Planning and Development Committee
JOINT FAVORABLE REPORT
Bill No.: HB-5171
AN ACT CONCERNING ABANDONED AND BLIGHTED PROPERTY
Title: RECEIVERSHIP.
Vote Date: 3/4/2022
Vote Action: Joint Favorable
PH Date: 2/25/2022
File No.: 26
Disclaimer: The following JOINT FAVORABLE Report is prepared for the benefit of the
members of the General Assembly, solely for purposes of information, summarization and
explanation and does not represent the intent of the General Assembly or either chamber
thereof for any purpose.
SPONSORS OF BILL:
Sen. Steve Cassano, 4th Dist.
Rep. Michael A. Winkler, 56th Dist.
Rep. Jane M. Garibay, 60th Dist.
Rep. Cristin McCarthy Vahey, 133rd Dist.
Rep. Jennifer Leeper, 132nd Dist.
REASONS FOR BILL:
This bill removes the municipal population threshold for certain parties to petition the superior
court for appointment of a receiver for a blighted and abandoned property. Previously, a large
percentage of Connecticut's municipalities were excluded from the receivership tool, as they
contained populations under 35,000, even though vacant and blighted properties remained
an increasing issue. This bill would allow all municipalities access to petition for the
appointment of receivers, so that they may take these blighted and vacant properties and
restore them for productive use.
RESPONSE FROM ADMINISTRATION/AGENCY:
None expressed.
NATURE AND SOURCES OF SUPPORT:
The following speakers voiced support because the bill would remove the previous
population threshold of 35,000 for receivership, and allow all municipalities across the
state to utilize this act, reducing the cost and liability of vacant, blighted properties,
and getting the property back on tax rolls and into productive use.
Michael R. Criss, First Selectman, Town of Harwinton.
Donna Hamzy Carroccia, Advocacy Manager, The Connecticut Conference of Municipalities.
Kimberly Parsons-Whitaker, Interim CEO, CT Main Street Center, Inc.
The following speakers voiced support because the bill removes the previous
receivership threshold, allowing residents, community-based non-profits, and local
governments to rehabilitate abandoned and blighted properties.
Betsy Gara, Executive Director, Connecticut Council of Small Towns.
Kiley Gosselin, Executive Director, Partnership for Strong Communities
Reona Dyess, Board Member, Southeaster CT Community Land Trust.
Jim Horan, Executive Director, Local Initiatives Support Corporation CT
NATURE AND SOURCES OF OPPOSITION:
None expressed.
Reported by: Ben McSheehy Date: March 14, 2022
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