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OLR Bill Analysis
sHB 6444 (as amended by House "A")*
AN ACT CONCERNING THE MODERNIZATION OF STATE
SERVICES.
TABLE OF CONTENTS:
§§ 1-7 — CONTRACTING AFFIDAVITS
Generally eliminates requirements that contractors submit documentation (e.g., affidavits
and certifications) about their compliance with certain contracting laws and instead
requires that they incorporate the applicable requirements into the contracts
§§ 8-11 — SET-ASIDE PROGRAM
Revamps program’s eligibility requirements by requiring that for-profit entities be
registered as a small business in the federal government's contracting database to
participate in the program
§ 12 — COMPETITIVE BIDDING WAIVERS
Clarifies DAS commissioner’s authority to waive competitive bidding requirements
§ 13 — REVERSE AUCTIONS FOR SERVICES
Allows use of reverse auctions to purchase services other than construction or
construction-related services
§ 14 — PRE-MARKET PRODUCT TESTING BY STATE AGENCIES
Expands the types of eligible businesses and products eligible for pre-market testing by
state agencies
§ 15 — PURCHASES FROM EXISTING CONTRACTS
Expands the state’s “piggyback” purchasing authority to include purchases from
contracts with another state agency or branch; allows agencies to make these purchases
directly if approved by DAS
§ 16 — STATE INSURANCE AND RISK MANAGEMENT BOARD
Reduces the board’s size from 13 members to 10 and makes conforming changes
§ 17 — BUSINESS ACTIVITIES CONDUCTED ONLINE
Allows state and quasi-public agencies to conduct certain business activities
electronically
§ 18 — INFORMATION AND TELE COMMUNICATION SYSTEM S
STRATEGIC PLAN
Requires that DAS’s annual information and telecommunication systems strategic plan
include standards for digital identity verification
§§ 19-24 — ELIMINATED REPORTING REQUIREMENTS
Eliminates various reporting requirements 2021HB-06444-R01-BA.DOCX
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§ 25 — COMMISSION FOR EDUCA TIONAL TECHNOLOGY
Increases the commission’s size from 19 members to 23
BACKGROUND
*House Amendment “A” (1) adds the provisions on the
Commission for Education Technology; (2) requires that small
businesses be registered with the federal government to participate in
the set-aside program, rather than certified by the federal government
as required by the underlying bill; and (3) removes provisions from the
underlying bill that eliminated certain reports submitted to, and
produced by, the State Properties Review Board.
§§ 1-7 — CONTRACTING AFFIDAVI TS
Generally eliminates requirements that contractors submit documentation (e.g., affidavits
and certifications) about their compliance with certain contracting laws and instead
requires that they incorporate the applicable requirements into the contracts
The bill modifies contract compliance requirements for certain state,
municipal, and quasi-public agency contracts. It generally eliminates
requirements that contractors submit documentation (e.g., affidavits
and certifications) about their compliance with certain contracting laws
and instead requires that they incorporate the applicable requirements
into the contracts.
The bill’s provisions concern contractors’ compliance with (1) state
ethics laws; (2) restrictions on gifts, investments, political contributions
and solicitations, and use of consultants; and (3) nondiscrimination
and affirmative action requirements. It also codifies and expands upon
provisions in an existing executive order that require certain state
contractors to disclose any campaign contributions.
The bill’s provisions on ethics laws, gift restrictions, consultant use,
and nondiscrimination and affirmative action requirements do not
apply to qualifying UConn and Board of Regents for Higher Education
contracts, as these contracts are subject to different requirements under
existing law.
Lastly, the bill makes technical and conforming changes. 2021HB-06444-R01-BA.DOCX
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EFFECTIVE DATE: July 1, 2021
State Ethics Laws (§ 1)
Under current law, contractors and bidders for large state
construction or procurement contracts (i.e., valued at more than
$500,000) must affirm, in writing or electronically, that (1) they
received a state ethics law summary from the contracting state or
quasi-public agency and (2) their key personnel read and understood
the summary and agreed to comply with the ethics laws. Similarly,
large state construction or procurement contractors must obtain these
affirmations from their subcontractors and consultants and provide
them to the state contracting agency. Failure to submit the affirmation
disqualifies the contractors, bidders, subcontractors, and consultants
from the contract.
