ELECTION LAWS/  GOVERNMENT AREA

Topic

Bill No.

Title

Bill Description

LWV’s Position

Status

as of 4/27/09

End of Session Status

Campaign Finance Reform

various

various

various

Many bills below proposed substantive and budget changes to  the Citizens’ Election Program. All bills which would have substantively changed the program died due to lack of action. With rescissions, transfers and the ultimate budget adopted in September 09  a total of $43 million for was maintained for the CEP, which is viewed as sufficient for 2010 election cycle.

Campaign Finance Reform/Citizens’ Election Program

SB 604,

SB 1109, HB 5366,

AAC The Reduction Of Certain General Election Grants Under The Citizens' Election Program (and related variations of title)

All seek to significantly reduce grants to eligible candidates under the Citizen Election Program

Oppose

All Originated in Government Administration and Elections (GAE) Committee; No action was taken.

see above

Campaign Finance Reform/ Citizens’ Election Program/ State Elections Enforcement Commission

SB 1107

AAC Electronic Filing of Campaign Reports

Requires candidates who raise at least $5000 and committees holding that amount to file electronically with SEEC

Support

Voted out of the GAE Committee/On the Senate Calendar

see above

Campaign Finance Reform/ Citizens’ Election Program

HB 6662

AAC Certain Revisions to the Citizens’ Election Program

Makes changes to campaign finance laws re: reporting requirements, donations from joint checking accounts, and timeframe for review of grant applications

Support

On the House Calendar.  Substitute bill voted out of GAE Committee eliminated authorizing matching grant funds for positive independent expenditures and creating organization expenditure limits for state-wide officers

see above

Campaign Finance Reform/Citizens’ Election Program

HB 6663

AAC Revision of Certain Campaign Finance and Citizens’ Election Program Statutes

Lifts the cap on one type of organization expenditure and specifies that such expenditures do not include de minimus activities. Exempts certain items and services from the definition of contribution. Authorizes post-primary or –election meals or events for campaign workers up to 14 days later.  Allows candidates to correct grant applications. Allows participating candidates to use any remaining funds for post-election audits or to pay treasurers up to $ 1,000

Under Review

Voted out of GAE Committee. Was recently voted out of the Appropriations Committee and will be referred to the House.

see above

Campaign Finance Reform/Citizens’ Election Fund

PA 09-02

AAC Deficit Mitigation Measures for the Fiscal Year Ending June 30, 2009

Requires Appropriations Committee to recommend, and the General Assembly to transfer, $ 220 million from non-appropriated funds and accounts to General Fund revenue for FY 09.   Appropriations Committee has recommended transferring $13 million from the Citizens’ Election Fund

Oppose

Recommendation sent to leadership/Must be voted on by full legislature by June 30, 2009

See above

(PA 09-111, AAC A state Deficit Mitigation Plan for the Fiscal Year Ending June 30, 2009, transfers $700,000 from the Citizens’ Election Fund to the General Fund)

Campaign Finance Reform/Citizens’ Election Fund

Governor’s Bill 828

AAC State Revenue

Transfers $12,000,000 from the Citizens’ Election Fund to the General Fund

Oppose

Public hearing held by Appropriations Committee/Change of reference to Finance, Revenue and Bonding Committee.  No action was taken by the Finance Committee.

see above

Campaign Finance Reform/Citizens’ Election Program/State Elections Enforcement Commission

Governor’s Bill 6363

AA Implementing the Governor’s Budget Recommendations

Repeals CGS Section 9-7c, giving Governor the power to reduce the SEEC’s budget without legislative approval.  Requires all costs incurred in the administration of the Citizens’ Election Program to be paid from the Citizens’ Election Fund, rather than from the General Fund.

Oppose

Public hearing held before the Appropriation Committee.  No further action was taken by the   Appropriations Committee

see above

State Elections Enforcement Commission

SB 1108

AAC The Powers and Duties of the State Elections Enforcement Commission

Expands the SEEC’s power to investigate election violations, impose penalties and issue orders requiring compliance.  Authorizes the AG attorney general to impose the same remedies as the Superior Court when ruling on cases referred by SEEC in election matters.

