State Representative Lanoue Unveils His 2024 Legislative Priorities

HARTFORD— State Representative Brian Lanoue (R-45), announced his comprehensive legislative proposals for the 2024 regular session that began on February 7^th, 2024. Since the beginning of session, Rep. Lanoue has been advocating on several concepts that were submitted to various committees at the state legislature.

Rep. Lanoue’s priorities for this current session features four concepts that received unanimous support in their respective committees and will be given public hearings. The first was brought in front of the Veterans Committee on February 15^th, which would help streamline the bureaucracy on certifications for active-duty military personnel and fire departments regarding 2Q endorsements. With the proper military certifications, military personnel and veterans would have the opportunity to apply their skills locally by operating fire apparatus at departments across Connecticut. The second concept which appeared in front of the Committee on Children, on February 20^th, would form a task force to examine the Interstate Compact on the Placement of Children (ICPC). This concept is important to prevent other states from having control over placement of children from Connecticut without our state being able to independently investigate.

Another concept that will receive a public hearing in the Environment Committee focuses on interstate bodies of fresh water in Connecticut. If approved, the concept would allow law enforcement officers in Connecticut and Rhode Island to make arrests and enforce safety measures on Beach Pond in Voluntown, regardless of the state boundary. Finally, the Finance, Revenue, and Bonding Committee will hear a concept which would amend Connecticut General Statutes to help business owners and workers by requiring the Department of Revenue Services to waive interest and penalties associated with a business owners’ amended tax filings. This encompasses the federal tax grants associated with COVID-relief dollars, or any other federally declared emergency.

“I would like to thank the co-chairs, and ranking members of these committees for supporting these concepts that are important to the 45^th District, eastern Connecticut, and the entire state in general,” said Rep. Lanoue. “I am looking forward to listening to and reviewing all the testimony on of these concepts. I will be following the progression on all these legislative concepts carefully and look forward to working with all committee members as this legislation develops.”

Rep. Lanoue has also introduced the following concepts:

• Establish a state income tax deduction up to $2,000 for volunteer firefighters and EMS personnel to promote recruiting and retention
• Amend Connecticut’s General Statutes to fully adopt castle doctrine, otherwise known as stand your ground
• Maintain the integrity of women’s sports by prohibiting biological males from competing in female-only athletics
• Defend gun owners and the Second Amendment by preventing municipalities from imposing more restrictive firearm regulations
• Honor Griswold resident Franklin Delano Steven Everett, for his friendship and awareness he has brought to the trucking community by naming a popular Griswold commuter lot where he has brought joy to passing truckers and motorists
• Amend the Connecticut General Statutes to create a task force to study how electric distribution companies, like Eversource, may be reconstituted to offer more options to ratepayers such as the possible expansion municipal electric distribution

The 2024 regular session adjourns at midnight on May 8^th.