Substitute Bill No. 1522 proposes to rename the existing Community Investment Account to the "Donald E. Williams, Jr. Community Investment Account" and enhance its funding structure. The bill repeals Section 4-66aa and introduces new provisions that adjust the allocation of funds, increasing the distribution percentages for various departments and programs. Notably, it raises annual funding for the Connecticut Trust for Historic Preservation and the agricultural viability grant program, while also establishing new funding initiatives aimed at promoting Connecticut-grown food. Additionally, the bill modifies the fees collected by town clerks for recording documents, increasing the fee from forty to fifty dollars, allowing town clerks to retain a larger portion of these fees, and directing more funds to the newly named community investment account.

Furthermore, the bill aims to bolster the promotion of Connecticut-grown farm products through a comprehensive advertising campaign, which includes media advertisements and a continuously updated website listing local farmers' markets and agricultural attractions. It also seeks to facilitate business relationships between farmers and institutional buyers by creating a platform for interaction and organizing promotional events. The commissioner of the Department of Agriculture is required to utilize funds to support these initiatives and report annually to the General Assembly on their progress, including details on private matching funds received. The bill modifies existing law by deleting references to subsection (a) of section 4-66aa and inserting new language to reflect the updated framework for promoting Connecticut agriculture, with the act set to take effect on July 1, 2025.

Statutes affected:
Raised Bill: 4-66aa, 22-38a
GAE Joint Favorable Substitute: 4-66aa, 22-38a
File No. 641: 4-66aa, 22-38a
APP Joint Favorable: 4-66aa, 22-38a