Substitute Senate Bill No. 444, also known as Public Act No. 26-136, amends existing statutes to allow certain municipal employees to serve on municipal boards of finance and other governmental bodies, with specific conditions. The bill repeals and replaces subsection (e) of section 7-421 of the general statutes, which previously restricted municipal employees from serving on boards of finance and other bodies that directly supervise them. The new language permits municipal employees to serve on boards of finance if they meet certain criteria, including being allowed to serve under a municipal charter or home rule ordinance, being a member of the legislative body, or having earned a stipend of less than $10,000 in the previous year. Additionally, municipalities can authorize employees to serve on various bodies exercising zoning, land use, planning, and wetland regulation powers.

The bill also modifies subsection (a) of section 8-19, allowing municipalities to create planning commissions that may include municipal employees if authorized by an ordinance. This change is contingent upon the provisions outlined in the amended subsection (e) of section 7-421. The planning commission will consist of five members who are electors of the municipality, with the chief executive officer and the municipal engineer or public works commissioner serving as non-voting members. The act aims to enhance local governance by enabling greater participation of municipal employees in decision-making processes while ensuring that appropriate checks and balances are maintained.

Statutes affected:
Raised Bill: 8-19
PD Joint Favorable Substitute: 8-19
File No. 282: 8-19
Public Act No. 26-136: 8-19