Connecticut House Bill HB06285

Connecticut 2019 Regular Session

• Introduced: 1/25/19
• Refer: 1/25/19

Caption

An Act Requiring The Review Of Wireless And Wireline Telecommunication Carrier Expenses For State Agencies And Concerning A Wireless Service Provider Optimization Contract And Cellular Tower Tax Compliance.

Impact

This legislation, if enacted, would specifically amend existing statutes to require a more structured approach to telecommunication expense oversight. The Department of Revenue Services would have the additional responsibility of ensuring compliance with tax obligations applicable to cellular towers. This amendment is significant as it aims to bolster revenue compliance within the telecommunications sector, thereby potentially increasing state revenue while ensuring that telecommunication services provided to state entities are both cost-effective and compliant with existing laws.

Summary

House Bill 6285 is designed to improve the oversight and management of expenses related to wireless and wireline telecommunication services used by state agencies in Connecticut. Specifically, the bill mandates the Department of Administrative Services to conduct a thorough review of these telecommunication carrier expenses. The objective is to ensure that the state's telecommunication expenditures are optimized, potentially leading to cost savings for state agencies and municipalities that opt to participate in the optimization contract.

Contention

Discussions surrounding HB 6285 may highlight concerns regarding the implementation of the optimization contracts and the fiscal implications for municipalities that opt to engage with these contracts. Additionally, debates may arise over the effectiveness of the Department of Administrative Services in managing such contracts and whether the proposed reviews will translate into tangible savings for state agencies. Furthermore, stakeholders in the telecommunications industry might express concerns about the impact of increased regulatory scrutiny and the enforcement of tax compliance on their operations.