CT HB05143

Establishes the Office of Aquatic Invasive Species within the Connecticut Agricultural Experiment Station, effective July 1, 2022.

Office shall coordinate research efforts, maintain state-wide data on waterway health, perform regular surveys, educate the public, advise municipalities, and serve as liaison among state agencies and organizations including DEEP, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, and Connecticut Federation of Lakes and Ponds Associations.

Office shall not have authority to issue permits or fines, with staffing determined by the Connecticut Agricultural Experiment Station's board of control within available resources.

Department of Energy and Environmental Protection shall establish a public education program on the "Clean, Drain & Dry" technique for boaters and install signs at each state boat launch, within available resources.

Establishes the "Save Our Waterways" account as a separate, nonlapsing account within the General Fund to fund control and eradication efforts for aquatic invasive species, which may receive funds from municipal, federal, private, and public sources.