Support

Voted out of GAE Committee.  Recently voted out of the Judiciary Committee and referred to the Senate.

Tabled for the Senate Calendar/Died

Election Reform/General Assembly/Early Voting

HJ 113

“Resolution Proposing Amendment to the State Constitution Concerning the Length of Terms for Members of the General Assembly” re-named “Resolution Amending the State Constitution to Allow Early Voting”

Original resolution would have amended the State Constitution to provide 4 year staggered terms for state senators/ representatives.  Amended resolution   no longer addresses terms of office and instead removes restrictions on absentee voting from the State Constitution.

LWV supports 4 year staggered terms for senators (no position on representatives) and “no excuse” absentee voting

Voted out of GAE Committee/On the House Calendar

Not called in the House/Died

Election Reform/Absentee Ballots

SJ 43

Resolution Proposing an Amendment to the State Constitution Concerning Voting by Absentee Ballot

Proposes a constitutional amendment to remove restrictions on voting by absentee ballot

Support

Voted out of GAE Committee/On the Senate Calendar

Not called in the Senate/Died

Election Reform/Absentee Ballots

SB 910

AAC Permanent Absentee Ballot Status

Establishes a system for the automatic mailing of absentee ballots to persons who are permanently disabled and unable to go to the polls

Support

Voted out of GAE Committee/On the Senate Calendar

Senate passed /Not called in the House/Died

Election Reform/Absentee Ballots

HB 5903

AAC Absentee Voting For Members of the Armed Forces Stationed Overseas

Requires the SOTS to work with the SEEC and US Dept of Defense to ensure that absent uniformed services voters can use a secure fax, e-mail, or other electronic transmission to receive and submit (1) the official post card form that contains an absentee voter registration application and absentee ballot application for voting in federal elections and (2) a state absentee ballot

Support

Voted out of GAE Committee/On the House Calendar

Not called in the House/Died

Election Reform/Provisional Ballots

HB 5825

AA Establishing A No-Fault Provisional Ballot Law

Authorizes provisional ballots for use in state and municipal elections and primaries under the same circumstances as the law authorizes their use in federal elections and primaries

Support

Voted out of GAE Committee/On the House Calendar

Referred to Planning & Development Committee/Motion failed/Died

Election Reform/Election Day Registration

HB 6435

AAC Election Day Registration and Presidential Ballot Procedures

Allows certain people to register to vote on Election Day and establishes Election Day registration procedures, including the use of “verifiable ballots” by applicants whose qualifications for admission as electors cannot be determined. Eliminates the use of presidential ballots for state residents.

Support

Voted out of GAE Committee.  Favorably voted out of the Planning and Development Committee and referred to the House.

House Passed /Not called in the Senate/Died

Election Reform/Party Privileges

SB 911

AAC Voters Who Change Party Affiliation

Shortens the time electors who change party affiliation must wait before their enrollment privileges in the new party take effect from 3 months to 1 month and allows electors to retain their privileges in the original party until that time

Support

Voted out of GAE Committee/On the Senate Calendar

Recommitted to GAE Committee/Died

Election Reform/Voting Procedures/Audits

HB 6440

AAC Certain Revisions to Elections Related Statutes

Makes changes affecting voter registry lists, the conduct of elections, post-election procedures, voting equipment, and election officials. With respect to elections, (1) extends the use of provisional ballots to state and municipal elections and primaries and eliminates challenged ballots; (2) allows active duty members of the military to apply for absentee ballots in January of an election year; (3) requires absentee ballots to be counted only after the polls close; (4) requires registrars to notify the SOTS of each polling place's location in advance; and (5) codifies existing regulations that protect voter privacy at the polling place. Also specifies that a district that is subject to a recanvass may not also be subject to an audit and limits the number of districts per municipality subject to audit to three. Establishes four-year terms of office for registrars.

