WHEREAS each year all Granges in Connecticut select two delegates to represent their individual local Granges, and

WHEREAS the Connecticut State Grange is governed by delegate bodies who by their vote select the officers who conduct the business of the Connecticut State Grange, and

WHEREAS these delegates vote on by-laws and set directions for activities, programs and legislative priorities for the Connecticut State Grange, and

WHEREAS presently the local and Pomona Granges only select two delegates prior to the session, but if one or more of those selected delegates are unable to attend the Annual Convention the Granges may not have any representation during the session.

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED the Connecticut State Grange amend the By-Laws of the Connecticut State Grange to allow the selection of Alternate Delegates who will be allowed to replace the appointed delegates prior to the beginning of the session, and



BE IT FINALLY RESOLVED Article IV, Voting Members and Representation Section 1A of the Connecticut State Grange By-Laws be amended to read:  If an In the event an illness, accident, or family emergency occurs to a delegate or delegates or a member of immediate families after the selection and State Grange notification process, the Executive Committee of the affected Grange is authorized to choose an alternative delegate Grange will also select one alternate delegate who will be authorized to replace the selected delegates in the event the appointed delegate(s) are unable to attend the Annual Meeting.  The State Secretary must be notified before the beginning of the Annual Meeting of the replacement of the appointed delegates by the alternate delegate.  Once the session has commended, the delegates cannot be replaced.

WHEREAS the Supreme Court decision in the 2010 Citizens United v. Federal Election Commission case struck down limitations on independent political spending by corporations, labor unions and other organizations citing First Amendment free speech, and



WHEREAS allowing corporations to make limitless donations to candidates running for federal elected office may influence elections with the influx of large donations, and

WHEREAS this decision has allowed corporations, labor unions and unknown entities represented by lobbyists access to our elections with the ability to influence candidates and voters via enormous donations to political action committees, special interest groups, blanket media blitzes on all levels and more, and

WHEREAS these actions minimize the effects of grassroots donations by overwhelming the public forum with the quantity, frequency, expert production and advantageous placement of message, all of which require ever-increasing funding, and

WHEREAS a concentration of financial influence lets special interests overpower the voices of most people when policy decisions are made and elections held, and

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED the Connecticut State Grange urge Congress to overturn the Citizens United ruling which allows corporations, labor unions and other organizations to make unlimited donations to federal election campaigns for political candidates, and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED this resolutions be sent to the National Grange for its support.

WHEREAS American federal lands have been set aside for hundreds of years for Americans and the world to experience and wonder at, and

WHEREAS federal lands are under the control of the Department of the Interior, Department of Agriculture, Bureau of Land Management, Department of Defense and the National Parks Service, and

WHEREAS this administration is relaxing regulations related to mining, energy exploration, development and removing the protected American Bison herd, to allow ranchers to graze domestic livestock, for a fee, and

WHEREAS the debris of the East Wing of the White House is being deposited at the Washington Public Golf Course without proper permits for remediation and has been found to contain lead, asbestos, and heavy metal, and

WHEREAS these actions have not been approved by the United States Congress.

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED  the Connecticut State Grange urge Congress to halt the exploitation of federal lands for mining, energy exploration, the removal of protected species, and contamination of air, soil and water resources and to preserve federal lands for posterity as they were intended to be, and this resolution to be sent to the National Grange for their support.

WHEREAS the National Grange is renting space from the new owners of the National Grange building, which the National Grange built in the 1950s, and

WHEREAS under new ownership the National Grange pays rent of $51.00 per square foot which is $65,200.00 per year under a three year contract, and

WHEREAS under the contract the new rates will be $55.32 per square foot or $70,686 per year, and

WHEREAS the National Grange has reported that we all need to tighten our belts, due to loss of revenue.

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED the National Grange Board of Directors search for a new facility outside of the District of Columbia that will be more suitable and affordable.

