Connecticut House Bill HB05875

Connecticut 2021 Regular Session

• Introduced: 1/28/21
• Refer: 1/28/21

Caption

An Act Prohibiting The Hiring Of Consultants To Make Public Policy Recommendations.

Impact

If passed, HB 5875 would significantly alter the landscape of how state policy recommendations are formulated. The prohibition on hiring consultants means that any state agency looking for external advice on crucial public policy decisions during emergencies would need to rely entirely on its own resources and personnel. This could lead to an increase in the workload for existing state staff as they would need to fill the expertise gap left by the absence of consultants. Proponents of the bill argue that this measure will protect the integrity of public policymaking by reducing reliance on potentially biased external interests.

Summary

House Bill 5875 aims to amend general statutes by prohibiting state agencies and constitutional officers from hiring consultants to make public policy recommendations. This legislation responds to concerns about the influence of external consultants on governmental decision-making, particularly during times of emergency when public health or civil preparedness declarations are in effect. The bill intends to streamline policy development processes by relying solely on internal governmental expertise rather than external entities, emphasizing the belief that public policy should be shaped by elected officials and state employees directly accountable to the public.

Contention

The primary point of contention surrounding HB 5875 revolves around the balance between internal government capacity and the efficacy of utilizing external expertise. Supporters argue that the bill reinforces accountability and transparency in government processes by ensuring that policy recommendations stem from those who are directly accountable for their implementation. However, critics may argue that this approach could limit the breadth of knowledge and experience that external consultants can provide, particularly in specialized areas where state agencies may lack sufficient expertise. Additionally, there might be concerns about how this restriction could negatively impact responsiveness and adaptability during public emergencies requiring prompt and informed policy decisions.