Bill Summary: HB 6650 - Public Access to Coastal Resources

• Effective July 1, 2023, modifies Connecticut's coastal management goals to emphasize public access to Long Island Sound waters through state-owned recreational facilities while respecting private property rights.

• Adds new policy requiring that facilities and uses in the national interest cannot be unreasonably restricted if they can be sited elsewhere, meet environmental standards, or do not unreasonably restrict physical or visual access to coastal waters.

• Expands definition of "promote public access" in coastal policies to include all public beaches and marine/tidal waters, not limited to state-owned facilities, with focus on developing or redeveloping existing facilities where feasible.

• Prohibits municipalities from denying nonresidents access to municipal parks and beaches adjacent to marine or tidal waters if residents have access, and caps nonresident fees at no more than twice the resident fee amount.

• Adds comprehensive definitions to coastal management statutes covering coastal resources, water-dependent uses, adverse impacts, and facilities in the national interest, effective July 1, 2023.