House of Representatives
Bills Passed April/May 2009
June 3, 2009
Saving CT’s Dairy Industry
The House of Representatives passed legislation to provide about $10 million over the next two years under the state’s Community Investment Account (CIA) directly to dairy farmers to help them stay in business. The federal government sets milk prices and Connecticut farmers are now losing as much as a dollar a gallon based on fast rising production costs, leaving them at a severe disadvantage to out of state agribusinesses. There are currently 151 dairy farms in the state, down from 210 in 2007 and 500 in 1990. According to a University of Connecticut report, the dairy industry supports about 4,200 jobs and generates over $1 billion in sales. The CIA is funded by a $40 fee for the recording of municipal land documents and under the bill will allocate 20 percent each among three state agencies for heritage preservation, affordable housing, and municipal open space, with the remaining 40 percent committed for direct aid to dairy farmers.
June 2, 2009
Allowing Municipalities to Prohibit
Blocking the Box
Legislation was adopted that would give municipalities the ability to give local police the power to issue citations to drivers who block oncoming traffic from driving through intersections. Commonly known as "don't block the box," drivers who attempt to cross an intersection, aren't able to make it all of the way through and then block traffic in the intersection can be given a fine ranging from $100 - $300. Municipalities that choose to adopt such an ordinance must post signs that blocking the intersection is prohibited and use white paint to mark intersection's boundaries.
SB650 - June 2, 2009
LONG TERM CARE FOR YOUR PET
The House of Representatives passed legislation that authorizes the creation of trusts for the care of a pet that survives their owner. Under current law, trusts for animals are simply honorary, and cannot be enforced. More than 30 states currently allow trusts for pets that outlive their owners.
SB913 - June 2, 2009
ASSURING ELECTIONS FOR US SENATE
Legislation requiring that a special election be held to fill a United States Senate seat vacated mid-term was approved by the House of Representatives. Currently, the governor appoints a person to fill such a vacancy until the next regularly scheduled state election.
SB1080 - June 1, 2009
Calorie Labeling at Chain Restaurants
To help people make healthier choices, the House of Representatives approved legislation requiring chain restaurants to display calorie counts for food items on their printed menus and menu boards. The bill applies only to national restaurant chains with more than 15 outlets. Examples of impacted restaurants include Subway, McDonald's, Dunkin' Donuts, Starbucks, Chili's, Applebees, and Wendy's. The bill does not apply to small local restaurants, grocery stores and deli's. The bill takes effect July 2010, and compliance will be enforced as part of regular public health restaurant inspections.
SB735 - June 1, 2009
IMPROVING BICYCLE AND PEDESTRIAN ACCESS
Legislation encouraging nonmotorized transportation, a healthy lifestyle, smart growth and reduced road congestion was approved by the House of Representatives. The bill adopts a "complete streets" policy, creates a bicycle and pedestrian advisory committee, and devotes some transportation funding to programs that improve bicycle and pedestrian access.
HB6635 - June 1, 2009
Encouraging Solar Power
This legislation, approved by the House of Representatives, creates a stable, fully-funded residential solar program to assist thousands of homeowners to have rooftop solar power systems installed. It is estimated that this initiative would support as many as 8,000 new 'green' jobs in Connecticut over the course of the next decade. Installation work represents about 75% of solar power-related jobs, which require a range of technical skills and are relatively high paying.
SB951
- May 29, 2009
REDUCING BLIGHT CAUSED BY FORECLOSURES
Legislation aimed at reducing neighborhood blight caused by the growing number of property foreclosures was approved by the House of Representatives. The bill authorizes cities and towns to utilize state law and local ordinances regarding maintenance of uninhabited properties following the issuance of proper notice to owners of foreclosed real estate. The legislation also would establish a tracking and registration system of owners of properties obtained through foreclosure or foreclosure sale, including the name of the entity responsible for maintenance of the property. Neighborhood blight compounds problems caused by foreclosures by lowering surrounding property values and inviting vandalism and other crime.
SB948
- May 29, 2009
MEDIATION IN FORECLOSURE CASES
Legislation requiring mediation between lenders and defendant borrowers in home foreclosure court cases received final approval by the General Assembly today. The bill builds upon last year’s Banks Committee action that created a voluntary foreclosure mediation program widely acknowledged as successful in leading to sustained homeownership. About 70% of foreclosure court cases that do go to mediation are resolved successfully, however only 30% of those eligible take advantage. In addition, the legislation expands the reach of the state’s Emergency Mortgage Assistance Program (EMAP) by allowing the Connecticut Housing Finance Authority more flexibility in determining who qualifies for help.
