HB 5336, Public Act No. 26-46, directs the Connecticut Council to study the demand for skilled labor in the advanced nuclear energy industry. The study is specifically aimed at workforce needs associated with advanced nuclear technologies, including small modular reactors, microreactors, and reactor designs using molten salt, liquid metal, or high-temperature gas cooling systems.
The council is authorized to make recommendations for legislation or regulations that could support the development, expansion, and operation of advanced nuclear energy in the state. Those recommendations may address how to meet skilled trades and service-worker needs, how state agencies can collaborate with federal agencies, higher education institutions, businesses, nonprofit organizations, and other stakeholders, and what other strategies could help build a workforce for the sector. The bill also requires consultation with a representative of the Connecticut State Building Trades Council and a representative of a joint apprenticeship and training committee.
Impact
The bill does not directly regulate nuclear facilities or authorize construction, but it does amend section 2-138 of the general statutes to add a new planning and reporting duty for the council, effective July 1, 2026. It creates a formal state-level study process on advanced nuclear workforce needs and requires a progress report by February 15, 2027, and a full report by February 1, 2028, to the legislative committees with jurisdiction over commerce and energy. Its practical effect is to position the state to evaluate workforce, training, and policy needs before any broader expansion of advanced nuclear energy.
Sentiment
The bill appears to have broad bipartisan support and little visible opposition. It passed the ET vote 26-0, the House 141-1, and the Senate 33-0, indicating strong consensus around studying advanced nuclear energy and workforce development rather than immediately changing substantive nuclear policy. The vote pattern suggests the measure was viewed as a low-risk, preparatory step focused on economic development and labor planning.
Contention
There is little evidence of major contention in the available record. The main policy questions implied by the bill concern how Connecticut should prepare its workforce and whether the state should actively support advanced nuclear technologies through future legislation or regulation. Any potential concerns would likely center on labor readiness, coordination with federal and educational partners, and the broader policy direction for nuclear energy development, but no specific objections or opposing viewpoints are reflected in the provided materials.