Connecticut legislation · 2026 General Assembly
Connecticut HB5479: AN ACT IMPLEMENTING THE UNIVERSITY OF CONNECTICUT'S PLAN TO BECOME A MEMBER OF AN ASSOCIATION OF RESEARCH UNIVERSITIES.
Status: In committee, March 17, 2026
What the bill says
An act implementing the university of connecticut's plan to become a member of an association of research universities. assembly convened.
From the introduced text:
AN ACT IMPLEMENTING THE UNIVERSITY OF CONNECTICUT'S PLAN TO BECOME A MEMBER OF AN ASSOCIATION OF RESEARCH UNIVERSITIES. Assembly convened: Section 1. (Effective July 1, 2026) (a) As used in this section, "top-tier research faculty" means faculty with strong research portfolios and internationally recognized scholarly reputations, as documented through recognition such as receipt of prestigious awards and honors, book publications and citations, research funding or any other means as determined by the president of The University of Connecticut. (b) The University of Connecticut shall implement a plan to hire not fewer than ten new top-tier research faculty on or before June 30, 2029. Such plan shall include, but need not be limited to, (1) improving infrastructure, such as laboratory space and equipment, to support such research faculty, (2) developing an effective recruitment strategy, and (3) supporting graduate students working for such research faculty. (c) Not later than July 1, 2027, and annually thereafter until and LCO No. 2643 1 of Raised Bill No. 5479 including July 1, 2029, the president of The University of Connecticut shall submit a report, in accordance with the provisions of section 11-4a of the general statutes, to the joint standing committee of the General Assembly having cognizance of matters relating to higher education and employment advancement. Such report shall include the status of implementing the …
Sponsors
- Gregory Haddad (D, 54) · primary sponsor
- Corey Paris (D, 145)
- David DeFronzo (D, 26)
- Eilish Collins Main (D, 146)
- Joshua Elliott (D, 88)
- Laurie Sweet (D, 91)
- Gary Turco (D, 27)
- Nicholas Menapace (D, 37)
- Geraldo Reyes (D, 75)
- Mary Fortier (D, 79)
- Frank Smith (D, 118)
- Jane Garibay (D, 60)
Latest actions
- : Favorable Change of Reference, Senate to Committee on Appropriations
- : Favorable Change of Reference, House to Committee on Appropriations
- : Reported Out of Legislative Commissioners' Office
- : Filed with Legislative Commissioners' Office
- : Joint Favorable Change of Reference Appropriations
- : Public Hearing 03/10
- : Referred to Joint Committee on Higher Education and Employment Advancement
Votes
- HED Vote Tally Sheet (Joint Favorable Change of Reference) (March 12, 2026): 18 yea, 0 nay, passed
Subjects: University of Connecticut, State bonds for education, Faculty
Common questions
- What is HB5479?
- HB5479 is a bill in the Connecticut Legislature (2026 General Assembly): AN ACT IMPLEMENTING THE UNIVERSITY OF CONNECTICUT'S PLAN TO BECOME A MEMBER OF AN ASSOCIATION OF RESEARCH UNIVERSITIES.
- What does HB5479 do?
- In its own words: An act implementing the university of connecticut's plan to become a member of an association of research universities. assembly convened.
- What is the status of HB5479?
- In committee as of March 17, 2026. Latest action: Favorable Change of Reference, Senate to Committee on Appropriations (March 17, 2026).
- Who sponsored HB5479?
- Gregory Haddad (D, 54), with 11 co-sponsors.
- Where is the official record for HB5479?
- On the Connecticut Legislature website: https://www.cga.ct.gov/asp/cgabillstatus/cgabillstatus.asp?selBillType=Bill&bill_num=HB05479&which_year=2026
Source: official Connecticut record. Tracked by Delilah, AI for legislation across all 50 states and Congress.