HB6187 - May 28, 2009
PAID SICK DAYS FOR WORKERS
Legislation establishing a paid sick leave standard for employers with 50 or more workers was approved by the House of Representatives. The bill allows employees to accrue up to 5 days of paid sick time per year based on the number of hours worked. This policy will not only help working families, but is good for business as it will help reduce the transmitting of disease to co-workers. With the recent outbreak of swine flu, Governor Rell advised people experiencing flu like symptoms to stay home from work for at least seven days. Many workers in industries that require constant contact with the public such as food service and health care lack paid sick days, and are thus more likely to come to work ill.
HB5021 - May 27, 2009
MEETING MEDICAL NEEDS
This bill expands insurance coverage for certain medically necessary procedures and supplies designed to improve the lives of Connecticut residents. For example, the legislation mandates coverage for children who need hearing aids, individuals needing prosthetic limbs, bone marrow testing, and people in need of ostomy or related surgeries.
SB1078 - May 27, 2009
PROTECTING LONG ISLAND SOUND
Under this legilation, a Bi-State Long Island Sound Commission is created. The commission will review and consider environmental, ecological, and energy issues involving Long Island Sound and the lower Hudson River Valley as it affects the Sound. The goal of this new commission will be to seek consensus on strategies and polices, and recommend administrative and legislative action to implement them. New York is expectd to approve similar legislation.
SB947 - May 27, 2009
RAISING THE SCHOOL DROPOUT AGE
The House of Representatives approved legislation by a vote of 130-16 that will raise the age students are allowed to drop out of school from 16 to 17. Supporters of the legislation said that dropping out of school at the age of 16 is not sufficient for surviving in today's economy, and also believe that it is major a reason for the state's swollen achievement gap. Under the legislation, which takes effect July 1, 2010, students who have reached the age of 17 and wish to withdraw will need the permission of a parent or guardian.
SB301 - May 27, 2009
EXPANDING COVERAGE FOR AUTISM
The House of Representatives passed legislation that expands health insurance coverage of the diagnosis and treatment of autism spectrum disorders. The bill broadens what a group health insurance policy must cover regarding autism spectrum disorders. It requires a policy to cover the diagnosis and treatment of autism spectrum disorders, including behavioral therapy for a child age 14 or younger and certain prescription drugs and psychiatric and psychological services.
HB6339 - May 27, 2009
TOUGHER PENALTIES FOR SECURITIES FRAUD
The House unanimously approved a proposal to seize the assetts of corrupt money managers like Bernie Madoff, the New York money manager who confessed to running a $50 billion Ponzi scheme.
The legislation expands the state's organized crime statute, Corrupt Organizations and Racketeering Act (CORA), to target fraudulent activity by money managers. CORA provides for the imposition of stiffer criminal penalties for white-collar criminals, including lengthier prison sentences and fines of up to $25,000, as well as the forfeiture to the state of money or property obtained by criminal means.
HB6245 - May 26, 2009
HANDLING OF DOMESTIC VIOLENCE CASES
Legislation aimed at improving police and court handling of domestic violence cases along with enhancing the level of available victim services was unanimously approved by the House of Representatives. The bill encourages educational outreach to victims through schools, doctors and clergy to help reduce underreporting of domestic violence. Other provisions focus on increased training for judicial personnel regarding visa laws and law enforcement on limiting multiple arrests at the scene of domestic violence calls. The bill also calls for eventually extending domestic violence shelter services.
HB6435 - May 26, 2009
Election Day Registration
This legislation establishes guidelines and safeguards in order to allow for Election Day Registration (EDR). Currently, Connecticut only allows for mailed in voter registration two weeks prior to an election and in person registration seven days before in order to be eligible to vote. If passed into law, Connecticut would join Idaho, Iowa, Maine, Minnesota, New Hampshire, Wisconsin, and Wyoming in allowing EDR, and North Carolina, which permits EDR through early voting.
HB6231 - May 22, 2009
COMBATING FINANCIAL CRIMES AGAINST SENIORS
An Act Concerning the Department of Banking prohibits financial consultants and life insurance agents from stating or implying that they have a certification or training in advising senior citizens unless the consultant or agent has been certified by an entity approved by the state to offer certification in advising senior citizens. The bill will now go to the State Senate for consideration, and if it becomes law, Connecticut would join California and Massachusetts who have similar laws.
