Researcher: MGS Page 1 3/29/21
OLR Bill Analysis
HB 6403
AN ACT REQUIRING LEGISLATIVE APPROVAL FOR THE
MERGER OR CLOSING OF INSTITUTIONS WITHIN THE
CONNECTICUT STATE COLLEGES AND UNIVERSITIES.
SUMMARY
This bill eliminates the Board of Regents for Higher Education’s
(BOR’s) authority to merge or close institutions within the Connecticut
State University and regional community-technical college systems
and Charter Oak State College, replacing it with the authority to make
merger or closing recommendations to the legislature. The bill also (1)
creates new legislative notice requirements that BOR must follow
when recommending an institutional merger or closure and (2)
establishes mechanisms for the legislature to approve or reject BOR’s
recommendations.
Under current law, BOR may merge or close the above institutions
upon a two-thirds vote of its members and after notifying the General
Assembly and the Education Committee about the recommended
merger or closure. The bill instead requires (1) BOR to notify only the
Higher Education and Employment Advancement Committee and (2)
a majority vote of both the House and Senate to approve a BOR-
recommended merger or closure.
Under the bill, if the legislature fails to act within one year of
receiving notice or by adjournment of the next regular legislative
session, whichever is later, then the merger or closure is deemed
approved. Conversely, the merger or closure may be rejected by a
majority vote of at least one chamber under the bill.
EFFECTIVE DATE: July 1, 2021
COMMITTEE ACTION
Higher Education and Employment Advancement Committee 2021HB-06403-R000155-BA.DOCX
Researcher: MGS Page 2 3/29/21
Joint Favorable
Yea 19 Nay 3 (03/11/2021)