Rather than requiring the above affirmations, the bill establishes a
different requirement for these contracts. Specifically, it prohibits a
state agency or quasi-public agency from entering into a large state
construction or procurement contract unless the contract contains a
representation that the chief executive officer or authorized signatory
of the contract and all key employees have read and understood the
summary and agreed to comply with the ethics laws’ provisions. It
similarly requires large state construction or procurement contractors
to include this representation in each of their contracts entered into on
or after July 1, 2021, with subcontractors and consultants. Under the
bill, failure to do so is cause for terminating the contract.
Gifts (§ 2)
Under current law, any principal or key personnel of a person, firm,
or corporation that submits bids or proposals for a large state contract
(i.e., valued more than $500,000 in a calendar or fiscal year) must
certify that (1) no gifts were given in connection with the contract; (2)
there were no attempts to circumvent the gift prohibition; and (3) the
bids or proposals are being submitted without fraud or collusion. The
certifications must be sworn as true to the certifier’s best knowledge
and belief, under penalty of false statement. 2021HB-06444-R01-BA.DOCX
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In addition, current law requires the agency official or employee
responsible for executing the contract to certify that the selection
process was devoid of collusion, gift giving (received or promised),
compensation, fraud, or inappropriate influence.
The bill replaces these required certifications with requirements that
the contracts contain representations to the same effect. An existing
executive order subjects state contracts with a value of $50,000 or more
in a calendar or fiscal year to the gift certification requirements that
apply to contracts with a value of $500,000 or more (Executive Order
49, see BACKGROUND). Thus, the bill’s requirements also appear to
apply to contracts with an annual value of $50,000 or more.
Under the bill, state and quasi-public agencies must include notice
of the representation requirements in the bid specifications or request
for proposals (RFP), and failure to agree to them disqualifies the
bidder or proposer from the contract. The same requirements apply
with respect to the certifications under current law.
Investments in Iran (§ 3)
Under current law, state and quasi-public agencies are prohibited
from entering into, renewing, or amending a large state contract (i.e.,
valued at more than $500,000 in a calendar or fiscal year) with an
entity that (1) fails to certify that such entity has not directly invested
$20 million or more in Iran’s energy sector or (2) certifies that it has
made, renewed, or increased such an investment. Iran’s energy sector,
as defined by federal law, includes activities to develop petroleum or
natural gas resources or nuclear power in Iran. The certification must
be sworn as true to the entity’s best knowledge and belief, subject to
the penalties for false statement with a penalty exception for affiants
who make a good faith effort to verify whether they have made a
prohibited investment. Bidders and proposers must submit the
certification before submitting a bid or proposal for a large state
contract.
The bill instead prohibits state and quasi-public agencies from
entering into, renewing, or amending a large state contract unless the 2021HB-06444-R01-BA.DOCX
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contract contains the entity’s certification that it has not made a
prohibited investment in Iran. Agencies must include notice of these
representation requirements in bid specifications or RFPs for these
contracts, just as they must for current law’s certification requirements.
As under current law for the certifications, the representation
requirements do not apply to any contract of the state treasurer in his
role as trustee of the Connecticut retirement plans and trust funds.
Consulting Agreements (§ 4)
The bill replaces certain required affidavits about consulting
agreements with representations that must be included in the
contracts. Under the current requirements, any principal or key
personnel of a person, firm, or corporation that submits bids or
proposals for a goods and services contract with a total value of
$50,000 or more in a calendar or fiscal year must attest to whether a
consulting agreement has been entered into in connection with the
contract. Under the bill, the contract must include a representation to
this same effect.
As is currently required for the affidavits, the representation must
include specified information about any such agreement, including its
basic terms, as well as the consultant’s name and status as a former
state employee or public official. It must be sworn as true to the best
knowledge and belief of the person signing the contract and is subject
to the penalties of false statement. Each state and quasi-public agency
must include a notice of the representation requirements in the bid
specifications or RFPs for these contracts as is required under current
law for the affidavits. Failure to submit the affidavit under current law,
or agree to the representation under the bill, disqualifies the bidder or
proposer from the contract.
