Connecticut House Bill HB06379

Connecticut 2017 Regular Session

• Introduced: 1/23/17
• Refer: 1/23/17

Caption

An Act Requiring Fiscal Notes For Proposed Bond Authorizations.

Impact

The introduction of fiscal notes for bond authorizations is expected to enhance transparency in the state's fiscal policy by enabling members of the General Assembly to make more informed decisions when considering proposals that could increase the state's indebtedness. This shift aligns with efforts to enforce greater oversight on financial commitments undertaken by the state and to ensure that any fiscal risks associated with new bond authorizations are fully evaluated prior to legislative consent. As a result, it could lead to more cautious approaches to state borrowing and expenditure.

Summary

House Bill 06379 aims to amend the general statutes to require that every proposed bond authorization must include a fiscal note before receiving approval from the relevant joint standing committee of the General Assembly. The requirement for a fiscal note is intended to provide a clear understanding of the financial implications associated with bond authorizations and is part of a broader strategy to promote fiscal responsibility within the state's financial management framework. This change seeks to assure that legislators have adequate information regarding the impact of additional debt on the aggregate amount of indebtedness.

Contention

While the intent behind HB 06379 is to encourage fiscal scrutiny, some stakeholders may express concerns about the potential delays in the bond authorization process that could result from necessitating a fiscal note. Critics may argue that such requirements could hinder urgent funding needs for public projects, especially in cases where timely decisions are crucial for infrastructure or emergency initiatives. Opponents could assert that the bureaucratic steps imposed by the fiscal note requirement may complicate and slow down the process, ultimately impacting public service delivery.