WHEREAS the laws for High Occupancy Vehicle (HOV) lanes were designed for buses and two or more people per vehicle for carpooling resulting in laws that reflect this intent, and

WHEREAS some vehicles are using the HOV lanes with one person, and

WHEREAS there are not enough law enforcement officers to enforce the law of misuse of HOV lanes, and

WHEREAS law enforcement could use cameras to catch violators and send tickets as they do with speeding tickets.

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED the Connecticut State Grange urge the Department of Transportation to install cameras on HOV lanes to catch violators and collect fines as it does with speeding cameras.

WHEREAS the United States Postal Service’s new policy allows letters to be stamped at a processing center rather than the local post office, and

WHEREAS the local post offices have processed stamped letters for over 100 years, and

WHEREAS many sorting offices add delay by days affecting the official post mark on bills, documents, letters and mail-in voting ballots, and

WHEREAS mail from one state can be shipped to neighboring states to be processed, causing even more time delays.

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED the Connecticut State Grange urge the United States Postal Service to allow the local Post Office to reinstate hand cancellation of mail needing date stamped letters, and this resolution is to be sent to the National Grange for their support.

WHEREAS National Park staffing has been drastically cut by the Federal Government for cost savings, and

WHEREAS these staffing and budget cuts have had a major effect on the operation and maintenance of our National Parks, and

WHEREAS some parks have had to be partially closed to the public, with reduced services causing litter and facilities not to be properly managed, resulting in visitors unable to experience these parks in a safe way.

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Connecticut State Grange urge Congress to restore full funding for staffing and maintaining our National Parks, and this resolution is to be sent to the National Grange for their support.

WHEREAS Connecticut General Statutes §14-281a establishes the maximum speed limits for school buses which may not exceed 50 mph on divided limited-access highway, and

WHEREAS the law states “a safe rate of speed, consistent with the volume of traffic” is not going 50 mph which is well below posted speed limits, and

WHEREAS 50 mph speed on interstate highways can be up to 20 mph slower than the posted speed limit, and

WHEREAS going slower than the posted speed limit and not with the flow of traffic poses a dangerous risk of an accident due to sudden slowdowns and traffic merging from highway entrances.

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED the Connecticut State Grange Legislative Committee urge Connecticut legislators to consider changing the 50 mph speed limit on interstate highways for school buses to the posted speed limits for the protection of all vehicles and passengers on interstate highways.

WHEREAS the National Grange and its Subordinate Granges have historically utilized passwords as a means of identification, tradition, and internal communications, and

WHEREAS certain longstanding practices, including the use of passwords, may no longer align with contemporary cultural standards, inclusivity expectations, or operational needs in modern society, and

WHEREAS the continued use of passwords may create unintended barriers to participation, discomfort among members, or misalignment with the organization’s commitment to respect, accessibility, and evolving community values, and

WHEREAS the National Grange seeks to foster a welcoming, transparent, and inclusive environment for all current and prospective members.

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED the National Grange hereby formally discontinue the creation, communication, and use of any passwords at all levels of the organization, including National, State, Pomona, Subordinate, and Junior Granges, and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that all rituals, procedures, documents, and instructional material referencing passwords shall be reviewed and revised to remove such requirements, and

BE IT FINALLY RESOLVED this change shall take effect immediately upon adoption, and all Granges are encouraged to ensure a smooth and respectful transition away from password usage.

WHEREAS Connecticut’s dairy farming industry has been a foundational component of our state’s agricultural heritage and rural economy for generations, and

WHEREAS in the 1950s and 1960s, Connecticut was home to nearly 1,000 dairy farms, declining to 817 farms in 1975, 100 farms in 2018, and now approximately 80 dairy farms remaining statewide, and

WHEREAS dairy farming families such as the Smith family of Cushman Farms in Franklin, founded in 1938, represent multi-generational agricultural traditions that are now at risk due to unsustainable economic conditions, and

WHEREAS current federal milk pricing averages approximately $18.74 per hundredweight (cwt), while production costs for smaller farms can exceed $23 per cwt, resulting in significant financial losses for Connecticut dairy producers, and