Support

Voted out of GAE Committee.  Favorably voted out of the  Judiciary Committee

House passed/Not  called in the Senate/Died

Election Reform/Voting Procedures/Audits

HB 6441

AAC Confidence in the Election System

Changes the procedures for auditing voting machines following each election and primary.  Specifies procedures for handling ballots and machines.

Support

Public hearing held in the GAE Committee.  No further action taken.

No action/Died

Election Reform/Electoral College

HB 6437

AAC An Agreement Among the States to Elect the President of the United States by National Popular Vote

Adopts the interstate compact entitled “The Agreement Among the States to Elect the President by National Popular Vote,” under which Connecticut would commit its presidential electors to the national popular vote winner.

No position pending outcome of national study and consensus determination

Voted out of GAE Committee/On the House Calendar

House Passed/Not called in the Senate/Died

United States Senate Vacancies

SB 913

AAC United States Senate Vacancies

No position

With two exceptions, this bill eliminates the governor's power to fill U. S. Senate vacancies by appointment and instead requires a special election under most circumstances.

Passed. Signed into law by Governor on 6/25//09

PA09-170

Freedom of Information/Posting of Minutes on Town Websites

SB 772

AAC The Posting of Public Agency Minutes Under the Freedom of Information Act

Extends the deadline by which all public agencies must post meeting minutes on their available web sites from 7 to 14 days.  Allows for showing of hardship. 

Support

Voted out of GAE Committee.  Favorably voted out of the Planning and Development Committee. 

Tabled for the Senate Calendar /Died

Municipal Ethics

HB 6696

AAC Municipal Ethics

Requires each municipality to adopt a code of ethics that contains certain minimum standards. Establishes model code of ethics.

Support

Voted out of GAE Committee.  Favorably voted out of Appropriations Committee. 

Tabled for the House Calendar/Died

Municipal Ethics

HB 6690

AAC Municipal Lobbying

Requires municipal lobbyists to register with the Office of State Ethics and wear badge while lobbying

Support

Voted out of GAE Committee. Favorably voted out of the Planning and Development Committee.  Referred to the House.

Referred to Judiciary Committee/Motion failed/Died

Media/Internet

HB 6426

AA Improving Broadband Access

Improves access to affordable high-speed Internet for public and businesses via public-private partnerships.  Language submitted by CT Broadband Internet Coordinating Council.

Support

Voted out of the Energy & Technology Committee and favorably out of the GAE Committee.  On the House Calendar

Passed in the House with amendment.  Passed Senate with strike-all amendment to include some sections of HB 6604 (see below), excluding sections supported by LWVCT, but adding outline of a DPUC docket on availability of CT-N, setting up a potentially disagreeing action with the House.  Referred back to House on last day of session; ET chair did not call the bill/Died

Media/Internet

SB 890

AAC Telecommuting

Same goal as HB 6426, involving different agencies

Support

Voted out of the Energy & Technology Committee/On the foot of the Senate Calendar

Recommitted to the Energy & Technology Committee/Died

Media/PEG

HB 6604

AAC Public Access Television Channels

A combination of many related bills that went thru several mutations in process.  As of 4/6 it preserves funding for existing town-specific access channels, restricts eligibility for PEGPETIA funding to DPUC-recognized PEG operators, and preserves the number of PEG channels offered by cable companies. 

Support

Voted out of the Energy & Technology Committee/On the House Calendar

LWVCT will advocate for an amendment to ensure good video quality in PEG programming by all providers.

Amendment on video quality failed during negotiation with industry.  Amendment including regular DPUC performance review of industry was posted.  House leadership did not call the bill.  Other sections of the bill appeared in Senate amendment to HB 6426/Died

Budget implementer bill set aside $150,000 from PEGPETIA (PEG programming and educational technology) fund for costs of inter­connecting CT-N (not a PEG) with AT&T’s U‑verse.

NATURAL RESOURCE AREA

Topic

Bill No.

Title

Bill Description

LWV’s Position

Status as of 4/27/09

End of Session status

Air Quality

SB 792

AA Prohibiting the Idling of Motor Vehicles

Seeks to prohibit motor vehicle idling for more than three consecutive minutes, expect for certain exempted purposes.

