner re management plan.

The commissioner may, within available resources, issue written guidance for development of a river corridor management plan. Such guidance may cover engineering methods for avoiding environmental harm, identification of relevant laws and governmental programs, guidance on conducting an instream flow study and guidance on balancing competing interests.
(P.A. 95-333, S. 9.)
2023 Connecticut General Statutes › Title 26 - Fisheries and Game › Chapter 490 - Fisheries and Game › Section 26-2. - Members. Appointment. Compensation.

Section 26-2 is repealed.
(1949 Rev., S. 4847; 1953, June, 1955, S. 2443d; 1971, P.A. 872, S. 152.)
2023 Connecticut General Statutes › Title 26 - Fisheries and Game › Chapter 490 - Fisheries and Game › Section 26-3a. - Acquisition of easements for maintenance of dams.

The Commissioner of Energy and Environmental Protection may acquire by purchase, lease or gift, or by condemnation in the manner provided by part I of chapter 835, such lands, easements or rights-of-way as are needed in connection with maintenance, repairs, reconstruction or remodeling of state-owned dams.
(1963, P.A. 341; 1971, P.A. 872, S. 209; P.A. 11-80, S. 1.)
History: 1971 act replaced board of fisheries and game with commissioner of environmental protection; pursuant to P.A. 11-80, “Commissioner of Environmental Protection” was changed editorially by the Revisors to “Commissioner of Energy and Environmental Protection”, effective July 1, 2011.
2023 Connecticut General Statutes › Title 26 - Fisheries and Game › Chapter 490 - Fisheries and Game › Section 26-3c. - Procedures and processes for use of Internet and other means for issuance of hunting, fishing and trapping licenses, permits, stamps and tags. Schedule of retainage by agents.

(a) The Commissioner of Energy and Environmental Protection shall establish procedures and business processes for the use of the Internet and other means of communication and conducting transactions that shall be used for the issuance of hunting, fishing and trapping licenses, permits, stamps and tags pursuant to sections 26-27, 26-27b, 26-28, 26-30, 26-31, 26-36, 26-48a, 26-86a and 26-86c.
(b) The commissioner shall establish a schedule of the parts of fees to be retained by agents for the issuance of certain hunting, fishing and trapping licenses, permits, stamps and tags.
(P.A. 10-3, S. 71; P.A. 11-80, S. 1.)
History: P.A. 10-3 effective April 14, 2010; pursuant to P.A. 11-80, “Commissioner of Environmental Protection” was changed editorially by the Revisors to “Commissioner of Energy and Environmental Protection” in Subsec. (a), effective July 1, 2011.
2023 Connecticut General Statutes › Title 26 - Fisheries and Game › Chapter 490 - Fisheries and Game › Section 26-4. - Appointment and duties of director.

Section 26-4 is repealed.
(1949 Rev., S. 4847; 1953, S. 2446d; 1953, 1955, S. 2443d; 1971, P.A. 872, S. 152.)
2023 Connecticut General Statutes › Title 26 - Fisheries and Game › Chapter 490 - Fisheries and Game › Section 26-6b. - Search of containers by conservation officers.

Any person who, upon request or signal of any conservation officer or special conservation officer performing his duty pursuant to section 26-6, fails to stop or remain stopped until such officer reaches his immediate vicinity and makes known to him the reason for the request or signal, or any person who fails to stand by for inspection of any container in his possession on request from such officer under such circumstances or who disposes of any fish, crustacean or container of any kind, or its contents, after being requested or signaled to stop by such officer but before such officer has inspected the same shall be guilty of a class C misdemeanor.
(1967, P.A. 305; P.A. 12-80, S. 175.)
History: P.A. 12-80 changed penalty from a fine of not less than $50 or more than $500 or imprisonment of not more than 90 days or both to a class C misdemeanor.
2023 Connecticut General Statutes › Title 26 - Fisheries and Game › Chapter 490 - Fisheries and Game › Section 26-7. - Volunteer assistants.

The Commissioner of Energy and Environmental Protection may appoint suitable citizens in each community to assist as volunteers, without compensation, in any fish and game program of the department with the same authority as regular members of the department, except the power of enforcement or arrest.
(1953, S. 2456d; 1971, P.A. 872, S. 213; P.A. 11-80, S. 1.)
History: 1971 act replaced references to board and department of fish and game with references to commissioner and department of environmental protection; pursuant to P.A. 11-80, “Commissioner of Environmental Protection” was changed editorially by the Revisors to “Commissioner of Energy and Environmental Protection”, effective July 1, 2011.
2023 Connecticut General Statutes › Title 26 - Fisheries and Game › Chapter 490 - Fisheries and Game › Section 26-8. - Ordinances controlling use of waters not applicable to department or employees.