WHEREAS dairy farmers report receiving milk prices comparable to those in 1995, despite decades of inflation and dramatically increased operating costs, including feed, fuel, labor, insurance, and equipment, and

WHEREAS Connecticut dairy farmers are projected to lose an estimated $20 million this year without state intervention, and

WHEREAS dairy farms contribute significantly to Connecticut’s economy, generating more than $2 billion in annual economic activity, maintaining approximately 18,500 milking cows that produce the equivalent of two million glasses of milk daily, supporting over 800 jobs, and contributing substantial tax revenue, and

WHEREAS neighboring states, including Massachusetts and Maine, have established dairy tax credit programs that provide financial stabilization during periods of depressed milk prices, helping sustain their dairy industries, and

WHEREAS legislation entitled “An Act Establishing a Taxs Credit for Dairy Farmers” has been introduced in the Connecticut General Assembly proposing a $20 million aggregate tax credit to provide relief during cyclical milk price downturns, and

WHEREAS Connecticut dairy farmers, through coalitions such as “Very Alive,” are advocating for both immediate short-term relief funding and long-term structural solutions, including a refundable dairy tax credit tied to milk price triggers.

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED the Grange support the preservation and sustainability of Connecticut’s dairy farming industry as vital to our state’s agricultural heritage, food security, open space preservation, and rural economy, and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED the Grange urge the Connecticut General Assembly and the Governor to enact legislation establishing a refundable dairy tax credit program activated during periods of milk price downturn, similar to programs successfully implemented in neighboring states, and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED the Grange support the establishment of an Agriculture Sustainability line item of at least $20 million to provide immediate short-term relief to Connecticut dairy farmers, and

BE IT FINALLY RESOLVED that if adopted by the Connecticut State Grange, copies be transmitted to the Governor of Connecticut, members of the Connecticut General Assembly, the Connecticut Department of Agriculture, and Connecticut’s Congressional delegation.

WHEREAS agriculture and forestry have long been essential components of Connecticut’s economy, heritage, and rural character, and

WHEREAS Connecticut Public Act 490, enacted in 1963, was established to help preserve farmland, forest land, and open space by allowing eligible land to be assessed for property tax purposes based on its current use rather than its potential development value, and

WHEREAS this important legislation has helped many Connecticut farmers and landowners retain their land in agricultural and forest production rather than being forced to sell due to increasing property tax burdens, and

WHEREAS the preservation and farmland and forest land helps sustain local food production, protects natural resources, supports wildlife habitat, and maintains the scenic rural landscapes that define many Connecticut communities, and

WHEREAS the continuation and strengthening of Public Act 490 is vital to ensuring that agriculture remains a viable part of Connecticut’s future.

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED the Grange strongly support Connecticut Public Act 490 enacted in 1963 (Public Act 490) and its continued role in preserving farmland, forest land, and open space throughout the state, and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that we urge the Connecticut State Grange to reaffirm its support for Public Act 490 and to advocate for policies that protect and strengthen this important program, and

BE IT FINALLY RESOLVED the Connecticut State Grange encourage the Connecticut General Assembly and state policymakers to maintain and protect Public Act 490 as a critical tool for preserving Connecticut’s agricultural lands and rural heritage.

WHEREAS agriculture has played a vital role in the history, economy, and cultural heritage of the State of Connecticut since colonial times, and

WHEREAS Connecticut’s farmers, agricultural producers, and related businesses contribute significantly to the state’s economy, provide locally produced food, preserve open space, and sustain rural communities, and

WHEREAS agricultural policy issues often involve complex matters including farmland preservation, environmental stewardship, food production, taxation, land use, water resources, energy, and agricultural business regulation, and

WHEREAS in recent years, legislative oversight of agricultural matters within the Connecticut General Assembly has been divided among multiple committees, resulting in fragmented consideration of issues affecting the state’s agricultural community, and

WHEREAS the establishment of a dedication Agriculture Committee in each chamber of the Connecticut General Assembly would allow for more focused attention, specialized expertise, and consistent policy development related to agriculture, and

WHEREAS many state legislatures across the nation maintain standing Agriculture Committees in both legislative chambers to ensure that the interests and needs of the agricultural community receive appropriate attention and consideration.

