Connecticut Bills

in committee · Connecticut · House Apr 3, 2025

HB 7093: AN ACT CONCERNING REFERENDA, INDEPENDENT EXPENDITURES AND OTHER CAMPAIGN FINANCE CHANGES.

HB 7093 removes limits on independent political spending by creating a new category of "independent expenditure political committee" that can make unlimited independent expenditures to support or oppose candidates, referendums, or political parties. It requires these committees to file detailed electronic reports within 24 hours for any expenditure over $1,000 related to state elections or referendums, including primary and general elections for governor, state senate, and state representative. The bill also clarifies that these committees may coordinate with other similar committees for spending purposes. This primarily affects political groups, nonprofits, and businesses engaging in election-related spending outside of direct candidate campaigns. The changes take effect upon passage and apply to all covered independent expenditures.

in committee · Connecticut · House Apr 3, 2025

HB 7089: AN ACT CONCERNING VARIOUS CAMPAIGN FINANCE REFORMS RECOMMENDED BY THE STATE ELECTIONS ENFORCEMENT COMMISSION.

HB 7089 clarifies campaign finance rules by replacing the term "solicitor" with "collector" for individuals handling campaign funds. It strengthens enforcement by allowing the State Elections Enforcement Commission to remove or bar campaign finance managers for violations, and to suspend committee activities if needed. The bill requires all contributions to go directly to a committee's designated treasurer (not third parties), and updates rules about who can serve as a campaign finance manager. These changes directly affect political committees, candidate committees, and their finance managers operating under Connecticut's campaign finance laws.

in committee · Connecticut · Senate Apr 3, 2025

SB 515: AN ACT CONCERNING ADJUSTMENTS TO THE MAXIMUM INDIVIDUAL CONTRIBUTION AMOUNT UNDER THE CITIZENS' ELECTION PROGRAM.

SB 515 adjusts how the maximum individual contribution limit under Connecticut's Citizens' Election Program (CEP) is updated for inflation. It requires that once the State Elections Enforcement Commission (SEEC) adjusts the limit based on the consumer price index, the new amount remains in effect until the next adjustment - replacing the previous practice of annual changes. This directly affects individual donors and candidates seeking CEP funding, as it stabilizes contribution limits (currently $320 for 2024) until the next inflation update. The bill takes effect July 1, 2025, with no fiscal impact to state or local governments.

in committee · Connecticut · Senate Apr 3, 2025

SB 1408: AN ACT REQUIRING A STUDY OF STATE AGENCY RESPONSE TIMES TO FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT REQUESTS.

SB 1408 requires the Office of Policy and Management to study how quickly state agencies respond to public record requests under the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA). The study, to be completed by February 15, 2026, will track average response times, document cases where delays led to complaints, and recommend potential improvements. This bill directly affects state agencies that handle FOIA requests and requires a one-time $300,000 expenditure for a consultant to conduct the analysis. It does not change FOIA laws but aims to identify systemic delays in government transparency.

in committee · Connecticut · Senate Apr 3, 2025

SB 1407: AN ACT CONCERNING AUDITS CONDUCTED BY THE STATE ELECTIONS ENFORCEMENT COMMISSION.

SB 1407 requires the State Elections Enforcement Commission (SEEC) to complete election audits within 12 months of receiving all necessary information, with audits of candidate committees for statewide offices always required. It mandates a public, weighted lottery system for selecting committees to audit (maximizing 50% of local candidate committees), and requires the SEEC to notify committees by May 31st after an election. The bill also obligates the SEEC to report annually to the Government Oversight Committee on any audits not completed within the 12-month deadline and the reasons for delays. This directly affects candidate committees for all state elections, particularly those seeking statewide office or local legislative seats.

in committee · Connecticut · Senate Apr 3, 2025

SB 1403: AN ACT CONCERNING BROWNFIELD REMEDIATION.

SB 1403 requires Connecticut's Commissioner of Economic and Community Development to study issues related to cleaning up and redeveloping brownfields - abandoned or underused properties with potential environmental contamination. The study must be completed by February 1, 2026, and reported to the legislature. This bill does not create new regulations, funding, or requirements; it solely directs a state agency to gather information on brownfield challenges. The study aims to inform future policy decisions but has no fiscal impact on state or local governments.

in committee · Connecticut · House Apr 3, 2025

HB 7195: AN ACT CONCERNING UNEMPLOYMENT BENEFITS FOR PARAEDUCATORS.