May 22, 2009
DEFICIT REDUCTION PLAN
The legislature approved a fifth deficit mitigation package aimed at reducing the current estimated fiscal year budget shortfall of aproximately $1 billion. This particular bill cuts about $154 million of state spending from a variety of sources, including state agency accounts and the special transportation fund. In addition, a portion of unused bond proceeds reserved for capital projects will be used to pay down debt service. The 2009 state budget year ends June 30.
HB6585 - May 21, 2009
Smart Growth Through Regionalism
House Bill 6585 gives municipalities the ability to implement cost saving measures and offers real property tax reform through voluntary regional cooperation, by including a provision to return a portion of the sales tax to towns as an incentive for participating in regional initiatives. In addition, towns who agree to participate in more efficient, streamlined government and education operations would be able to access federal economic development funds for the first time, and by sharing property tax revenues generated from large new developments. These new revenue streams would offer permanent property tax relief to participating towns.
HJ1 - May 21, 2009
REGRET OF STATE ENDORSED SLAVERY
A resolution passed by the House of Representatives expressed the profound regret of the Connecticut General Assembly for the history of wrongs inflicted upon black citizens by means of slavery, exploitation and legalized racial segregation. The resolution further calls upon all citizens to take part in acts of racial reconciliation.
HB 6582 - HB 6600 - May 20, 2009
INCREASING ACCESS TO QUALITY,
AFFORDABLE, HEALTHCARE
The Connecticut Healthcare Partnership (HB 6582) opens the state employee health plan to municipal employees, small businesses and non-profits, on a voluntary basis and SustiNet (HB 6600) establishes the framework for comprehensive healthcare reform. HB 6582 creates a timetable for opening up the state healthcare plan and converts the state health insurance plan from fully uninsured to a self insured, eliminating millions of dollars in overhead costs -- potentially saving the state $70 million. House Bill 6600 establishes a process for expanding access to high quality affordable benefits to even more residents while containing costs, promoting preventive care and laying the groundwork for federal healthcare reform by establishing a board of directors charged with developing specific legislative recommendations to achieve SustiNet's goals.
SB981 - May 19, 2009
LIFESAVING AEDs IN SCHOOLS
Legislation requiring schools to have at least one Automatic External Defibrillator (AED) accessible both during the school day and after hours for school-sponsored events including sports passed the House of Representatives. The bill allows school boards to accept donated AEDs and to receive gifts, donations, and grants for AED acquisition and staff training costs. An AED is a portable device used to restore normal heart rhythm to people having heart attacks. AEDs are considered the best immediate treatment for most cardiac arrests.
May 19, 2009
PROBATE COURT REFORM
A bill designed to preserve the financial solvency and protect the institutional integrity of the state’s probate court system was approved by the House of Representatives. To reduce costs and improve efficiency, Connecticut’s 117 probate court districts will be consolidated into a maximum of 50 jurisdictions. Courts will be required to maintain full-time office hours and non-attorneys will no longer be eligible to be elected as a probate judge.
HB6718 - May 14, 2009
BIG BUDGET LABOR SAVINGS
The legislature approved a package of state employee wage and benefit concessions that will save taxpayers $700 million over the next two years. The bill freezes salaries for the first year and includes higher health insurance premiums and prescription co-pays. State workers will also take a total of seven unpaid furlough days over the next three years. There is also an early retirement incentive program that would save $208 million in the next two years.
SB358 - May 14, 2009
OUTLAWING THE TRANSFER OF MACHINE GUNS
TO CHILDREN
A bill was unanimously approved by the House of Representatives that will prohibit the transfer of machine guns to anyone under the age of 16. The legislation comes in response to the death of an 8-year-old Ashford boy who lost control of a Micro Uzi submachine gun last year and accidently shot himself in the head due to the weapon's high-powered recoil. It bars anyone from selling, giving, or transferring machine guns to anyone under 16, including temporarily transferring the firearms to these minors to use in target shooting, at a firing or shooting range, or for any other purpose. Violation caries a $1,000 fine, imprisonment for up to 10 years, or both.
HB6510 - May 14, 2009
CT POWER AUTHORITY
The House passed legislation to establish a Connecticut Electric Authority for the state. The main purpose of the authority is to increase Connecticut's energy independence and lower rates for consumers. The Electric Authority would be able to own and operate their own plants and have the ability to contract directly with generators.
HB6578 - May 13, 2009
REPEAL OF DEATH PENALTY
The House of Representatives in a bipartisan vote approved legislation that will abolish the death penalty and replace it with a sentence of life in prison without the possibility of release. Proponents of the bill said the state's current death penalty law is unworkable and unfair to the families of victims, explaining that it's dishonest to have capital punishment in theory but not in practice. Some people on death row committed their crimes in the 1980s and are still on their first appeal, nowhere close to being executed. The bill is prospective, meaning that it only applies to crimes that are committed after the date the bill passes.
