Connecticut Senate Bill SB00407

Connecticut 2020 Regular Session

• Introduced: 3/4/20
• Refer: 3/4/20

Caption

An Act Concerning Agricultural Fairs And State Police Officers.

Impact

This bill is significant as it seeks to clarify and redefine the fiscal responsibilities involved in ensuring public safety during community events such as agricultural fairs. By mandating that towns bear a larger share of the financial burden for security and traffic control at these events, SB00407 effectively shifts some financial responsibilities from the state to the local level. The intention is to improve budget management for state resources while ensuring that safety and security provisions remain robust.

Summary

SB00407, also known as the Act Concerning Agricultural Fairs and State Police Officers, aims to adjust the financial responsibilities of towns in relation to state police services during agricultural fairs. Under this bill, towns that have resident state police officers will be required to cover eighty-five percent of the costs associated with providing on-site police services during fairs, thus alleviating some of the financial burden on the state budget. Additionally, for any new police officers detailed to such towns, 100% of costs will be borne by the town, further revising the previous funding structure.

Contention

Notably, the bill has sparked some contention among local authorities and state officials, with potential concerns regarding the affordability of the required costs for smaller towns, particularly those lacking an organized police force. Critics argue that the financial obligations imposed on these communities could be overwhelming, leading to reduced public safety or even discouraging towns from hosting such events. As a result, discussions around the bill center on balancing state budgetary constraints with the community needs for safety and law enforcement availability, especially in rural areas.