All,

The latest I can pass along.  I’m sure you all are following the news of the Int’l pandemic.  It had been decided to close the Capitol/LOB buildings on Thursday and Friday for a deep clean, to reopen on Monday.  Because of that, the CGA in session on last Wednesday changed their rules to:
1. Postpone all public hearings with the hope of re-scheduling,
2. All committee JF deadlines were to be extended by three business days,
3. Legislators were to be able to vote by phone in committees next week if they felt uncomfortable to attend the Capitol,
4. Everything else in the building to run as usual.

That’s what we knew at close on Wed.  Then later that day Gov. Lamont announced his emergency declaration.  I think that pretty much allows him to govern as he feels that is needed as emergency activity for the safety of the public.  On Thursday A.M. we received a message that the entire Capitol/LOB campus would be closed until 3/30/2020.  At this time all the activities that I mentioned last week to be held on Thursday and Friday did not occur.  I don’t know what, if any, of the above mentioned rules still apply.

Long story short.  As of this time on Sunday, I do not know when the CGA will be back in business.  As most know, this is the second year of the biennial budget cycle, so there is a budget in place if the CGA decides.  And, another factor, the CGA, by statute, must close this session on May 6th.  They could however meet in a special session during the summer.

Activity this week included:
SB #454 & SB #469 were new bills added to the list.
SB #231 was JFS’d out of committee (S means substitute language and it appears that “police officer” was added to the definition of an eligible individual)
SB #324 was JFS’d out of committee (S language appears to be some minor grammatical changes)
HB #5451, HB # 5453 and SB #427, SB #429, & SB #430 had public hearings.

There was a discussion on the floor Wednesday at end of session about pending legislation.  It was stated that if a bill has not had a public hearing, that it was probably dead.  It will remain to be seen if they hold to that.  I will try to keep you informed as I get any further information.  You can email me to the address at the bottom of the bill matrix or this message.  If anyone feels that I may have missed anything, please do not hesitate to email me.

Ted Schroll Jr., Legislative Representative
Connecticut State Firefighters Association