Commerce Committee
JOINT FAVORABLE REPORT
Bill No.: SB-711
AN ACT CONCERNING COVID-19 RELIEF FOR SMALL BUSINESSES AND
REQUIRING FEDERAL REGULATORY ANALYSIS FOR PROPOSED STATE
Title: REGULATIONS.
Vote Date: 3/11/2021
Vote Action: Joint Favorable
PH Date: 2/11/2021
File No.: 183
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. Joan V. Hartley, 15th Dist.
Sen. Christine Cohen, 12th Dist.
Sen. James J. Maroney, 14th Dist.
Sen. Norman Needleman, 33rd Dist.
Sen. Steve Cassano, 4th Dist.
Sen. Catherine A. Osten, 19th Dist.
Rep. Gary A. Turco, 27th Dist.
Rep. Michael DiGiovancarlo, 74th Dist.
Rep. Patricia Billie Miller, 145th Dist.
Rep. Ronald A. Napoli, 73rd Dist.
Rep. Brian T. Smith, 48th Dist.
Rep. Tammy Nuccio, 53rd Dist.
REASONS FOR BILL:
This bill would provide relief for small businesses in Connecticut impacted by the pandemic
by preventing insurers from increasing a business' insurance premiums, and by exempting
personal protective equipment from the sales and use tax.
RESPONSE FROM ADMINISTRATION/AGENCY:
NATURE AND SOURCES OF SUPPORT:
 Andy Markowski, State Director of the National Federation of Independent Business
supports SB 711, particularly part 1 of the bill which seeks to address the anticipated
rise in their unemployment taxes because of the large number of layoffs and the
depletion of the state's Unemployment Insurance Trust Fund. This bill acknowledges
that small businesses should not be penalized or suffer further financial distress as a
result of record unemployment and layoffs.
Joshua Rodriguez, Director of Public Policy and Economic Development for the
Waterbury Regional Chamber supports SB 711 because it is a way to address the
continued financial burdens caused by COVID-19 as it relates to the operating costs of
small businesses. An increase in the small business insurance premium could mean
the difference between financially viability during the pandemic
Ashley Zane, Government Affairs Associate for CBIA supports SB 711 for the following
reasons:
o The first portion of the bill would prevent insurers from increasing a businesses'
insurance premiums that are based on an increased number of claims due to
COVID-19
o CBIA supports the second portion of this bill which would prevent the inclusion
of increased claims because of COVID-19 from being used when calculating an
experience rating for a business
o Furthermore, CBIA strongly supports the exemption of personal protective
equipment from the sales tax, however, CBIA would like to see this exemption
made permanent.
o Lastly, CBIA supports the creation of a small business impact study when
promulgating state regulations
NATURE AND SOURCES OF OPPOSITION:
None
Reported by: Jason Snukis (Assistant Clerk) Date: March 19, 2021
Page 2 of 2 SB-711


Statutes affected:
Committee Bill: 12-412, 4-168a
CE Joint Favorable: 12-412, 4-168a
File No. 183: 12-412, 4-168a
FIN Joint Favorable: 12-412, 4-168a