CCM's Report on the 2011 General Assembly Sessions

CCM's REPORT ON THE 2011 GENERAL ASSEMBLY SESSIONS

August 2011

CCM's Electronic Report on the 2011 General Assembly Sessions is designed to inform members about new laws passed during the last legislative session(s) that will have an impact on towns and cities.

The descriptions provided herein are summaries only. The full text of the public act and other detailed information can be found by following the individual hyperlinks.

For additional information on any of the bills listed and the most up-to-date news on legislative issues affecting municipalities - see CCM's Legislative Action Center.

You can also follow CCM on Facebook and Twitter for real time updates and information from the State Capitol.

- Feel free to forward this report to other municipal employees and officials

TABLE OF CONTENTS - Quick Links

DEFFERAL OF CERTAIN ACTS

ADOPTED STATE BUDGET

EDUCATION & CHILDREN

ENVIRONMENT & ENERGY

LAND USE, HOUSING & COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT

MUNICIPAL FINANCE

MUNICIPAL LABOR RELATIONS

MUNICIPAL LAW, LIABILITY & ADMINISTRATION

PUBLIC HEALTH

PUBLIC SAFETY

TRANSPORTATION

CCM PUBLIC POLICY & ADVOCACY STAFF

EFFECTIVE DATE OF CERTAIN PUBLIC ACTS MAY BE DEFERRED

As per the Connecticut General Statutes, if a town or city has problems with the costs imposed by any 2011 public act, it should be aware of one possibility for deferring implementation of such legislation.

Public acts that are state mandates and require municipal appropriations for FY 2011-2012 shall not take effect for a given municipality until FY 2012-2013 if the municipality's fiscal year begins less than five months following the date of passage of the legislation. (Section 2-32a of the Connecticut General Statutes). For example, a municipality with a fiscal year beginning July 1 need not implement in FY 2011-2012 any such public acts which were passed (i.e. became law) on or after February 1, 2011.

Below is a text of Section 2-32a of the Connecticut General Statutes:

Sec. 2-32a Effective Date of Public Acts Imposing Municipal Duty

No public act which imposes a state mandate on any political subdivision of this state which requires the appropriation of funds for the budget of such political subdivision in order to comply with the provisions of such act shall be effective as to such political subdivision earlier than the first fiscal year of such political subdivision beginning after five months following the date of passage of such act. (1993, P.A. 93-434)

ADOPTED STATE BUDGET:
FY 2012 - FY 2013 BIENNIUM

The following bills represent the state budget and corresponding "implementer legislation." They enact several initiatives passed within the budget including making permanent municipal rates of the real estate conveyance tax, establishing a new Municipal Revenue Sharing program, and a new Inter-town Capital Equipment Purchase Incentive program.

Overall, municipal aid is increased by $92.5 million (3.3%) in FY 2012, compared to FY 2011. The budget includes a $37.6 million (1.5%) increase in education. Funding for FY 2012, compared to the current year. Non education funding is increased by $54.9 million (13.3%) next year versus FY 2011.

Public Act 11-1, Special Session Budget Act
Public Act 11-6, Revenue Implementer
Public Act 11-48, General Government Implementer
Public Act 11-51, Judicial Branch Implementer and Agency Consolidations
Public Act 11-61, Revenue and Budget Implementer

For comprehensive budget analyses, including town-by-town information, please visit the following CCM link: CCM's 2011 State Budget Analyses

EDUCATION & CHILDREN

New Act (Effective Date)

SA 11-7 (5/18/11) YOUTH VIOLENCE WORKING GROUP

Requires the Commissioner of Children and Families, in consultation with other state agencies, to establish a working group to examine the issue of youth violence. Police officers, boards of education members and youth are to be represented on the group. The group is to submit a report to the General Assembly by January 1, 2012.

SA 11-9 (6/7/11) REVIEW OF SPECIAL EDUCATION MANDATES AND COSTS

Requires the Department of Education to conduct a comprehensive review of state-mandated special education requirements. The report is due on February 1, 2012 and shall at a minimum include (1) an examination of the "burden of proof" issue; (2) identification of each mandate that exceeds the minimum required under federal law; and, (3) the cost to municipalities for compliance with the mandates.

PA 11-17 (7/1/11) HIGH SCHOOL DIPLOMAS FOR KOREAN WAR VETERANS

Allows regional and local boards of education to award high school diplomas to individuals who meet certain criteria pertaining to their service in the armed forces during the Korean War.

PA 11-27 (7/1/11) SUBSTITUTE TEACHERS

Allows the Department of Education to waive the requirement that substitute teachers hold a bachelors' degree, for good cause, if requested by a superintendent of schools.

PA 11-28 (5/17/11) EDUCATION-TECHNICAL REVISIONS

Makes technical and grammatical changes to education statutes.

PA 11-54 (7/1/11) EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION

Among other things, makes several changes to the required qualifications for early childhood educators by modifying: (1) staff qualification requirements that are in effect until July 1, 2015; and, (2) criteria for eligible degree programs and certifications. Such changes to staff qualification requirements apply to all preschool programs accepting state funds, including school readiness or childcare services funds and funds from the Department of Social Services (DSS), on or after July 1, 2015.

In addition, with certain exceptions, delays, from July 1, 2015 until July 1, 2020, the requirement that programs have a person in each classroom with a teaching certificate or bachelor's degree in certain fields. Instead, requiring: (1) at least 50% of early childhood educators with primary responsibility for a classroom to meet this requirement by July 1, 2015; and, (2) the remaining individuals to have an associate's degree. The Department of Higher Education is responsible for developing a plan to meet these requirements.

Lastly, specifically allows up to $500,000 in unexpended school readiness funds each fiscal year to be used in the subsequent fiscal year to help early childhood education programs' staff members meet the degree requirements and allows staff members to receive up to $5,000 per year for this purpose.

PA 11-60 (7/1/11) CHARTER SCHOOLS

Among other things: (1) establishes a charter school educator permit and allows the education commissioner, starting in the 2011-12 school year, to issue such a permit to someone employed by a charter school as a teacher or administrator, who lacks the required state certification for the position and limits the number of teachers and administrators who may hold the permit in any year to no more than 30% of a charter school's teachers and administrators combined; (2) makes anyone holding a charter school educator permit a member of the appropriate teachers' or administrators' unit for collective bargaining purposes; (3) requires a permit holder to become a member of the Teachers' Retirement System (TRS) when he or she obtains a certificate from the State Board of Education (SBE); and, (4) requires a noncertified teacher or administrator working at a charter school to hold a charter school educator permit rather than only a state certification waiver.

