Brian Lanoue

Rep. Lanoue Applauds Passage of Bill to Study Natural Gas Demand Charges for Farmers and Agricultural Operators

Hartford – Late Friday night, the Connecticut House of Representatives passed S.B. No. 246, An Act Requiring a Study of Natural Gas Rates for Commercial and Agricultural Customers, just days after its passage in the Senate. The bill introduced by State Representative Brian Lanoue (R-45) , will now await Governor Ned Lamont’s signature into law. The new law will direct the Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP) commissioner to study the creation of a separate natural gas demand charge category for farmers and agricultural operators, shifting from an annual to a quarterly (three month) assessment. The commissioner must report findings to the legislature by January 2027. The goal is that this study will lead to a legislative fix in a future session by creating a special category for farmland and agricultural operators, as defined in Connecticut General Statutes §12 107c. “I want to thank everyone in the Senate, House, and especially the Energy and Technology Committee for hearing this bill and supporting it the entire way,” said Rep. Lanoue. “I also want to thank Lou DeMicco from Jewett City Greenhouses, who testified with me in front of the committee in February. His testimony absolutely helped this piece of legislation get across the finish line. I look forward to working with Commissioner Katie Dykes , and all the principles to get the language and formula correct that will make energy more affordable for our farmers and agricultural operators across out state. It’s always great when you can pass legislation that benefits people in your district and beyond.” The 2026 Connecticut Legislative Session will adjourn at midnight on May 6. -END-

Rep. Lanoue Votes Against Overreaching Vaccine Legislation

On Tuesday, H.B. No. 5044, “An Act Establishing Connecticut Vaccine Standards,” was taken up in the House and deserves serious scrutiny. While it is being framed as a technical update, its passage would have enormous, long‑term consequences for medical freedom, religious liberty, and the balance of power in our state. The bill allows Connecticut to move outside established CDC guidelines, not because of new science or clear public health necessity, but because current federal positions from the CDC, HHS, and Secretary Kennedy no longer align with the legislature’s ideological agenda. This represents a troubling shift from evidence‑based standards toward politically driven mandates. The legislature is effectively flexing its power to block Connecticut residents from moving forward with their lawsuit challenging the repeal of the religious exemption, which is grounded in the Connecticut Religious Freedom Restoration Act (RFRA). By carving school and childcare vaccine statutes, where the religious exemption was removed out of RFRA protections, the bill deliberately undermines religious rights and attempts to cut off ongoing legal challenges. Also, the bill empowers the Department of Public Health (DPH) to create an elective adult vaccine schedule that will not be subject to the legislature’s Regulations Review process. This is a significant change in oversight. Once an unelected agency can unilaterally establish such a schedule, the door is opened to future expansions. My fear is that this is the bear’s nose in the cave. Today it might be labeled as elective, but tomorrow it could evolve into de facto or even formal mandates for groups like schoolteachers and school staff. Most concerning, the bill gives the DPH Commissioner unilateral authority to add any vaccine to the schedule without checks and balances. Concentrating this much power in the hands of a single official invites abuse and erodes public trust. As Lord Acton warned-"absolute power corrupts absolutely." When one person can decide on their own which vaccines to add, the potential for political pressure, corporate influence, or simple error grows dramatically. I voted NO because it reshapes Connecticut’s vaccine policy in ways that further weaken religious protections, sidestep regulatory oversight, concentrate power in a single office, and prioritize ideology over transparent, accountable, and rights‑respecting the overall public health policy.

