Transportation Committee
JOINT FAVORABLE REPORT
Bill No.: HB-6426
AN ACT CONCERNING RECOMMENDATIONS BY THE CONNECTICUT
AIRPORT AUTHORITY REGARDING THE PROVISION OF SECURITY
Title: SERVICES AND METEOROLOGICAL EVALUATION TOWERS.
Vote Date: 3/3/2021
Vote Action: Joint Favorable Substitute
PH Date: 2/19/2021
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:
Transportation Committee
REASONS FOR BILL:
This legislation is the Connecticut Airport Authority's (CAA) recommended changes to the
Connecticut General Statutes. This legislation to update Connecticuts Law to be more in line
with federal guidelines, provide a clearer relationship between CAA and DESPP, and
addresses the safety of meteorological evaluation towers. CAA is recommending that statute
is changed due to incidents across the country. Since these towers are typically temporary in
nature, increasing visibility is imperative for the safety of pilots who are familiar with the
terrain and may not be aware of a temporary structure.
RESPONSE FROM ADMINISTRATION/AGENCY:
Sections 1 and 2 address law enforcement services at Bradley International Airport in
response to recent recommendations by the Auditors of Public Accounts (APA). In a recent
audit of the payments between the CAA and DESPP, the APA recommended revisions to PA
09-7 to direct the CAA and DESPP to enter into an agreement outlining the contractual
relationship for the provision of law enforcement services at Bradley Airport, to emphasize the
CAAs federal requirements as they pertain to the contract and to update terminology. While
the CAA is already in the process of negotiating such a contract with DESPP, these sections
allow the CAA to resolve our audit findings and set the foundation for a better-defined
working relationship with Bradley Airports law enforcement providers.
Section 3 addresses a recent issue that has been raised by the National Transportation
Safety Board (NTSB). After several accidents across the country involving aircraft impacting
unmarked meteorological evaluation towers (METs), the NTSB issued a recommendation to
all states suggesting a requirement to mark such towers. METs are typically temporary
structures that are used to assess an areas viability as a wind farm, and they are generally
installed and removed in short periods of time. This can be problematic for pilots who feel a
familiarity with the terrain in a given area, and the towers usually stand under the 200 ft.
threshold that requires automatic Federal Aviation Administration coordination. As such, they
can become a hazard for pilots who are flying in the vicinity. The CAA has proposed the
language in Section 3 to prescribe simple paintings, markings, and safety sleeves on any
related guy-wires to enhance visibility. The proposal also establishes penalties for those who
fail to adhere to such marking requirements. These minor, but important, marking
requirements will help improve the safety of aviation across the state.
NATURE AND SOURCES OF SUPPORT:
Wyatt Bosworth, Assistant Counsel, CBIA: "CBIA requests that this committee pass JFS
language that allows for current, unclassified employees to opt-out of the state retirement
system, and all future, unclassified CAA employees be automatically enrolled into a separate,
CAA-established, 401(a)-type plan. While this modest proposal only affects 30 non-union
employees, it could generate millions of dollars worth of savings for the CAA and lower costs
for the airlines operating at BDL.
CBIA respectfully urges the passage of H.B. 6426 with JFS language that addresses the
above concerns."
Betsy Gara, Executive Director, CT Council of Small Towns: "Minor adjustments to non-
union retirement plan benefits, which CAA has recommended, will result in significant savings
for Bradley, which will position it to attract and retain airlines, ensuring its long-term viability.
COST urges lawmakers to amend HB-6426 to incorporate CAAs recommendations to make
these adjustments. COST urges support for HB-6426"
Hayden James, First Selectman, East Granby: "East Granby is one of four towns
surrounding Bradley International Airport. As East Granby's First Selectman, I am requesting
that HB-6426 be amended to include relief for the airport of legacy pension costs that make
them uncompetitive in their marketplace. In my view, this amendment will better position the
airport for robust post COVID economic recovery."
Jeff Hugabonne, Chair, Connecticut State Emergency Communications Committee,
and Michael Ryan, President, CT Broadcasters Association: "Since H.B. 6426 specifically
targets towers that are not broadcast antenna, Im asking on behalf of the Connecticut
Broadcasters Association that all television and radio station antenna that are regulated by
the FCC in Connecticut be explicitly excluded from this bill, as well as towers operated by
stations in the immediate vicinity of their antenna, such as Doppler radar towers."
George Novac, President and CEO, National Air Carrier Association: " Frontier and Spirit
have long-standing concerns about the excessive fringe benefit rates that are assessed on
CAA staff at BDL, which are much higher than those at other regional airports. We
respectfully request that you include JFS language in HB-6426 in recognition of these issues.
This important modification would give non-union employees the ability to opt out of the state
Page 2 of 3 HB-6426
retirement system and ensure that all future non-union employees are automatically placed in
a CAA-established 401(a)-type plan. This JFS language would greatly reduce the fringe rates
of non-union staff, saving the CAA and, by extension, NACA member carriers, approximately
$3 million once it is fully implemented."
Sean Williams, Vice-President of State and Local Affairs, Airlines for America: "I write
today to urge your support for the CAAs proposal to address the CAAs retirement plan
proposal through JFS language. As you know, the CAAs proposal would provide current,
unclassified CAA employees with the ability to voluntarily opt out of the state retirement
system. The proposal also ensures that future, unclassified CAA employees hired after the
proposal becomes law will be automatically enrolled into a separate CAA-established 401(a)-
type plan."
NATURE AND SOURCES OF OPPOSITION:
None submitted.
Reported by: Justin Kaiser Date: 3/19/2021
Page 3 of 3 HB-6426


Statutes affected:
Raised Bill: 2-90b
TRA Joint Favorable Substitute: 2-90b
File No. 87: 2-90b
JUD Joint Favorable: 2-90b