Political Contributions (§ 5)
Current law requires state and quasi-public agencies to (1)
distribute a written notice advising contractors and prospective
contractors of the restrictions on contributing to, or soliciting for,
statewide or legislative candidates, certain political committees, and 2021HB-06444-R01-BA.DOCX
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party committees and (2) obtain a written acknowledgment of the
notice receipt.
The bill instead requires state and quasi-public agencies to include a
copy of, or Internet link to, the notice in the bid specifications or RFPs
for a state contract.
The bill also prohibits such agencies from executing any state
contract, as described below, unless it contains a representation that
the chief executive officer or authorized signatory of the contract has
received the notice. The campaign finance law generally defines “state
contract” as an agreement or contract with a state agency in the
executive or legislative branch of government or any quasi-public
agency valued at $50,000 or more, or a combination or series of
agreements or contracts having a value of $100,000 or more in a
calendar year.
Under the bill, any principal of the state contractor or prospective
state contractor submitting a bid or proposal for a state contract must
certify, under penalty of false statement, that in the previous four years
neither the contractor or prospective state contractor, nor any of its
principals, have made or solicited any prohibited political
contributions unless there were mitigating circumstances found to
exist concerning the violation. Similar requirements apply to
contractors submitting bids or proposals for state contracts valued at
more than $50,000 under an existing executive order (Executive Order
49, see BACKGROUND).
Each certification must be sworn as true to the best knowledge and
belief of the person signing the certification. The bill requires the
person to submit an updated certification if there is a change in the
most recently filed certification, either within 30 days after the effective
date of the change or upon submitting a new bid or proposal for a state
contract, whichever is earlier.
Under the bill, any principal of the state contractor or prospective
state contractor submitting a bid or proposal for a state contract must
disclose on the certification all contributions made by its principals to 2021HB-06444-R01-BA.DOCX
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any party committee, exploratory committee, statewide or legislative
candidate, or candidate committee for a period of four years prior to
the signing of the contract or date of the response to the bid, whichever
is longer, and certify that all contributions have been disclosed.
The bill prohibits state and quasi-public agencies from executing a
state contract unless first obtaining the written certification. Each state
agency and quasi-public agency must include in its bid specifications
or RFPs for a state contract a notice of the certification requirements.
Nondiscrimination and Affirmative Action (§§ 6 & 7)
Under current law, contractors that enter into contracts with the
state or one of its political subdivisions, other than a municipality, or
who are a party to a municipal public works contract or quasi-public
agency project contract, must indicate that they comply with state
nondiscrimination and affirmative action laws by filing (1) a written or
electronic representation for contracts valued less than $50,000 for each
year or (2) certain documentation for contracts valued at $50,000 or
more for each year.
The bill instead requires the contracts, regardless of their value, to
contain a nondiscrimination affirmation provision to certify that the
contractor (1) understands the law’s nondiscrimination and affirmative
action obligations and (2) will maintain a nondiscrimination policy for
the duration of the contract. Under the bill, the authorized signatory of
the contract must demonstrate his or her understanding of this
obligation by either (1) providing an affirmative response in the
required online bid or RFP or (2) initialing the affirmation provision in
the contract.
§§ 8-11 — SET-ASIDE PROGRAM
Revamps program’s eligibility requirements by requiring that for-profit entities be
registered as a small business in the federal government's contracting database to
participate in the program
The bill revamps the state set-aside program’s eligibility
requirements for small contractors and minority business enterprises
(MBEs). With respect to for-profit entities, it defines a “small
contractor” as one that is registered as a small business in the federal 2021HB-06444-R01-BA.DOCX
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database maintained by the U.S. General Services Administration, as
required to do business with the federal government (see
BACKGROUND). This requirement replaces provisions in current law
requiring, among other things, that these entities have annual gross
revenues of $20 million or less and be independent. (By law,
unchanged by the bill, MBEs are small contractors owned by women,
minorities, or people with disabilities.)