No municipal ordinance, the purpose of which is to control the use of boats and motors on, or other public use of, any lake or pond, shall apply to boats and motors owned by the department or be enforceable against any employee of the department while he is engaged in the enforcement of laws and regulations and the performance of other official duties.
(1957, P.A. 275; 1971, P.A. 872, S. 214.)
History: 1971 act replaced references to board of fisheries and game with references to environmental protection department.
2023 Connecticut General Statutes › Title 26 - Fisheries and Game › Chapter 490 - Fisheries and Game › Section 26-9. - Annual exhibition.

The commissioner, in conjunction with and by assistance from other state departments, is authorized to promote and direct an annual Connecticut exhibition for the purpose of disseminating information regarding the activities and achievements of the various state departments, particularly those connected with the conservation or restoration of forests and wildlife, and the opportunities for other forms of outdoor recreation in the state. The expense of conducting such exhibition shall be paid from admission charges. No expense shall be imposed upon the state by reason of such exhibition, except that departments may use from their appropriations such funds as may be necessary for preparing and placing exhibits at any such exhibitions. Any profits derived from any such exhibition shall be paid to the State Treasurer.
(1949 Rev., S. 4853; 1971, P.A. 872, S. 215; P.A. 77-614, S. 19, 610; P.A. 88-1, S. 8, 13.)
History: 1971 act replaced reference to board of fisheries and game with reference to commissioner of environmental protection; P.A. 77-614 replaced commissioner of finance and control with secretary of the office of policy and management; P.A. 88-1 eliminated provision requiring approval of secretary of the office of policy and management of the use of departmental appropriations for preparation and placement of exhibits.
2023 Connecticut General Statutes › Title 26 - Fisheries and Game › Chapter 490 - Fisheries and Game › Section 26-10 to 26-13. - Board may borrow from General Fund. Game Fund. Fish Fund. Disposition of receipts.

Sections 26-10 to 26-13, inclusive, are repealed.
(1949 Rev., S. 4854, 4873, 5018, 5019; 1953, S. 2549d, 2550d; 1957, P.A. 159; 160; 1959, P.A. 398, S. 3, 4, 25; 1971, P.A. 872, S. 152.)
2023 Connecticut General Statutes › Title 26 - Fisheries and Game › Chapter 490 - Fisheries and Game › Section 26-14. - Federal aid for fish restoration projects.

Section 26-14 is repealed, effective April 14, 2010.
(1951, S. 2461d; 1971, P.A. 872, S. 216; P.A. 09-173, S. 8; P.A. 10-3, S. 74.)
2023 Connecticut General Statutes › Title 26 - Fisheries and Game › Chapter 490 - Fisheries and Game › Section 26-15. - Fish and wildlife restoration projects. Funds for programs and functions of Bureau of Natural Resources.

The state of Connecticut assents to the provisions of the Act of Congress titled “Pittman-Robertson Wildlife Restoration Act”, approved September 2, 1937, and the provisions of the Act of Congress titled “Dingell-Johnson Sport Fish Restoration Act”, approved August 9, 1950. The Commissioner of Energy and Environmental Protection is authorized and directed to perform such acts as may be necessary to the establishment and operation of cooperative fish and wildlife restoration projects, as defined in said Acts of Congress, in compliance with said acts and with rules and regulations promulgated by the Secretary of the Interior thereunder, and no funds accruing to the state from license, permit, tag and stamp fees, other than the stamp fee paid pursuant to section 26-27b, paid by hunters, trappers and anglers, including, but not limited to, license fees paid by hunters pursuant to sections 26-28, 26-30, 26-31, 26-36, 26-48a, 26-86a and 26-86c, and real or personal property acquired with license, permit, tag and stamp fees, interest, dividends, or other income earned on license, permit, tag and stamp fees shall be diverted for any other purpose than to fund the programs and functions of the Bureau of Natural Resources within the Department of Energy and Environmental Protection, in accordance with 50 CFR 80.4.
(1949 Rev., S. 4925; 1971, P.A. 872, S. 217; P.A. 09-173, S. 7; P.A. 10-3, S. 66; P.A. 11-80, S. 1.)
History: 1971 act replaced board of fisheries and game with commissioner of environmental protection; P.A. 09-173 added provision re use of funds accruing to state from license fees paid by hunters, effective July 1, 2009; P.A. 10-3 replaced reference to “An Act to Provide that the United States Shall Aid the States in Wildlife Restoration Projects, and for Other Purposes” with reference to “Pittman-Robertson Wildlife Restoration Act”, added reference to provisions of Act of Congress titled “Dingell-Johnson Sport Fish Restoration Act”, added provisions re fish restoration projects and re permit, tag and certain stamp revenues, and replaced provision re protection, propagation, preservation and investigation of fish and game and administration of department functions relating thereto with provision re funding programs and functions of Bureau of Natural Resources within Department of Environmental Protection, effective April 14, 2010; P.A. 11-59 made technical changes, effective July 1, 2011; pursuant to P.A. 11-80, “Commissioner of Environmental Protection” and “Department of Environmental Protection” were changed editorially by the Revisors to “Commissioner of Energy and Environmental Protection” and “Department of Energy and Environmental Protection”, respectively, effective July 1, 2011.
2023 Connecticut General Statutes › Title 26 - Fisheries and Game › Chapter 490 - Fisheries and Game › Section 26-15a. - Appropriations to Bureau of Natural Resources. Federal aid. Annual report.

