Time to Make Your Voice Heard

February 23, 2024
Time to Make Your Voice Heard!
February 23, 2024
 

Now that the Legislative Session is in full swing, your voice is needed at the Capitol!

We are at that point in the cycle in which committees are voting to raise bill concepts; drafting, reviewing, and revising bill language; and scheduling public hearings to hear from people like you. 

Because it’s a short session, this process gets more and more intense each day as we barrel toward the finish line of May 8.  Meaning: if you intend to testify on any bill, now is the time to start collecting your thoughts! 

As always, my staff and I are more than happy to explain the process to you.  Again, one of the few silver linings of the pandemic is that we now conduct public hearings via Zoom as well as in person. You may also submit written testimony, although this is usually the least effective way to make your voice heard.

Here are a few upcoming public hearings. Just click on the link that says “Agenda” to see what bills are being heard that day. Please remember that you do not need to be a subject matter expert in order to testify; you need only to be a person who genuinely cares about an issue and is willing to express your position. 

I've pulled out a few of the more significant bills for your consideration.

2/28 Environment (10 a.m.) The agenda can be found HERE. Register to speak HERE. Submit testimony HERE. Watch on YouTube HERE. 

H.B. No. 5215 (RAISED) AN ACT CONCERNING MUNICIPAL AUTHORITY TO PROHIBIT THE SALE OF NIPS

H.B. No. 5217 (RAISED) AN ACT CONCERNING THE USE OF CERTAIN RODENTICIDES.

H.B. No. 5218 (RAISED) AN ACT CONCERNING THE ESTABLISHMENT OF RIPARIAN BUFFERS AND REVISION OF CERTAIN INLAND WETLANDS PROVISIONS.

H.B. No. 5225 (RAISED) AN ACT CONCERNING THE RECOMMENDATIONS OF THE INVASIVE PLANTS COUNCIL.

2/26 Appropriations on the budget (2 p.m.) Public testimony will be heard on the following state agencies: Department of Public Health, Department of Developmental Services, Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services, Office of Health Strategy, Office of the Chief Medical Examiner, Psychiatric Security Review Board, and Department of Veterans’ Affairs

2/26 Public Health (11 a.m.) The agenda can be found HERE. Register to speak HERE. Submit testimony HERE. Watch on YouTube HERE. 

S.B. No. 176 (RAISED) AN ACT REQUIRING A PLAN TO ESTABLISH A HOSPICE PROGRAM FOR CHILDREN.

S.B. No. 177 (RAISED) AN ACT AUTHORIZING NATUROPATHIC PHYSICIANS TO PRESCRIBE MEDICATION.

S.B. No. 178 (RAISED) AN ACT REQUIRING THE EDUCATION AND TRAINING OF BARBERS, HAIRDRESSERS AND COSMETICIANS TO INCLUDE WORKING WITH TEXTURED HAIR.

S.B. No. 181 (RAISED) AN ACT CONCERNING EMERGENCY DEPARTMENT CROWDING.

H.B. No. 5198 (RAISED) AN ACT CONCERNING TELEHEALTH.

2/27 Insurance and Real Estate (9 a.m.) The agenda can be found HERE. Register to speak HERE. Submit testimony HERE. Watch on YouTube HERE. 

H.B. No. 5253 (RAISED) AN ACT REQUIRING A FEASIBILITY STUDY OF INSURANCE POOLING FOR NONPROFIT ENTITIES. (INS)
 
5. H.B. No. 5255 (RAISED) AN ACT REQUIRING A STUDY OF THE FEASIBILITY OF ESTABLISHING A CAPTIVE INSURANCE COMPANY TO PROVIDE FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE TO

2/27 Energy & Technology (10 a.m.) The agenda can be found HERE. Register to speak HERE. Submit testimony HERE. Watch on YouTube HERE. 

H.B. No. 5052 AN ACT SUPPORTING SOLAR ENERGY IN SCHOOLS. 

H.B. No. 5231 (RAISED) AN ACT CONCERNING REVISIONS TO THE STATE'S NONRESIDENTIAL RENEWABLE ENERGY PROGRAM AND SHARED CLEAN ENERGY FACILITY PROGRAM. 

H.B. No. 5232 (RAISED) AN ACT CONCERNING SOLAR PROJECTS THROUGHOUT THE STATE.

3/1 Public Health (1 p.m.) Agenda is pending - watch this space for more information. 
Public Health Committee meeting to raise concepts. 

Here's how you can stay connected and actively participate:  

  • The non-partisan Office of Legislative Research (OLR) recently released the 2024 Major Issues Report. This comprehensive document highlights and summarizes key issues the legislature could take up during the upcoming session. 
  • You can view the Connecticut General Assembly's upcoming events by checking out its schedule on the CGA official website. 
  • Follow CT-N for live coverage of committee meetings, as well as House and Senate floor debates. 
  • You can register to monitor any bill's journey as it goes through the legislative process. By signing up, you can enter the bill number and receive real-time updates. Stay informed with email notifications whenever there's a change in the bill's progress. 
  • Visit this website for information on how to testify on a bill at a public hearing.

Together, we can make a positive impact and ensure that our community's needs are represented. 
Press conference on a bill to expand paid sick days.