SB451 - May 13, 2009
‘SILVER ALERT’ HELPS FIND MISSING SENIORS
Legislation calling for a "Silver Alert" system that would create a missing senior citizen information clearinghouse in Connecticut has passed the House of Representatives. Silver Alert is modeled after the highly successful Amber Alert system already in place for missing children, which immediately broadcasts an emergency missing persons notice to all radio and television stations through the Emergency Alert System, as well as through 2,800 Connecticut Lottery system retailers and billboards.
HB5262 - May 13, 2009
CURBING ILLEGAL STREET RACING
Legislation to discourage illegal street racing was passed unanimously by the House of Representatives. Specifically, the bill provides that anyone who engages in illegal street racing can have their motor vehicle impounded by court order for 30 days. The legislation also imposes a $2,000 fine for drivers of vehicles that are not registered under their name for the first offense and up to $3,000 for repeated violations.
SB1089 - May 12, 2009
GOOD SAMARITAN PROTECTIONS FOR AEDs
Legislation that provides Good Samaritan immunity for an organization or facility that grants public access to an Automatic External Defibrillator (AED) has passed both the House and Senate. The legislation will allow youth sports programs, churches, health clubs, and businesses to acquire an AED without fear of liability. Users of an AED are also covered by this Good Samaritan protection. An AED is a portable automatic device used to restore normal heart rhythm to people having heart attacks.
HB6437 - May 12, 2009
PRESIDENTIAL POPULAR VOTE
This legislation adopts the interstate compact entitled “The Agreement Among the States to Elect the President by National Popular Vote.” The compact commits Connecticut's presidential electors to the national popular vote winner in an attempt to eliminate the electoral college system.
HB6426 - May 12, 2009
BROADBAND ACCESS
Expanding and improving high speed internet access to underserved areas in Connecticut was passed by the House of Representatives. The legislation requires the state Department of Public Utility Control (DPUC) in consultation with the Office of Consumer Counsel (OCC) and the Broadband Internet Coordinating Council to develop a statewide technology program. It requires the program to have infrastructure education and supportive components and to provide grants to private providers and private-public partnerships.
SB997 - May 12, 2009
DELAYING REVALUATION
A bill allowing municipalities required under current law to revalue real property in the 2008, 2009, or 2010 assessment year to delay revaluation to 2011 was passed by the House of Representatives. Current law requires all municipalities to revalue property at least once every five years. Towns phasing-in assessment increases from earlier revaluations and scheduled to implement a phase-in step for the 2008 assessment year may likewise suspend the phase-ins for up to two years until 2011. Any actions taken under this law must be approved by municipal legislative bodies in the same manner as ordinances or annual budgets.
HB5521 - May 12, 2009
EMPLOYMENT & CREDIT
Legislation eliminating credit reports as a basis for employment requires employers to prove that credit checks are necessary for employment if they are to be considered for hiring decisions. With unemployment and foreclosures on the rise and health care bills now the leading cause of personal bankruptcy, bad credit can not necessarily be considered a reflection of character. This bill has no effect on the right of employers to use criminal background checks on prospective employees, nor would it prevent credit checks when the credit history of the applicant is substantially job related, when it is otherwise required by law or when an employer has specific reason to believe an employee may have violated the law.
SB1020 - May 12, 2009
PESTICIDES & CHILDREN
The toxic effect of pesticides on children is no longer in doubt, and the General Assembly has now taken a large step forward in the protection of our children. The legislation requires that children’s legal guardians be notified 24 hours in advance of the use of pesticides at day care centers. The bill does not impact a facility’s ability to quickly eliminate immediate threats to public health, such as mosquitoes, ticks or stinging insects.
HB6028 - May 7, 2009
CLEAN ENERGY WITH WIND TURBINES
House Democrats led the charge for legislation that would promote the use of clean energy at state prisons providing no-cost electricity to the prison and host community. The Commissioner of Corrections would apply for a grant from the Clean Energy Fund to conduct a pilot program to install and operate wind turbines at a correctional facility of her choice. Any energy produced by the wind turbines would go to the correctional facility, and any excess energy would benefit the municipality where the correctional facility is located.