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED the Grange respectfully urges the Connecticut General Assembly to establish a Joint Committee on Agriculture with primary jurisdiction over legislation and policy matters relating to agriculture, farming, food production, farmland preservation, aquaculture and related rural economic issues, and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that such committees would provide clear legislative oversight and ensure that agricultural policy is considered comprehensively rather than being divided among multiple committees, and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED we encourage the Connecticut State Grange and other agricultural organizations throughout the state to support efforts to strengthen legislative attention to agriculture, and

BE IT FINALLY RESOLVED that copies of this resolution be transmitted to the Governor of Connecticut, the leadership of the Connecticut General Assembly, and the members of the General Assembly.

WHEREAS the President of the United States is the highest political office, and

WHEREAS existing criteria includes minimal age, birth and citizenship requirements, and

WHEREAS considering the depth and breadth of responsibilities of a president, additional considerations for qualification need to be developed, and

WHEREAS recommendations for these considerations may include educational and vocational background, demonstrated competency in high level leadership positions, and proof of legal personal financial management, and

WHEREAS the individual should not have any connection with extremist groups nor foreign groups in conflict with the United States of America, and

WHEREAS evaluations of cognitive, emotional, social and physical skills should be conducted by qualified professionals, and

WHEREAS preference may be offered for individuals who have served as an elected official at a local, state or national level, and

WHEREAS a convicted felon may not be eligible for consideration, and

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED the Connecticut State Grange urge the Congress to establish a Congressional Committee to determine the appropriate eligibility criteria for candidates seeking the office of President of the United States of America and present a Constitutional Amendment for ratification, and

BE IT FINALLY RESOLVED this resolution be sent to the National Grange for their support with this important effort.

WHEREAS there is pressure in every town for development and resource and energy extraction (i.e. housing, sports complexes, AI data centers, water bottling plants, energy infrastructure), and numerous other community wants and needs, and

WHEREAS cultural and natural history and farmland are easily and sometimes accidentally degraded, developed, or destroyed, even when owned by the public, and

WHEREAS there are few or no rules protecting historic buildings, farmland, critical habitats, scenic vistas, or similar public assets.

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Connecticut State Grange support statewide policies that protect valuable land and natural and cultural history held in the public trust, particularly historic buildings, working farms and prime farmland, critical habitats, clean water, and scenic vistas, and

BE IT FINALLY RESOLVED the Connecticut State Grange also supports common sense legislation to protect priceless public assets from development and degradation.

WHEREAS light pollution and light trespass wastes energy and harms human health and wildlife, and

WHEREAS light pollution has been escalating worldwide, and

WHEREAS light pollution and trespass can be prevented, and can often be reversed.

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED the Connecticut State Grange urge the State and individual towns to adopt model regulations recommended by Dark Sky International to support wildlife and public health and safety by reducing light pollution, glare, and light trespass, and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED the Grange supports public education on these issues.

WHEREAS “affordable” housing is a statewide priority, and

WHEREAS housing that is included as part of employment is inherently affordable, and

WHEREAS “affordability” is determined generally by the amount of money paid by the occupant, relative to their income, and

WHEREAS the state definition of “affordable housing” is typically no more than 30% of an income that is either 60% or 80% of the median area income.

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that housing provided as a work-related benefit to farmworkers, educators, healthcare professionals, childcare workers, and similar (i.e. on-site caretakers, superintendents, etc.) be reclassified and quantified as “affordable” housing units per state statute, and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that any housing units that meet the financial criteria of “affordable” in a town (housing cost of no more than 30% of what is calculated as 60% or 80% of median area income) shall be counted in the pool of housing that is considered “affordable” by the State, and



BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that these and other financially-qualifying affordable housing options be counted as “housing units” as part of each town’s qualifying affordable housing portfolio, and

BE IT FINALLY RESOLVED the Connecticut General Assembly adopt and apply these definitions of affordable housing.