PA 11-70 (8/31/11) UNIQUE STUDENT IDENTIFIERS

Among other things, requires the Department of Education to require school districts to include unique identifiers or state-assigned student identifiers on student transcripts.

PA 11-85 (7/1/11, except as noted otherwise) ADDRESSING THE ACHIEVEMENT GAP

Among other things, creates an Achievement Gap Task Force and specifies its membership, duties (including creation of a master plan to close the achievement gap), and reporting requirements (effective 06/07/11). Requires the Task Force to study how to implement a kindergarten age requirement increase and report to the Legislature by July 1, 2012. In addition: (1) creates an interagency council for ending the achievement gap and states its membership and responsibilities; (2) permits school boards with low-achieving schools to increase the number of school sessions each year and the number of school hours each day; (3) authorizes the education commissioner to conduct a best practices literacy pilot study; (4) changes laws regarding kindergarten reading assessments, school district student objectives, and elementary teacher certification; (5) requires the State Department of Education (SDE) to approve and distribute model curricula and frameworks in reading and mathematics for grades prekindergarten to four; (6) requires the SDE's School Reform Resource Center to provide professional development for teachers and develop strategies for students in danger of failing and culturally-relevant teaching methods for students 'whose primary language is not English; (7) requires SDE to approve and distribute certain curricula; (8) adds additional requirements for the School Reform Resource Center; and, (9) makes other minor and technical changes.

PA 11-93 (various) CHILD ABUSE TRAINING FOR SCHOOL EMPLOYEES

Among other things: (1) expands which school employees are considered mandated reporters and requires school boards to take certain steps to ensure that school districts offer reporter training (effective 7/1/11); (2) requires applicants for school employment positions to undergo a record check with the DCF child abuse registry (effective 7/1/11); and, (3) requires DCF, when asked by school boards that have foster children from other towns attending school under the boards' jurisdiction, to provide the foster child's name, birth date, and school of origin (effective 10/1/11).

PA 11-115 (7/1/11) JUVENILE REENTRY AND EDUCATION

Expands a student's right to re-enroll in his or her old school district after being sent to a juvenile detention center, the Connecticut Juvenile Training School, or another residential placement for committing an offense for which he or she could be expelled from school and requires school districts to: (1) immediately enroll or re-enroll a student transferring from either of the unified school districts (USD) run by the departments of Correction and Children and Families (USD #1 and USD #2, respectively); and, (2) re-enroll such a student in his or her former school, if the student went to school in the district before attending school in a USD and the former school has appropriate grades for the student.

PA 11-125 (7/1/11) NOTIFICATION OF MEDIATION AND ARBITRATION DECISIONS

Adds local legislative body to those required to be provided a copy of each decision made by boards of education and teachers' unions regarding mediation and arbitration.

PA 11-126 (7/1/11) ACCESS TO ADULT EDUCATION FOR EXPELLED STUDENTS

Clarifies that students attending adult education courses during an expulsion period are not required to withdraw from school.

PA 11-127 (7/1/11) TEACHER CERTIFICATION

Makes changes to certain statutes regarding teachers by: (1) allowing teachers to continue to use, or in the case of student teaching, start using, teaching experience at a State Board of Education-approved private school to obtain Connecticut certificates; (2) requiring teachers holding professional certificates who work in private schools to meet the same continuing education requirements as public school teachers; and (3) allowing certified teachers working in private schools approved by the education commissioner to be cooperating teachers.

PA 11-130 (7/1/11) SCHOOL BUS INSPECTIONS

Requires that new school buses purchased between August first and the start of the next succeeding school year, (that is inspected prior to its registration), need only be inspected by the Department of Motor Vehicles once before the next school year.

PA 11-135 (6/7/11, except as otherwise noted) SECONDARY SCHOOL REFORM DELAY

Among other things, delays, by two years, the implementation of portions of the secondary school reform requirements enacted in 2010 that, among other things: (1) increase the minimum number of credits required to graduate from high school; (2) require school districts to offer students support and alternative ways to meet the new graduation requirements; and, (3) require the State Department of Education (SDE) to develop end-of-course exams in various subjects.

PA 11-136 (7/1/11, except as otherwise noted) VARIOUS CHANGES TO EDUCATION LAWS

Makes various changes in the education statutes including: (1) reclassifying American Sign Language and eliminates signed English from required public school instruction offerings; (2) adding genocide education and awareness to the subjects for which the State Board of Education (SBE) must provide curriculum materials and encourage school districts to offer courses for students and in-service training for certified personnel; (3) allowing the education commissioner to permit an otherwise qualified teacher with an elementary education endorsement to teach a specialized subject in a K-8 school; (4) changing the schedules for filing various education-related reports generally, requiring them to be filed less frequently; (5) eliminating (a) a statutory deadline for filing expenditure reports from school districts participating in the school breakfast program and (b) the education commissioner's discretion over whether school districts that use their grants for unauthorized purposes must repay the grant; (6) giving school districts an extra month to notify nontenured teachers that their contracts for the following school year will not be renewed; (7) allowing school superintendents or their designees to access the state's public school information system to obtain mastery test information about individual students enrolled in or transferring to their districts; (8) requiring school districts to take additional measures to address truancy and report annually on their truancy reduction activities; (9) requiring SBE to adopt uniform definitions of excused and unexcused absences for districts to use in implementing required truancy policies and filing truancy data reports; and, (10) expanding the types of courses school districts may offer to meet an existing requirement that, starting July 1, 2011, they offer an advanced placement course program that allows students to earn college credit in high school. Also, makes various technical changes (effective 6/7/11).

PA 11-157 (10/1/11) JUVENILE POLICIES

Among other things, (1) requires police departments to handle cases involving 16 and 17 year olds as they would other missing children, and (2) requires school districts to handle cases involving 16 and 17 year olds confidentially, as currently with younger children.

PA 11-179 (6/8/11, except as otherwise noted) MISCELLANEOUS EDUCATION ISSUES

Makes various changes in education laws relating to: (1) health professionals authorized to perform school health assessments; (2) mandates on regional education service centers; (3) school district reporting on efforts to address racial, ethnic, and economic isolation in schools; (4) the education commissioner's authority to renew international teacher permits; (5) the contents of annual school district expenditure reports; (6) the payment schedule for state interdistrict magnet school grants; (7) annual financial audits for interdistrict magnet schools (effective 7/1/11); (8) Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps instructors and assistant instructors working in schools; (9) approving applications for, and funding, charter schools; and, (10) a program allowing national corps of teachers' training program graduates to teach under special state-issued durational shortage area permits in certain school districts (effective 7/1/11).