Rep. Lanoue Visits Anchor of Hope in New London

Recently, I had the opportunity to tour Anchor of Hope in New London, CT, a non-profit organization that provides free, confidential services for women facing unplanned pregnancies. They offer medical services such as pregnancy tests, ultrasounds, and STI testing, as well as counseling on parenting, adoption, and other important information. While they do not perform or refer for abortions, they focus on helping women understand all of their options and supporting them through whatever decision they make. Opened on Valentine’s Day in 1994, Anchor of Hope has helped guide thousands of women through their prenatal care journeys. This was a meaningful and informative visit. We had the chance to see firsthand how Anchor of Hope walks alongside women and families. Here are some takeaways of my visit: • Educating women on all of their options and providing clear information. • Offering abortion pill reversal, when medically appropriate, by prescribing progesterone to attempt to reverse the effects of the abortion pill. • Provides ultrasounds performed by a trained nurse who measures the baby, checks for a heartbeat, and assesses whether it is a viable pregnancy, and explains these findings to the patient. • Ensuring that if a woman plans to continue her pregnancy, she is referred to an OB provider for ongoing prenatal care. • Protecting patient privacy by requiring a signed release before any information or ultrasounds are shared. • Helping women without insurance get connected to coverage, including referral to the Husky program. • Collaborating with community organizations such as TVCCA and Safe Futures to address broader needs and connect clients with additional resources. • Providing educational groups for parents, in both English and Spanish, that help build parenting skills and create a supportive community of moms. • Offering services to dads as well, including classes on installing car seats, learning how to be a supportive father, and practical skills such as how to safely hold a baby. • Maintaining strict confidentiality to ensure that clients feel safe and respected when they come in for services. • Serving approximately 300 people each year for ultrasounds, with even more coming in for pregnancy testing and counseling. • Offering new moms around eight months of pregnancy with a handmade baby blanket and a pack-and-play, and informing them about the orange bracelet campaign. This campaign is a statewide quality improvement initiative to support ongoing efforts to reduce maternal morbidity and mortality in the postpartum period. • Giving ongoing support by allowing women to return for monthly one-on-one visits with an advocate until their child is 2 years old. Overall, the tour highlighted how Anchor of Hope provides not only medical and educational services, but also compassionate, long-term support for women, men, and families in our community.

Rep. Lanoue Applauds Finance Committee Passage of Volunteer Stipends Bill

Bill Advances to the State Senate for Further Action HARTFORD – State Representative Brian Lanoue (R-45) announced on Monday that the Finance, Revenue and Bonding Committee passed a key piece of his legislative agenda, S.B. 373, An Act Allowing a Personal Income Tax Deduction for Stipends Paid to Volunteer Firefighters, Volunteer Fire Police Officers, and Volunteer Ambulance Members. The bill was previously approved by the Public Safety and Security Committee on March 17th, and now awaits further action in the Senate. This is the sixth legislative session that Rep. Lanoue has introduced this proposed legislation in the General Assembly. S.B. 373 would exempt up to $2,000 in stipends received by volunteer firefighters, fire police officers, and volunteer ambulance members from the state income tax. The measure is intended to better support, recruit, and retain volunteer first responders who provide critical services in communities across Connecticut. “I am thankful to the members of the Finance, Revenue and Bonding Committee for passing this important bill out of committee today,” said Rep. Lanoue. “I especially want to thank the chairs, State Senator John Fonfara and State Representative Maria Horn , and the ranking members, State Senator Ryan Fazio , and State Representative Joe Polletta , for working with us to move this bill to the Senate. As we all know, enrollment in our volunteer fire service is declining, and my hope is that this bill will be an important step forward in helping to buck that trend.” “This bill is a good step to help combat the ever-decreasing enrollment particularly in our volunteer fire departments across Connecticut,” said Rep. Polletta. “I am happy to see this bill pass through our committee.” The 2026 Connecticut General Assembly legislative session ends at midnight on May 6. -END-

Happy 100th Birthday to Griswold's Hester Stimac

On Sunday it was my honor to present a legislative citation to Hester Stimac of Griswold in recognition of her 100 years in eastern Connecticut. Hester has witnessed a century of living and has been a valued member of our community throughout it all. What a pleasure it was to celebrate this remarkable milestone with her! On March 30th, 1926, Hester (Benjamin) Stimac was born on the family farm in Preston City, Connecticut. Her parents were Everett and Minnie Benjamin. She is one of seven siblings (two sisters and five brothers). Growing up on the farm, Hester would collect eggs and sell them to locals in the town. Throughout her childhood, Hester attended Preston Congregational Church in Preston. In her early adulthood Hester worked at Griswold Rubber. After leaving Griswold Rubber, she began working at Thermos Corporation in Taftville. While working at Thermos, Hester was also working on the side cleaning houses. Hester took a great deal of pride in her work. Throughout her cleaning career, she cleaned for multiple clients including several supervisors from Electric Boat in Groton. Working as hard as she did, Hester was able to save enough money to build her own house in 1979. As a single mother this was a huge accomplishment. Hester has two children: Nicholas Stimac and Francis (Stimac) Hurst. She raised both of her children on her own while continuing to work as hard as she did. After retiring from Thermos, she continued cleaning until she was 88 years old. Throughout her senior years Hester frequently attends the Griswold Senior Center where she created bonds and friendships with others in her town. Throughout Hester's life, her drive and hard work to accomplish what she has, shows that age is just a number. Happy 100th Birthday to you, Hester! I was so happy I got the chance to celebrate with you all!