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SB 321CONNECTICUTSession 2026State BillSigned into law

Enacted

Connecticut requires broadband and telecom providers to give advance notice of major underground excavations

Original title: AN ACT CONCERNING REQUIREMENTS FOR CERTAIN EXCAVATION PROJECTS.

Last action · May 20, 2026: Signed by the GovernorSponsors: Kerry Wood and 6 others

Bill progressHistory & official text ↓

Introduced

Committee

Floor Vote

Passed

Law

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What This Bill Does

Telecommunications and broadband providers must now submit advance notice to the Public Utilities Regulatory Authority and the Department of Transportation before beginning underground excavation work in , starting October 1, 2026. The law also prohibits requiring excavation sites to remain open after work finishes unless mandated by a permit, and repeals prior mandates for developing standardized conduit construction procedures.

Why it matters

Underground utility and broadband providers face new advance-notice timelines and civil penalties for noncompliance, while state agencies gain structured oversight over excavation projects in .

Who It Affects

Groups the bill's text affects, as described in the record. Being affected is not a position for or against it.

Directly affected

telecommunications service providers

Providers must submit advance excavation notices to state agencies, comply with permit processes, and face potential civil penalties for noncompliance.

Directly affected

broadband Internet access service providers

Providers are subject to new notification timelines and regulatory reporting requirements when constructing underground facilities in public rights-of-way.

Directly affected

Department of Transportation

The department receives project notices for excavations in state highway rights-of-way and manages conduit leases and encroachment permits.

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

When do providers need to notify regulators about upcoming excavation projects?

Providers must notify PURA at least thirty days before starting underground excavation exceeding five hundred feet in length, and at least five days before starting smaller underground facilities.

Are providers required to keep excavation sites open after work is completed?

No person is required to keep an excavation site open after completion of work unless it is specifically required as a condition of a permit.

What happens if a provider fails to comply with these excavation rules?

Failure to comply may result in a civil penalty levied by PURA in accordance with section 16-41, and these fines cannot be recovered as costs in any .

What else do you want to know?

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Where This Stands

Current status: Signed into law.

Procedural history

22 actions

May 20, 2026Governor of ConnecticutEnrolled
Signed by the Governor
May 14, 2026Governor of Connecticut
Transmitted by Secretary of the State to Governor
May 14, 2026Connecticut General Assembly
Transmitted to the Secretary of State
May 11, 2026Connecticut General AssemblyEnrolled
Public Act 26-20
May 4, 2026Connecticut General Assembly
In Concurrence
May 4, 2026HouseFloor
House Passed as Amended by Senate Amendment Schedule A

Show 16 earlier actions

May 4, 2026HouseFloor
House Adopted Senate Amendment Schedule A
May 4, 2026Connecticut General Assembly
Rules Suspended
May 1, 2026House
House Calendar Number 553
May 1, 2026House
Favorable Report, Tabled for the Calendar, House
Apr 30, 2026House
Rules Suspended, Transmitted to the House
Apr 30, 2026SenateFloor
Senate Passed as Amended by Senate Amendment Schedule A
Apr 30, 2026SenateFloor
Senate Adopted Senate Amendment Schedule A 5365
Apr 2, 2026Connecticut General Assembly
File Number 348
Apr 2, 2026Senate
Senate Calendar Number 234
Apr 2, 2026Senate
Favorable Report, Tabled for the Calendar, Senate
Apr 2, 2026Connecticut General Assembly
Reported Out of Legislative Commissioners' Office
Mar 27, 2026Connecticut General Assembly
Referred to Office of Legislative Research and Office of Fiscal Analysis 04/01/26 5:00 PM
Mar 18, 2026Connecticut General Assembly
Filed with Legislative Commissioners' Office
Mar 17, 2026Connecticut General Assembly
Joint Favorable Substitute
Feb 27, 2026Connecticut General Assembly
Public Hearing 03/05
Feb 26, 2026Connecticut General AssemblyCommittee
Referred to Joint Committee on Energy and Technology

Version history

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