Labor and Public Employees Committee
JOINT FAVORABLE REPORT
Bill No.: HB-5441
AN ACT ADOPTING THE RECOMMENDATIONS OF THE TASK FORCE TO
Title: STUDY THE STATE WORKFORCE AND RETIRING EMPLOYEES.
Vote Date: 3/24/2022
Vote Action: Joint Favorable Substitute
PH Date: 3/15/2022
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:
Labor and Public Employees Committee
Rep. Robyn A. Porter, 94th Dist.
Rep. Minnie Gonzalez, 3rd Dist.
REASONS FOR BILL:
This bill adopts the recommendations of the task force to study the state workforce and
retired employees. The recommendations will help address needs in the state workforce by
collecting data and providing a comprehensive toolkit for every agency to prepare for its next-
generation workforce.
RESPONSE FROM ADMINISTRATION/AGENCY:
Connecticut Department of Administrative Services; opposes this bill stating that DAS has
concerns about certain sections of this bill including section 1, 2, 4, and 7. It is stated that this
is not a feasible policy.
State of Connecticut, Comptroller, Natalie Braswell; supports this bill stating that it provides a
comprehensive toolkit for every agency to prepare for its next-generation workforce. It is
stated that this "comprehensive toolkit" includes establishing a Chief Diversity, Equity and
Inclusion officer, administering and exit survey, implementing strategic planning and
incorporating professional development. It is stated that the recruitment and sustainment of
our state government workforce demands that we provide workers with the opportunity to
continuously learn and grow in their positions.
Commission on Human Rights and Opportunities; opposes this bill stating that they have
constitutional concerns regarding this bill. It is stated that this bill laudably requires agencies
to consider ways to recruit more women and people of color but, without detailed nuance as
found in the existing affirmative action program, this bill as written will likely result in a policy
that unconstitutionally discriminates against other groups. It is stated that many portions of
this bill are also redundant of current statute and regulations.
NATURE AND SOURCES OF SUPPORT:
AFSCME, Executive Director, Jody Barr; supports this bill stating that the recommendations
are robust and will help address needs in state the state workforce by collecting data on the
estimated number of employees expected to retire. It is stated that this bill would also
establish a Chief Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Officer as well as develop an Equity
Advisory Committee. This will help address racial or gender disparities that exist in our state
workforce.
Connecticut Employees Union Independent, President, Carl Chisem; supports this bill stating
that with the large number of State retirements across all agencies looming ahead of us, now
is the time to support the work done by the task force so that we can be as prepared for this
large influx of retirements as is possible.
AFSCME Clerical Local 318, President, Patricia Davis; supports this bill stating that clerical
workers are the backbone of every agency. It is stated that when departments arent properly
staffed, the citizens of Connecticut are the ones who suffer the most. It is stated that the
establishment of an Equity Advisory Committee is critical in addressing racial and gender
disparities that exist in our state workforce.
Connecticut AFL-CIO, President, Ed Hawthorne; supports this bill that each recommendation
of the task force will ensure that the state government will be provided the necessary means
to operate efficiency as a result of the increased number of retiring employees. It is stated
that ensuring stability and efficiency for state workers and recipients of state services will
benefit us all.
Managerial and Exempt Employees United-AFTCT, President, Monika Nugent; supports this
bill stating that she urges the adoption of all recommendations by the task force. It is stated
that the task force that came up with these recommendations worked extensively gathering
information, listening to several presentations, and discussing the important issues that came
before it. It is stated that these recommendations are the summation of that insightful work.
Administrative and Residual Employees Union, Treasurer, Ally Sexton; supports this bill
stating that she strongly supports SEBAC's involvement in any strategic plan to examine the
positions and position types to be replaced. It is stated that for members of A&R and other
professional bargaining units, wage compression and inversion has been a disincentive for
members to even apply for managerial positions. It is stated that this change to section 5-
202(p) would mean that managerial positions would be more attractive to unionized state
employees, and that managerial positions would be more likely to be filled with those
experienced in state government operations.
CSEA SEIU Local 2001, President, Travis Woodward; supports this bill stating that this bill is
a proactive response to the coming wave of retirements in Connecticut state employees. It is
stated that this bill empowers key stakeholders such as state employees, commissioners, the
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Comptroller, and policymakers to use data and planning to help make educated decisions
when it comes to the large number of retirements expected early this year.
SEIU, Organizer, Stacey Zimmerman; supports this bill.
NATURE AND SOURCES OF OPPOSITION:
Connecticut, Resident, David Godbout; opposes this bill stating that it would violate the
Fourth Amendment of the United Stated Constitution.
Department of Labor, Legal Director, Heidi Lane; opposes this bill stating that the CTDOL
would be unable to meet the requirement found in section 4 of the bill. It is stated that in order
to meet this new mandate, CTDOL would need additional staff to survey all CT state
agencies, analyze and report the data.
Reported by: Alex Koshgarian, Assistant Clerk Date: 04/04/2022
Page 3 of 3 HB-5441


Statutes affected:
LAB Joint Favorable Substitute: 5-259f
File No. 418: 5-259f
APP Joint Favorable: 5-259f