(a) The provisions of section 26-15 shall remain in full force and effect, and there shall be appropriated to the Bureau of Natural Resources within the Department of Energy and Environmental Protection for each fiscal year a sum not less than the total estimated receipts from fishing and hunting and trapping licenses, permits, tags and stamps, other than the Connecticut Migratory Bird Conservation Stamp described in section 26-27b, for such year issued under the provisions of this chapter and income earned from license fees, including interest and dividends, income earned from assets acquired with license, permit, tag and stamp fees and the sale or leasing of real or personal property.
(b) To the extent authorized by federal law or regulation, the Department of Energy and Environmental Protection shall supplement the funds appropriated to the department for fish and wildlife programs by taking full advantage of the annual apportionment made pursuant to the provisions of (1) Public Law 681, 81st Congress, entitled “An Act to Provide that the United States Shall Aid the States in Fish Restoration and Management Projects, and for Other Purposes”, approved August 9, 1950, and (2) the Act of Congress entitled “An Act to Provide that the United States Shall Aid the States in Wildlife Restoration Projects, and for Other Purposes”, approved September 2, 1937. On or before February first, annually, the department shall submit a report to the joint standing committee of the General Assembly having cognizance of matters relating to appropriations and the budgets of state agencies, which sets forth, for the twelve-month period ending the preceding September thirtieth, the amount of such federal funds received by the department, the amount of such funds expended and the purposes for which such funds were expended.
(1959, P.A. 398, S. 24; 1971, P.A. 872, S. 218; P.A. 84-413; P.A. 10-3, S. 67; P.A. 11-80, S. 1.)
History: 1971 act replaced state board of fisheries and game with department of environmental protection; P.A. 84-413 added Subsec. (b) requiring the department to take full advantage of federal funds for fish and wildlife projects and to submit an annual report of such funds; P.A. 10-3 amended Subsec. (a) by deleting reference to Sec. 26-14, adding reference to Bureau of Natural Resources and adding provisions re receipts from permits, tags and stamps, other than Connecticut Migratory Bird Conservation Stamp, income earned from license fees, income earned from assets acquired with license, permit, tag and stamp fees and sale or leasing of real or personal property, effective April 14, 2010; pursuant to P.A. 11-80, “Department of Environmental Protection” was changed editorially by the Revisors to “Department of Energy and Environmental Protection”, effective July 1, 2011.
2023 Connecticut General Statutes › Title 26 - Fisheries and Game › Chapter 490 - Fisheries and Game › Section 26-15b. - Annual report re license, permit, stamp and tag fees and expenditures for fish and wildlife programs.

On or before October first of each year, the Department of Energy and Environmental Protection shall submit a report to the Chief of the Wildlife and Sport Fish Restoration Program of the United States Fish and Wildlife Service, United States Department of the Interior, that sets forth for the twelve-month period ending the preceding June thirtieth, the amount of license, permit, stamp, other than the Connecticut Migratory Bird Conservation Stamp, and tag fees paid by hunters, trappers and anglers pursuant to the provisions of this chapter as well as interest, dividends and sale or lease payments from assets purchased with license, permit, stamp and tag revenues and the amount of funds expended on fish and wildlife programs and the purposes for which such funds were expended. Additionally, such report shall include, but not be limited to, the amount of expenditures for: (1) The protection, propagation, preservation and investigation of fish and game, (2) the operation, administration and maintenance of fish and wildlife facilities, (3) the operation and administration of wildlife management areas and fish and wildlife access areas, (4) the restoration and enhancement of fish and wildlife habitat, (5) the operation and administration of angler and hunter education and outreach programs, and (6) the administration of fish and wildlife technical assistance programs.
(P.A. 10-3, S. 68; P.A. 11-80, S. 1.)
History: P.A. 10-3 effective April 14, 2010; pursuant to P.A. 11-80, “Department of Environmental Protection” was changed editorially by the Revisors to “Department of Energy and Environmental Protection”, effective July 1, 2011.
2023 Connecticut General Statutes › Title 26 - Fisheries and Game › Chapter 490 - Fisheries and Game › Section 26-17. - Release of fishing or hunting rights.

