CT HB05359

Changes shellfish lease regulation procedures so Commissioner of Agriculture must adopt regulations in accordance with chapter 54 procedures instead of prescribing regulations independently, effective October 1, 2018.

Retains existing shellfish lease provisions including 10-year maximum lease terms, minimum $4 per acre fee, requirement for good faith cultivation efforts, and prohibition on contracts preventing harvesting.

Allows Commissioner of Agriculture to designate up to two shellfish parcels not exceeding one-half acre each for nonprofit educational organizations to develop aquaculture sites for environmental education curricula, effective October 1, 2018.

Specifies that designated education parcels cannot be shared with other persons or entities and require consultation with Commissioner of Energy and Environmental Protection before designation.