OFFICE OF FISCAL ANALYSIS
Legislative Office Building, Room 5200
Hartford, CT 06106 (860) 240-0200
http://www.cga.ct.gov/ofa
sHB-6384
AN ACT CONCERNING AQUATIC INVASIVE SPECIES' EFFECTS
ON LAKES AND RELATED FUNDING.
As Amended by House "A" (LCO 7954)
House Calendar No.: 172
Primary Analyst: MR 5/5/21
Contributing Analyst(s):
OFA Fiscal Note
State Impact: None
Municipal Impact:
Municipalities Effect FY 22 $ FY 23 $
Middlefield Potential
Savings
Minimal Minimal
Explanation
The bill extends, from December to January, the down period of
Lake Beseck in odd-numbered years. This results in potential savings
to the Town of Middlefield. It is anticipated that extending the down
period of the lake may increase, at no additional cost, the effectiveness
of this method of treating invasive aquatic species. This may
consequently reduce the need for other treatment methods. Any
savings is expected to be minimal.
The bill also requires that the Department of Environmental
Protection (DEEP) and the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV)
submit various AIS reports to the Environment Committee. This has
no fiscal impact as these agencies currently have the staff and expertise
for this purpose.
Additionally, the bill increases the number of participants, from 50
to 100 people, allowed under a group fishing license issued by DEEP. 2021HB-06384-R01-FN.DOCX Page 2 of 2
Currently, DEEP issues a group fishing license to non -profit
organizations to hold up to 50 group fishing events per year for certain
qualified individuals. This is not anticipated to result in a fiscal impact,
since the same number of group licenses are anticipated to be issued.
Lastly, the bill prohibits the state from having a closed trout fishing
season. Currently, inland trout fishing is closed from March 1 to the
second Saturday in April. This provision is not anticipated to result in
a fiscal impact as this trout season has already been reopened.
House "A" alters the underlying bill by adding the fishing
provisions which have no fiscal impact.
The Out Years
The potential municipal savings identified above would continue
into the future.