The commissioner, by agreement with the land owner, may cancel any short-term lease of fishing or hunting rights in the event of the sale or transfer of property involved upon the refund to the state of the proportionate amount of the rental for the unexpired portion of the term of the lease.
(1949 Rev., S. 4849; 1971, P.A. 872, S. 220.)
History: 1971 act replaced reference to board of fisheries and game with reference to environmental protection commissioner.
2023 Connecticut General Statutes › Title 26 - Fisheries and Game › Chapter 490 - Fisheries and Game › Section 26-17a. - Acquisition and preservation of tidal wetlands.

(a) For the purposes of this section, “tidal wetlands” means any land contiguous with, adjacent to or adjoining waters which are subject to tidal action at any time. The Department of Energy and Environmental Protection shall establish a program for the protection, preservation, acquisition and improvement of the tidal wetlands of the state.
(b) The Commissioner of Energy and Environmental Protection may, by purchase, exchange, condemnation, gift, devise, lease or otherwise, acquire tidal wetlands or any easements, interests or rights therein, or enter into covenants and agreements with owners of such tidal wetlands to maintain, improve, protect, limit the future use of or otherwise conserve such tidal wetlands. The commissioner may also enter into leases with an option to buy tidal wetlands, provided the term of any such lease shall not exceed ten years.
(c) The commissioner is authorized to take land or any interests therein by right of eminent domain in the manner provided in section 48-12 for the purposes for which he is authorized to acquire land under the provisions of subsection (b) of this section. All of the owners of different tracts of land which are included in the same tidal wetlands area may be joined in the same action.
(d) When the municipal property tax on any tidal wetlands is unpaid for a period of six years, the tax collector of the municipality in which such tidal wetlands are located shall notify the Commissioner of Energy and Environmental Protection. Said commissioner may direct the municipality to take title to such tidal wetlands by foreclosure of its tax liens and, upon payment to the municipality of a sum equal to the amount of the tax liens foreclosed and the expenses incurred by it in the foreclosure action, the municipality shall convey title of said wetlands to the state.
(1967, P.A. 536, S. 1-5; 1971, P.A. 872, S. 221; P.A. 05-288, S. 116; P.A. 11-80, S. 1.)
History: 1971 act replaced department of agriculture and natural resources with department of environmental protection; P.A. 05-288 made a technical change in Subsec. (c), effective July 13, 2005; pursuant to P.A. 11-80, “Commissioner of Environmental Protection” and “Department of Environmental Protection” were changed editorially by the Revisors to “Commissioner of Energy and Environmental Protection” and “Department of Energy and Environmental Protection”, respectively, effective July 1, 2011.
See Sec. 22a-29 et seq. re regulation of wetlands.
2023 Connecticut General Statutes › Title 26 - Fisheries and Game › Chapter 490 - Fisheries and Game › Section 26-18. - Fish or game for propagation.

Any person who, in making application to the Commissioner of Energy and Environmental Protection for any fish, fish fry, fingerling fish, game or game bird or any egg of any game bird, makes any false statement concerning the use to be made thereof, with intent to deceive the commissioner, or who makes any use thereof other than that specified in such application, shall be fined not more than two hundred fifty dollars.
(1949 Rev., S. 4999, 5009; 1971, P.A. 872, S. 222; P.A. 11-80, S. 1; P.A. 12-80, S. 21.)
History: 1971 act replaced references to board of fisheries and game with references to commissioner of environmental protection; pursuant to P.A. 11-80, “Commissioner of Environmental Protection” was changed editorially by the Revisors to “Commissioner of Energy and Environmental Protection”, effective July 1, 2011; P.A. 12-80 replaced penalty of a fine of not more than $100 or imprisonment of not more than 30 days or both with a fine of not more than $250.
2023 Connecticut General Statutes › Title 26 - Fisheries and Game › Chapter 490 - Fisheries and Game › Section 26-19. - Motor boats in Bantam River.

No person shall operate a boat propelled by an internal combustion engine upon the waters of that part of Bantam River in the town of Litchfield between the demarcation lines established under the provisions of section 26-110 at the mouth or outlet of said river where it enters Bantam Lake and the outlet or inlet at Little Pond. Any person who violates any provision of this section shall be fined not more than one hundred dollars. Any conservation officer shall have the power to enforce the provisions of this section.
(1949 Rev., S. 4931; 1957, P.A. 416; P.A. 90-341, S. 8.)
History: P.A. 90-341 added the references to specify the “outlet” of the Bantam River and the “inlet” at Little Pond.
2023 Connecticut General Statutes › Title 26 - Fisheries and Game › Chapter 490 - Fisheries and Game › Section 26-20. - Signs on rights-of-way to state ponds or streams.

