State Representative Brian Lanoue was re-elected to his fourth term in the General Assembly in November 2024. He proudly serves the 45th District, which includes the towns of Griswold, Ledyard, Lisbon, Preston and Voluntown. Born and raised in Eastern Connecticut, Brian graduated from the Norwich Free Academy, where he was a well-known host and producer at a commercial radio station, and he received his bachelor’s degree in political science from Eastern Connecticut State University. He took his education a step further by earning his master’s degree in public policy from Southern Connecticut State University where he authored a thesis on the change in public officials’ political positions when they go from one elected office to another. He is also a former champion powerlifter – one of the youngest athletes ever having won the Men’s Open world title for the deadlift, substance free, at the age of 21.
Brian is a strong believer in Connecticut innovation and entrepreneurship. As the co-owner of a small, family-run business in Griswold, he has experienced the struggles faced by companies operating in our state and understands how legislation passed in Hartford can affect job creators. Rep. Lanoue is the lead advocate for the CRISIS Initiative pilot program, which brings state and local law enforcement together with mental health professionals to combat the opioid epidemic and mental health disorders. He worked diligently to expand the CRISIS Initiative into Windham County. The expansion moved CRISIS into Troop D’s jurisdiction, making it contiguous with Troop E, where the program is also used. Expansion throughout all of Connecticut is now being considered.
Rep. Lanoue’s additional legislative achievements, which stem from concepts and ideas voiced to him by his constituents, include:
● The Town of Voluntown was upgraded into the Tier one PILOT reimbursement rate from the State of Connecticut. In the original language of the legislation, Voluntown was in Tier two of the PILOT Formula, however, the bill was rewritten to specifically address the town. ● Public Act 23-45: An Act Concerning Delivery of Mortgage Modification Under the Ezequiel Santiago Foreclosure passed in 2023. This legislation prevents predatory modification loan agreements and helps ensure that families and individuals facing financial hardships can get out of home foreclosure and successfully back on their feet. ● The PFAS Soil Testing bill crossed the finish line and the PFAS chemical will now be part of Connecticut’s Agricultural Experiment Station testing program. PFAS is a toxic chemical that has been used in fertilizers over the years. Farmers have a right to know if it’s in their soil, and testing will also assist impacted homeowners and local governments. ● An Act Concerning the Enforcement of Boating Laws on Bodies of Water Near the Rhode Island, Massachusetts, and New York Borders passed by Connecticut’s House of Representatives in 2024. This would enable dual enforcement for Connecticut and Rhode Island law enforcement, allowing them to focus on safety measures and pursue and arrest violators in other states’ waters on Beach Pond. The bill also needs to be passed by Rhode Island’s legislature. This is the critical first step towards dual enforcement, and Rep. Lanoue will continue to advocate. ● In 2024, the Veterans’ & Military Affairs Committee voted unanimously to pass his bill to allow active-duty military members and veterans to get reciprocity on the “Q” endorsement to drive fire trucks if they have the equivalent military certifications, which will help streamline the burden of red tape and duplicity placed on our fire departments, as well as increase recruitment efforts. ● Authored Section 1 of Senate Bill 443 to change state law and help business owners and workers. This bill required the Department of Revenue Services to waive interest and penalties associated with a business owners’ amended tax filings for federal tax credits stemming from a federally declared emergency, specifically COVID-19, to help businesses survive and keep people employed. The bill passed the House and Senate Chambers in the June special session agenda and was signed by the governor.
In 2021, Rep. Lanoue fought to protect children by requiring background checks for employees of children’s camp programs. The absence of background checks in Connecticut prompted Rep. Lanoue to introduce the legislation. The bill received overwhelming bi-partisan support, was passed by the legislature, and signed into law by the governor. The new law, PA21-82, requires employees who work at children’s camps to submit to comprehensive background checks. This adds an extra layer of protection for children while away from home and under the care of camp faculty.
In May of 2023, Rep. Lanoue gave a passionate floor speech in opposition to a bill that would allow anyone convicted of any sex crime before 1998 to be removed from the Connecticut Sex Offender Registry. This bill would have allowed those who have been convicted of some of the most heinous sex crimes to be removed from this list. After Brian’s impassioned speech, the bill was immediately pulled off the House floor and killed for the remainder of the session and has never risen again.
Priority Bills that Rep. Lanoue is still fighting for:
● Introduced legislation to help defend gun owners and their Second Amendment rights by preventing municipalities from imposing more restrictive firearm regulations. ● Advocated for Connecticut’s General Statutes to fully adopt the Castle Doctrine, otherwise known as “Stand Your Ground.” He believes that homeowners should be able to stand their ground and protect themselves and their homes from intruders. ● Proposed a critical bill for volunteer responders, deducting personal income tax for stipends paid to volunteer firefighters and volunteer ambulance members. With volunteers being such a vital component of our communities, Rep. Lanoue believes this bill is critical to give people more incentive to serve their communities. ● Since 2020, Tropical Storm Isaias and the Eversource rate hikes, Rep. Lanoue has co-authored a bill to create a task force dedicated to evaluating utility companies in Connecticut. The task force would specifically assess the costs and benefits of integrating alternative energy sources into the market, and look at the possibility of breaking up monopolies like Eversource. ● Co-introduced legislation to protect women’s and girls’ sports by preventing biologically born males from competing in female-division sports.
As state representative, Rep. Lanoue will continue advocating for regulation reform, tax relief, and transportation infrastructure improvements to attract more businesses to the region. The 45th General Assembly District’s unique location between two metropolitan hubs offers a unique opportunity for growth and innovation. He will also continue to fight any anti-business legislation introduced in Hartford.
Please feel free to contact Brian as he is open to all questions and concerns you may have.
Home: (860) 376-9354
Office: (860) 240-8700
Email: Brian.Lanoue@cga.ct.gov