PA 11-181 (7/1/11) EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION

Among other things: (1) creates, by July 1, 2013, a coordinated system of early care and education and child development and requires the Governor to appoint a planning director, by July 15, 2011, to develop a plan to implement the new system; (2) lists the new system's duties and the items the planning director must consider when developing the implementation plan; (3) requires various state agencies to assist the planning director in the plan's development; and, (4) requires the system to collaborate with local and regional early childhood councils to implement the system at the local level.

PA 11-232 (7/1/11) SCHOOL BULLYING

Expands the types of conduct that constitute bullying and institutes numerous new requirements on local boards of education to reduce school bullying, including requiring: (1) the school principal to investigate and address bullying behavior in or out of school; (2) all school employees to report bullying incidents; (3) school districts to adopt "safe school climate" plans; (4) all certified and noncertified public school employees to receive annual training regarding bullying; (5) each school to carry out a biennial assessment of its school climate; and (6) certain staff members and committees to be designated responsible for school climate and response. In addition, outlines additional parameters for identifying and addressing bullying behavior and actions that must be taken on the local level. Lastly, requires the state Department of Education to provide guidance in the manner of resources, materials, and training regarding bullying.

PA 11-234 (7/1/11) MINIMUM BUDGET REQUIREMENT

Among other things, makes two adjustments to the Minimum Budget Requirement (MBR) as dictated by PA 11-48: (1) allows municipalities that have no high school and pay tuition for residents to attend high school in other districts, to reduce their MBR within certain limits if they are paying tuition for fewer students than in the prior year; and, (2) bars municipalities from reducing their MBR below the amounts appropriated for education in the prior year if they have a poverty rate for school-aged children that exceeds 10%.

PA 11-235 (various) SPECIAL EDUCATION EVALUATION

Requires school districts to evaluate children without delay, based on state and federal laws, to determine if they are eligible for special education services (effective 7/1/11). Also, increases the membership on the Advisory Council for Education (effective 6/8/11).

PA 11-244 (6/8/11) HELMETS IN BATTING CAGES

Requires minors to wear a protective helmet when using a municipally-operated batting cage.

PA 11-248 (7/1/11) - CARBON MONOXIDE DETECTORS IN NEW SCHOOL BUILDINGS

Requires the Fire Safety Code to include provisions for school buildings built after January 1, 2012 to be equipped with carbon monoxide detection nd warning equipment. In addition, provides immunity to municipal entities from liability with regard to the carbon monoxide equipment, as long as proper installation and maintenance, per the manufacturer's instructions, are complied with.

PA 11-255 (7/1/11) SCHOOL BUS SAFETY

Allows municipalities and school boards to install cameras on school buses to record motor vehicles that do not stop at least 10 feet from a school bus displaying flashing red signal lights.

The penalty for the first offence is $450; and between $500 and $1,000, or imprisonment for up to 30 days, or both, for subsequent offenses. The State is required to remit 80% of the fines collected from violators to the municipalities in which the violations occur.

ENVIRONMENT & ENERGY

New Act (Effective Date)

PA 11-24 (6/3/11) PAINT STEWARDSHIP PROGRAM

Establishes a manufacturer-responsible program for managing the disposal of architectural paint in the State.

PA 11-59 (various) ENVIRONMENT-TECHNICAL REVISIONS

Among a variety of technical changes made to the environmental statutes (effective 10/1/11): (1) excludes water cooler system bottles from a ban on the manufacture, sale, offering for sale, or distribution in the state of reusable food or beverage containers containing bisphenol-A (effective 06/06/11); and, (2) modifies the Agricultural Experiment Station's January board meeting requirements (effective 6/6/11).

PA 11-80 (7/1/11) ENERGY EFFICIENCY

Among other things: (1) allows state agencies or municipalities to enter into energy performance contracts with qualified energy services providers to produce utility or operation and maintenance cost savings; (2) requires the Energy Conservation Management Board to develop standardized performance contracting procedures; municipalities may use these procedures or ones they develop themselves; (3) allows municipalities to establish loan programs for financing sustainable energy improvements to qualifying real property located within municipalities, if it determines that this is in the public interest; (4) requires electric companies to provide their municipal customers with virtual net metering and make any needed interconnections, including installing metering equipment; and, (5) requires utilities that cut and permanently patch a public highway to (i) inspect the patch, (ii) make any additional repairs as needed, and (iii) certify to applicable municipalities that such repairs meet generally accepted standards of repair.

PA 11-98 (10/1/11) MUNICIPAL ENERGY COOPERATIVES

Makes changes to the laws governing municipal electric energy cooperatives by: (1) making it easier for municipal utilities to join or withdraw from a cooperative; (2) amending provisions specifying how a dissolved cooperative's property is distributed; (3) allowing a cooperative to purchase and sell electricity through the Independent System Operator-New England (ISO-New England); (4) allowing municipal utility employees to serve on a cooperative's governing board; and, (5) allowing alternative voting methods within a cooperative and amends existing ones.

The Connecticut Municipal Electric Energy Cooperative (CMEEC) is currently the only such cooperative in Connecticut.

PA 11-101 (7/8/11) SAFETY RECOMMENDATIONS RESULTING FROM THE KLEEN ENERGY PLANT EXPLOSION

Among other things: (1) prohibits the use of flammable gas to clean or blow the gas piping of an electric generating facility; and, (2) establishes a fee to be paid, by building permit applicants, for the purpose of training and education for local fire marshals safety standards for the construction of electric generating facilities.

PA 11-111 (10/1/11) ANIMAL CONTROL REQUIREMENTS

Requires animal control officers to obtain a "current" list of nonprofits and use such list to attempt treatment for ill or injured animals in their custody, when such animals are considered adoptable.

PA 11-130 (7/1/11) SCHOOL BUS INSPECTIONS

Requires that new school buses purchased between August first and the start of the next succeeding school year, that are inspected prior to their registration, need only be inspected by the Department of Motor Vehicles once before the next school year.

