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Read. Follow. Verify.Connecticut Public Act 26-21 Establishes Commuter Tax Credits, Expands Microtransit Pilot, and Funds Shore Line East
Last action · May 27, 2026: Signed by the GovernorSponsors: Martin Looney and 39 others
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What This Bill Does
Substitute Senate Bill No. 9 enacts a tax credit for employers providing commuter transportation benefits, extends and expands the state's pilot program to three years, allocates $7 million for Shore Line East rail operations and service increases, and establishes free public bus pass programs for high school students and veterans.
The measure directly alters tax liabilities for businesses offering commuter benefits, commits $7 million specifically to Shore Line East rail funding and service expansion, and creates new transportation cost-subsidies for high school students and military veterans across the state.
- The General Assembly passes substitute bills and public acts to establish new state programs, amend statutes, and appropriate state funding. context
- Shore Line East is a commuter rail service operating along the shoreline of Connecticut between New London and New Haven, with continuing service to Stamford. context
Who It Affects
Groups the bill's text affects, as described in the record. Being affected is not a position for or against it.
Eligible employers
Employers providing qualified commuter benefits can apply for phased corporate tax credits over a five-year period.
Students in grades nine to twelve
Public school students are eligible to receive free passes for state-owned or state-controlled bus public transportation services.
Veterans in the state
Veterans are eligible to receive free passes for state-owned or state-controlled bus public transportation services.
Shore Line East rail commuters
Commuters benefit from $7 million directed to line operations and increased service frequency.
Key Facts
You don't have to trust us. Each fact below is taken straight from the official document - click any one to see the exact passage, highlighted in the original.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which businesses qualify for the new commuter tax credit?
How are high school students receiving free bus passes?
What funding is directed to the Shore Line East rail line?
What else do you want to know?
News Coverage
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Votes, people, money & the original sourceWhere This Stands
Current status: Signed into law.
Procedural history
40 actions- May 27, 2026Governor of ConnecticutEnrolledSigned by the Governor
- May 15, 2026Governor of ConnecticutTransmitted by Secretary of the State to Governor
- May 15, 2026Connecticut General AssemblyTransmitted to the Secretary of State
- May 14, 2026Connecticut General AssemblyEnrolledPublic Act 26-21
- May 4, 2026Connecticut General AssemblyIn Concurrence
- May 4, 2026HouseFloorHouse Passed as Amended by Senate Amendment Schedule A,B
Show 34 earlier actions
- May 4, 2026HouseFloorHouse Adopted Senate Amendment Schedule A,B
- May 4, 2026Connecticut General AssemblyRules Suspended
- May 1, 2026HouseHouse Calendar Number 557
- May 1, 2026HouseFavorable Report, Tabled for the Calendar, House
- May 1, 2026HouseRules Suspended, Transmitted to the House
- May 1, 2026SenateFloorSenate Passed as Amended by Senate Amendment Schedule A,B
- May 1, 2026SenateFloorSenate Adopted Senate Amendment Schedule B 5584
- Apr 27, 2026SenateFavorable Report, Tabled for the Calendar, Senate
- Apr 27, 2026Connecticut General AssemblyNo New File by Committee on Finance, Revenue and Bonding
- Apr 27, 2026Connecticut General AssemblyReported Out of Legislative Commissioners' Office
- Apr 27, 2026Connecticut General AssemblyFiled with Legislative Commissioners' Office
- Apr 27, 2026Connecticut General AssemblyJoint Favorable
- Apr 21, 2026Connecticut General AssemblyImmediate Transmittal
- Apr 21, 2026SenateReferred by Senate to Committee on Finance, Revenue and Bonding
- Apr 20, 2026SenateFavorable Report, Tabled for the Calendar, Senate
- Apr 20, 2026Connecticut General AssemblyNo New File by Committee on Appropriations
- Apr 20, 2026Connecticut General AssemblyReported Out of Legislative Commissioners' Office
- Apr 20, 2026Connecticut General AssemblyFiled with Legislative Commissioners' Office
- Apr 17, 2026Connecticut General AssemblyJoint Favorable
- Apr 15, 2026Connecticut General AssemblyImmediate Transmittal
- Apr 15, 2026SenateReferred by Senate to Committee on Appropriations
- Apr 15, 2026SenateFloorSenate Adopted Senate Amendment Schedule A 4071
- Apr 7, 2026Connecticut General AssemblyFile Number 449
- Apr 7, 2026SenateSenate Calendar Number 261
- Apr 7, 2026SenateFavorable Report, Tabled for the Calendar, Senate
- Apr 7, 2026Connecticut General AssemblyReported Out of Legislative Commissioners' Office
- Mar 30, 2026Connecticut General AssemblyReferred to Office of Legislative Research and Office of Fiscal Analysis 04/07/26 12:00 PM
- Mar 19, 2026Connecticut General AssemblyFiled with Legislative Commissioners' Office
- Mar 16, 2026Connecticut General AssemblyJoint Favorable Substitute
- Feb 19, 2026Connecticut General AssemblyPublic Hearing 03/02
- Feb 18, 2026Connecticut General AssemblyCommitteeReferred to Joint Committee on Transportation
- Feb 17, 2026Connecticut General AssemblyDrafted by Committee
- Feb 13, 2026Connecticut General AssemblyVote to Draft
- Feb 4, 2026Connecticut General AssemblyCommitteeReferred to Joint Committee on Transportation
Version history
Only one version on file - nothing to compare yet. As later stages (committee substitute, engrossed, enrolled) are captured, the redline appears here.
View official text →Lobbying Activity
No state lobbying filings in our records match this bill. Federal lobbying reports (LDA) cover Congress, so they are not listed on state bills.
Full breakdown
Who this bill affects and the strongest case for and against it, written only from the bill’s own text.
Sponsors
Show 35 more sponsors
Discoveries
Patterns POLISCOPE noticed across the record. These are observations to investigate, not conclusions.
Expansion of Microtransit and Transit Subsidies
The act shifts state policy toward direct support of flexible microtransit in rural areas and targeted free transit access for students and veterans.
Connected Entities
Sources
cga.ct.gov
Analysis Score
0–100- Significance85How much this matters to a regular citizen
- Controversy15Intensity of disagreement among stakeholders
- Entertainment5Compellingness for a non-policy-wonk reader
- Buzz50Current news / social attention level
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