The commissioner shall erect a sign or signs on the right-of-way to each pond or stream owned or leased by the state for the use of sport fishermen, which sign or signs shall clearly indicate the location and limits of such right-of-way.
(1949 Rev., S. 4856; 1971, P.A. 872, S. 223.)
History: 1971 act replaced board of fisheries and game with commissioner of environmental protection.
2023 Connecticut General Statutes › Title 26 - Fisheries and Game › Chapter 490 - Fisheries and Game › Section 26-21. - Notice not to be destroyed.

Any person who defaces, obliterates or destroys any notice or proclamation, posted pursuant to any of the provisions of this chapter, shall be fined seventy-seven dollars.
(1949 Rev., S. 4894, 4897; 1957, P.A. 277; 1971, P.A. 872, S. 224; P.A. 95-119, S. 2.)
History: 1971 act replaced board of fisheries and game with department of environmental protection; P.A. 95-119 deleted provision re destruction of certain property of the Department of Environmental Protection, deleted provision re imprisonment for defacing a notice or proclamation and set the fine at $77.
2023 Connecticut General Statutes › Title 26 - Fisheries and Game › Chapter 490 - Fisheries and Game › Section 26-22. - Control of aquatic plants and animals.

The commissioner may, after investigation has indicated that such measures are in the interest of fisheries management, use chemical, electrical or mechanical means to remove undesirable plants or animals from the waters of the state or may add substances to the waters of the state for the purpose of increasing the production of fish food organisms in such waters. Where such waters are used for a water supply furnished to the public or are tributary to such water supply, the addition of chemicals and substances to such waters shall be subject to the approval of the Department of Public Health.
(1949, S. 2459d, 2460d; February, 1965, P.A. 271, S. 2; 1971, P.A. 872, S. 225; P.A. 77-614, S. 323, 610; P.A. 93-381, S. 9, 39; P.A. 95-257, S. 12, 21, 58.)
History: 1965 act deleted requirement that use of chemical, electrical or mechanical means to remove undesirable animals and plants from state waters be supervised by board of fisheries and game or its agents; 1971 act replaced board of fisheries and game with commissioner of environmental protection; P.A. 77-614 replaced department of health with department of health services, effective January 1, 1979; P.A. 93-381 replaced department of health services with department of public health and addiction services, effective July 1, 1993; P.A. 95-257 replaced Commissioner and Department of Public Health and Addiction Services with Commissioner and Department of Public Health, effective July 1, 1995.
See Sec. 22a-339g re control of nonnative invasive plant species.
See Sec. 26-119 re use of explosives or poisons in waters of the state.
2023 Connecticut General Statutes › Title 26 - Fisheries and Game › Chapter 490 - Fisheries and Game › Section 26-23. - Abandoned or discarded fishing or hunting implements. Derelict lobster gear.

(a) Any weapon, article or implement, capable of being used for the purpose of taking, catching or holding any fish, crustacean, wild or game bird, wild or game quadruped, reptile or amphibian, which is abandoned, discarded or thrown away in an attempt to destroy or conceal evidence or to prevent apprehension, may be seized and taken into possession by any conservation officer. If the owner or person having custody of any such article at the time it is abandoned, discarded or thrown away fails to claim such article within one year after it comes into the possession of such officer, such article shall be forfeited to the state and may be retained for use by the commissioner, may be sold at public auction or may be destroyed at the discretion of said commissioner. The proceeds from such sales shall be paid to the State Treasurer to be credited to the General Fund.
(b) Any derelict lobster gear may be seized by an authorized representative of the commissioner. The commissioner, or the commissioner's authorized representative, shall attempt to notify the last known licensee of such derelict lobster gear not later than thirty days following such seizure. In the event: (1) There is no identifying marker on such seized derelict lobster gear, (2) the owner of such seized derelict lobster gear cannot be identified, or (3) the last known licensee of such seized derelict lobster gear fails to claim the seized derelict lobster gear, the commissioner may dispose of such seized derelict lobster gear or authorize the disposal of such seized derelict lobster gear. For the purpose of this subsection, “derelict lobster gear” means any lobster pot, trap, warp or live car found in Connecticut waters that does not have the current Connecticut commercial license number branded on the pot, trap, warp or live car in accordance with section 26-157a and that is not attached to the annual trap tag required by regulations adopted pursuant to section 26-157c for the current trap tag year cycle or the trap tag from the previous year's trap tag year cycle.
(1949 Rev., S. 5017; 1959, P.A. 398, S. 20; 1971, P.A. 872, S. 226; P.A. 85-53, S. 2; P.A. 18-54, S. 1.)
History: 1959 act required that proceeds from sale of forfeited articles be credited to general fund rather than fish and game funds; 1971 act replaced references to board of fisheries and game with references to commissioner of environmental protection; P.A. 85-53 applied provisions of section to implements used to take reptiles or amphibians; P.A. 18-54 designated existing provisions re abandoned or discarded fishing or hunting weapon, article or implement as Subsec. (a), and added Subsec. (b) re seizure of derelict lobster gear.
2023 Connecticut General Statutes › Title 26 - Fisheries and Game › Chapter 490 - Fisheries and Game › Section 26-24. - Use or disposal of seized articles.

