Planning and Development Committee
JOINT FAVORABLE REPORT
Bill No.: HB-6448
AN ACT EXPANDING ACCESS TO LOCAL GOVERNMENT AND
Title: MODERNIZING LOCAL GOVERNMENT OPERATIONS.
Vote Date: 3/31/2021
Vote Action: Joint Favorable Substitute
PH Date: 3/22/2021
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:
N/A
REASONS FOR BILL:
The reliance of online meetings during the Covid-19 pandemic has shown some increases in
accessibility to public meetings. The bill aims to expand access to public meetings by
mandating that municipalities continue offering virtual meetings in certain capacities.
RESPONSE FROM ADMINISTRATION/AGENCY:
Martin Heft, Acting Undersecretary, Office of Policy and Management: In support: Has
worked with COST, CCM, and COGS to formulate this legislation. Remote meetings will
expand citizen access, and there is talk to help municipalities cover up-front costs of
technology in Sections 1-8. Sections 15 and 16 allow streamlining for municipalities
interested in permanent outdoor dining.
Advisory Commission on Intergovernmental Relations: In support: Explains all
proposals that meet the statutory criteria outlined in Section 9 of the bill would be funded for
three years, with the COG or RESC contributing a 25% match of the total cost. Further
Governor Lamont has endorsed the concept.
NATURE AND SOURCES OF SUPPORT:
Jim Peras, CEO of Home Builders & Remodelers Association of Connecticut, Inc:
Supports with amendments. Testimony is concerned with technical capabilities and believes
meetings should be held virtually only when there is no opposition.
Ray Rossomando, Director of Policy, Research & Government Relations, Connectictu
Education Association: Supports with clarifications. Asks that following points be
considered:
1) Including provisions to ensure that hearing impaired citizens can participate,
2) Ensuring that information about who on the elected body is present is available to the
audience at all
times during the meeting, and
3) Requiring that links be available for citizens to watch the proceedings without having to
register or
otherwise disclose their names or contact information (e.g. The General Assembly
broadcasts live via
YouTube without requiring registration by citizens).
NATURE AND SOURCES OF OPPOSITION:
Bryan Skowera, Director of Information Systems, City of Middletown: Highlights
unexpected ramifications related to lines 361 and 374. Testimony is concerned with logistics
of setting up microphones, cameras and speakers. Further, disparity in ability to use
technology is mentioned, and substitute language is offered to include members of the public
who lack electronic equipment.
Connecticut Association of Boards of Education, Inc: Voiced opposition that the bill
would "expand requirements for conducting virtual meetings under current executive orders
and would in fact inhibit the ability of public agencies, including boards of education, to
conduct business." Urges a local option for virtual meetings, rather than a mandate.
Connecticut Conference of Municipalities (CCM): Voiced concern but is in ongoing talks
with the Governor. The primary issue is that the bill includes mandates, not options.
Testimony cites the impracticality and expense of meeting the mandate to store meetings
virtually.
Connecticut Council of Small Towns (COST): While COST supports the intent of this bill,
they would prefer that this bill authorizes towns to continue to use remote or hybrid meetings
instead of mandating them to do so. They also believe that the provisions of the bill relating to
outdoor dining should be sunsetted to give jurisdiction over appropriate public health and
safety issues to local officials. COST is in support of the parts of the bill that promote
opportunities for shared services between municipalities.
Reported by: Colin Savino Date: 4/5/21
Page 2 of 2 HB-6448


Statutes affected:
Governor's Bill: 1-200, 1-206, 1-225, 1-226, 1-227, 1-228, 7-7, 7-8, 4-124s, 4-66k, 4-66r, 4-66l
PD Joint Favorable Substitute: 1-200, 1-206, 1-225, 1-227, 1-228, 7-7, 7-8, 1-232, 4-124s, 4-66k, 4-66r, 4-66l
File No. 542: 1-200, 1-206, 1-225, 1-227, 1-228, 7-7, 7-8, 1-232, 4-124s, 4-66k, 4-66r, 4-66l
APP Joint Favorable: 1-200, 1-206, 1-225, 1-227, 1-228, 7-7, 7-8, 1-232, 4-124s, 4-66k, 4-66r, 4-66l