All,

There is starting to have a little more activity.  New bills published this week include H.B. #6544, S.B. #926, #937, #962, #965 & #969.  Also, S.B. #102 will be published on Monday 3/1.  

During the week the following bills were voted to draft as regular bills vs proposed bills:  H.B. #5722, #6050, #6302, #6316, S.B. #141, #660 & #926

The following bills are scheduled for public hearings this upcoming week:  

Tuesday 3/2  H.B. #6367 & S.B. #192

Thursday 3/4  H.B. #6477 & S.B. #937

Friday  3/5  H.B. #6544, S.B. #962, #965 & #969

As an F. Y. I. both H.B. #6477 & S.B. #962 have to do with Fire Districts.

H.B. #6477 is sometimes referred to as the Goshen vs OSHA bill.

S.B. #937 is sometimes referred to as the Make Safe bill, involving storm damage and utilities companies.

S.B. #102 is the bill that will expand the organizations that may certify mental health first aid programs.

S.B. #969 mentions assessments and approvals for installation of water lines and hydrants.  There is a mention of Municipal Fire Marshals in the text of the bill.  Also, H.B. #6367 mentions fire marshals and fire inspectors  

S.B. #965 mentions eligibility for certain disability benefits for retired permanently disabled public safety employees

Do not hesitate to email if there are any questions or if you hear of any issues that I have not mentioned.

Ted Schroll Jr., Legislative Representative
Connecticut State Firefighters Association
Email  thschroll@snet.net

***CGA Raised Bill 937***

The Energy and Technology Committee of the State Legislature is holding a public hearing tomorrow at 10:00.  We are looking to pass legislation, requiring Eversource to establish “make safe crews” and well as a liaison as a direct point of contact, so that during these major storms we don’t have fire personnel watching downed wires for hours and that roadways can be cleared for emergency traffic.  This is obviously not a very effective use of personnel during these emergencies. 

We are asking for fire organizations to submit testimony in support of SB 937.  Testimony can be submitted attached via email to ettestimony@cga.ct.gov.

Attached find a copy of proposed Raised Bill 937 currently before the General Assembly regarding how electric utility companies respond.  This proposed Bill would make important technical changes to create standardized utility response to local emergencies and planned storms. Also included are copies of Testimony presented by both the CFMA and CFCA. 

Activity is starting to ramp up and the weeks are shorter.  Last Friday was Lincoln’s birthday, a state holiday, and Monday was President’s Day, also a state holiday.  Two 4 day weeks in a row.

The Governor’s budget proposal was published this past Wednesday.  That has everyone buzzing.  Not much money.  I have not had a chance to look through it, but I have been told that the items I normally look for (Reg Fire Schools, CSFA disability fund, State & County radio maintenance accounts) are flat funded from last year.  I will follow up for next week.

As I mentioned last week, Public Safety had a public hearing this past Thursday.  I submitted testimony supporting S.B. #123, H.B. #5412, #5722 and #6034 (Just Cause)  We opposed H.B. #6046 (Fireworks)  Again, Just Cause for Fire Chiefs was on the public hearing.  We supported the issue and a few Fire Chiefs also supported it with written testimony.  We have been assured that many more will be supporting this initiative.  To give you an idea of what we are up against, there were only two groups that opposed this bill.  They are CCM and COST.  Together they represent 158 of 159 towns in CT.  

I will be sending a separate email with all the members of the Public Safety committee.  It is hoped that many of you will note who your local Representative or Senator is and make contact with them asking for their support.

Activity this next week is:

PUBLIC HEARINGS

2/18  Higher Education #5666

2/18  Labor #141, #665 & 666

2/19  P & D #6420 & #6422

2/19  Transportation #409

If anyone has heard of anything that I may have missed please contact me at the email.  Also, if there are any questions, do not hesitate to email.

Ted Schroll Jr., Legislative Representative
Connecticut State Firefighters Association
Email  thschroll@snet.net

Friday’s CGA Bulletin was published with many public hearings next week.  Primary attention should be Environment & Public Safety.  Two bills in Environment may be of interest to some.  They are HB 6386 & SB 837.