HB 7195 amends unemployment benefits to specifically include paraeducators (school support staff like instructional aides) employed by school districts, educational service centers, or charter schools. The bill requires administrators to determine on a case-by-case basis whether paraeducators have "reasonable assurance" of returning to the same job (e.g., via an offer for the next term at 90%+ of prior pay), and if denied benefits due to lack of assurance but no job offer was made, they receive retroactive payments. This directly affects paraeducators during typical school breaks, between academic terms, or during vacation periods when they would otherwise lose eligibility. The change ensures these workers qualify for unemployment benefits when not offered a return to work, aligning their eligibility with broader educational employee protections.

Topics ✓ Education ✓ Labor & Employment

in committee · Connecticut · House Apr 3, 2025

HB 7197: AN ACT REQUIRING PAYCHECK TRANSPARENCY.

HB 7197 requires employers to provide employees with clear pay statements showing hours worked, gross earnings (separating regular and overtime pay), deductions, and net pay. Employers must also create a multilingual guide explaining all pay codes (like shift differentials, hazard pay, or holiday pay) and post it on their website with dispute resolution contact information. This guide must link to every pay statement, and employers must explain relevant pay codes to new hires. The law applies to all employers and takes effect October 1, 2025, with no fiscal impact to the state or municipalities.

Topics ✓ Labor & Employment

in committee · Connecticut · Senate Apr 3, 2025

SB 1454: AN ACT CONCERNING ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS FOR PARTICIPATION IN BROWNFIELD PROGRAMS FOR CERTAIN MUNICIPALITIES.

SB 1454 requires Connecticut's Commissioner of Economic and Community Development to study whether to expand eligibility for state brownfield cleanup programs to municipalities that previously created pollution at a site but have not added new pollution there for at least ten years. The study must examine existing programs under statutes 32-768 and 32-769, focusing on feasibility and potential benefits, and report findings to the legislature by February 1, 2026. This bill does not change current program rules or provide immediate eligibility - it only mandates a one-time study costing up to $250,000. It directly affects municipalities that meet the pollution history criteria but have no current pollution at the site. The study's purpose is to inform future legislative decisions about program expansion.

in committee · Connecticut · Senate Apr 3, 2025

SB 1467: AN ACT REQUIRING A REVIEW OF THE COSTS OF SPECIAL EDUCATION SERVICES PROVIDED BY ALL PROVIDERS IN THIS STATE.

SB 1467 requires the state education commissioner to review all costs charged by providers of special education services - including regional centers and private providers - to local school districts. The review will examine how rates are set, reasons for rapid increases, rate variances between districts, equity in service access, and the feasibility of a diagnosis-based fee system. It mandates a report to lawmakers by February 15, 2026, summarizing findings and potential policy recommendations. This bill directly affects school districts paying for special education services and the providers delivering them, without changing current funding or rates.

Topics ✓ Education

in committee · Connecticut · Senate Apr 3, 2025

SB 1178: AN ACT CONCERNING A STUDY OF THE ELECTRONIC BUSINESS PORTAL.

SB 1178 requires Connecticut's Commissioner of Economic and Community Development to study the state's electronic business portal (operating at business.ct.gov under section 3-99d of general statutes). The study must assess the portal's effectiveness, usability, user experience, and website traffic, then provide improvement recommendations. The commissioner must submit a report to the Commerce committee by February 1, 2026. This bill does not change the portal's operations but mandates a review to identify potential enhancements. The study is funded through a one-time $250,000 General Fund allocation for consulting services.

in committee · Connecticut · House Apr 3, 2025

HB 5574: AN ACT REQUIRING THE REPORTING OF THE STATUS OF THE IMPLEMENTATION OF RECOMMENDATIONS OF THE CREATES PROJECT REPORT CONCERNING DIGITIZATION AND OTHER UPGRADES AND REPORTS CONCERNING OVERTIME AND FINGERPRINTING.

HB 5574 requires state agencies to submit specific reports on progress toward implementing digitization recommendations from the 2021 CREATES project report, as well as on overtime usage and fingerprinting procedures. By February 1, 2026, the Office of Policy and Management must report on digitization efforts across seven state programs (including tax compliance, grants portals, and electronic health records), detailing staffing, funding, and savings. It also mandates annual reports on agency overtime practices and a one-time report from the Department of Emergency Services on fingerprinting for criminal checks, including processing times and reasons. The bill affects all state agencies by requiring them to document and share these operational details to the Government Oversight Committee. No new costs are expected, as agencies already have resources to fulfill these reporting requirements.

Bill results