The Connecticut General Assembly 2025 legislative session ended just before midnight on June 4 after passing the state's two-year spending plan. Big I Connecticut was highly visible throughout the session, engaging on several issues important to independent agents, consumers, and the insurance marketplace. The most substantial victories centered on flood insurance and excess and surplus lines modernization.
In late January, Big I CT Board Vice-Chair Jason Guerrera and AVP of Government Relations Travis Wattie participated in a General Assembly
Flood Insurance Forum. During the event, they cautioned lawmakers against a proposal from Governor Lamont requiring that agents obtain signed declinations of flood insurance offers from customers.
A strong grassroots advocacy showing by Big I CT members and multiple rounds of conversations with legislative leaders, Insurance Commissioner Andrew Mais, and top Lamont aides, led to a
compromise striking the burdensome language and replacing it with a statement on homeowner and tenant insurance policies that flood is not a covered peril.
In the excess and surplus lines space, Big I Connecticut was a vocal supporter of legislation to remove, in most instances, the requirement to secure and document three declinations from admitted carriers before placing excess and surplus lines policies. Members participated in a Call to Action via the new VoterVoice tool to urge support from their lawmakers and made compelling arguments to Insurance & Real Estate Committee Co-Chair Kerry Wood during the
Big I CT Morning at the Capitol. In both cases, the bills passed the House and Senate and are expected to be signed by the Governor.
Other victories included stopping legislation that would ban the use of noncompete agreements and prohibit the use of dog breed in underwriting. The team also engaged on
legislation to address a Connecticut Supreme Court decision that would have resulted in large workers' comp rate increases.
Also noteworthy is the approval of an additional $100 million to the Connecticut Foundations Solutions Indemnity Fund Co. (CFSIC) to support repair of crumbling foundations. It has been reported that there are an estimated 3,500 to 3,700 affected homes, significantly less than initial estimates of more than 25,000.
Although the scheduled session has adjourned, the need for continued legislative engagement and grassroots relationship building continues. The second half of the year affords an opportunity to build rapport with lawmakers and help them become better informed about the insurance marketplace.
Thank you to those members who made their voices heard on key legislative topics. Your advocacy played a key role in securing important legislative victories.