Connecticut House Bill HB05435

Connecticut 2020 Regular Session

• Introduced: 3/4/20
• Refer: 3/4/20

Caption

An Act Prohibiting The Commissioner Of Administrative Services From Delegating The Responsibility Of Administering The School Building Projects Grant Program To The Secretary Of The Office Of Policy And Management And Requiring The Department Of Administrative Services To Maintain A Database Of Information Relating To School Building Projects On The Department's Internet Web Site.

Impact

The passage of HB 5435 will strengthen the oversight of how school building grants are managed by ensuring the responsible authority remains with the Commissioner. This change is anticipated to lead to improved efficiency in administering grants and maintaining project records. The new database will not only document the projects funded through these grants but will also include critical details such as funding amounts, project timelines, and cost estimates, thus facilitating better resource allocation and public scrutiny.

Summary

House Bill 5435 aims to prohibit the Commissioner of Administrative Services from delegating the responsibility of administering the School Building Projects Grant Program to the Secretary of the Office of Policy and Management. This legislative change is designed to ensure that the Commissioner retains direct oversight of the grant program, which funds essential school building and renovation projects. Additionally, the bill mandates the creation of a publicly accessible database that maintains comprehensive information about these school building projects, enhancing transparency and accountability in the management of grant funds.

Contention

Debate surrounding HB 5435 centers on the balance of control between state agencies. Proponents argue that giving the Commissioner direct oversight without the possibility for delegation is essential for accountability, while opponents may raise concerns about potential bottlenecks in grant administration due to reduced collaborative efforts with other administrative offices. Additionally, questions may arise regarding the sufficiency of resources and staffing to maintain the proposed database effectively, as well as its impact on existing operational workflows within the Department of Administrative Services.