Jean Cronin, Executive Director, CT Package Stores Association
By Jean Cronin, Executive Director, CT Package Stores Association
We have finally arrived at the beginning of the legislative session for 2026. This year’s session is considered a “short” one: Running from Feb. 4 to May 6. While typically there are fewer bills that are passed in a short session, the number of groups seeking ambitious legislative changes never shrinks.
Given the number of entities inside and outside of the state that are looking for statutory changes, there are both beneficial and negative proposals that have been presented over the last few months to legislators.
The first proposal that has been sought after for years by the big box retailers is the ability to qualify for a grocery beer permit. Currently, the percentage of products sold that qualify as groceries has been too high for retailers such as Target and Walmart to obtain one of these grocery beer permits. The percentage that a retailer needs of grocery sales is at least fifty percent or greater.
With the amount of clothing, lawn furniture, electronics, and other products that are sold by these large national chains, they are not able to meet the fifty percent mark. Legislation that has been drafted by these retailers to change the percentage has dropped to twenty percent of groceries sold in the store. In 46 other states, these retail giants are allowed to sell beer in their stores.
CPSA has opposed these changes for decades, which would have a devasting effect on the industry in Connecticut as well as allowing unintended entities to sell alcoholic beverages, those which are barred from selling currently in this state.
The second issue is actually one that CPSA will be working on to retain the ability to sell THC seltzers in the state. The legislation to end the federal government shutdown contained language that is intended to “close the loophole” from the 2018 hemp farm bill. The newly enacted federal ban on THC hemp will take effect in November of 2026. The senator who pushed for the change cited the patchwork of state laws that have been enacted to regulate this market. There is a one-year delay before the ban takes effect.
CPSA will be working with a coalition of partners to ensure that THC seltzers will not be removed from package store shelves in Connecticut. CPSA advocated for the ability to sell these seltzers in package stores when the Connecticut General Assembly was contemplating restricting them to be sold in dispensaries only. The upcoming 2026 legislative session will be critical to retaining the ability to sell these seltzers. Members will be informed of all movements on this issue during the session.
Lastly, the expansion of the bottle bill that included more beverage items and increased the deposit to ten cents has had an unintended consequence. Over the last two years, massive amounts of bottles are being brought across state lines to be redeemed in Connecticut that were not sold in Connecticut. The amount of fraud is creating a massive financial disaster in the state and inhibiting the ability for Connecticut consumers to redeem their bottles and cans that they rightfully paid the deposit on. Legislation will be sought this session to try and address this cross border fraud of organized individuals taking advantage of the State and its consumers.
Despite being a short session, there will be no limit to the other issues we will see. CPSA will continue to monitor all bills and amendments that have an impact on the industry as a whole and will provide members with updated information that will be crucial to their business. Stay in touch with us and let your voice be part of the process.
Jean Cronin is the President of Hughes & Cronin Public Affairs Strategies, where she is responsible for developing and implementing legislative initiatives for the firm’s clients, and directing a variety of trade and professional associations managed by the firm. Cronin joined the firm in 1986 after serving as a communications strategist for the Connecticut Senate Majority Office, where she became well-versed in the politics and insight of the State Capitol. She is the Executive Director of the Connecticut Package Stores Association, following the passing of longtime director, Carroll J. Hughes.
