Veterans' Affairs Committee
JOINT FAVORABLE REPORT
Bill No.: HB-6427
AN ACT CONCERNING THE ORGANIZATIONAL STRUCTURE AND BYLAWS
Title: OF THE MILITIA UNITS.
Vote Date: 3/18/2021
Vote Action: Joint Favorable
PH Date: 2/18/2021
File No.: 226
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:
Veterans' Affairs Committee
Sen. Catherine A. Osten, 19th Dist
REASONS FOR BILL:
This legislation is meant to reconfigure the administration of four military units in the state
(First Company Governor's Foot Guard, Second Company Governor's Foot Guard, First
Company Governor's Horse Guard, Second Company Governor's Horse Guard), under the
governor, who serves as commander in chief of Connecticut. It would also change language
that currently requires military units to adopt their own bylaws. This legislation codifies military
control over the militia units; it does not have an impact on governance of the nonprofit
corporate entities that are set up to support the militia units.
RESPONSE FROM ADMINISTRATION/AGENCY:
Major General Francis J. Evon, the Adjutant General, Military Department: This bill was
introduced at the request of Major General Evon and the Military Department. The Adjutant
General provided both written and spoken testimony in support of this bill. He referred to the
current statutory requirement as a "relic of the 19th century when local militia units formed the
basis of the armed forces of the state." He further spoke of this bill allowing for the Military
Department to codify existing practices, address potential liability issues, and promote further
effectiveness of state military units. In his spoken testimony, he recognized that there is
opposition from the Board of Trustees of one of the four military units (First Company
Governor's Foot Guard), but that this bill has no impact on their operations as a private,
nonprofit corporation.
NATURE AND SOURCES OF SUPPORT:
Joseph Balesano, Major, Connecticut State Guard: Major Balesano submitted written
testimony in support of the bill; he noted that while historically, "bylaws" had relevance to the
militia units, once the militia units became units of the armed forces of the state, the units
became governed by the chain of command and service regulations. The bylaws that are
referenced in this bill do not govern the closely associated nonprofit corporations (e.g. the
Board of Trustees of the First Company Governor's Foot Guard), which are governed by IRS
Code and state and federal statutes. Balesano further notes that "these are two separate and
distinct entities. The military unit is part of the State Government and is administered by the
Adjutant General and the Military Department. The corporation is not a part of the military unit
and is not part of the State government."
Russell J Bonaccorso Jr, Military Administrative Officer, Military Department: Mr. Bonaccorso
submitted written testimony in support of the bill from his perspective as the state's
administrative support to all four militia units. He noted that those testifying against this bill
are not members of the military unit authorized under CGS 27-2 and that this bill therefore
has no impact on them. He further noted that the reinvigoration of the military units as
operational units has led to an increase in recruitment and that they played a key role in the
deployment and execution of DPH's Mobile Field Hospital used in support of the state's
COVID-19 pandemic response.
Additional support
Current and past commanding officers of the four military units (First Company Governor's
Foot Guard, Second Company Governor's Foot Guard, First Company Governor's Horse
Guard, Second Company Governor's Horse Guard) all submitted written testimony in support
of this bill. They each noted how this bill represents an evolution of purpose for the militia
units, allowing them to maintain tradition while acknowledging that their mission has grown
beyond just being a ceremonial unit. They noted that recruitment has increased since
emphasizing the "non-traditional" roles, as new members are looking for opportunities to
serve in meaningful ways.
Jeffrey P. Clark, First Lieutenant, Second Company Governor's Foot Guard
David T. Dwelley, Major, Commandant First Company Governor's Foot Guard
James R. Marrinan, Major, Commandant Second Company Governor's Horse Guard
Chris Miller, retired Commandant First Company Governor's Horse Guard
NATURE AND SOURCES OF OPPOSITION:
Multiple members of the Board of Trustees of the First Company Governor's Foot Guard
submitted both written and spoken testimony in opposition to the bill, referring to the First
Company Governor's Foot Guard as a self-governing unit that has existed for 249 years.
Fears were expressed that this bill would remove their control over operations. Concerns
were shared over the interpretation of active members and how the Military Department is
defining them, versus how the Board of Trustees defines them, as well as the ownership of
the property on High St.
Page 2 of 3 HB-6427
Submitted testimony:
Terri Camilleri, Trustee of the First Company Governor's Foot Guard
Michael Chiaro, Sergeant 1st Class, Trustee of the First Company Governor's Foot
Guard (also provided spoken testimony)
Stanley J. Sobieski, Trustee of the First Company Governor's Foot Guard
Todd Unkefer, Trustee of the First Company Governor's Foot Guard (also provided
spoken testimony)
Spoken testimony:
Dennis Conroy, member of Board of Trustees, First Company Governor's Foot Guard
Lewis Vazquez, President of Board of Trustees, First Company Governor's Foot Guard
Max Covell, First Company Governor's Foot Guard
Chuck Lignelli, Concert Band Director, First Company Governor's Foot Guard
Reported by: Erica Byrne, Clerk Date: March 24, 2021
Page 3 of 3 HB-6427


Statutes affected:
Raised Bill: 27-79
VA Joint Favorable: 27-79
File No. 226: 27-79
Public Act No. 21-158: 27-79