Connecticut House Bill HB06627

Connecticut 2013 Regular Session

• Introduced: 3/8/13
• Refer: 3/8/13

Caption

An Act Concerning Review Of Any Proposed State Project Costing In Excess Of Fifty Million Dollars.

Impact

The legislation is designed to increase transparency and accountability in the financing of substantial state projects. By requiring an independent review and confirmation that the project is beneficial to the state's interests, the bill seeks to prevent potential misallocations of funds and ensure that impactful state projects do not become financial burdens. This could fundamentally alter how state projects are approached and financed, particularly those considered high risk due to their size and complexity.

Summary

House Bill 06627 introduces measures aimed at ensuring greater oversight of state-sponsored projects that exceed fifty million dollars in costs. The bill mandates that any proposed capital projects of this magnitude undergo extensive analysis before placement on the State Bond Commission's agenda. This analysis must include a detailed capital development impact statement, estimated completion costs, operating costs, and anticipated revenue, thus providing a comprehensive assessment of the project's financial implications on the state budget.

Contention

Debate surrounding HB 06627 primarily hinges on concerns regarding the implications for timely project approval and the administrative burden added by the new requirements. Proponents of the bill argue that the detailed scrutiny would protect public funds and provide legislators with the necessary data to make informed decisions. Conversely, critics argue that this could lead to delays in necessary infrastructure projects and may hinder the ability of state agencies to act swiftly, potentially turning beneficial projects into contentious issues in the legislative process.