Connecticut Senate Bill SB00206

Connecticut 2011 Regular Session

• Introduced: 1/19/11
• Refer: 1/19/11

Caption

An Act Establishing Environmental Conservation Officer Staffing Levels.

Impact

The implementation of SB00206 is expected to have a significant impact on state laws related to environmental enforcement. By increasing the number of conservation officers, the bill aims to bolster the state's ability to monitor, investigate, and enforce compliance with environmental laws. This increase may lead to better protection of natural resources and more effective management of wildlife, addressing past inadequacies in staffing that have hindered enforcement efforts.

Summary

SB00206, also known as An Act Establishing Environmental Conservation Officer Staffing Levels, proposes to amend existing state legislation to ensure a minimum number of environmental conservation officers in Connecticut. The bill stipulates that the Commissioner of Environmental Protection must appoint at least sixty officers for the fiscal year starting July 1, 2012, increasing to seventy-five officers by the fiscal year beginning July 1, 2015. The intent of this legislation is to enhance the enforcement capacity concerning environmental protection and wildlife regulations in the state.

Contention

While the bill appears to have broad support due to its focus on enhancing environmental protection, there may be points of contention regarding the funding and resource allocation necessary to support the staffing increases. Critics might argue that legislation should also address broader issues such as the overall budget for the Department of Environmental Protection and the potential impact on local budgets. Additionally, stakeholders could debate the effectiveness of increased staffing versus other enforcement strategies as a means of achieving environmental conservation goals.