PA 11-141 (7/1/11) BROWNFIELD REMEDIATION

Among other things: (1) makes permanent the municipal brownfields program; (2) exempts government agencies from paying the Department of Environmental Protection fees when cleaning up brownfields; (3) exempts municipalities and the bankruptcy court from the Transfer Act when transferring titles to nonprofit organizations; (4) eliminates the sunset date for funding new projects under the Connecticut Development Authority's tax incremental financing program; (5) limits the liability of municipalities, special taxing districts and metropolitan districts that do not charge the public for using their land for recreation purposes; and, (6) exempts large municipalities from clean-up costs, fines, and penalties when they acquire an easement over a property and allow the public to use it without charge for recreation.

PA 11-164 (7/1/11) SALE OF WINE AT FARMERS' MARKETS

Allows the Department of Consumer Protection to issue farmers' market wine sales permits to wine manufacturers so they may sell their wine at farmers' markets. Towns or cities, by ordinance or zoning, may prohibit the sale of wine at farmers' markets held in the municipality.

PA 11-184 (10/1/11) DRY HYDRANTS

Allows for the installation of dry hydrants in wetlands and watercourses, for public safety purposes only, under certain circumstances.

PA 11-187 (10/1/11) ANIMAL IMPORTERS TO NOTIFY LOCAL OFFICIALS

Among other things, requires animal importers to notify local officials, among others, that they have certain animals for sale, adoption, or transfer.

PA 11-188 (10/1/11) AGRICULTURAL COMMISSIONS

Among other things, authorizes municipalities to establish local and regional agricultural commissions. Requires that local plans of conservation and development include recommendations for agricultural purposes. Specifies the definition of "agriculture" for zoning regulations.

PA 11-189 (10/1/11) GOVERNOR'S COUNCIL FOR AGRICULTURAL DEVELOPMENT

Reshapes the Governor's Council for Agricultural Development. Reduces the membership to 15 from 30, and outlines requirements for members' qualifications. In addition, requires the Council to recommend to the Department of Agriculture ways to increase the percentage of consumer dollars spent on Connecticut-grown fresh produce and other farm products. The recommendations must include ways to increase, by 2020, the amount Connecticut residents spend on locally-grown farm products to at least 5% of all money spent on food.

PA 11-191 (6/8/11) FARMERS' MARKETS

Allows farmers' permit or license owners to operate food service establishments portable from health district to health district, under specified conditions. However, requires farmers to notify the appropriate local authorities in advance if they will begin operating a food service establishment within that jurisdiction.

PA 11-194 (10/1/11) CROSS REPORTING OF CHILD ABUSE AND ANIMAL CRUELTY

Requires cross-reporting of child abuse and animal cruelty. Among other things, requires animal control officers to report instances of animal cruelty to the Commissioner of Agriculture, if they (1) reasonably believe such abuse has occurred and (2) filed a verified petition in court.

PA 11-198 (6/8/11) TEN MILL PROGRAM

Allows properties currently in the Ten Mill Program to opt for being taxed as PA 490 properties. All penalties and current land protections remain intact.

PA 11-211 (10/1/11) RECREATIONAL LAND USE LIABILITY RELIEF

Provides liability relief to municipalities for injuries resulting from recreational activities on certain public lands. Would provide liability relief for certain undeveloped land.

PA 11-245 (7/1/11) SITING OF WIND PROJECTS

Requires the Connecticut Siting Council, in consultation with the departments of Public Utility Control and Environmental Protection, to adopt regulations concerning the siting of wind turbines.

The regulations must at least consider: (1) setbacks, including tower height and distance from neighboring properties; (2) flicker; (3) a requirement for the developer to decommission the facility at the end of its useful life; (4) different requirements for different size projects; (5) ice throw; (6) blade shear; (7) noise; and, (8) impact on natural resources. The regulations must also require a public hearing for wind turbine projects.

LAND USE, HOUSING & COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT

New Act (Effective Date)

PA 11-5 (5/2/11) LAND USE PERMIT EXTENSION

Extends the time of expiration of certain land use permits, thereby allowing developers time to complete projects without going back to local commissions.

PA-11-6 (6/8/11) CONVEYANCE OF STATE LANDS

Provides for the conveyance of certain state lands to certain entities.

PA 11-7 (10/1/11) PLANNING AND DEVELOPMENT REVISIONS

Makes technical revisions to the planning and development statutes.

PA 11-42 (10/1/11) RENTAL HOUSING REVOLVING LOAN FUND

Requires the Department of Economic and Community Development to establish a priority category, under the Rental Housing Revolving Loan Fund, for low-interest loans made to owner-occupants of buildings with between two and four residential units, including the unit the owner occupies. By law, this fund provides low-interest loans to owners of eligible buildings in distressed municipalities.

PA 11-72 (10/1/11) RESIDENT PARTICIPATION PLANS

Requires housing authorities to implement a "resident participation plan" for any planned major physical transformation or property disposition. Such plans must be created in conjunction with the residents of such property and any applicable tenant organization.

Funding for such projects, from the Department of Economic and Community Development or the Connecticut Housing Finance Authority, is contingent upon the adoption and implementation of such a plan.

PA 11-79 (10/1/11) DEVELOPMENT PROJECT PROCESS REVISIONS

Among other things, revises the process whereby development projects proceed in communities, including the types of bonds and sureties that may fulfill bond requirements. Prohibits certain maintenance bonds for road and other construction after municipalities have accepted improvements.

PA 11-89 (10/1/11) ZONING PROPOSALS BY EMAIL

Authorizes municipal zoning commissions to send notice of proposed zone changes to regional planning organizations by verified electronic mail, rather than by certified mail.

PA 11-96 (10/1/11) DESIGNATED REHABILITIATION AREAS

Allows municipalities to defer property tax increases on Brownfield sites located in designated rehabilitation areas, if such properties are to be used for certain types of housing.

PA 11-162 (10/1/11) REMEDIATION STANDARDS UNDER A CONSENT ORDER

Prohibits changing the requirements and standards for remediation for parcels under a consent order unless all parties involved agree.

PA 11-168 (6/30/11) REVISIONS TO CERTAIN HOUSING STATUTES

Modifies several Department of Economic and Community Development (DECD) housing programs to: (1) make "housing partnerships" eligible recipients of DECD grants or loans to build and operate congregate housing and hire resident service coordinators; (2) expand uses of DECD-administered Housing Trust Fund Program funding, authorizing (a) the trust fund to provide financial assistance as a revolving loan and (b) third-party contractors to receive funds to establish or maintain a revolving loan fund or undertake some of DECD's program duties; (3) authorize (a) the Housing Trust Fund to accept local, state, or federal funds if not otherwise prohibited by federal and state law and (b) DECD to deposit these funds in the trust fund if the monies are received for purposes that do not conflict with those of the trust fund; (4) allow DECD's database of housing that is accessible or adaptable to people with disabilities to contain certain information only when it is practicable; and, (5) change various requirements for the State-Assisted Housing Sustainability Fund.

