Transportation Committee
JOINT FAVORABLE REPORT
Bill No.: SB-215
AN ACT CONCERNING THE DEVELOPMENT OF A TRANSPORTATION
Title: ENGINEERING RECRUITMENT PROGRAM.
Vote Date: 3/24/2022
Vote Action: Joint Favorable Substitute
PH Date: 3/7/2022
File No.:
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:
Transportation Committee
Rep. Devin Carney, 23rd Dist.
Sen. Will Haskell, 26th Dist.
Sen. Heather Somers, 18th Dist.
REASONS FOR BILL:
This legislation would require the Department of Administrative Services (DAS) and the
Department of Transportation (DOT) to coordinate with institutions of higher education in
Connecticut to develop a transportation engineering recruitment program. Such a program is
needed because of retirements at DOT and an increase in demand for transportation
engineers.
RESPONSE FROM ADMINISTRATION/AGENCY:
Department of Administrative Services (DAS) and Department of Transportation (DOT): The
Departments offered support of this legislation. With the state expected to receive one
hundred billion dollars in transportation funding from the federal government and significant
retirements expected at DOT, the Departments agree that the recruitment of transportation
engineers is critical.
NATURE AND SOURCES OF SUPPORT:
Wyatt Bosworth, Assistant Counsel, Connecticut Business and Industry Association (CBIA):
CBIA submitted testimony in support of this legislation. They believe this bill will benefit both
the private and public sector. CBIAs own survey found that eighty percent of employers in
Connecticut are having difficulty hiring or keeping employees. This legislation will help
reverse this trend and specifically will assist engineers in finding employment.
Eric Jackson, Assistant Research Professor, University of Connecticut (UConn): Speaking on
of UConn, Professor Jackson offered support of this legislation. With technology driving new
demand in the engineering field, civil engineering programs are seeing a decl ine in
enrollment at UConn. However, the demand for transportation engineers is increasing
simultaneously. For these reasons, the recruitment of transportation engineers is vitally
important. UConn is prepared to work with DAS and DOT to develop a recruitment program
and promote transportation engineering careers.
Francis Pickering, Executive Director, Western Connecticut Council of Governments
(WCOG): WCOG supports the intent of this legislation but offered suggestions to further
increase talent recruitment at the DOT. They recommended reforming the recruitment
process to include the recognition of out-of-state licenses, a shorter time period in the hiring
process, and increased flexibility. Their second suggestion was to use technology to increase
productivity. Their third suggestion was to delegate more responsibilities to regional councils
of government so that the DOT can focus more on concerns that effect the entire state. Their
final suggestion is to hire grant writers so engineers can focus exclusively on their work.
Travis Woodward, President, CSEA SEIU Local 2001: The speaker supports the intent of the
legislation but requested one change be made. He recommends that DAS and DOT should
also consult with DOT engineers when the engineering recruitmen t program is established.
These engineers have experience and expertise that could be helpful when putting the
program together.
Original language in this legislation required that DAS and DOT consult only with public
institutions of higher education when creating the engineer recruitment program. Two
speakers that represent independent colleges and universities in Connecticut recommended
language be changed so that the Departments also consult with private universities. The JFS
language of this bill included their request.
1. Jennifer Widness, President, Connecticut Conference of Independent Colleges
2. Hisham Almajjar, Dean, College of Engineering, University of Hartford
NATURE AND SOURCES OF OPPOSITION:
None expressed
Reported by: Glenn Prushinski, Assistant Clerk Date: 4/1/2022
Phil Mainiero, Committee Clerk
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