Rep. Zupkus Bill Proposal Looks to Help Business Owners

HARTFORD – State Rep. Lezlye Zupkus (R-89) testified in the Public Health Committee on Tuesday in support of legislation that will reduce state regulations placed on business owners.

Rep. Zupkus introduced, House Bill 5151, after hearing from a commercial plaza owner in her district about the unnecessary testing and fees from the state for testing their water well.

Under the current regulations, restaurants are required by the state to have their water tested four times a year. For property owners that have an empty restaurant location they still have to pay $800 year for water testing even though the property is vacant.

Rep. Zupkus said she understands the state testing water every year for the building but other tests for a vacant space is too much.

“I request that the plaza owner be required to do one full test of the building and one other test for the restaurant when the restaurant is rented,” said Rep. Zupkus. “I believe that a test should occur only as frequently as every 6 months. This kind of onerous water testing is just another example of a mandate on small businesses which hurts them profoundly.”

Rep. Zupkus continued, “I also ask that efforts are made to reduce irregularities between the State tests and local health district tests. No matter what kind of businesses occupy spaces in commercial complexes, only one full water quality test for the building should be required; there should not be individual tests for each individual business, since everyone is using the same water.”

House Bill 5151now waits for a vote by the members of the Public Health Committee before it can head to the House floor.

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