Any hunting, fishing or trapping weapon, device, implement or article seized and held as evidence by the commissioner and not claimed by the owner thereof within a period of one year from the date of such seizure may be retained for use by the commissioner or assigned by said commissioner to any other state agency, or may be sold at public auction by the Commissioner of Administrative Services at the request of said commissioner, or may be destroyed at the discretion of said commissioner. The proceeds of any such sale shall be paid to the Treasurer and credited to the General Fund.
(1953, S. 2554d; 1959, P.A. 398, S. 5; 1971, P.A. 872, S. 227; P.A. 77-614, S. 135, 610.)
History: 1959 act required that proceeds from sale of seized articles be deposited in general fund rather than in fish and game funds; 1971 act replaced references to board of fisheries and game with references to commissioner of environmental protection; P.A. 77-614 replaced reference to director of purchases of the department of finance and control with commissioner of administrative services.
2023 Connecticut General Statutes › Title 26 - Fisheries and Game › Chapter 490 - Fisheries and Game › Section 26-25. - Commissioner may declare closed season or extend open season.

(a) The commissioner may, when he finds that extraordinary precautions are necessary to prevent fires in any woodland of the state, declare a closed season, during which sport fishing in inland waters or hunting on any land or waters of the state shall be suspended and the provisions relating to closed seasons shall be in force; but the provisions of this section shall not apply to the hunting of sea coots (scoters), old squaw and eider ducks from boats or rock formations in open coastal waters seaward of the first upstream bridge; to licensed shooting preserves, or to authorized field trials sanctioned by the American Kennel Club or American Field; or to sport fishing from boats, docks, wharves, floats or bridges in lakes and ponds, the Connecticut River, the Thames River and the Housatonic River downstream of Derby Dam when such lakes, ponds and rivers can be reached over open roads and access to such lakes, ponds and rivers by sport fishermen is by this means, to shad fishing at the state-controlled area of the Enfield Dam in Suffield, or to fishing in licensed commercial hatcheries. Upon the termination of the necessity for any such closed season, the commissioner may reopen the season. Whenever the commissioner, under the provisions of this subsection, declares a closed season for any period, he may extend the open season for an equal period.
(b) The commissioner may, when he finds that the harvest level for a species exceeds or fails to meet the harvest level for efficient management of such species, declare a closed season or extend the open season for the sport fishing, hunting or trapping of such species. Any closed season or extended open season may be limited to a specific area.
(c) Whenever the commissioner declares a closed season, the reopening of a closed season or the extension of an open season under the provisions of this section, he shall cause notice thereof to be published in the Connecticut Law Journal.
(1949 Rev., S. 4851; 1955, S. 2448d; February, 1965, P.A. 61, S. 1; 1971, P.A. 872, S. 228; P.A. 86-26.)
History: 1965 act clarified prohibitions and exceptions to them by referring to specific waterfowl and shore birds excepted from provisions, to specific rivers excepted, to shad fishing in the state-controlled area of the Enfield Dam and to fishing in licensed commercial hatcheries, and deleted provision which had allowed continuation of open season beyond November thirtieth in any year; 1971 act transferred powers formerly held by governor to commissioner of environmental protection and required that notice be published in Connecticut Law Journal when closed season declared or when it is reopened or when open season is extended; P.A. 86-26 divided section into Subsecs. and added new provision concerning closed and open seasons when harvest levels exceed or fail to meet harvest levels for efficient management.
See Sec. 23-50 re authority of Governor to close forests as precaution against fires.
2023 Connecticut General Statutes › Title 26 - Fisheries and Game › Chapter 490 - Fisheries and Game › Section 26-25a. - Regulation of feeding of wildlife on state-owned property.