Support

Joint favorable substitute bills were voted out of Environment, Transportation, and Judiciary committees with a positive fiscal impact statement. The bill is on the Senate Calendar.

Tabled for House Calendar/died

Air Quality

SB 871

AA Increasing the Enforcement Authority of the Department of Environmental Protection

Seeks to give the DEP Commissioner greater discretion when assessing civil penalties, to make the criminal penalties for failing to maintain or destroying information concerning air, water, solid and hazardous waste violations consistent and more severe, to increase the fee for construction without the required permit to four times the original application fee, and to allow conservation officers to administer oaths.

Support

Joint favorable substitute bill was voted out of Environment, Judiciary committees, and Finance Revenue and Bonding committees. Referred to LCO.

Table for Senate Calendar/died

Air Quality

HB 5660

AA Authorizing the Use of High Occupancy Vehicle Lanes by Hybrid and Alternative Fuel Vehicles Containing Only One Person

Seeks to encourage the purchase of low emission vehicles and to reduce air pollution.

Support

No action was taken by the Transportation Committee.

No action/died

Climate Change/Global Warming

SB 794

AAC RGGI and Ratepayer Relief

Seeks to legitimize the substitute language adopted by Regulations Review last August, allowing CO² auction proceeds to be used for electric consumer rebates, rather than energy efficiency programs

Oppose

 No action taken in the Environment Committee.

No action/died

Climate Change/Global Warming

HB 5995

AAC the Freedom to Dry

Seeks to lower electric energy consumption and help alleviate the grid's daytime congestion problem by eliminating most bans on drying laundry outdoors.

Support with suggested exemption for small coop and condo associations. 

Passed the Energy and Technology Committee; referred to the Judiciary Committee where no taken was taken.

No action/died

Climate Change/Global Warming

HB 6284

AAC Green Building Standards

Requires the State Building Inspector and Codes and Standards Committee to revise the State Building Code and include a model energy code and green building standards for certain new construction or renovation projects. The bill also delays implementation of the standards. 

Support but urged that the bill be strengthened to have higher standards or meet the silver LEED rating. 

Favorable substitute passed the Public Safety and Security and Environment Committees; is on House Calendar

Passed. Signed by Governor on 7/8/09

PA 09-192

Climate Change/Global Warming

SB 839

AAC Mergers and Consolidations of Various State Agencies

Sought the transfer of almost $100 million from energy conservation funds to cover general fund operating expenses

Oppose

The transfer was not included in the budget proposed by the Appropriations Committee.  However, budget negotiations between the Governor and legislative leadership are continuing so fate uncertain.

Adopted Budget did not transfer these dedicated funds into the general fund.

Climate Change/Global Warming

HB 6635

AAC Solar Power

Promotes the use of solar power in the state.  It challenges the state to produce 370 megawatts of clean solar power by the year 2020. 

Support

Passed Energy and Technology Committeee; on House Calendar.

Tabled for Senate calendar/died

Council on Environmental Quality

SB 839

AAC Mergers and Consolidations of Various State Agencies

Governor’s proposed budget eliminated the modest funding for CEQ and moved it into the Department of Environmental Protection

Oppose elimination

The Appropriations Budget maintains CEQ’s modest $170,000 budget to keep it an independent agency. Budget negotiations continue so future is uncertain.

Adopted budget preserved CEQ

Transportation

SB426

AAC Traffic Congestion Mitigation

Seeks to have a DOT employee visit exits and entrances to highways or parkway to determine cost-effective congestion mitigation efforts

Support

No action taken in Transportation committee

No action/died

Transportation

SB 445 (originally number SB 431)

AA Requiring an Analysis of Issues Related to Electronic Tolls in Connecticut

Requires Department of Transportation to develop within existing budget resources an analysis concerning the establishment of electronic tolls on Connecticut highways at state borders.  The analysis is due no later than 6/30/10.