PA 11-189 (10/1/11) GOVERNOR'S COUNCIL FOR AGRICULTURAL DEVELOPMENT

PA 11-198 (6/8/11) TEN MILL PROGRAM

Allows properties currently in the Ten Mill Program to opt for being taxed as PA 490 properties. All penalties and current land protections remain intact.

PA 11-201 (10/1/11) REGISTRATION OF FORECLOSED PROPERTIES

Requires any building undergoing foreclosure that has at least one dwelling unit, including commercial properties, to register that property with the town clerk in the municipality where the property is located. A land record filing fee will be charged to file the registered property. However, municipalities must maintain the registration separate from the land records.

PA 11-203 (10/1/11) TENANT COMMISSIONERS

Among other things: (1) allows public housing authority tenant organizations to elect or designate tenant commissioners to such authority's board of commissioners; (2) establishes procedures under which tenant organizations may elect or designate tenant commissioners; (3) provides a mechanism for tenants to petition for an election if no recognized tenant organization exists; (4) expands the definition of "tenants" who are eligible to participate in the selection and serve on the board; (5) authorizes housing authority boards in municipalities with 3,000 or fewer units to have two additional members (up to seven) under certain circumstances; and, (6) removes the prohibition against tenant commissioners voting to establish or revise rents.

PA 11-211 (10/1/11) RECREATIONAL LAND USE LIABILITY RELIEF

Provides liability relief to municipalities for recreational activities injuries on certain public lands. Would provide liability relief for certain undeveloped land.

PA 11-245 (7/1/11) SITING OF WIND PROJECTS

Requires the Connecticut Siting Council, in consultation with the departments of Public Utility Control and Environmental Protection, to adopt regulations concerning the siting of wind turbines.

MUNICIPAL FINANCE

New Act (Effective Date)

PA 11-1 (4/16/11) WIRELESS TELECOMMUNICATIONS PROPERTY TAX PAYMENTS

Specifically addresses a gap in payments as a result of an unintended consequence of PA 10-171. Allows for 50% of the statutory payments to certain towns and cities, that are scheduled to be paid July 2011, to be paid by June 30, 2011 (thus, FY 11). The remaining 50% of the statutory payments scheduled for July 2011, will then be paid in July 2011. Thereafter July 2011 (i.e., starting July 2012) - the effected municipalities shall receive 100% of the PILOT payments from these three companies every July. This law is specific to the reporting of only the following wireless telecommunication companies: (1) Cellco Partnership [Verizon Wireless]; (2) Sprint Nextel [Nextel Communications of the Mid-Atlantic, Inc.]; and, (3) Sprint Spectrum.

PA 11-57 (6/14/11) BOND PACKAGE

Bond package for, among other things, school construction, the Local Capital Improvement Program (LoCIP), the Small Town Economic Assistance Program (STEAP), the Clean Water Fund Program and grants for the acquisition of open space for conservation or recreational purposes.

PA 11-62 (10/1/11) INTEREST OWED ON PROPERTY TAXES

Allows municipalities the option to waive charging or collecting interest for a period of one year on property taxes for members of the armed forces called to active service during that period.

PA 11-69 (10/1/11) ELECTRONIC FILING OF PROPERTY TAXES

Allows taxpayers to file annual declarations of personal property electronically, as long as municipalities have the ability to accept such information electronically and agree to accept electronic signatures. Applicable to assessment years on or after October 1, 2011.

PA 11-103 (7/1/2011) SUNSET DATES

Eliminates the sunset clause on the tax increment financing (TIF) mechanism.

PA 11-123 (6/21/11) STEAP GRANTS

Allows two or more towns to jointly apply for Small Town Economic Assistance Program (STEAP) grants.

PA 11-185 (10/1/11) ELECTRONIC DELIVERY OF TAX BILLS

Allows town and cities to send out tax bills via electronic mail, with taxpayers' written consent.

PA 11-198 (6/8/11) TEN MILL PROGRAM

Allows properties currently in the Ten Mill Program to opt for being taxed as PA 490 property. All penalties and current land protections remain intact.

PA 11-234 (7/1/11) MINIMUM BUDGET REQUIREMENT

MUNICIPAL LABOR RELATIONS

New Act (Effective Date)

PA 11-12 (10/1/11) PERSONNEL FILES ACT VIOLATIONS

Increases the fine for violating the Personnel Files Act from, $300 to $500, for a first violation and to $1,000 for any subsequent violations related to the same employee.

PA 11-36 (10/1/11) LATE FILING OF UNEMPLOYMENT APPEALS

Extends the deadline for appeals (currently at 21 days) for cases where unemployment compensation was determined to be provided erroneously or fraudulently, provided the claimants can show "good cause" for the delay in appealing, and outline factors to determine "good cause."

PA 11-52 (1/1/12) PAID SICK LEAVE

Among other things, mandates all employers of 50 or more employees to provide "service employees" with paid sick leave benefits. This new law excludes day or temporary workers and requires affected employees to accrue this new state-mandated benefit at a rate of one hour per 40 hours worked, up to a maximum of 40 hours per calendar year. Effected employees are only entitled to use such accrued benefits after completion of 680 hours of work.

PA 11-55 (10/1/11) GENDER ORIENTATION DISCRIMINATION

Adds "gender identity or expression" to the list of protected persons. Prohibits discrimination of such persons in employment, housing and other arenas.

PA 11-87 (7/8/11) UNEMPLOYMENT "LOOK BACK" EXTENSION

Broadens the circumstances under which unemployed people can access unemployment extended benefits by lengthening the "look back period," from 2 to 3 years.

PA 11-125 (7/1/11) NOTIFICATION OF MEDIATION AND ARBITRATION DECISIONS

Adds local legislative bodies to those required to receive a copy of each board of education-teachers'union decision made regarding mediation and arbitration.