Public Safety is the big one so I thought I would give anyone a head start.  The hearing has 27 bills on the agenda;, 13 of which are on my bill listing.  I am going to try to cut & paste the whole listing from the Bulletin, but just in case, the bills are 

H.B. #’s 5078, 5412, 5722, 6046, 6047, 6050, 6302, 6304 (Just Cause), 6395, S. B. #’s 121, 123, 845, 846

I guess it worked.  Please note that I have highlighted three different ways to submit testimony. I have watched facetime ZOOM testimony, but do not know exactly how it works.  It seems to work well, in that the testifier is able to interface directly with the committee members and answer questions that they might have.  What I do not know is how it is determined when you will speak.  The first hour is always reserved for elected officials, legislators and Admin officials like Commissioners.  I don’t know if you have to just watch the hearing until you are called.  From watching, I know they do work off a list, and the clerk calls each person by name.  But I don’t know if you have to just sit in front of your device and wait.  I have seen persons testifying in their vehicles, so I assume it can be done by phone or portable device.

I wish to again bring to your attention that H.B. #6304, the “Just Cause for Fire Chief Dismissal” is on this agenda.  Most organizations that attended the CSFA Legislative meeting mentioned this issue as one of interest.  Since we were able to get this issue to a public hearing, I would ask that at least both Chiefs organizations submit testimony on their letterhead, and that they source their members to, if they are in favor of the proposal, submit testimony on their own municipal or personal letterhead testifying for the proposal, assuming you are submitting by written testimony.  If written, it does not have to be long and involved, if you don’t want.  If you have a personal encounter that pertains, include that.  That is best, but if not, a simple letter to the committee saying that you support the issue will suffice.  If you read the lead to the hearing, it mentions that written “should clearly state testifiers name and related topics from the agenda”.  In other words, be sure to mention the bill number and title.  It would be appreciated if we could “flood” the committee with positive testimony.  This cannot be done by only a few.  There will most likely be opposition.  The last time CCM fought against us.  They probably will again.  The last time we got the issue through the House with some help from friendly legislators.  Some are not there anymore, but there are new ones that will support us.  But they need to know from you.  Note the email address to submit testimony is identified in the heading of the meeting notice.

F. Y. I.  You can submit testimony for more than one bill all in the same letter/email.  If you do, I would suggest that you note the most important positive issues at the beginning of your letter/email.  Leave the least important or negative issue for last.

COMMITTEE MEETINGS

2/9    Energy (11 A.M.) Agenda Item ‘AN ACT CONCERNING STORM RESPONSE SAFETY OF EMERGENCY PERSONNEL’ is on the agenda as a concept to be raised.

2/10  Transportation & Environment  No agenda info available.

2/11   Appropriations  OPM Secy-Briefing on Governor’s Proposed Budget

PUBLIC HEARINGS

2/9    Labor & Insurance  No F.D. issues

2/10  Public Health  No F.D. issues

          Environment  S.B. #837 & H.B. #6386 are on the agenda

2/11   Veterans   No F.D. issues

           Insurance  H.B. #6391 is on the agenda

           Public Safety – See agenda below

*PUBLIC SAFETY COMMITTEE

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 11, 2021

The Public Safety and Security Committee will hold a public hearing on Thursday, February 11, 2021 at 1:00 P.M. via Zoom.  The public hearing can be viewed via YouTube Live.  In addition, the public hearing may be recorded and broadcast live on CT-N.com.  Individuals who wish to testify via Zoom must register using the On-line Testimony Registration Form.  Registration will close on February 10, 2021 at 3:00P.M.  Speaker order of approved registrants will be listed in a randomized order and posted on the Public Safety and Security Committee website on February 11, 2021 at 9:00 A.M. under Public Hearing Testimony.  If you do not have internet access, you may provide testimony via telephone.  To register to testify by phone, call the Phone Registrant Line at (860) 240-0570 to leave your contact information.  Please email written testimony in Word or PDF format to PSTestimony@cga.ct.gov.  Testimony should clearly state testifier name and related topics from the agenda.  The Committee requests that testimony be limited to matters related to the items on the Agenda.  The first hour of the hearing is reserved for legislators and administrative officials Speakers will be limited to three minutes of testimony.  The Committee encourages witnesses to submit a written statement and to condense oral testimony to a summary of that statement.  All public hearing testimony, written and spoken, is public information.  As such, it will be made available on the CGA website and indexed by internet search engines.

SUBJECT MATTER:  Public Safety Bills

*S.B. No. 121 (COMM) AN ACT CONCERNING ACCESS TO DIAPER CHANGING STATIONS IN PUBLIC BUILDINGS. 

