Government Administration and Elections Committee
JOINT FAVORABLE REPORT
Bill No.: HB-6194
AN ACT CONCERNING THE COMPETITIVE BIDDING AND OVERSIGHT OF
Title: QUASI-PUBLIC AGENCY CONTRACTS.
Vote Date: 3/31/2021
Vote Action: Joint Favorable
PH Date: 3/26/2021
File No.: 498
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:
The Government Administration and Elections Committee
REASONS FOR BILL:
This bill would increase transparency in the process by which quasi-public agencies award
contracts. Enforcing quasi-public agencies to engage in competitive bidding and subjecting
them to oversight by the State Contracting Standards Board are two of the measures that this
bill seeks to implement in order to increase transparency.
RESPONSE FROM ADMINISTRATION/AGENCY:
Connecticut House Republican Caucus: Emphasizing the importance of public
accountability, transparency and open government, House Republicans testimony was
supportive of the bill. Citing wasteful spending, fraud and abuse across Connecticuts quasi-
public agencies, House Republicans highlighted the need for fiscal discipline in areas where
public funds are spent, and public functions are performed.
NATURE AND SOURCES OF SUPPORT:
Christopher Fryxell, President, Associated Builders and Contractors of Connecticut
(CT ABC): On behalf of CT ABC, Mr. Fryxell expressed support for this bill, as it would
promote fair and open competition by forcing quasi-public agencies to competitive bidding
and proper oversight. Particularly, CT ABC references Section 11, which would mandate that
the Connecticut Port Authority be subject to oversight by the State Contracting Standards
Board. CT ABC made note of the Connecticut Port Authoritys past financial decisions that
may have not been in the best interest of the state. Additionally, CT ABC urged the
committee to incorporate language that would require quasi-public agencies to adhere to
Connecticut General Statute 31-56b, statutes that regulate the use of Project Labor
Agreements.
David Glidden, Executive Director, CSEA SEIU Local 2001: CSEA SEIU Local 2001
expressed support for the bill, believing that it would bring much needed transparency in
regards to the dealings of quasi-public agencies. This bill would help to project taxpayer
dollars and ensure that the public services provided by the quasi-public agencies are
adequate in nature. Contrary to arguments made against proposed oversight from the State
Contracting Standards Board, CSEA SEIU Local 2001 emphasized the need for an entity to
oversee the awarding and distribution of taxpayer dollars.
MetroHartford Alliance (MHA): MHA highlighted the positive economic impact that Bradley
International Airport has had on the Greater Hartford region. With the Connecticut Airport
Authority at the helm of leading this positive growth, MHA believes that this bill would hamper
CAAs ability to continue improving the airport and ensuring the airports competitiveness. In
particular, MHA cited the $10,000 threshold for competitive bidding on contracts, as well as
the power delegated to the State Contracting Standards Board. MHA believes these
measures limit CAAs competitiveness, create unnecessary delays and will ultimately result in
lower economic activity and revenues for the state.
Sal Luciano, President, AFL-CIO of Connecticut: Mr. Luciano testified in support of the bill
based on his view that quasi-public agencies should be subject to oversight of the State
Contracting Standards Board. After misuse of funds and mismanagement at the Connecticut
Port Authority, a quasi-public agency, Mr. Luciano contends that the need for oversight has
never been more present. Had the Connecticut Port Authority been subject to oversight, Mr.
Luciano believes that much of the controversy over their contracting procedures would have
been avoided.
NATURE AND SOURCES OF OPPOSITION:
Connecticut Green Bank: While both bills might have good intentions, Connecticut Green
Bank believes that the proposals would negatively affect the public service goals of state-
established entities. One provision that Connecticut Green Bank expressed concerns with
was the uniform bidding threshold sent at $10,000. Connecticut Green Bank contends that
the bills provisions would imperil the mission of quasi-agencies like Connecticut Green Bank.
Kevin Dillon, Executive Director, Connecticut Airport Authority (CAA): The Connecticut
Airport Authority, a quasi-public agency, expressed opposition to this bill. Making note of the
one-size-fits-all approach of this bill, CAA believes that the bill would have a deleterious effect
on CAAs independence. Citing the waiver for competitive bidding set at a $10,000 threshold,
CAA contends that this threshold is inadequate and insufficient to meet the needs of any
meaningful purchase in an airport setting. CAA believes that Section 1 of the bill would have
many unintended consequences that would disrupt the operational needs of CAA.
Page 2 of 3 HB-6194
Connecticut Paid Leave Authority: A quasi-public agency, the Connecticut paid Leave
Authority stands opposed to HB 6194, finding that the restrictive procedures and
requirements are unnecessary and undermine the purpose of a quasi-public agency. For
example, Connecticut paid Leave Authority sees the delegation of authority to the State
Contracting Standards Board as another layer of bureaucracy that would only increase costs,
delay operations and undercut their mission. In order to uphold the unique purpose of quasi-
public agencies, Connecticut Paid Leave Authority believes that this bill must be opposed.
Nandini Natarajan, Chief Executive Officer and Executive Director, Connecticut
Housing Finance Authority (CHFA): CHFA is another quasi-public agency that stands
opposed to the proposed legislation. Making note of the new requirement for competitive
bidding with quasi-public agency contracts and the $10,000 bidding threshold, CHFA believes
that these provisions would detrimentally impact their ability to carry out their mission. These
strict procurement requirements would ultimately impact CHFAs ability to address housing
needs for people in Connecticut. Additionally, CHFA mentioned their reliance on third party
consultants to help expand housing options. The competitive bidding requirement in the bill
would hinder CHFAs efficiency, by delaying and complicating the financing and production of
housing. Denying CFHA their own autonomy and subjecting them to oversight of the State
Contracting Standards Board would diminish CHFAs flexibility and efficiency as a quasi-
public agency.
Connecticut Health & Educational Facilities Authority (CHEFA): CHEFA was supportive
of efforts to increase transparency and openness of government, but maintained opposition
to the bill. Particularly, CHEFA expressed concern over the requirement for competitive
bidding with contracts exceeding $10,000. CHEFA believes that each quasi-public agency
should be able to set their own thresholds based on their mission and their needs. For
example, CHEFA cited their own threshold, which is currently set at $25,000.
Connecticut Lottery Corporation (CLC): The Connecticut Lottery Corporation expressed
opposition to HB 6194. While CLC was receptive to the intention of the bill to enhance
transparency and oversight, CLC believes that there will be unintended consequences as a
result of the one-size-fits-all approach taken by this bill. Citing Section 1(f) of the bill, CLC
expressed concern over the removal of current provisions that give CLC the power to reject
bids if they believe that they are not in the best interest of the state. As a result of this
change, the new provisions might force the Connecticut Lottery to accept a bid that is higher
than necessary. Additionally, CLC believes that the State Contracting Review board lacks the
expertise to vet industry-specific vendors related to lottery services, therefore creating delays
in the CLCs ability to generate revenue.
Reported by: Trevor Hoffman Date: 3-31-21
Page 3 of 3 HB-6194


Statutes affected:
Committee Bill: 12-815
GAE Joint Favorable: 12-815
File No. 498: 12-815
APP Joint Favorable: 12-815