The bill makes conforming changes, including allowing awarding
authorities to require documentation of a contractor’s or
subcontractor’s (1) registration in the federal database if they are
awarded a contract or contract portion under the set-aside program
and (2) principal place of business in the state. It also specifies that
program certifications awarded before October 1, 2021, remain valid
for their original term unless revoked for cause.
The bill retains existing law’s eligibility requirements for nonprofit
entities (e.g., that they have annual gross revenues of $20 million or
less and be independent). It additionally specifies that these entities
must have a federal tax exemption in order to participate.
Under existing law, the Department of Administrative Services
(DAS) commissioner must establish a process to certify small
contractors and MBEs as eligible for set-aside contracts. Presumably,
the commissioner must revise this process to conform to the bill’s
requirements that for-profit entities be registered in the federal
database. The bill retains existing law’s validity period for set-aside
program certifications (i.e., they are valid for up to two years, except
that the commissioner may extend them for up to six months).
EFFECTIVE DATE: October 1, 2021, with the changes to the
eligibility criteria applicable to certifications issued or renewed on or
after that date.
§ 12 — COMPETITIVE BIDDING WAIVERS
Clarifies DAS commissioner’s authority to waive competitive bidding requirements
Current law allows the DAS commissioner to waive competitive 2021HB-06444-R01-BA.DOCX
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bidding or competitive negotiation at his discretion for minor
nonrecurring and emergency purchases of $10,000 or less. The bill
clarifies that the authority applies to minor nonrecurring or emergency
purchases of $10,000 or less.
EFFECTIVE DATE: July 1, 2021
§ 13 — REVERSE AUCTIONS FOR SERVICES
Allows use of reverse auctions to purchase services other than construction or
construction-related services
Existing law allows state contracting agencies to use reverse
auctions to purchase goods and supplies. The bill expands reverse
auction authority to include services other than construction or
construction-related services. As under existing law for goods and
supplies, contracting agencies may (1) use reverse auctions for services
when they determine it is advantageous and will ensure a competitive
contract award and (2) contract with a third party to prepare and
manage the auction.
By law, a reverse auction is an online bidding process in which
qualified bidders or proposers, unknown to each other, submit bids or
proposals pursuant to an online bid invitation or request for proposals.
EFFECTIVE DATE: July 1, 2021
§ 14 — PRE-MARKET PRODUCT TESTI NG BY STATE AGENCIES
Expands the types of eligible businesses and products eligible for pre-market testing by
state agencies
The bill expands the types of technologies, products, and processes
eligible for pre-market testing by state agencies. It allows the DAS
commissioner to procure them for use by all state agencies if the Office
of Policy and Management (OPM) secretary, in consultation with the
commissioner, Connecticut Innovations, Inc. (CI) chief executive
officer, and testing agency head, determines that the test demonstrates
specified objectives.
Additionally, the bill makes minor changes concerning the process
for participating in testing, the testing’s costs, and a related recognition 2021HB-06444-R01-BA.DOCX
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program for participating agencies. Lastly, the bill makes technical and
conforming changes.
EFFECTIVE DATE: July 1, 2021
Eligibility
Current law allows CI-funded businesses located in Connecticut to
test their technology, product, or process in state agencies in order to
study its commercial viability if it meets certain criteria. Specifically, it
must (1) promote public health and safety, environmental protection,
or economic development; (2) be manufactured in Connecticut and be
safe; and (3) have the potential for commercialization within two years
after completing the test.
The bill extends testing eligibility to small and minority business
enterprises certified under the state’s set-aside program. It also
expands the types of eligible products to include those that CI finds
would reduce administrative burdens or promote efficiency in state
services, or otherwise improve them. It eliminates a requirement that
the technology, product, or process be manufactured or produced in
Connecticut and instead requires that it have a positive economic
impact on the state, including prospective job growth and economic
activity upon commercialization.
