Connecticut House Bill HB05585

Connecticut 2021 Regular Session

• Introduced: 1/26/21
• Refer: 1/26/21

Caption

An Act Concerning Agricultural Fairs And State Police Officers.

Impact

The proposed legislation could have significant implications for municipalities that host agricultural fairs. By setting a cap on the reimbursement rate, the bill seeks to alleviate some financial burdens on local governments by making state police services more financially manageable. This regulation may encourage more agricultural events by providing towns with clearer and more predictable costs tied to public safety at these gatherings.

Summary

House Bill 5585 aims to amend the reimbursement rate that towns or organizations sponsoring agricultural fairs must pay state police officers for providing on-site security and traffic control during these events. Specifically, the bill limits this reimbursement to eighty-five percent of the total costs, including the compensation, maintenance, and other expenses associated with the officers' deployment. The intention behind the bill is to regulate and manage the financial responsibilities of local entities in relation to the state police services they utilize during agricultural fairs.

Contention

There may be points of contention surrounding the adequacy of the reimbursement rate set forth by the bill. Some local officials might argue that limiting the reimbursement could lead to less accessible police support during fairs, potentially compromising public safety. Conversely, proponents of the bill could argue that the maximum reimbursement still allows adequate coverage while ensuring that taxpayers are not overburdened by the costs associated with police presence at these community events.