Advocacy in Action | April 9, 2026
2026 Legislative Tracker
The Connecticut Restaurant & Hospitality Association actively monitors a wide range of legislation throughout each legislative session. It's important to note that the introduction of a bill does not guarantee its passage.
The CRHA Bill Tracker gives you a sense of the breadth and variety of legislation we track throughout session, as well as an overview on the status of each bill. This tracker will get updated regularly with the latest information coming out of session.
🥃 Liquor Compliance & Liability Webinar
🗓️ Tuesday, April 14
🕙 10AM
Join the Connecticut Restaurant & Hospitality Association as we bring together industry experts to break down the essentials of liquor compliance in Connecticut.
From dram shop laws and liability insurance, to inspections and suspension risks, attendees will gain practical insights to help protect their business. The webinar also covers the fundamentals of responsible alcohol service and training, to support safe, compliant operations.
Speakers:
- Jack Suchy - Founder of JJS Consulting Group & former CT Director of Liquor Control
- Melissa Frecker, AINS - Underwriting Manager at Hospitality Insurance Group
- Trevor Estelle - Vice President, ServSafe at National Restaurant Association
The Restaurant Industry’s Immigration Principles
🗓️ Thursday, April 23
🕙 2PM
Immigration reform remains a critical issue for the restaurant industry, and understanding the solutions that matter most to operators is essential for effective advocacy.
Join the National Restaurant Association team for an upcoming webinar, where they will walk through the core principles guiding the Association’s approach to comprehensive immigration reform and how these solutions support a stable, future‑ready restaurant workforce.
Including:
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An overview of the core principles guiding the Association’s advocacy, including the need to protect the current workforce, fix the work visa system, and modernize immigration for the future
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A snapshot of the current immigration environment, including emerging reform conversations, and what these dynamics mean for the restaurant industry
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Insight into how these principles shape the Association’s advocacy strategy and policy conversations on Capitol Hill and with the Administration
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An overview of how members and partners can stay informed and engage when opportunities arise
Connecticut Economic Update from the State Comptroller
Connecticut’s economic outlook remains mixed but relatively stable, with modest job growth alongside ongoing fiscal and labor challenges. The Office of the State Comptroller projects a small $6 million General Fund deficit for FY2026. Broader economic indicators show steady wages and labor force participation, but hiring has slowed and workforce constraints persist.
While Connecticut’s economy is holding steady, hospitality businesses should expect continued headwinds in workforce availability and demand variability in the near term.
Latest on Tariffs
Last Friday, U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) issued new guidance confirming that all refunds will now be issued electronically, including refunds tied to the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA).
CBP also filed an updated declaration this week with the U.S. Court of International Trade outlining progress on refunds. Phase 1 of CAPE—CBP’s new IEEPA refund system—will process about 63% of imports eligible for refunds. Remaining refunds will roll out in future phases.
Businesses waiting for IEEPA refunds should ensure they are prepared for electronic processing and additional rounds of reimbursements as the system expands.