PA 11-243 (10/1/11, except as otherwise noted) VOLUNTEER FIREFIGHTER INDEMNITY

Among other things: (1) codifies existing protections for volunteer public safety personnel, including fire police, to specify indemnity coverage for such personnel for negligence claims and malicious, wanton, and willful acts-and, stipulates that such personnel are required to reimburse municipalities if said claims are proven in court; and (2)allows municipalities the option to extend a property tax relief program to volunteer underwater search and rescue teams (effective 7/1/11).

MUNICIPAL LAW & ADMINISTRATION

New Act (Effective Date)

PA 11-20 (5/12/11) ELECTIONS-TECHNICAL REVISIONS

Makes technical, minor and conforming election law changes to reflect the change from lever to optical scan voting machines; (2) repeals provisions and procedures rendered obsolete by this change; and (3) narrows the circumstances under which persons may be imprisoned for tampering with voting equipment.

PA 11-34 (10/1/11) RAFFLE TICKETS MAILINGS

Among other things, allows organizations to mail raffle tickets to residents of municipalities that have adopted the Bazaar and Raffle Act, and stipulates that "no purchase necessary to enter the raffle" be printed on the tickets.

PA 11-46 (5/25/11) POLLING PLACES

Among other things, establishes procedures to address issues that may arise at polling places during a primary or election. Namely, requires Registrars of Voters to: (1) develop municipal emergency contingency plans addressing, for example, ballot shortage solutions; and, (2) certify to the Secretary of the State the number of ballots they order for each polling place, demonstrating that they have considered relevant factors. In the absence of a certification or a waiver approved by the Secretary of the State, requires registrars to order one ballot for each registered voter. Before a primary or election, registrars must also certify polling place locations to the Secretary and provide moderator contact information.

In addition, authorizes the Secretary of the State to: (1) access polling places, unless she is a candidate on the ballot, and review them for election law compliance; and, (2) disqualify moderators under certain circumstances. Lastly, reduces, from 4 to 2 years, the duration of a moderator's certification received on or after October 1, 2011.

PA 11-55 (10/1/11) GENDER ORIENTATION DISCRIMINATION

Adds "gender identity or expression" to the list of protected persons. Prohibits discrimination of such persons in employment, housing and other arenas.

PA 11-67 (1/1/12, except as otherwise noted) MRI INSURANCE AND INTER-MUNICIPAL HEALTH PLANS

Mandates increased coverage for the costs associated with magnetic resonance imaging with relation to certain mammograms. Also, extends the authority of two or more municipalities or local or regional boards of education, or any combination of these, to enter into a written agreement to act as a single entity to provide employee medical or health care benefits by now including "districts" as having such authority (i.e., fire, sewer, or fire and sewer districts; lighting districts; village, beach, or improvement associations; and any other districts or associations, except a school district, wholly within a town and having the power to make appropriations or levy taxes) (effective 10/1/12).

PA 11-79 (10/1/11) DEVELOPMENT PROJECT PROCESS REVISIONS

PA 11-89 (10/1/11) ZONING PROPOSALS BY EMAIL

Authorizes municipal zoning commissions to send notice of proposed zone changes to regional planning organizations by verified electronic mail rather than by certified mail.

PA 11-99 (10/1/11) INTERLOCAL AGREEMENTS

Streamlines the process for regional cooperation by devising a single system for municipal collaboration, using a revised interlocal agreement process.

PA 11-100 (10/1/11) PAWNBROKERS' RECORD KEEPING AND OVERSIGHT

Among other things: (1) establishes that the licensing authority for pawnbrokers, precious metals and stones dealers, and secondhand dealers is the local police chief and/or the public safety commissioner; (2) authorizes the licensing authority to require any applicant, employee, or person with ownership interest to submit to a state and national criminal history check; and, (3) requires pawnbrokers to maintain a computerized record-keeping system that the licensing authority deems appropriate.

PA 11-111 (10/1/11) ANIMAL CONTROL REQUIREMENTS

PA 11-128 (7/1/11) PROBATE COURT OPERATIONS

Makes various administrative and technical changes to probate court operations.

PA 11-138 (1/1/12) COMMERCIAL RISK INSURANCE POLICY REPORTS

Among other things, requires all types of commercial risk insurance providers to submit written reports to their insureds, including a history of the policies' pricing and premium information along with detailed lists of incurred losses, within thirty days of policy cancellation or non-renewal.

PA 11-164 (7/1/11) SALE OF WINE AT FARMERS' MARKETS

Allows the Department of Consumer Protection to issue farmers' market wine sales permits to wine manufacturers so they may sell their wine at farmers' markets. Cities or towns, by ordinance or zoning, may prohibit the sale of wine at farmers' markets held in the municipality.

PA 11-143 (7/1/11) PRESIDENTIAL PRIMARIES

Makes various changes to dates and deadlines pertaining to presidential primaries, including but not limited to, the date for such primary, from the first Tuesday in February, to the last Tuesday in April.

PA 11-173 (6/8/11, except as otherwise noted) REVISIONS TO ELECTIONS STATUTES

Makes various changes to election laws including, but not limited to: (1) eliminating processing deadlines and duplication requirements rendered obsolete as a result of the centralized voter registration system; (2) establishing a procedure for assigning unknown votes in the event that electors vote for a cross-endorsed candidate under more than one party designation (3) authorizing municipalities to publish joint notices of elections and primaries in a newspaper with general circulation in those municipalities (effective 07/01/11); (4) eliminates the requirement that town clerks submit to the Secretary of the State a list of offices to be filled at regular state elections, but retains the requirement for municipal elections; (5) transferring several duties from town clerks to registrars of voters; (6) establishing a deadline by which town clerks must file a notice of a primary for municipal office candidates and town committee members; (7) authorizing the State Elections Enforcement Commission to conduct investigations based on statements that registrars of voters file alleging election violations, not just allegations that the Secretary of the State or town clerks file; and, (8) allowing municipalities with two voting districts to have two registrars of voters per district (effective 01/01/12, applicable on or after 01/09/13).

In addition, makes various technical and conforming changes.

PA 11-188 (10/1/11) AGRICULTURAL COMMISSIONS

Among other things, authorizes municipalities to establish local and regional agricultural commissions.

Require that local plans of conservation and development include recommendations for agricultural purpose specifying the definition of "agriculture" for zoning regulations.

PA 11-220 (10/1/11) FEES FOR FOI RECORDS/ELECTIONS OF OFFICERS FOR VOLUNTEER FIRE DEPARTMENTS

Expands the requirement that public agencies waive fees associated with providing documents under the FOIA to certain governmental entities, to also include the Division of Public Defender Services. In addition, clarifies that there is nothing in the General Statues that would require the disclosure of secret ballots used for the election of an officer of a volunteer fire department.