Participation and Costs
Upon an eligible business’s application, current law allows CI to
recommend that the OPM secretary direct a state agency to test the
technology, product, or process in the agency’s operations on a trial
basis. The bill instead allows CI to recommend that OPM allow (rather
than direct) agencies to participate in testing. (However, it retains
OPM’s authority to direct agencies to participate.) It also specifically
includes public higher education institutions as state agencies for
purposes of this program.
Under current law, CI, the business, or an investor in the business
must pay for the cost of providing the technology, product, or process
to the testing agency. The bill requires the OPM secretary, in 2021HB-06444-R01-BA.DOCX
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consultation with the DAS commissioner, CI executive director, and
testing agency head, to determine on a case-by-case basis which of the
above entities must bear these costs.
Procurement
The bill allows the DAS commissioner to procure the product,
process, or technology for use by all state agencies if the OPM
secretary, in consultation with the commissioner, CI chief executive
officer, and testing agency head, determines that the test demonstrates
specified objectives. (Presumably, this would occur after the test
concludes.) These objectives are (1) promoting public health and
safety, environmental protection, economic development, or efficiency;
(2) reducing administrative burdens; or (3) otherwise improving state
services.
In procuring the product, process, or technology, the bill allows the
DAS commissioner to waive competitive bidding requirements. If the
procurement is estimated to cost $50,000 or more, the waiver must be
approved by the Standardization Committee, which consists of the
commissioner, the state comptroller and treasurer or their designees,
and other department heads (or their agents) designated by the
governor.
Recognition Program
Current law allows OPM and CI to develop a program to recognize
state agencies that promote public health and safety, environmental
protection, or economic development by participating in testing. The
bill (1) also makes DAS responsible for developing the recognition
program (which remains permissive under the bill) and (2) adds
promoting efficiencies, reducing service burdens, and improving state
services as activities eligible for recognition. As under existing law, the
recognition program may include a fund for any savings achieved by
testing agencies using the technologies, products, or processes. The
fund must be used only for the recognition program.
§ 15 — PURCHASES FROM EXIST ING CONTRACTS 2021HB-06444-R01-BA.DOCX
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Expands the state’s “piggyback” purchasing authority to include purchases from
contracts with another state agency or branch; allows agencies to make these purchases
directly if approved by DAS
Existing law allows the state to purchase, through the DAS
commissioner, goods and services from a person that has a contract to
sell the goods and services to a political subdivision of the state (e.g., a
municipality), nonprofit organization, public purchasing consortium,
or other state government (i.e., “piggyback”).
The bill expands this authority to include purchases from a person
who contracts with another branch, division, or department in state
government. It also eliminates the requirement that these purchases be
made through the DAS commissioner and instead allows any state
agency to make them if approved by the DAS commissioner or his
designee.
EFFECTIVE DATE: July 1, 2021
§ 16 — STATE INSURANCE AND RISK MANAGEMENT BOAR D
Reduces the board’s size from 13 members to 10 and makes conforming changes
The bill eliminates three gubernatorial appointments from the State
Insurance and Risk Management Board, reducing its size from 13
members to 10. (By law, the board consists of gubernatorial appointees
and the state comptroller (or his designee) as an ex-officio member.)
The bill makes conforming changes by reducing the number of (1)
public members from four to three, (2) members qualified by training
from eight to six, and (3) members who may be from the same political
party from eight to five. It specifies that five members, rather than a
majority of members as current law provides, constitute a quorum.
EFFECTIVE DATE: July 1, 2021
§ 17 — BUSINESS ACTIVITIES CONDUCTED ONLINE
Allows state and quasi-public agencies to conduct certain business activities electronically
The bill allows state and quasi-public agencies to conduct various
business activities electronically. Specifically, they may do the
following: 2021HB-06444-R01-BA.DOCX
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1. accept fee payments by any means of electronic funds transfer
they adopt;
2. receive, by electronic means with proof of delivery receipt, any
communication or correspondence that must be delivered under
current law by registered or certified mail, return receipt
requested;
3. receive, by electronic means, any communication or
correspondence that must be delivered under current law by
U.S. mail or fax (as long as the agency determines that electronic
delivery is appropriate); and
4. post, on their website or another electronic portal available to
the general public, any legal notice that must be advertised in a
newspaper under current law.
