Connecticut House Bill HB05528

Connecticut 2013 Regular Session

• Introduced: 1/22/13
• Refer: 1/22/13

Caption

An Act Requiring A Two-thirds Vote To Enact Municipal Mandates.

Impact

The introduction of HB 5528 could significantly affect how municipal mandates are enacted in Connecticut. If passed, the requirement for a two-thirds vote would mean that not only would legislators have to agree on the necessity of a mandate, but they would also need a considerable level of agreement across party lines. This could potentially reduce the number of new mandates that municipalities face, allowing local governments greater freedom and authority to operate without additional constraints imposed by the state legislature.

Summary

House Bill 5528 aims to amend the general statutes to mandate that any legislation imposing requirements on municipalities must be approved by a two-thirds vote from both chambers of the General Assembly. This bill seeks to ensure that new mandates placed on municipalities gain significant bipartisan support before enactment, reflecting a shift toward increasing the legislative threshold for local requirements. This proposal is largely viewed as an effort to empower municipalities by preventing unilateral imposition of additional regulations without substantial legislative consensus.

Contention

Supporters of the bill argue that increasing the legislative requirement for new mandates is a necessary step toward protecting local governments from unnecessary regulations that could hinder their ability to govern effectively. They believe this fosters greater respect for local autonomy. However, opponents may view this as an excessive barrier that could prevent legitimate state-level initiatives aimed at addressing urgent municipal issues. The debate surrounding this bill will likely pivot on the balance between state authority and local governance, weighing the benefits of accountability against the risks of bureaucratic stasis.