PA 11-242 (10/1/11) INFORMING DPH OF MUNICIPAL OFFICIAL CHANGES

Requires the Department of Public Health to be notified, in writing, of a municipality's newly elected or appointed registrar of vital statistics, or assistant registrar, within 10 days after taking office. In the event of a vacancy by the registrar, the municipality's first selectman or chief elected official must notify DPH of any vacancy within 10 days after the vacancy occurs.

PUBLIC HEALTH

New Act (Effective Date)

PA 11-32 (10/1/11) PHOTO ID's FOR HEALTH CARE PROVIDERS

Requires health care providers, including community health personnel, to display photographic identification badges during work hours.

PA 11-44 (1/1/12) BIRTH-TO-THREE SERVICES

Among other things, 1) may increase costs to fully insured municipal plans which currently require co-pays or other cost-sharing for Birth-to-Three services, and 2) may increase costs to fully insured municipalities who do not provide a certain level of coverage for services of children with autism. The coverage requirements may result in increased premium costs when municipalities enter into new health coverage contracts.

PA 11-53 (6/4/11) CONNECTICUT HEALTH INSURANCE EXCHANGE

Creates the Connecticut Health Insurance Exchange as a quasi-public agency to satisfy requirements of the federal Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act. The agency would, among other things, create an online marketplace where individuals and small employers of up to 50 employees can compare and purchase medical insurance.

PA 11-58 (7/1/11) CONNECTICUT HEALTHCARE PARTNERSHIP

Among other things: (1) creates a healthcare partnership (healthcare benefit plan) that will allow municipalities the option to join the partnership, with enrollment beginning 1/1/12; (2) establishes a 12-member Non-State Public Health Advisory Committee that will make recommendations regarding health care coverage for municipal employees; and, (3) requires all fully-insured municipalities to submit to the Comptroller by 10/1/11, the percentage increase or decrease in their group health insurance policies for the immediate preceding two policy years. Please refer to CCM's Bulletin, Number 11-09 for more information.

PA 11-67 (1/1/12, except as otherwise noted) MRI INSURANCE AND INTER-MUNICIPAL HEALTH PLANS

PA 11-83 (1/1/12) COLONOSCOPY INSURANCE

Mandates that health insurance policies are not allowed to impose any coinsurance, copayment, deductible, or other out-of-pocket expense for any additional colonoscopy ordered by a physician within a policy year.

PA 11-88 (1/1/12) MANDATED BONE MARROW TESTING COVERAGE

Mandates that health insurance policies cover certain testing procedures for bone marrow transplants.

PA-11-169 (1/1/12) BRAND NAME RX DRUG COVERATE

Among other things, prohibits local health insurance plans from requiring employees to use an alternative brand name prescription drug or over-the-counter drug before using a brand name prescription drug.

PA 11-171 (1/1/12) BREAST MRI GUIDELINES AND NEWBORN COVERAGE

Among other things, mandates: (1) local health insurance plans cover magnetic resonance imaging of a woman's breasts in accordance with guidelines established by the American Cancer Society or the American College of Radiology; and, (2) the extension of notification and coverage of newborns, from 31 to 61 days, after the date of birth.

PA 11-172 (1/1/12) COVERAGE OF ROUTINE PATIENT COSTS

Mandates local health insurance policies cover routine patient costs relating to clinical trials for the treatment of certain diseases.

PA 11-191 (6/8/11) FARMERS' MARKETS

PA 11-204 (1/1/12) COVERAGE OF OSTOMY SUPPLIES

Increases the maximum threshold for health insurance coverage for certain ostomy appliances and supplies.

PA 11-225 (1/1/12) EXTENDED PROSTATE CANCER TESTING COVERAGE

Among other things, mandates the extension of required health insurance coverage for laboratory and diagnostic tests to detect prostate cancer in certain men for two more years, from 1/1/12 to 12/31/13.

PUBLIC SAFETY

New Act (Effective Date)

PA 11-11 (10/1/11) E 9-1-1 COMMISSION

Increases the membership of the E 9-1-1 Commission, from 11 to 13, by adding a telecommunicator representative and a "public" member.

PA 11-21 (10/1/11) LOCAL EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT DIRECTORS

Among other things, this new law replaces the terminology local "director[s] of civil preparedness" with local "emergency management" directors.

PA 11-22 (10/1/11) EMERGENCY NOTIFICATION SYSTEMS

Among other things, permits the use of information such as names, addresses, and phone numbers in the E 9-1-1 database to be used in any emergency, not just life-threatening emergencies, for the purposes of enabling local emergency notification systems.

PA 11-47 (10/1/11) PENALTIES FOR ILLEGAL RECORDINGS BY FIRST RESPONDERS

Among other things, prohibits police officers and firefighters from knowingly taking photographic or digital images of accident victims, or transmitting or disseminating such images without the consent of family members. Establishes penalties of $2,000 or 1 year imprisonment, or both, for violations.

PA 11-66 (6/14/11) CHILDREN'S POLICIES REGARDEING NATURAL & MAN-MADE DISASTERS

Among other things: (1) requires the Commissioner of Emergency Management and Homeland Security to devise an emergency response report concerning the needs of children during natural and man-made disasters and terrorism; and, (2) allows the Commissioner to amend the State civil preparedness plan to require that schools and daycare services have written multi-hazard disaster response plans.

PA 11-102 (10/1/11) MISSING PERSONS TRAINING AND REPORT REQUIREMENTS

Among other things: (1) requires that local police departments, conducting basic or review training programs, include training in the use of the National Missing and Unidentified Persons System created by the Office of Justice Program's National Institute of Justice; and, (2) changes the required age, from under 15 to under 18, for local police departments to immediately inform all on-duty officers of a missing person case.

PA 11-144 (10/1/11) DNA DATABASES: POLICE ACCESS

Among other things, allows the state DNA databank to be used by police departments to rule out suspects in investigations, if such department reasonably suspects a person of committing a crime.

PA 11-148 (7/1/11) CORRECTION DEPARTMENT ADVISORY COMMITTEES

Requires the Department of Corrections to establish advisory committees in municipalities with state prison facilities, but no public safety committee. Committees shall comprise of, among others, police departments and social service agencies. Charge: examine the "demographics of the facility's inmate population, policies and practices of the department, facility programming and reentry initiatives." Committees are to submit their findings to the General Assembly by 1/1/12.