Support

This substitute bill was favorably voted out of Transportation and Appropriations Committees. It was referred to Office of Legislative Research

Tabled for Senate Calendar/Died

Transportation

SB 735

An Act Improving Bicycle And Pedestrian Access

Seeks to enhance non-motorized transportation alternatives, promote healthy lifestyles, encourage smart growth and reduce congestion. 

Support

A substitute bill was voted out of Transportation, Planning & Development and GAE committees;  is on the Senate calendar.

Passed. Signed by the Governor on 6/30/09

PA 09-154

Transportation

SB 1093

AA Providing Funds For Municipal Matching Grants For Demand-Responsive Transportation For Elderly Persons And Persons With Disabilities.

To continue funding for the municipal matching grant program to provide transportation for elderly persons and persons with disabilities. (Many people refer to this program as Dial-A-Ride.)

Support

Favorably voted out of Transportation Committee and referred by the Senate to the Approps Com (4/9/09).  Funding was included in the Approps Com proposed budget. Budget negotiations continue. Supporters are hopeful.

 The approved budget contains funding for municipal matching grants to continue the demand response program

Transportation

HB 5640

AAC The Improvement Of Public Access To Transit Stops

Seeks to improve public access to transit stops

Support

No action in Transportation Committee.  Some of the recommendations are contained in SB735.

No action/Died

Transportation

HB 5657

AAC the Restoration of Rail Freight Service. 

Seeks to re-establish a matching grant program between the state and freight rail companies in order to refurbish tracks, increase freight rail, reduce green house gasses and save energy. 

Support

No action taken in Transportation Committee

No action/died

Transportation

HB6213

AA Reinstating Toll Booths on Major State Highways

Seeks to increase state revenue to be used for road repair and maintenance and to share the burden of supporting Connecticut’s transportation infrastructure with out-of-state highway and road users. 

Support

No action taken in Transportation Committee but the major concept of this bill in included in SB445.

No action/died

Transportation

HB6269

AAC Open Road Congestion Pricing on Certain Connecticut Highways

Seeks to reduce traffic congestion and to provide additional revenue for Connecticut’s transportation system.

Support

No action taken in the Transportation Committee but the major concept of this bill in included in SB445.

No action/died

Transportation

Governor’s Budget Proposal

Proposed 40% bus fare increase as deficit mitigation measure

Oppose

Vigorous opposition by LWVCT and Coalition partners led leaders to abandon  proposed 40% increase for FY 2010

Water Resources

SB 569

An Act Concerning Enhancements To The Inland Wetlands And Watercourses Act

Seeks to aid local volunteer boards by clarifying that applicants must provide evidence to prove that their project will protect the functions and features of existing inland wetland resources. 

Support

Bill passed the Environment Committee; favorable substitute passed by Planning and Development Committee and filed with Legislative Commissioner’s office.

Died on last day of session

Water Resources

SB 747

AAC Consistency in Permitting Requirements for Alternative On-Site Sewage Treatment Systems

Seeks consistency in the review of alternative sewage treatment systems by requiring the DEP to consider the same criteria in permitting large systems (5000 gallons/day) that the Department of Public Health applies when evaluating applications for small alternative on-site systems.

Oppose provision on Oxford Airport; support underlying bill

Joint favorable substitute in Environment Committee added an unrelated provision that would exempt Oxford Airport from CT Environmental Policy Act requirements of environmental assessment of proposed construction.  Referrred to Planning and Development committee and no action taken. (Advocates lobbied Committee for removal of exemption, and if not, to take no action on the bill.)

No action/died

Water Resources

HB 5820

AA Conserving Natural Vegetation Near Wetlands And Watercourses

Increases the level of scrutiny on regulated areas (ie, does not expand regulated areas) with an eye toward protecting vegetation to the maximum extent possible.

Support

No action taken in Environment committee, but the vegetative buffer protection language has been moved into another bill HB5934 (replacing 5820) An Act Concerning Training Requirements For Inland Wetlands Commission Members And Preserving Natural Vegetation Near Wetlands And Watercourses.