(a) The Commissioner of Energy and Environmental Protection may adopt regulations in accordance with the provisions of chapter 54 prohibiting or restricting the feeding of wildlife on state-owned property. Such regulations shall include, but not be limited to, procedures for designating areas subject to such prohibitions or restrictions. Any such designation shall be effective after public notice and a public comment period.
(b) Any conservation officer appointed pursuant to section 26-5 and any other officer authorized to serve criminal process may enforce any regulations adopted pursuant to subsection (a) of this section. Any violation of such regulations shall be an infraction.
(P.A. 87-546; P.A. 11-80, S. 1.)
History: Pursuant to P.A. 11-80, “Commissioner of Environmental Protection” was changed editorially by the Revisors to “Commissioner of Energy and Environmental Protection” in Subsec. (a), effective July 1, 2011.
2023 Connecticut General Statutes › Title 26 - Fisheries and Game › Chapter 490 - Fisheries and Game › Section 26-25b. - Disclosure of stocking schedules.

Notwithstanding any provision of section 1-210 to the contrary, any schedule describing the date and location of the stocking or release of any fish or animal into the wild shall not be disclosed to the public until after such stocking or release has taken place unless the Commissioner of Energy and Environmental Protection deems such disclosure to be in the best interest of proper fish or wildlife management.
(P.A. 90-166, S. 3, 5; P.A. 11-80, S. 1.)
History: Pursuant to P.A. 11-80, “Commissioner of Environmental Protection” was changed editorially by the Revisors to “Commissioner of Energy and Environmental Protection”, effective July 1, 2011.
2023 Connecticut General Statutes › Title 26 - Fisheries and Game › Chapter 490 - Fisheries and Game › Section 26-25c. - Release of lighter-than-air balloons restricted. Penalty.

(a) No person, nonprofit organization, firm or corporation, including the state and its political subdivisions, shall knowingly release, organize the release of or intentionally cause to be released into the atmosphere within a twenty-four-hour period ten or more helium or other lighter-than-air gas balloons in the state.
(b) Any violation of subsection (a) of this section shall be an infraction.
(P.A. 90-7.)
2023 Connecticut General Statutes › Title 26 - Fisheries and Game › Chapter 490 - Fisheries and Game › Section 26-26. - Enforcement in state boundary waters of fish and game laws.

If and when the state of Rhode Island, the state of Massachusetts or the state of New York enacts a similar law for arrest and punishment for violations of the fish and game laws of this state, or of the state of Rhode Island, the state of Massachusetts or the state of New York, committed or attempted to be committed by any person or persons fishing in that portion of any waters lying between any of such states and this state, any game protector, conservation officer, fish and game warden or other person of either state who is authorized to make arrests for such violations of the fish and game laws of any such other state or this state shall have authority to make arrests on any part of any such waters lying between such states and to take the person or persons so arrested for trial to the state in which the violation was committed, for prosecution according to the laws of such state.
(1949 Rev., S. 4863.)
2023 Connecticut General Statutes › Title 26 - Fisheries and Game › Chapter 490 - Fisheries and Game › Section 26-27a. - Junior licenses.

As used in this part:
(1) “Junior firearms hunting license” means a license issued for firearms hunting to persons between twelve and sixteen years of age;
(2) “Junior archery hunting license” means a license issued for archery hunting to persons between twelve and sixteen years of age;
(3) “Junior trapping license” means a license issued for trapping to persons under sixteen years of age.
(P.A. 82-366, S. 1.)
2023 Connecticut General Statutes › Title 26 - Fisheries and Game › Chapter 490 - Fisheries and Game › Section 26-27d. - Citizens' Advisory Board for the Connecticut Migratory Bird and Resident Game Bird Conservation Stamps program.

(a) There is established a Citizens' Advisory Board for the Connecticut Migratory Bird and Resident Game Bird Conservation Stamps program. The board shall consist of seven members appointed by the Commissioner of Energy and Environmental Protection. The members of the board shall be individuals representing organizations having a record of activity in migratory or resident game bird or habitat conservation or who have an expertise or recognized knowledge in an area pertinent and valuable to the program. The board shall elect a chairman from among its membership on or before July 1, 1992. The chairman shall be unaffiliated with any administrative agency of the state.
(b) The board shall advise the Commissioner of Energy and Environmental Protection on the design, production and procurement of the Connecticut Migratory Bird Conservation Stamp and the Connecticut Resident Game Bird Conservation Stamp and the expenditure of funds generated from the sale of such stamps and associated art products pursuant to sections 26-27b and 26-27c.
(P.A. 92-133, S. 3, 9; June Sp. Sess. P.A. 09-3, S. 442; P.A. 10-3, S. 70; P.A. 11-80, S. 1; P.A. 16-27, S. 5.)
History: June Sp. Sess. P.A. 09-3 amended Subsec. (b) to delete provision re expenditure of funds generated from sale of stamps; P.A. 10-3 amended Subsec. (b) by adding duty to advise commissioner on expenditure of funds generated from sale of stamps and associated art products, effective April 14, 2010; pursuant to P.A. 11-80, “Commissioner of Environmental Protection” was changed editorially by the Revisors to “Commissioner of Energy and Environmental Protection”, effective July 1, 2011; P.A. 16-27 amended Subsec. (a) to replace “Connecticut Migratory Bird Conservation Stamp program” with “Connecticut Migratory Bird and Resident Game Bird Conservation Stamps program”, add “or resident game” and delete “wetland”, and amended Subsec. (b) to add reference to Connecticut Resident Game Bird Conservation Stamp, effective July 1, 2016.
2023 Connecticut General Statutes › Title 26 - Fisheries and Game › Chapter 490 - Fisheries and Game › Section 26-27e. - Sport fishing licenses. Statement re discarding of fishing line or other litter.

