Connecticut House Bill HB05060

Connecticut 2021 Regular Session

• Introduced: 1/11/21
• Refer: 1/11/21

Caption

An Act Establishing A Payment In Lieu Of Taxes Task Force.

Impact

The establishment of the PILOT Task Force could lead to significant adjustments in how municipalities are compensated for land owned by the state. Given the financial strains that can be exacerbated by a high percentage of state-owned land, the bill seeks to reassess the existing compensation framework, possibly ensuring fairer financial support to these municipalities. This can lead to more robust funding for local services, particularly those that are heavily impacted by state land ownership such as emergency response services.

Summary

House Bill 5060 aims to establish a Payment In Lieu Of Taxes (PILOT) Task Force to analyze the existing PILOT formula as it applies to municipalities where over fifty percent of the land is state-owned. The proposed task force is to consist of at least one chief elected official from such a municipality, thus ensuring local representation in the discussion. The bill's central objective is to evaluate the financial burdens that these municipalities face due to increased costs associated with state land ownership, including the impact on first responders and the loss of revenue when the state acquires land.

Contention

There may be notable points of contention surrounding HB 5060, particularly from stakeholders concerned about how the current PILOT formula inadequately addresses the fiscal challenges faced by municipalities. Potential opposition could arise from legislators who believe that revising the PILOT formula may result in increased financial liabilities for the state. Additionally, there could be debates about the equity of the proposed changes, especially about how they might redistribute funding or resources among different municipalities, potentially causing discord between urban and rural areas.