No action/died

Waste

HB 6602

AAC Deficit Mitigation Measures For The Fiscal year ending June 30, 2009

Included among many other deficit mitigation measures, the 5-cent deposit-redemption program to include water bottles with unclaimed deposits now required to go to the State.

Support

Bill signed into law by the Governor on March 3, 09. Public Act 09-2.

Deposit on Water Bottles took effect 10/1/09

SOCIAL POLICY AREA

Bill No.

Title

Bill Description

LWV’s Position

Status as of 4/27/09

Death Penalty

SB 539, SB 744, HB 5459, HB 5847

AA Eliminating The Death Penalty (and related variations of title)

Multiple bills supporting the elimination of the death penalty

Support

No action on these bills in Judiciary Committee

No action/dead

Death Penalty

HB 6578

AAC The Penalty For A Capital Felony

Seeks to Replace The Death Penalty With A Penalty Of Life Imprisonment Without The Possibility Of Release For Certain Murders

Support

Favorable substitute passed in Judiciary Committee and on the House calendar.

 Passed but vetoed by the Governor.

Gun Control

SB353

AAC The Microstamping of Semiautomatic Pistols

To facilitate the linking of used cartridge cases to the firearm that fired them by requiring the microstamping of semiautomatic pistols

Support

No action taken in Judiciary Committee

No action/dead

Gun Control

SB 358

AAC Prohibiting the Transfer of Assault Weapons or Machine Guns to Minors

Seeks to prohibit the permanent or temporary transfer of an assault weapon or machine gun to a person under eighteen years of age. This bill was introduced as a result of an 8-year-old boy dying from the recoil of an assault weapon, which he was using under the supervision of adults

Support

Joint favorable substitute passed in Judiciary Committee; on  the Senate calendar.

Passed. Signed into law by Governor on 5/27/09

PA 09-62

Health Care

HB 6582

AA Establishing the CT Healthcare Partnership

Seeks to expand the state employees' health insurance pool to include the employees of municipalities, nonprofit organizations and small businesses

Support

Passed by legislature; vetoed by the Governor on 7/8/09

School Finance

HB 6365

AAC the State Budget for the Biennium Ending June 30, 2011, and Making Appropriations

The governor's proposed budget funded ECS and most other education grants at 2008 statutory levels.  The Appropriations Committee's substitute generally follows suit, but adds to the allotments for Priority School Districts, After School Programs, and Youth Service Bureaus

Support

Negotiations between the governor and legislative leaders are continuing.  Good news: both the governor and legislators are now on record in support of maintaining existing levels of aid to education.  Bad news:  such an outcome will be very difficult to achieve in the current fiscal climate without tax increases, which the governor opposes.

In adopted budget, the majority of state grants were flat-funded. Chief among them, ECS was funded at the 08-09 level ($1.889 billion.) Head Start and Family Resource Centers were maintained at 08-09 levels.  Regional Education Service Centers were cut by only 11.5% and the Connecticut Education Network and received an increase in funding.

However, The Special Education Excess Cost, the Omnibus Educations, and the After School Program grants were each cut 10%. 

School Finance

Bill 6488

AAC High School Reform

This bill raises high school graduation requirements beginning with the class of 2016.  It requires students to complete 25 credits versus the current 20, increasing math and science by 1 each and adding a 2-credit requirement in world language and a 1-credit senior demonstration project. It also requires the Department of Education to provide funding to school districts beginning in FY 2012 to implement these provisions.

Oppose unless funding mechanism provided

(The bill does require the state to provide funding but in this fiscal climate we question ability of state to do so; it establishes neither the amount, nor a mechanism for determining the amount of such funding.)

Joint favorable substitute passed in Education Committee;  referred to Appropriations Committee

No action/died

Reproductive Choice

HB 5322

AAC Healthy Teens

Seeks to establish a competitive grant program for local and regional Boards of Education to fund health education for teenagers. 

Support

No action taken in the Committee on Children

No action/died

Reproductive Choice

HB5629

AAC the Performance of Abortions in the State

To help women make informed decisions about abortion

Support

No action taken in Public Health committee

No action/died