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With fall comes cooler weather, changing leaves, and a number of new laws hitting the books. Several measures passed during the 2025 legislative session will take effect on Wednesday, October 1. Below is a brief overview of some of these important changes!
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There is good news for drivers, a new law is changing how towing works in our state, making it harder for cars to be towed from private property and easier for people to get their cars back if they are towed. Right now, state law lets towing companies start the process of selling a towed car worth $1,500 or less just 15 days after the tow which is one of the shortest timelines in the country. That means if you don’t act fast, your car could be gone for good. The new law doesn’t change that 15-day starting point, but it adds more steps before a car can actually be sold. Now, tow companies have to make a real effort to contact the car’s owner and can’t finalize the sale until 30 days after the tow.
We’ve updated our motorcycle and e-bike laws to reflect our continued efforts to promote public safety and adapt to emerging technologies on our roads. A new law raises the age from 18 to 21 for requiring motorcyclists to wear a helmet and raises the age from 16 to 18 and under for children to wear a helmet while riding bicycles, scooters and skateboards.
New regulations are also being introduced for certain high-powered electric bikes. Riders of e-bikes without pedals and equipped with batteries over 750 watts (25-28 mph) will now need a valid driver’s license to operate them. Additionally, e-bikes with batteries over 3,500 watts (35 mph to over 50 mph) will require registration and insurance, similar to motorcycles.
Follow the link below for the complete list and feel free to reach out if you have any questions or concerns.
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| Investments in Downtown New Haven |
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Governor Ned Lamont announced a $50.5 million investment in downtown New Haven to accelerate growth in the life sciences and quantum technologies sectors. Funded by the new Connecticut Innovation Clusters Program, the initiative supports infrastructure, research, and business development in the city’s innovation district.
Key components include:
- New Haven Innovation Center: Create a 4,500 square foot ‘early start’ activation space within 101 College Street ($1,300,000).
- QuantumCT: Provide critical financial support to this nonprofit that is the statewide coordinating body for quantum computing infrastructure and testbed deployment, convening industry, academia, and startups ($10,000,000).
- Public Infrastructure: Financing pedestrian-first streetscapes, stormwater management and climate-resilient mobility infrastructure necessary to support Parcel B development, which will be created following the removal of the Route 34 expressway located east of 101 College Street ($17,500,000).
- Development Fund Gap Financing: Facilitate the development of Parcel B (200,000+ sq ft), owned by the City of New Haven and 265 South Orange Street, the Square 10 (former Coliseum) site (277,000 + sq ft planned life sciences building) ($14,500,000).
- Arch Street Bridge and Church Street Promenade: Create a multi-modal pedestrian corridor connecting Union Station to Downtown and the Hill neighborhoods, with a signature pedestrian arc bridge and linear park and a pedestrian/bike promenade ($4,200,000).
- BioCT: Activate the cluster with programming led by BioCT to bring together civic, academic, and business partners within the heart of the district and from across the state ($3,000,000).
A coalition including Yale, UConn, QuantumCT, BioCT, and local developers are backing the project. It complements ongoing state investments in housing, transportation, and community development. Yale and UConn will lead in research, entrepreneurship, and workforce development to turn innovation into scalable businesses and jobs.
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The Connecticut Department of Revenue Services (DRS) is alerting everyone of a new scam where criminals impersonate the DRS with fraudulent text messages. They claim that you are owed a tax refund and must provide banking and other information to receive the money.
The DRS will NEVER send taxpayers a text message or seek to obtain information from taxpayers via text. If you have information on a tax-related scam, contact DRS by completing a referral form on the agency’s website.
Taxpayers with questions are encouraged to reach out to DRS at 860-297-5962, Monday through Friday, between 8:30 A.M. and 4:30 P.M. or by email at DRS@ct.gov.
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| Your Guide to Peak Fall Foliage |
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Now that fall has arrived, Connecticut is about to glow with autumn color! Here’s what to expect and how to make the most of it:
- Litchfield Hills / Northwest CT: tends to peak earlier, so early October is ideal there
- Hartford & Central CT: mid‑October is often prime
- Connecticut River Valley: the color can linger a bit, making it great in mid‑to‑late October
- Coastal & Shoreline areas: later in October, sometimes up until Halloween
Click here for the full CT Fall Foliage Report so you know peak viewing times in each area of the state.
The CT Tourism Office has some great ideas on how to enjoy the season, click here for CT's Fall Foliage Road Trip Guide and links to hiking trails and click here for seven different CT Fall Foliage Drive Loops around the state and the peak times to take them.
Don’t miss your chance to soak in the season’s beauty!
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Movies in the Plaza, free Wednesday night movie screenings through October in downtown New Haven’s beloved, cozy Pitkin Plaza (145 Orange Street)!
Grab your lawn chairs, picnic blankets and some takeout from a local spot, and spend an evening under the stars enjoying blockbusters, nostalgic blasts from the past, cult favorites, family films, and more.
Next screening is of Poltergeist on Wednesday, October 1 from 8:00 P.M. to 10:00 P.M.
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The Yale Concert Band — Yale’s premier wind ensemble, will perform its opening concert on Friday, October 3 at 7:30 P.M. in Woolsey Hall (500 College Street). Admission is free and no tickets or reservations are required.
Click here for more information on the concert. |
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