Connecticut House Bill HB07223

Connecticut 2025 Regular Session

• Introduced: 3/14/25
• Refer: 3/14/25
• Report Pass: 3/27/25
• Refer: 4/3/25
• Report Pass: 4/9/25
• Engrossed: 6/2/25
• Report Pass: 6/3/25

Caption

An Act Concerning The Order Of Gubernatorial Succession Under Certain Permanent And Temporary Circumstances.

Summary

HB 7223 revises Connecticut’s line of gubernatorial succession for both permanent vacancies and temporary inability to serve. The bill sets out a detailed order of succession if the Governor dies, resigns, refuses to serve, or is removed from office, beginning with the Speaker of the House and then moving through the Attorney General, Treasurer, Comptroller, Secretary of the State, and legislative majority leaders if successive offices are also vacant. In each case, the successor would become Governor until the next regular gubernatorial election and a duly qualified successor is chosen. The bill also addresses temporary circumstances, such as impeachment or the Governor’s absence from the state. In those situations, the same succession chain is used, but the designated official would exercise the powers and duties of Governor only until the Governor is acquitted or returns. The act is effective October 1, 2025, and creates a new statutory section governing succession under these conditions.

Impact

The bill would add a new statutory framework governing who assumes gubernatorial authority when multiple top offices are vacant or unavailable. It affects the offices of Governor, Lieutenant Governor, President pro tempore of the Senate, Speaker of the House, Attorney General, Treasurer, Comptroller, Secretary of the State, and the majority leaders of both chambers, clarifying the order in which those officials may succeed or act as Governor under permanent and temporary vacancy scenarios.

Sentiment

The bill appears to have broad bipartisan support and little visible opposition. It received a unanimous 19-0 favorable vote in the Government Administration and Elections Committee and later passed the House 146-0 as amended. The voting history suggests the measure was viewed as a practical governance and continuity-of-government bill rather than a partisan issue.

Contention

No committee testimony or floor debate is provided, and the recorded votes show no opposition. As a result, there is no documented substantive contention in the available materials. Any potential concern would likely center on the unusual breadth of the succession chain and the prospect of legislative leaders or statewide constitutional officers temporarily assuming gubernatorial powers, but no member objections are reflected in the record provided.