Education Committee
JOINT FAVORABLE REPORT
Bill No.: HB-6617
AN ACT CONCERNING AUTHORIZATION OF STATE GRANT COMMITMENTS
FOR SCHOOL BUILDING PROJECTS AND REVISIONS TO THE SCHOOL
Title: BUILDING PROJECTS STATUTES.
Vote Date: 3/22/2021
Vote Action: Joint Favorable Change of Reference to Finance, Revenue and Bonding
PH Date: 3/17/2021
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:
Education Committee
REASONS FOR BILL:
Section 1: Authorizes grant commitments for 16 new or reauthorized school construction
projects committing the state to approximately $425 million in grants to towns.
Section 2: Requires that all plans for school building projects submitted on and after July 1,
2022, to include the installation of water bottle filling stations.
Section 3: Requires local or regional boards of education, rather than the town or regional
school district, to establish or reestablish school building committees for school building
projects.
RESPONSE FROM ADMINISTRATION/AGENCY:
Kosta Diamantis, Deputy Secretary, OPM; Director, Office of School Construction
Grants, Review and Audit: This bill is the proposed school construction Priority List projects
for this year, reviewed by the Department of Administrative Services and approved by the
School Construction Priority List Review Committee. This proposed Priority List has
estimated total project costs of $637,710,083. If the legislature and Governor approve of
House Bill 6617, that would set the State's maximum grant amount for these projects at
$392,874,668. This is the upper limit for these projects. The Office of School Construction
Grants, Review and Audit conducts extensive review of these projects. Preliminary meetings
enable us to present the true cost of project construction work. We will continue to work with
these school districts, which may lead to costs lower than the authorized maximum amount.
NATURE AND SOURCES OF SUPPORT:
Sen. Tony Hwang, Deputy Senate Republican Leader:
I am proud as the state senator of Westport in the 28th Senate district to enthusiastically
speak about Westports Coleytown Middle School. This school serves students in grades 6
through 8 is long overdue for a total renovation and redesign caused by mold and health risk
concerns affecting students, teachers and staff.
Carl Chisem, President, Municipal Employees Union Independent, SEIU Local 506;
Pareesa Charmchi Goodwin, Executive Director, Connecticut Oral Health Initiative;
Lisa Galske, Executive Director, CTAHPERD; Sanford Pilz, Teacher;
Merrill Gay, Executive Director, Connecticut Early Childhood Alliance;
Judy Goldberg, VP Government Relations, Connecticut PTA;
Zak Leavy, Legislative and Political Coordinator, AFSCME Council 4;
Sally Mancini, Director of Advocacy Resources, UConn Rudd Center for FPO;
Scott Schoem, President, CT Chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics
Jim Williams, Government Relations Director, American Heart Association CT
The cost of a water refill station is nominal in the process of construction and can save
money over time. Water intake by children is critical to their overall well-being and helps
prevent dental decay. They all ask that additional language be included to ensure that there
are minimal standards to follow with regards to the placement of these stations. It needs to be
stated that there should be at least one water bottle filling station per 100 students; at least
one water bottle filling station on each floor or wing of the building; and at least one water
bottle filling station in all food service areas.
Keith R. Brothers, Business Manager, CT District Council of Laborers;
John Butts, Executive Director, Associated General Contractors of Connecticut
Investing in our countrys infrastructure involves funding of our public school construction.
The benefits derived from major investments in infrastructure involve of the creation of
construction jobs, as well as the economic activity the investments generate. The amended
language would provide that the authorization of a public school district to allow construction
managers to self-perform a portion of the work under several conditions.
Connecticut Education Association: Donald Williams, Executive Director;
Ray Rossomando, Director of Policy, Research, and Government Relations
Reusable water bottles make it more convenient for students and staff to drink more water
and they help reduce the spread of germs and infection from the sharing of water fountains.
We are also dealing with schools infected with mold, airborne pathogens, and infestations,
which has become even more concerning with the potential spread of infectious diseases
such as COVID-19. They suggest adding school construction bill bond funding earmarked for
HVAC inspection, maintenance, repair, and enhancements.
Michael Thompson, Executive Director, ASMRCC; Executive Director, MCAC:
Utilizing grants for public school construction creates good paying jobs for our residents and
has a trickle-down effect throughout our local economy. These projects provide our education
system with updates in the areas of sustainability, energy efficiency, and improvements to
health and safety for both students and faculty. If an amendment is attached allowing
construction managers to self-perform on school construction projects, they ask that several
requirements be added to protect subcontractors.
Page 2 of 3 HB-6617
Mary Yordon, Divisional Vice President, AFT-Connecticut:
We have been installing water bottle filling stations in many new schools, and they do reduce
single use plastic water bottles by both students and staff members. The cheaper ones, or
ones with a gooseneck-type filler spout dont work as well as the ones with interior pipes.
They also support the need for school building committees. Renovations as new can lead to
unfortunate outcomes, such as insufficient classrooms or bathrooms, which could have been
avoided with a school building committee to oversee construction. One of these committees
contributed enormously to troubleshooting some challenging situations when we renovated to
create the Norwalk Early Childhood Center.
NATURE AND SOURCES OF OPPOSITION:
There are no sources of opposition for this bill.
Reported by: Dallas Emerle Date: 3/24/2021
Page 3 of 3 HB-6617


Statutes affected:
Raised Bill: 10-292v
ED Joint Favorable Change of Reference: 10-292v
FIN Joint Favorable Substitute: 10-292v
File No. 647: 10-292v