As most of you know by now, the Appropriations Committee did not pass a budget before their April 27^th deadline last week. Right now, it is not clear when legislators will come to an agreement on a budget as talks between party leaders and Governor Malloy continue.  We continue to lobby members of the House and Senate to support an increase in the operating budgets of the Regional Fire Schools as part of the state budget they ultimately hand up to the governor we hope before the end of the session. We are all aware that decreased state income tax revenue this year and next will make will make a balanced budget more of a challenge for legislators to achieve.

Several bills we are following have successfully JFed out of various committees. The latest language, bill summaries and OFA Fiscal Notes can be found in the LCO File Copies listed and linked below:

• HB 5176 (AN ACT INCREASING THE PROPERTY TAX EXEMPTION FOR LOCAL VOLUNTEER EMERGENCY SERVICE PERSONNEL) See File Copy No. 167 https://www.cga.ct.gov/2017/FC/pdf/2017HB-05176-R000167-FC.pdf
• HB 5278 (AN ACT CONCERNING PAID SICK LEAVE FOR EMERGENCY MEDICAL DISPATCHERS AND CALL RECEIVING OPERATORS) See File Copy No. 65 https://www.cga.ct.gov/2017/FC/pdf/2017HB-05278-R000065-FC.pdf
• HB 5298 (AN ACT CONCERNING THE SAFETY OF EMERGENCY MEDICAL SERVICE ORGANIZATIONS AND PATIENTS DURING EMERGENCIES) See File Copy No. 278 https://www.cga.ct.gov/2017/FC/pdf/2017HB-05298-R000278-FC.pdf
• HB 5755 (AN ACT CONCERNING MUNICIPALITIES’ LOCAL EMERGENCY MEDICAL SERVICES PLAN) See File Copy No. 115 https://www.cga.ct.gov/2017/FC/pdf/2017HB-05755-R000115-FC.pdf
• HB 6038 (AN ACT CONCERNING GOOD SAMARITAN PROTECTIONS FOR FIRST RESPONDERS WHO RENDER EMERGENCY MEDICAL ASSISTANCE TO ANIMALS) See File Copy No. 169 https://www.cga.ct.gov/2017/FC/pdf/2017HB-06038-R000169-FC.pdf
• HB 6258 (AN ACT CONCERNING GOOD SAMARITAN PROTECTIONS FOR FIRST RESPONDERS WHO RENDER EMERGENCY MEDICAL ASSISTANCE TO ANIMALS) See File Copy no. 170 https://www.cga.ct.gov/2017/FC/pdf/2017HB-06258-R000170-FC.pdf
• HB 6329 (AN ACT CONCERNING HYDRAULIC FRACTURING WASTE IN CONNECTICUT) See File Copy No. 388 https://www.cga.ct.gov/2017/FC/pdf/2017HB-06329-R000388-FC.pdf
• HB 6954 (AN ACT ESTABLISHING A TASK FORCE TO STUDY INSPECTIONS OF RESIDENTIAL BUILDINGS BY LOCAL FIRE MARSHALS) See File Copy No.285 https://www.cga.ct.gov/2017/FC/pdf/2017HB-06954-R000285-FC.pdf
• HB 7047 (AN ACT CONCERNING MUNICIPAL FIRE APPARATUS SAFETY AND TESTING) See File Copy No. 90 https://www.cga.ct.gov/2017/FC/2017HB-07047-R000090-FC.htm
• SB 27 (AN ACT INCLUDING CERTAIN MENTAL OR EMOTIONAL IMPAIRMENTS WITHIN THE DEFINITION OF “PERSONAL INJURY” UNDER THE WORKERS’ COMPENSATION STATUTES) See File Copy No. 60 https://www.cga.ct.gov/2017/FC/pdf/2017SB-00027-R000060-FC.pdf
• SB 649 (AN ACT CONCERNING THE ASSESSMENT OF CERTAIN FEES BY BUILDING OFFICIALS) See File Copy No. 562 https://www.cga.ct.gov/2017/FC/pdf/2017SB-00649-R000562-FC.pdf
• SB 889 (AN ACT CONCERNING THE APPOINTMENT OF A FIRE MARSHAL AND POLICE OFFICERS AT THE CONNECTICUT AIRPORT AUTHORITY) See File No. 303 https://www.cga.ct.gov/2017/FC/pdf/2017SB-00889-R000303-FC.pdf
• SB 890 (AN ACT CONCERNING RECOMMENDATIONS BY THE OFFICE OF THE STATE FIRE MARSHAL REGARDING THE STATE FIRE PREVENTION CODE AND LICENSES FOR DEMOLITION) See File Copy No. 304 https://www.cga.ct.gov/2017/FC/pdf/2017SB-00890-R000304-FC.pdf

Additionally, the last report we received from the UPFFA regarding the issue of alternative funding for the Cancer Bill (Public Act 16-10) is that the success and direction of the search by the Governor’s Office for funding is contingent on the budget that has yet to be submitted by legislators this session.

House Bill Status Report

To see the full list of proposed bills that we are tracking, see our CSFA House Bill Status Report. This week, I have reduced the number of bills on the status report because several did not pass out of various committees before their JF deadlines.

Please contact me if you have any questions or requests related to legislative issues.

Sincerely,

Leon Collins

Legislative Representative
The Connecticut State Firefighters Association
49 Midwood Road
Branford, CT 06405

CSFA Online 2017