CT HB05523

Establishes the Connecticut Tribal Wildlife and Fisheries Commission effective October 1, 2026, comprising representatives from five tribes (Mashantucket Pequot, Mohegan, Eastern Pequot, Golden Hill Paugussett, and Schaghticoke), state agency officials from DEEP and Agriculture, and academic members

Commission responsibilities include developing tribal-state comanagement agreements for wildlife and fisheries on state lands, integrating tribal ecological knowledge with state conservation science, and advising on species management and habitat stewardship

Enrolled members of federally or state-recognized tribes receive free hunting and fishing permits for off-reservation activities, subject to state conservation goals, seasons, and species protections

Commissioner of Agriculture must prioritize tribal meat, fish, and aquaculture processing facilities for technical assistance, USDA certification support, and state/federal infrastructure funding eligibility

Tribal members acting under permits or agreements authorized by the act are protected from enforcement actions or penalties for lawful activities