WHEREAS maintaining a democratically correct process is essential to ensuring fairness, openness, and full participation by all members in the election of State officers, and

WHEREAS transparency in the nomination process strengthens trust and encourages broader involvement from the membership, and

WHEREAS allowing nominations from the floor ensures that all qualified members have the opportunity to be considered for leadership positions.

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED  the Connecticut State Grange amend its by-laws to require a call for nominations from the floor prior to voting for the office of State President/Master.

WHEREAS with the tremendous growth of Artificial Intelligence (A.I.) in recent years, there has been a proportional growth in the need for data centers to power this level of computing, and

WHEREAS these data centers tend to be built in rural areas where large swaths of land are available, and

WHEREAS data centers have some serious downsides for local communities:

1.         Noise- Data centers rely on backup mobile generators which can create 85 to 100 decibels of noise, enough to damage hearing.

2.         Pollution- Those generators are among the dirtiest in terms of pollution.

3.         Power- Data centers rely on a large amount of electricity that is difficult for utilities to estimate when calculating compensation from the companies (if there is compensation at all).  They also cause power-quality issues.  If there is some sort of issue on the grid, they will disconnect causing a massive load to drop off the grid.  This in turn can cause brownouts as the system has difficulty to stabilize. Consumers on these grids can also face tremendous increases in their rates if the companies are not required to shoulder the cost.

4. Water- There are communities where data centers use more water daily than the entire community used prior.  This volume of water usage can be disastrous in areas that are drought-sensitive. Medium to large data centers can use anywhere from 300,000 to 5 million gallons of water in a day.

5. Health- Pollution from data centers in Northern Virginia (Data Center Alley) is already spreading up the Eastern seaboard into Southern New England.  The communities outside of Virginia had no voice in the original decision-making but must now deal with the aftermath, and

WHEREAS the impacted communities (and beyond) are forced to deal with all of the above issues if they haven’t been addressed during the planning process, and

WHEREAS Connecticut is already home to 22 facilities operated by 14 providers, though the state does not yet have a hyperscale center, and

WHEREAS many developers enter into non-disclosure agreements (NDA’s) with local officials, limiting public access to information about the size of a project, its resource needs and potential impacts, and

WHEREAS new Federal permitting policies have accelerated approvals for large data centers, bypassing environmental review processes and reducing potential local input.

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED the Connecticut State Grange encourage the State of Connecticut to enact strict regulations regarding the construction of data centers, ensuring the State and its residents are protected from all of the negative issues that include (but are not limited to) pollution, noise, stress of the power grid, water and health issues and restrict towns from signing non-disclosure agreements with developers, and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED this resolution be forwarded to the National Grange to encourage Congress and/or the appropriate Federal agencies to enact regulations that will protect local communities from the negative impacts of data centers that include (but are not limited to) pollution, noise, stress on the power grid, water and health issues and require full transparency throughout the approval process by not allowing non-disclosure agreements.

WHEREAS the National Grange sponsors contests and programs that encourage Youth & Junior members to attend National Grange conventions and conferences, and

WHEREAS some Youth & Junior members attend National Session without a parent or guardian and end up under the supervision of a National Grange staff member or agent of the National Grange, and

WHEREAS the dangers faced by youth in public settings like a convention are many, and

WHEREAS the Child Crime Prevention & Safety Center reports over 840,000 child abductions annually with 27% of those being non-family related, and

WHEREAS the National Grange places itself, the entire organization and the Youth & Junior members in great danger should the unthinkable happen while Youth and Junior members are in their care, and

WHEREAS we cannot continue to do what we have done for decades simply because nothing bad has happened to date.

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED the National Grange require all Youth and Junior members (under the age of 18) attending National Grange conventions and conferences to be accompanied by a parent or legal guardian for the duration of their attendance.

