NEW LAWS Effective July 1st!
I just wanted you to know that while the legislative session is over, the governor is signing bills into law, and even vetoing a few! As he works through the legislation we passed this year I’d like to focus on a few of the more problematic pieces. I also to also provide a list of laws that take effect on July 1st.
I’ve shared it before, but it bears repeating; according to the Courant, “about 3,800 bills were filed this year … more than 900 bills were passed by the legislative committees … (and) 286 bills were passed by both chambers and will be sent to Lamont’s desk for his signature.”
You can find a list of all bills that passed by clicking here.
The Budget
This year was the first of the biennium which means the state budget, which sets the tone for state spending over the next two years, dominated the session. Unfortunately, I was forced to vote against the Democrats’ $55.8 billion budget because it smashes Connecticut’s fiscal guardrails, increases state spending by more than 10%, and creates an additional $2 billion tax-and-fee burden on Connecticut’s families and businesses. It also included a series of policy changes that had absolutely no connection to the budget!
Earlier in the session, I joined my colleagues to propose a House Republican Reality Check budget that was, unfortunately, dismissed without consideration. Despite that rejection, during the debate we offered several amendments to make improvements to their bill, including support for Special Education and funding for healthcare services through Medicaid Rate Increases. Sadly, those amendments failed along mostly party lines.
A copy of the $55.8 Billion budget can be reviewed here.
Housing and HB5002
Following an 11-hour debate and despite strong bipartisan opposition, the House passed an omnibus housing bill that has the potential to undercut local zoning and take away local control in favor of Hartford mandates.
House Bill 5002, priority legislation for the majority party, creates unrealistic fair share housing requirements for each town, requires town zoning to allow for as of right conversion of commercial lots for certain residential development, prohibits towns from including minimum parking requirements on certain housing developments, and allows developers to recover attorneys’ fees from towns in certain circumstances in 8-30g appeals, among other concerning provisions. It also combined various bills and sidestepped normal procedural requirements for consideration of legislation.
I voted against this bill because it’s another massive overreach from Hartford. Zoning requirements should be set locally, and not be forced onto our towns by Hartford mandates.
I’m pleased to report that Governor Lamont vetoed this bill, and I look forward to debating a substantially different proposal during a fall special session.
Several new laws will take effect July 1st that could have an impact on you, your business, or our community. I have highlighted some of them below.
AN ACT CONCERNING THE FALLEN HERO FUND
I supported this bill so that the surviving family of a firefighter killed in the line of duty shall be paid a death benefit from the Fallen Officer Fund. With the eligibility expansion from solely law enforcement members, it will be renamed the Fallen Officer and Firefighter Fund. This new law will also provide health insurance coverage to the survivors of a firefighter killed in the line of duty.
AN ACT CONCERNING THE ILLEGAL USE OF CERTAIN VEHICLES AND STREET TAKEOVERS
Municipalities with more than 20,000 residents will be empowered to adopt an ordinance allowing for the destruction of vehicles seized during so-called street takeovers (large groups of vehicles blocking roads or intersections) after holding them for 30 days. There are some restrictions, including that a reasonable effort be made to contact the owner. If the owner did not know the vehicle was used for such an event, that person has the right to collect the vehicle within 90 days.
This bill makes technical changes in a statute related to veteran’s affairs, including the appointment of a manager to administer an Office of Advocacy and Assistance. The office shall include 8 to 14 veterans’ service officers, who are veterans!
Other major acts include:
An expanded list of those that will take effect on July 1, along with summaries, can be found here.