Government Administration and Elections Committee
JOINT FAVORABLE REPORT
Bill No.: HB-6444
Title: AN ACT CONCERNING THE MODERNIZATION OF STATE SERVICES.
Vote Date: 3/31/2021
Vote Action: Joint Favorable Substitute
PH Date: 3/19/2021
File No.: 501
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 was requested by the Governor, pursuant to Joint Rule 9. The bill seeks to
implement various budgetary recommendations made by the Governor, and it consists of 25
sections. Generally speaking, this bill is geared towards improving efficiency and efficacy of
government by incorporating modern technologies and better business practices.
RESPONSE FROM ADMINISTRATION/AGENCY:
Josh Geballe, Commissioner, Department of Administrative Services: Commissioner
Geballe thanked the Government Administration and Elections Committee for raising the
Governors bill. Commissioner Geballe described this bill as another mechanism to increase
the efficiency and effectiveness of state government, as well as a means to help support
Connecticut businesses. This bill seeks to implement modern technology and business
practices that will help to eliminate unnecessary bureaucracy and improve the operations of
government. Several of the changes that the bill proposes are based on lessons learned from
the pandemic experience, particularly allowing for less paperwork in the contracting and
procurement process, enhancing electronic communication and payments, as well as
authorizing digital identity proofing for notarization and affidavits. Commissioner Geballes
testimony went on further to cover specific sections of this bill that would take steps to
improve the overall efficiency of Connecticut state government.
Jeffrey Berger, Member, State Properties Review Board (SPRB): The State Properties
Review Board testified in opposition to Section 22 of the bill. The language in Section 22
would eliminate the requirement for the Commissioner of Administrative Services to submit
an annual report to the SPRB. Upon review, SPRB would forward the Administrative Services
report to the Governor and the General Assembly. Citing lines 929 to 937, which detail the
removal of the annual report requirement, SPRB believes that this action goes against the
intent of the legislature when they established the SPRB in 1975. SPRB identified this report
as critical in terms of obtaining information relating to real estate acquisitions and the
projected needs of the state. This information helps the SPRB to ensure that real estate
acquisitions are made in good faith and at fair market value.
NATURE AND SOURCES OF SUPPORT:
Matt McCooe, Chief Executive Officer, Connecticut Innovations (CI): Mr. McCooe
described Connecticut Innovations as the leading provider of flexible financing for
Connecticuts growing companies. CIs testimony references provisions in the bill that would
facilitate increased cooperation between Connecticut technology companies and the various
agencies in Connecticuts state government. CI believes that this bill will provide an
opportunity for collaboration between agencies like the Department of Administrative
Services and Connecticut Innovations. CI contends that increased collaboration would allow
for technology to be showcased as a mechanism to help solve healthcare, insurance,
payments and information technology problems in Connecticuts state government. CI
expressed their willingness to work with DAS and the Office of Policy & Management on
establishing an Innovation Lab for Connecticut technology companies to display their
products and expertise. The Innovation Lab would result in the growth of partnerships
between government and technology companies, more efficient government, a growing
technology industry in the state, as well as more jobs.
NATURE AND SOURCES OF OPPOSITION:
Michael Bloom, Executive Director, Jewish Federation Association of Connecticut
(JFACT): The Jewish Federation Association of Connecticut opposes Section 3 of the bill.
JFACT describes Section 3 as amending the Iran Divestment law by changing the word
certification to representation. Since Section 3 fails to provide a definition for the word
representation, JFACT expressed concern and believes that the lack of a definition serves
to weaken the legislation. Ultimately, JFACT opposes any changes that would weaken the
Iran Divestment law.
Reported by: Trevor Hoffman Date: 3-31-21
Page 2 of 2 HB-6444


Statutes affected:
Governor's Bill: 1-101qq, 4-252, 4-252a, 32-39e, 29-251a, 29-418
GAE Joint Favorable Substitute: 1-101qq, 4-252, 4-252a, 32-39e, 29-251a, 29-418
File No. 501: 1-101qq, 4-252, 4-252a, 32-39e, 29-251a, 29-418
File No. 770: 1-101qq, 4-252, 4-252a, 32-39e, 29-251a, 29-418
Public Act No. 21-76: 1-101qq, 4-252, 4-252a, 32-39e, 29-251a, 29-418