Patrick Callahan

New Laws Effective October 1, 2026

Several new laws will take effect October 1st that could have an impact on you, your business, or our community. I have highlighted some of them below. I co-sponsored a bill to recognize and honor our veterans . Among the provisions is one that allows the fee to be waived for a driver's license for any Department of Veterans Affairs verified veteran. The bill also creates a Veterans Dental Care Program to help eligible veterans get certain dental services. The bill sets an annual program cap of $3,000 per eligible veteran for covered services. We also passed bills to help protect public safety on our roadways. One bill taking effect October 1 would increase the penalty for a driver who is observed illegally passing a stopped school bus three or more times. They will now have their driver’s license suspended for six months. Under a different bill, distracted driving in a highway work zone will now be considered reckless driving, increased from being classified as a misdemeanor. Other major acts include: An Act Concerning the Nonissuance of a Standing Criminal Protective Order in the Case of a Family Violence Crime An Act Concerning the Use of Technology for Virtual Monitoring in Residential Care Homes An Act Concerning Child Welfare Accountability and Transparency An expanded list of those that will take effect on October 1, along with summaries, can be accessed here . Feel free to share this information with anyone who may benefit from it.

Rep. Callahan To Be Honored With Environmental Award

Hartford, CT - The Connecticut Water Works Association (CWWA) has named State Representative Patrick Callahan (R-New Fairfield) as this year’s CWWA Legislator of the Year. “I do this work because I want to protect our environment for future generations and I’m honored to be recognized for my, and our committee’s, commitment to protect clean water and our other natural resources,” said Rep. Callahan, the Ranking Member of the General Assembly’s Environment Committee. The award is in recognition of Callahan’s advocacy on legislation to address operational challenges facing water utilities in meeting their obligation to provide high-quality drinking water to customers. The organization is also recognizing Callahan for championing efforts to protect the safety and quality of Connecticut's water resources through legislation to remove PFAS from consumer products, address invasive species, and enhance source water protection and climate resiliency. “I was inspired to run for office when I was chair of the Candlewood Lake Authority and would testify before the Environment Committee. Now, I’m the Ranking Member of that committee and able to draft legislation to help Candlewood and other natural resources,” said Rep. Callahan. CWWA will present the award to Callahan at their annual conference on November 5, 2026, at the Aqua Turf. Environment Committee co-chair Rep. John-Michael Parker is also receiving the award. “Rep. Parker and I have a good working relationship. We both want what’s best for Connecticut residents when it comes to having a healthy environment,” noted Rep. Callahan. “Our meetings are some of the shortest and least contentious in the legislature because the chairs and ranking members are able to respectfully negotiate proposals before presenting them to our members for consideration.” The conference is generally attended by approximately 200 water industry professionals, engineers, hydrologists, and public officials. ###

Rep. Callahan Shares Info on CT DEEP Request for Comment on Next Comprehensive Energy Strategy

The Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection is seeking public comments regarding the development of Connecticut’s next Comprehensive Energy Strategy (CES). The CES will examine Connecticut’s future energy needs, consider policy strategies to meet those needs, and identify opportunities to reduce costs for ratepayers, ensure reliable energy, and mitigate the public health and environmental impacts of the state’s energy use. Comments are due to DEEP by 4:00 pm EDT on October 16, 2026. The final CES will include recommendations for meeting Connecticut’s energy needs affordably and reliably in the coming years across the power sector, natural gas, delivered fuels (oil and propane), and transportation fuels (gasoline and diesel). If you wish to submit comments, you can do so via this online form or by sending an email to DEEP.EnergyBureau@ct.gov with “Comprehensive Energy Strategy Comments” in the subject line, by October 16.

Rep. Callahan Highlights New School Bus Safety Law

Students in New Fairfield, New Milford and Danbury are starting a new school year this week, while Sherman students will be back in class on September 3rd! That means buses will be back on the roads and children waiting at the end of their driveways or on the side of a road for the bus. I co-sponsored a bill this session , which was signed into law, requiring a mandatory six-month suspension of a license of any driver who, a third or subsequent time, is caught violating the state law on stopping for school buses. Under existing law, drivers must stop their vehicles generally at least ten feet from the front or rear of a school bus that is displaying its flashing red signal lights and remain there until the bus no longer displays lights. Any person who violates this law faces a $450 fine for the first offense and a fine of $500 to $1,000, up to 30 days in prison, or both for a subsequent offense. I wanted to remind everyone to be careful on our public roadways when school is in session, especially near bus stops, schools, playgrounds, and athletic fields. Safety tips for drivers: State law prohibits passing a school bus with its lights flashing. Some school buses are equipped with cameras to record passing drivers. Observe the no-passing law and expect the unexpected when traveling near school buses in school driveways. Watch for children, especially when driving in neighborhoods with school zones. Watch for children walking in the street, especially if there are no sidewalks in the neighborhood. Safety tips for parents and children: Be waiting at your bus stop 5 minutes ahead of the scheduled pick up. Wait 10 feet back from the road and wear visible clothing. Always wait for the bus driver's head nod before boarding the bus or crossing the street. They're watching out for you! Avoid distracting the bus driver for anything other than an emergency.

Sales Tax Free Week Changes

Connecticut's annual Sales Tax Free Week begins on the third Sunday of August and runs until the following Saturday. This year it’s August 16 through August 22, 2026. This is timed in the run up to the start of the new school year when families are shopping for back-to-school clothing. There are some changes to the program, starting this year. Under a bill I voted for, we've increased the price cap per item and added new items qualified as sales tax free. Now, backpacks and cleated shoes will be sales tax free during this upcoming event. This tax holiday applies to in-person purchases and purchases made online. The exemption applies to each eligible item costing under $300, up from $100, regardless of how many of those items are sold to a customer on the same invoice. Tax is calculated on the final sales price, after all reductions and coupons have been calculated, of each item. You can find answers to frequently asked questions about the program on the Department of Revenue Services website .