PA 11-152 (10/1/11) DOMESTIC VIOLENCE

Among other things: (1) requires police departments to arrest persons suspected of domestic violence in dating relationships; and, (2) establishes a task force to examine police department policies regarding domestic violence.

PA 11-154 (10/1/11) JUVENILE DETENTION REQUIREMENTS

Among other things, requires police departments to seek a court order to detain children in juvenile centers, and prohibits such detention under certain circumstances.

PA 11-159 (10/1/12) COMPLIANCE WITH NATIONAL PRISON RAPE ELIMINATION COMMISSION STANDARDS

Would require that municipalities, the State, and private providers "within available appropriations" comply with the National Prison Rape Elimination Commission-recommended standards regarding "prevention, detection and monitoring of, and response to, sexual abuse in adult prisons and jails, community correction facilities, juvenile facilities and lockups."

PA 11-174 (1/1/14) ELECTRONIC RECORDING OF INTERROGATIONS

Requires that law enforcement interrogations for capital felony A or B crimes be inadmissible in court, unless such interrogations are recorded electronically. Requires the Chief State's Attorney to develop standards for such electronic equipment, by 1/1/12.

PA 11-180 (10/1/11) POLICE REFERRALS TO THE DCF

Among other things, requires police officers who arrest youth for prostitution, to report suspected child abuse or neglect to the Department of Children and Families.

PA 11-182 (10/1/11) QUARANTINE OF GUIDE DOGS

Exempts certain guide dogs from current quarantine requirements for dogs that bite persons. In addition, clarifies a similar exemption for police dogs.

PA 11-184 (10/1/11) DRY HYDRANTS

Allows for the installation of dry hydrants in wetlands and watercourses, for public safety purposes only, under certain circumstances.

PA 11-186 (10/1/11) PISTOL PERMIT RENEWAL

Allows in-state residents to renew pistol permits via mail.

PA 11-194 (10/1/11) CROSS REPORTING OF CHILD ABUSE AND ANIMAL CRUELTY

PA 11-207 (10/1/11) DNA TESTING IN SERIOUS FELONY CASES

Requires that persons arrested on serious felony charges submit to DNA testing, if such persons have not already done so. Law enforcement agencies would enforce the law within available appropriations. The State Department of Public Safety is to analyze DNA samples, within available appropriations.

PA 11-243 (10/1/11, except as otherwise noted) VOLUNTEER FIREFIGHTER INDEMNITY

Among other things: (1) codifies existing protections for volunteer public safety personnel, including fire police, to specify indemnity coverage for such personnel for negligence claims and malicious, wanton, and willful acts-and, stipulates that such personnel are required to reimburse municipalities if said claims are proven in court; and (2) allows municipalities the option to extend a property tax relief program to volunteer underwater search and rescue teams (effective 7/1/11).

PA 11-251 (10/1/11) LATERAL TOWN-TO-TOWN TRANSFERS OF POLICE OFFICERS AND PENSION ALLOCATIONS

Among other things: (1) permits POST-certified police officers, currently employed at a Connecticut police department, to accept employment with another Connecticut police department without having to repeat minimum basic training. However, they are still required to comply with all entry-level required testing; and, (2) allows rehired workers, who have retired on or after 1/1/00, to receive retirement allowance only if they work less than twenty hours per week.

PA 11-252 (10/1/11) EYEWITNESS IDENTIFICATIONS IN POLICE LINE-UPS

Alters the process for police department line-up eyewitness identification of suspects. Requires municipal police departments to comply with certain eyewitness identification procedures as prescribed in the bill, including detailed "photo lineup" or "live lineup" protocols. Establishes an Eyewitness Identification Task Force to examine the issue of sequential live and photo lineups. The Task Force is to report its findings to the Legislature by 4/1/12.

TRANSPORTATION

New Act (Effective Date)

PA 11-130 (7/1/11) SCHOOL BUS INSPECTIONS

Requires that new school buses purchased between August first and the start of the next succeeding school year--that are inspected prior to its registration-- need only be inspected by the Department of Motor Vehicles once before the next school year.

PA 11-213 (7/1/11) REVISIONS TO MOTOR VEHICLE STATUTES

Makes changes to motor vehicle laws. Among other things: (1) increases fines for using a cell phone or texting while driving; (2) requires school bus operators to remove a driver from a school bus within 48 hours, rather than 10 days, after learning that the Department of Motor Vehicles has suspended or revoked his or her license or school bus endorsement; and, (3) bars school buses, except in limited circumstances, from driving in the far left lane of limited access highways.

PA 11-256 (7/1/11) STATE TRAFFIC COMMISSION

Among other things: (1) exempts the Department of Transportation from local demolition permit requirements for the removal of a structure acquired by the department for a transportation project; (2) exempts from the requirement to obtain a State Traffic Commission (STC) certificate any development that contains (a) up to 100 residential units so long as it is residential-only and not part of a development containing office, retail, or other nonresidential uses and (b) up to 75 residential units that has an associated club house or similar amenity that is open to the public; (3) eliminates a provision that allows STC to postpone its action on a certificate for additional parking spaces or to build a large traffic generating development by combining individual parcels of land until an application has been approved by municipal planning and zoning or other responsible municipal agencies; (4) imposes a fine on motor vehicle violations that occur while construction work is ongoing within municipal road construction zones designated in a conspicuous manner by municipalities; and, (5) requires municipalities to post a sign at the beginning of a municipal road construction zones that reads as follows: "ROAD WORK AHEAD FINES DOUBLED," and at the end of such zone that reads as follows: "END UTILITY WORK."

During the 2011 General Assembly sessions CCM's advocacy team was comprised of the following staff members.

Jim Finley, Jr., Executive Director and CEO
Ron Thomas, Director of Public Policy & Advocacy
Kachina Walsh-Weaver, Senior Legislative Associate
Bob Labanara, Senior Legislative Associate
Donna Hamzy, Legislative Associate
Mike Muszynski, Legislative Analyst
Kevin Maloney, Member & Public Relations Director
George Rafael, Government Finance Analyst
Quanette Rhodes, Executive Services Administrator
Carolyn Ryan, Public Policy & Advocacy Administrative Associate

If you have questions concerning this report or on any state-local issues, please contact CCM's Public Policy & Advocacy Team using the email links above, or via phone at (203) 498-3000.