Each sport fishing license issued pursuant to this part shall contain a conspicuous statement with or printed on such license stating that any person who intentionally discards fishing line or other litter in the waters of the state, on public property of the state or on private property not owned by such person, shall be subject to a fine under section 22a-250.
(P.A. 08-144, S. 2.)
2023 Connecticut General Statutes › Title 26 - Fisheries and Game › Chapter 490 - Fisheries and Game › Section 26-27f. - Three-day out-of-state bird hunting license. Fee. Regulations.

The Commissioner of Energy and Environmental Protection shall adopt regulations, in accordance with the provisions of chapter 54, to establish a three-day out-of-state bird hunting license that may be used to hunt migratory birds and resident game birds. The fee for such license shall be thirty-five dollars and shall be in addition to any other permit or stamp requirement. All funds collected from such fee shall be deposited into the migratory bird and resident game bird conservation account established pursuant to section 26-27c.
(P.A. 16-27, S. 6.)
History: P.A. 16-27 effective July 1, 2016.
2023 Connecticut General Statutes › Title 26 - Fisheries and Game › Chapter 490 - Fisheries and Game › Section 26-27g. - Lifetime hunting and fishing licenses. Authorization. Regulations.

Notwithstanding the provisions of this chapter, the Commissioner of Energy and Environmental Protection may adopt regulations in accordance with chapter 54 to establish and issue lifetime hunting and fishing licenses, permits and stamps and combinations thereof.
(P.A. 18-181, S. 3.)
2023 Connecticut General Statutes › Title 26 - Fisheries and Game › Chapter 490 - Fisheries and Game › Section 26-28a. - Combination licenses for servicemen. Fee.

Section 26-28a is repealed.
(1967, P.A. 211, S. 1; 1969, P.A. 79, S. 1; P.A. 79-81, S. 2, 3; P.A. 81-298, S. 3, 9; P.A. 82-366, S. 8.)
2023 Connecticut General Statutes › Title 26 - Fisheries and Game › Chapter 490 - Fisheries and Game › Section 26-28b. - Marine waters fishing license. Exemptions.

(a) Except as provided in subsection (b), (d), (e) or (f) of this section and other provisions of this chapter providing specific license exemption, no person more than sixteen years of age shall take, attempt to take or assist in taking any fish or bait species in the marine district by any method or land marine fish and bait species in the state regardless of where such marine fish or bait species are taken, without first having obtained a marine waters fishing license as provided in section 26-28c.
(b) No marine waters fishing license shall be required for any person who is rowing a boat or operating the motor of a boat from which other persons are taking or attempting to take fish.
(c) The taking of fish and bait species as herein provided shall be regarded as sport fishing and the taking or landing of such species in the marine district by commercial methods for commercial purposes shall be governed by other provisions of this chapter.
(d) No marine waters fishing license shall be required for any resident of the state who is participating in a fishing derby authorized in writing by the Commissioner of Energy and Environmental Protection provided (1) no fees are charged for such derby, (2) such derby has a duration of one day or less, and (3) such derby is sponsored by a nonprofit civic service organization. Such organization shall be limited to one derby in any calendar year.
(e) No marine waters fishing license shall be required for any person who is fishing as a passenger on a party or charter fishing vessel registered under section 26-142a and operating solely in the marine district.
(f) The Commissioner of Energy and Environmental Protection may designate one day in each calendar year when no license shall be required for sport fishing in the marine district.
(P.A. 09-173, S. 4; P.A. 11-80, S. 1; P.A. 15-52, S. 7.)
History: P.A. 09-173 effective June 15, 2009; pursuant to P.A. 11-80, “Commissioner of Environmental Protection” was changed editorially by the Revisors to “Commissioner of Energy and Environmental Protection” in Subsecs. (d) and (f), effective July 1, 2011; P.A. 15-52 amended Subsec. (e) by changing “party boat, charter boat or head boat” to “party or charter fishing vessel”, effective January 1, 2016.