WHEREAS the Connecticut State Grange By-Laws provides in Article IV, Section 2 that Junior Grange alternate Delegates “may be chosen, provided the alternate has attended at least four meetings of said Junior Grange in the previous year,” and

WHEREAS the By-Laws do not have the same requirement for Subordinate and Pomona Delegates, and

WHEREAS the State Grange By-Laws have a dated reference in Article IV, Section 1 that reads: “No Subordinate or Pomona Grange unless the delegates are man and wife, except in the case of an unmarried Master, alternate, or a Master whose spouse is unable to attend, whereby the second voting privileges may be given to another member selected by a vote of said Grange.”

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED Article IV, Section 1 of the Connecticut State Grange By-Laws be revised to read as follows:

Section 1.  State Granges are delegate bodies.  Masters Presidents of Subordinate and Pomona Granges, and their spouses, shall by virtue of their office, be delegates to the State Grange.  No Subordinate or Pomona Grange shall be entitled to two votes in the State Grange unless the delegates are man and wife spouses, except in the case of an unmarried Master President, alternate, or a Master President whose spouse is unable to attend, whereby the second voting privileges may be given to another member selected by a vote of said Grange provided the delegates have attended at least four meetings of said Grange in the previous year.

            and,

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED the By-Laws of the Connecticut State Grange be revised to change all references to Master to the preferred title of President, effective with the adoption of this resolution.

WHEREAS the Bald Eagle (Haliaeetus leucocephalus), our nation’s symbol and an iconic species of Connecticut’s natural heritage, disappeared from the State of Connecticut by the 1950s but has now made a remarkable return, and

WHEREAS through dedicated conservation efforts, including the federal ban on DDT, habitat restoration, and reintroduction programs in neighboring states, Bald Eagles successfully returned to nest in Connecticut in 1992 for the first time in over 40 years, marking a significant milestone in wildlife conservation, and

WHEREAS Connecticut now supports a recovering population of Bald Eagles, with approximately 80 nesting pairs documented across all of the state’s eight counties, and up to 200 eagles wintering in the state annually along the State’s major rivers including the Connecticut River, Housatonic River, and Farmington River, as well as at large reservoirs and along Long Island Sound, and

WHEREAS despite this remarkable recovery, the Bald Eagle remains classified as a “threatened species” under Connecticut’s Endangered, Threatened, and Special Concern Species List, requiring continued vigilance and protection to ensure the species’ long-term viability in our state, and

WHEREAS Bald Eagles serve as an important indicator species, reflecting the overall health of Connecticut’s aquatic ecosystems and the quality of our rivers, lakes, and coastal waters, which are vital to agriculture, recreation, and the economic well-being of our communities, and

WHEREAS the Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection has identified significant ongoing threats to Bald Eagle populations, including shoreline development that eliminates suitable nesting and roosting habitat, recreational disturbance during critical nesting and wintering periods, habitat fragmentation from residential and commercial expansion, and human encroachment on traditional feeding areas; and

WHEREAS, Bald Eagles require large territories with mature trees near open water for nesting, undisturbed shoreline areas for feeding, and protection from human disturbance particularly during the breeding season from January through July, and these habitat requirements often conflict with increasing development along Connecticut’s waterways, and

WHEREAS Bald Eagles are protected under federal law by the Bald and Golden Eagle Protection Act of 1940 and the Migratory Bird Treaty Act of 1918, which prohibit the taking, possession, sale, or disturbance of eagles, their nests, and eggs without proper permits, and violations of these laws carry significant penalties, and

WHEREAS effective protection of Bald Eagle habitat requires coordinated efforts among state and federal agencies, municipal planning and zoning commissions, conservation organizations, private landowners, and the agricultural community to balance wildlife conservation with responsible economic development and land use, and

WHEREAS public education and awareness are essential to fostering community support for Bald Eagle conservation, promoting responsible wildlife viewing practices, and encouraging voluntary protection measures by private landowners; and

WHEREAS continued monitoring and research are necessary to track population trends, identify critical habitats, assess emerging threats, and evaluate the effectiveness of conservation measures, and

WHEREAS the Connecticut State Grange has a long and proud tradition of promoting responsible land stewardship, conservation of natural resources, protection of agricultural lands and open spaces, and the preservation of Connecticut’s rural character and ecological heritage for future generations.

