Connecticut House Bill HB05435

Connecticut 2019 Regular Session

• Introduced: 1/16/19
• Refer: 1/16/19

Caption

An Act Requiring A Two-thirds Vote Of The General Assembly To Create Or Expand Unfunded Mandates To Municipalities And School Districts.

Impact

The legislation is expected to influence both state laws and local governance practices by limiting the ability of the General Assembly to impose additional financial burdens on municipalities and school districts without adequate funding provisions. Supporters of HB 05435 argue that it will encourage responsible budgeting and prevent the state from passing costs down to local entities without providing the necessary financial resources. This could mitigate fiscal strain on local governments and ensure that they can manage their budgets more effectively.

Summary

House Bill 05435 proposes a significant change to how unfunded mandates are handled in the state. Specifically, it requires a two-thirds majority vote in both chambers of the General Assembly to create or expand any unfunded mandate directed at municipalities and school districts. This change aims to provide local governments with greater financial autonomy by ensuring that the imposition of mandates that come without funding support will only occur with substantial legislative consensus.

Contention

However, there are notable points of contention surrounding the bill. Opponents may argue that requiring a two-thirds majority could hinder the state's ability to respond swiftly to urgent issues that necessitate new or expanded mandates, particularly in times of crisis. Additionally, concerns may be raised regarding the potential for political gridlock, where achieving a two-thirds majority could prove exceedingly difficult in a divided legislature, potentially stalling important legislation that aims to address pressing local needs.