*S.B. No. 123 (COMM) AN ACT INCREASING THE PENALTY FOR THE INTENTIONAL INJURY OF A POLICE ANIMAL OR DOG IN A VOLUNTEER CANINE SEARCH AND RESCUE TEAM. 

*Proposed S.B. No. 572 AN ACT CONCERNING COMMUNITY CRISIS RESPONSE TEAMS AND REENTRY CENTERS. 

*Proposed S.B. No. 575 AN ACT CONCERNING ACCESSIBILITY OF INFORMATION ON PROFESSIONAL BONDSMEN, BAIL ENFORCEMENT AGENTS AND SURETY BAIL BOND AGENTS. 

*Proposed S.B. No. 781 AN ACT REQUIRING A STUDY OF THE CRISIS INTERVENTION TRAINING REQUIRED BY THE STATE POLICE ACADEMY AND POLICE OFFICER STANDARDS AND TRAINING COUNCIL. 

*Proposed S.B. No. 783 AN ACT CONCERNING ELECTED AND APPOINTED CONSTABLES AS LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICIALS DURING A STATE OR NATIONAL EMERGENCY. 

*S.B. No. 845 (RAISED) AN ACT CONCERNING THE STATE FIRE PREVENTION AND FIRE SAFETY CODES, MEMBERSHIP OF THE CODE TRAINING AND EDUCATION BOARD OF CONTROL, APPOINTMENT OF A TEMPORARY FIRE MARSHAL AND REPORTS FILED AFTER A FIRE, EXPLOSION OR OTHER FIRE EMERGENCY. 

*S.B. No. 846 (RAISED) AN ACT CONCERNING THE CERTIFICATION OF INDEPENDENT INSPECTORS AND INSPECTION FIRMS TO PERFORM STATE BUILDING CODE INSPECTIONS. 

*Proposed H.B. No. 5078 AN ACT CONCERNING A STUDY OF TECHNOLOGY THAT POLICE OFFICERS, FIREFIGHTERS AND EMERGENCY MEDICAL SERVICES PERSONNEL MAY USE WHEN RESPONDING TO OPIOID OVERDOSES. 

*Proposed H.B. No. 5145 AN ACT CONCERNING PHOTOGRAPHIC AND VIDEOGRAPHIC SPECIAL EFFECTS. 

*Proposed H.B. No. 5162 AN ACT CREATING A PARTNERSHIP BETWEEN THE DIVISION OF STATE POLICE, THE DEPARTMENT OF MENTAL HEALTH AND ADDICTION SERVICES AND MENTAL HEALTH AUTHORITIES REGARDING CARE OF PEOPLE ADDICTED TO OPIOIDS. 

*Proposed H.B. No. 5164 AN ACT CONCERNING LICENSURE OF RESIDENTIAL STAIR LIFT TECHNICIANS. 

*Proposed H.B. No. 5201 AN ACT CONCERNING MUAY THAI AS A FORM OF MIXED MARTIAL ARTS. 

*H.B. No. 5412 (COMM) AN ACT NAMING THE TROOP K STATE POLICE BARRACKS IN COLCHESTER IN HONOR OF LINDA A. ORANGE. 

*Proposed H.B. No. 5414 AN ACT CONCERNING STATE CRANE INSPECTORS. 

*Proposed H.B. No. 5585 AN ACT CONCERNING AGRICULTURAL FAIRS AND STATE POLICE OFFICERS. 

*Proposed H.B. No. 5586 AN ACT REQUIRING EXPANSION OF THE CRISIS INITIATIVE PILOT PROGRAM THROUGHOUT THE STATE. 

*Proposed H.B. No. 5722 AN ACT EXEMPTING FROM THE PERSONAL INCOME TAX STIPENDS PAID TO VOLUNTEER FIREFIGHTERS AND VOLUNTEER AMBULANCE MEMBERS. 

*Proposed H.B. No. 5723 AN ACT CONCERNING POLICE DEPARTMENT ACCESS TO OPIOID ANTAGONISTS SUCH AS NARCAN. 

*Proposed H.B. No. 6046 AN ACT CONCERNING THE SALE AND USE OF CONSUMER GRADE FIREWORKS. 

*Proposed H.B. No. 6047 AN ACT CONCERNING NOTICE TO PROPERTY OWNERS AND TENANTS OF BLASTING ACTIVITY. 

