Our Work in Planning & Development Committee

mccv
May 16, 2022
It appears the weather has gone from chilly to humid summer in the blink of an eye. Forecasts, which can change quickly, call for the potential of severe thunderstorms and possible hail or a tornado later today. Be sure to seek shelter and have a plan. You can find more information about what to do in the event of a tornado by clicking here.
 
I would like to take the opportunity to acknowledge two incidents of tragic, senseless violence this weekend. The murders of a Fairfield Prep Junior and of 10 Buffalo residents gunned down by a white supremacist while doing their grocery shopping have left our community and communities across the nation shaken. Members of the Fairfield Prep community and our neighbors who are people of color are particularly impacted. Amidst the outrage and despair, I seek solutions. There is no one easy answer, but common sense gun laws and improving emotion regulation skills are two that come to mind. For the latter, please join Fairfield CARES this Wednesday to hear from Marc Brackett, Director of the Yale Center for Emotional Intelligence.

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The legislative session concluded on May 4th. Over the next few weeks, I will take the opportunity to share updates on work done by each of the committees on which I serve, beginning with Planning and Development, otherwise known as P&D. As co-chair of the P&D committee, I work alongside the Senate co-chair, the ranking members, and vice-chairs to determine the committee’s agenda for the year.

This year:
  • 44 P&D bills were heard in public hearings
  • 34 bills were voted on by the committee
  • 3 bills passed only one chamber
  • 14 bills passed both chambers and either have been or are expected to be signed by the Governor and become law
  • 3 bills were included in the budget and 1 bill was included in Senate Bill 4, The Connecticut Clean Air Act

Here are a few of the bills we passed this session

  • The State Plan of Conservation and Development (POCD) and a companion bill to address the process of POCD adoption
    • These pieces of legislation adopt and subsequently extend the 2018-2023 POCD, which had yet to be adopted. The 1 year extension gives the Office of Policy and Management (OPM) time to sufficiently meet with municipalities in order to provide the next 5-year plan for the state to adopt - on time.
  • Outdoor Dining
    • Working together with community members, local businesses and the CT Restaurant Association, we extended the temporary outdoor dining provisions by 13 months and delayed the implementation of permanent provisions adopted during the special session last year. The request for this extension came directly from restaurants who need a little more time to recoup from the pandemic, and properly prepare for the permanent provisions. We worked together with disability rights advocates to strengthen accessibility provisions of the bill.
  • Remote Meetings
    • The pandemic necessitated a new way of governing. Set to expire April 30, 2022, the provisions for remote and hybrid meeting access for municipalities and public agencies (including regional school districts) were made permanent. Maintaining the statute means municipal and state organizations must adhere to the FOIA requirements under existing law. Municipal leaders from around the state, including our own First Selectwoman, submitted testimony in favor of the bill, which provides the option to each individual board. The bill allows increased transparency and participation in government for seniors, commuters, and parents with young children. As we learn from the remote and hybrid meeting options, we are likely to continue to adapt this legislation in the years ahead.
  • Non-Profit Group Home Charitable Exemption
    • Committee leadership partnered with The Alliance, a statewide advocacy organization working on behalf of non-profits, to assure a charitable tax exemption for our non-profit group homes. The bill was passed following a recent Supreme Court ruling that affirmed the charitable exemption. As a result of the bill, non-profits will have the certainty they need when budgeting, and will be able to direct much needed resources to clients and communities.
  • Animal Sheltering and Tethering
    • Representatives Devlin and Leeper worked with local advocates and the statewide Animal Welfare Caucus to strengthen and clarify existing language related to the adequate shelter and proper tethering of dogs. The bill was supported by the entire Fairfield delegation.
  • Study Bills

The committee was successful in passing a number of other bills in this short session. New bills may not be introduced until the next session of the new legislature, which begins in January 2023.