Connecticut House Bill HB06980

Connecticut 2019 Regular Session

• Introduced: 1/31/19
• Refer: 1/31/19

Caption

An Act Excluding Legislative Terms From Executive Branch Pension Calculations.

Impact

The proposed bill is expected to have significant implications for the financial benefits of legislators who might also transition to executive roles within state government. By preventing the counting of legislative service towards executive branch pension calculations, the bill could serve to deter potential conflicts of interest and reduce the financial incentives for legislators seeking executive positions solely for pension gains. This change could lead to a more ethical delineation between legislative duties and executive benefits.

Summary

House Bill 06980 proposes to amend the general statutes to exclude the years a legislator spends in office from being counted toward a pension based on service in the executive branch. This legislation is primarily aimed at regulating how legislators' time in office interacts with their pension benefits from executive branch positions, ensuring that such time is not credited when calculating pension eligibility for state executives.

Contention

While the bill aims to promote ethical governance, it may face pushback from some legislators who view it as a reduction in benefits. Concerns may arise regarding whether this legislation could disincentivize qualified individuals from pursuing legislative roles or moving into executive positions after serving in the legislature. The bill may spark discussions about the balance between necessary benefits for public servants and the ethical implications of such arrangements.