*Proposed H.B. No. 6049 AN ACT CONCERNING POLICE PROTECTION AT CARNIVALS AND FAIRS THAT DO NOT SERVE ALCOHOL. 

*Proposed H.B. No. 6302 AN ACT CONCERNING THE REGIONALIZATION OF CERTAIN PUBLIC SAFETY EMERGENCY TELECOMMUNICATIONS CENTERS AND A STUDY OF CONSOLIDATION. 

*Proposed H.B. No. 6303 AN ACT REQUIRING CERTAIN STATE BUILDINGS TO BE ACCESSIBLE TO PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES. 

*Proposed H.B. No. 6304 AN ACT CONCERNING JUST CAUSE DISMISSALS FOR MUNICIPAL FIRE CHIEFS. 

*H.B. No. 6395 (RAISED) AN ACT CONCERNING SMALL HOT WATER HEATERS. 

*Proposed H.B. No. 6050 AN ACT REQUIRING A STUDY OF THE EFFECTS OF INCLUDING FIRE DISTRICTS IN THE PILOT PROGRAM. 

Ted Schroll Jr., Legislative Representative
Connecticut State Firefighters Association

Email  thschroll@snet.net

All,

For many years, it seemed that working from home would be the ultimate workplace.  Talk about the grass looking greener….you know the rest.  The one good item is that there is very “relaxed” dress code.

As you all know by now, the Capitol complex is still closed to the public.  I got word during the week that some staff member caught the virus sometime during the sessions they held on Thursday and Friday of the previous week.  Couldn’t even go there if we wanted.  Contacts with legislators are by email, text, and maybe phone.  Committee meetings these days are on ZOOM at the CT General Assembly (CGA).  However the big difference is that the only 2-way conversations are between legislators.  The public (me) can only listen.  When things were normal, we wait until after a meeting and get to speak with legislators about our issues.  No such thing anymore.

Things are starting to ramp up.  This past week approximately 500-600 bills were published.  My activity this week consisted of the following.  Including the bills that were published through tomorrow (Mon 2/1), I am trackling 108 bills.  Some are directly related to F.D. issues and some are stretched to F.D. issues.  They will shake out as the session moves along.  Also, there are many duplicates (same issue, different legislator).  As an example, 4 are 1st responder related, 7 are PTSD or mental health related, 9 are PFAS related, 12 are PPE related, 6 Reg Fire School (RFS) funding related, 6 Income tax relief/tax abatement related, 10 have some language that is workers’ comp related, 2 PSAP consolidation related, 2 school safety related, 2 flashing light related.  There are also many single issue items; move over , just cause, concerns of the Gov power under an emergency declaration (couple of those), criminal history record check, etc.

The Public Health committee met on Monday and drafted S.B. #102 as a committee bill.  The bill appears to be the attempt to fix the “one vendor” issue for mental health first aid training that passed a couple years ago.  The Energy met on Tuesday without any F.D. issues on their agenda.  On Wed, the Environment committee met without any F.D. issues on their agenda.  Also on Wed, the Transportation committee had a public hearing.  One bill on their agenda was S.B. #261.  Section 33 & 34 of the bill dealt with DEEP emergency response vehicles and flashing lights.  On Thursday both General Law and Veterans committees met without F.D. issues.  The Public Safety committee also met that day and voted to draft H.B. #5412 which would name the Colchester State Police barracks building after Rep. Linda Orange, a long time Representative from Colchester and a friend of the fire & police service at the CGA.  I realize it’s not one of our issues, but some may have an interest.  I will follow it.

Bills of interest published this week are H.B. 6304 Just Cause for Fire Chiefs and H.B. #6406 fireworks bill.  Committee meetings coming up this week are a public hearing in Public Health on Monday, General Law on Tuesday, and a Labor meeting on Thursday.  Current agendas available at this time do not show any F.D. related on any of them.

I think that is all I have for now.  If anyone has any questions or have heard of any issue that is not listed, do not hesitate to email me .  If I can be of any help, also email me.  Forgot to mention, the form is 21 pages long, but the data sheets are only 19 pages.  In case you want to print it out, save 2 blank sheets.  I don’t’ remember if I ever got up to this many sheets.  At the beginning, the CGA mentioned that even though this is the long year, they did not expect to pass much legislation.  Many of these bills will probably go by the wayside as we move along.    

Ted Schroll Jr., Legislative Representative
Connecticut State Firefighters Association

Email  thschroll@snet.net