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Connecticut State Grange hereby express its strong support for robust protection of Bald Eagle habitats throughout Connecticut; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Connecticut State Grange support public education and outreach programs promoting Bald Eagle conservation and responsible wildlife viewing practices; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Connecticut State Grange call upon the Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection to enhance coordination with municipalities, land trusts, and private landowners to identify, protect, and manage critical Bald Eagle habitats, to provide technical assistance and incentives for voluntary conservation measures, and to continue monitoring and research efforts to track population trends and breeding success, recognizing that the Bald Eagle’s recovery demonstrates that dedicated conservation efforts can succeed and should inspire continued commitment to protecting all of Connecticut’s threatened and endangered species; and

BE IT FINALLY RESOLVED that copies of this resolution be transmitted to the Governor of Connecticut, the Commissioner of the Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection, the Connecticut General Assembly’s Environment Committee, and to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.

WHEREAS the offices of State Secretary and State Treasurer are the backbone of the Connecticut State Grange, and

WHEREAS the work of these two offices requires knowledge of both Grange procedure and Grange law, and

WHEREAS in years past the Connecticut State Grange has had issues with the loss of these officers, or after leaving office, disrupting the operations of the Connecticut State Grange for months or years.

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED the Connecticut State Secretary and Connecticut State Treasurer secure an assistant in the 2026-2027 Grange year to assist and learn of the proper procedures required of the office, and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED the assistant position to be chosen by the Secretary and Treasurer to whom they will be working with, and

BE IT FINALLY RESOLVED these assistants be mentored and share in some of the everyday duties of these important State offices, to allow a smooth continuous operation of the Connecticut State Grange.

WHEREAS Connecticut interstate highways do not have tolls on them, and

WHEREAS other states have tolls on their interstate highways for road repairs and lost gas taxes from electric vehicles. Maine, New York, Ohio, Indiana, and other states have tolls, and taxes, and

WHEREAS today’s electronic tolls do not cause slowdowns at toll plazas, and

WHEREAS revenue from gas taxes is being reduced due to electric vehicles and reductions in federal funding which is used to repair our interstate highways.

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED the Connecticut State Grange urge the General Assembly to install tolls on the interstate highways that enter the State of Connecticut; I-95, I-91, I-84, I-395 for increased funding for lost revenue.

WHEREAS the Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (D.E.E.P.) states “With an above-ground storage tank (AST), you are more likely to detect a leak before it becomes severe” implying that visual inspection and actual leakage is the current method of establishing a requirement for replacement, and

WHEREAS home heating oil fuel tanks have an unknown actual life but a typical life of 15-20 years, and

WHEREAS said fuel tanks will begin to leak oil after that time on an indeterminate schedule, and

WHEREAS many homeowners inherit in the purchase of their home old fuel oil tanks with no knowledge of the age of the tanks, and

WHEREAS the fuel contaminates the ground below the tank and can enter ground water, and

WHEREAS the cost of remediation is prohibitive to most homeowners and reporting and remediation is often ignored or hidden, resulting in damage to the ground water, a public trust, and

WHEREAS leakage of tanks is unavoidable if left unmanaged, and

WHEREAS we cannot remediate the old existing tank inspection and replacement system but going forward it would be beneficial if a new tank management system were put in place that contained the intent of conservatively avoiding leakage.

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED the Connecticut State Grange urge the Connecticut General Assembly to establish registration of all new fuel oil tanks for both businesses and residences. The Connecticut D.E.E.P. or appropriate State authority would send notices to home and business owners indicating the age of the tank at 15 and 20 years with clear notice of the high cost of ignoring the need for tank replacement.