HB6483 - May 7, 2009
RESTRICTING CREDIT CARD SOLICITATIONS ON CAMPUSES PASSES HOUSE
Legislation that restricts how credit card companies can solicit students on Connecticut’s public college campuses was approved by the House of Representatives. The bill prohibits credit card companies from soliciting undergraduate students during class registration period and bans the use of gifts and other marketing incentives such as t-shirts or calculators. In addition, colleges would not be allowed to provide student information to credit card companies and college employees could not participate in the marketing of credit cards to students. Credit card companies would first have to register with the public higher education institution before beginning any marketing efforts and agree to distribute debt education material with their solicitation information. The time and place for credit care marketing would also be predetermined.
HB6684 - May 7, 2009
CORRECTIONAL OFFICER SAFETY MEASURES
Two separate bills that will improve the health and safety of staff who work in the state's prisons were approved unanimously in the House. The bills were the result of a task force that was charged with studying the increase of inmate assaults upon correctional staff. The first bill requires new reporting requirements when the level of inmates housed in the state's prisons increases over a certain level. The second bill will create a new, permanent committee of state officials, legislators and correctional officers that will be responsible for overseeing the health and safety of correctional staff. It marks the first time that correctional officers will have a seat on this type of an executive branch body.
HB6476 - HB 6467 - HB 5373 - May 6, 2009
GOVERNMENT STREAMLINING, EFFICIENCY PACKAGE
The House of Representatives passed a legislative package that would save taxpayer dollars and more efficiently deliver government services. The package of three bills approved Wednesday lays the groundwork for regionalism, streamlines government and installs a pilot program for performance-based budgeting.
HB6496 - May 6, 2009
GREEN CLEANING PRODUCTS IN SCHOOLS
House Bill 6496 promotes the use of green cleaning products instead of the hazardous cleaning chemicals currently being used in most schools. The legislation has no cost to the state and potential savings for towns. The types of cleaning products covered include: general purpose cleaners, glass cleaners, floor finishes, floor strippers, hand cleansers and soaps. The legislation does not affect any disinfectants, disinfecting cleaners, sanitizers or other antimicrobial products.
HB6200 - April 30, 2009
EXPANDING DOCTORS' OPTIONS FOR TREATING
LYME DISEASE
Protection for doctors treating patients who have Lyme disease was approved unanimously by the House of Representatives. Current medical guidelines state that patients can only receive up to four weeks of antibiotic treatment. As a result, many doctors are afraid to treat patients who have Lyme disease, and often require more than four weeks of antibiotic treatment, with the long-term treatment they need because of fears that their medical licenses could be revoked. This change in the law will ensure that doctors can prescribe long-term treatment on a case-by-case basis using their own medical judgment.
HB6572 - April 29, 2009
BANNING PRODUCTS WITH BPA
A bill that would ban products such as baby bottles and food containers made with the chemical bisphenol-A was approved by the House of Representatives. Bisphenol-A (BPA) is an industrial chemical used to make polycarbonate plastics found in such products as beverage containers, protective food can linings and plastic dinnerware. It has been shown in laboratory animal studies to have reproductive and developmental toxicity properties. Specifically, the bill (HB6572) phases in a ban on the sale, manufacture, and distribution of products made with bisphenol-A, starting January 1, 2010 with infant formula and baby food containers made with the toxin. On October 1, 2010, the ban would extend to reusable food and beverage containers made with bisphenol-A.
HB6636 - April 29, 2009
REDUCING AND STABILIZING ELECTRIC RATES
The House approved legislation containing significant measures that will lower electricity costs to residential and small business customers with utility standard service by ending the state's reliance on the retail energy market, instead using a stable customer base and elimination of risk to procure less costly power contracts.
HB5674 - April 29, 2009
IMPROVING SENIOR CITIZEN DISCOUNT PROGRAMS
Legislation was adopted in the House of Representatives requiring stores to prominently display signs explaining the full details of any type of senior citizen discount program that the store may offer. The legislation was requested by constituents who told lawmakers they are often reluctant to ask the cashier if that particular store has a senior discount program and if they qualify because it would require them to verbally state their age in front of other people. The signs must be posted either at the entrance to the store or near the cash registers and contain all of the qualifying information about the discount. The legislation does not require any store to offer senior pricing, nor does it attempt to standardize any eligibility requirements. It will be similar to the signs that explain each particular store's return policies.
HB5930 - April 7, 2009
IMPACT OF REGULATIONS ON BUSINESS
This bill recognizes the importance of small business to our economy by requiring any state agency proposing a regulation to identify how it will affect small businesses. Completion of this impact analysis will provide a meaningful measure of potential adverse consequences of proposed regulations on small business before being implemented, thus allowing alternatives to be considered. The legislation also raises the regulatory analysis threshold definition for a business from fewer than 50 to fewer than 75 employees. |