Under the bill, each of these activities must comply with the
Connecticut Uniform Electronic Transactions Act (CUETA) if
conducted electronically (e.g., the parties must agree to conduct the
transaction electronically) (see BACKGROUND).
EFFECTIVE DATE: July 1, 2021
§ 18 — INFORMATION AND TELECOMMUNICA TION SYSTEMS
STRATEGIC PLAN
Requires that DAS’s annual information and telecommunication systems strategic plan
include standards for digital identity verification
Existing law requires the DAS commissioner to develop, publish,
and annually update an information and telecommunication systems
strategic plan. Among other things, the plan must include architecture
guidelines and standards for these systems that support state agencies.
The bill requires that the plan specifically include standards for
digital identity verification under CUETA that are consistent with
industry standards and best practices. Among other things, CUETA
provides that if a signature or record must be notarized,
acknowledged, verified, or made under oath, the requirement is
satisfied by an electronic signature from the person authorized to 2021HB-06444-R01-BA.DOCX
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perform these acts (along with any other information required by the
applicable law).
EFFECTIVE DATE: July 1, 2021
§§ 19-24 — ELIMINATED REPORTING REQUIREMENTS
Eliminates various reporting requirements
The bill eliminates several reporting requirements by DAS to the
legislature, or from state agencies to DAS, as shown in Table 1.
Table 1: Eliminated Reporting Requirements
§ Reporting Requirement
19 Annual report by DAS to the Environment, Government Administration and
Elections, and Transportation committees on the state vehicle fleet
20 Annual reports by state agencies to DAS on purchase orders made by the
agency under purchasing authority delegated by DAS
21 Annual report by DAS to the Appropriations Committee listing personal
property items leased by state agencies
22 Annual report by DAS and the Codes and Standards Committee to the Public
Safety and Security Committee with recommendations for amending state
agency regulations that conflict with the State Building Code or fire safety
regulations (e.g., the State Fire Code)
23 Triennial report by the state fire marshal to the Public Safety and Security
Committee on the effectiveness of state law’s provisions on fire-safe cigarette
testing
24 Annual filing by state agencies of ethics statements with DAS (the bill retains
the requirement that they be filed with the Office of State Ethics)
EFFECTIVE DATE: July 1, 2021
§ 25 — COMMISSION FOR EDUCA TIONAL TECHNOLOGY
Increases the commission’s size from 19 members to 23
The bill increases the size of the Commission for Education
Technology from 19 members to 23 by adding the following four
members:
1. a representative of the Connecticut Association of Public School
Superintendents, 2021HB-06444-R01-BA.DOCX
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2. a representative of the Connecticut Educators Computer
Association,
3. a secondary school teacher designated by the Connecticut
Education Association, and
4. an elementary school teacher designated by American
Federation of Teachers–Connecticut.
The bill also makes technical changes.
Among other things, the commission serves as the principal
education technology advisor for the state and develops, oversees, and
directs the attainment of statewide technology goals.
EFFECTIVE DATE: July 1, 2021
BACKGROUND
Related Bills
HB 6573 (File 475), reported favorably by the Government
Administration and Elections Committee, contains identical provisions
concerning the Commission for Educational Technology (§ 25 of this
bill).
HB 6601 (File 178), reported favorably by the Commerce and Higher
Education and Employment Advancement c ommittees, contains
identical provisions concerning pre-market product testing (§ 14 of this
bill).
Executive Order 49
In May 2015, Governor Malloy issued Executive Order 49, which (1)
subjects state contracts with a value of $50,000 or more in a calendar or
fiscal year to the gift certification requirements that apply to contracts
with a value of $500,000 or more and (2) requires state contractors
subject to the gift certification requirements to also disclose in an
affidavit all campaign contributions made to statewide office or
legislative candidates.
Penalty of False Statement 2021HB-06444-R01-BA.DOCX
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By law, giving a false statement is a class A misdemeanor,
punishable by up to one year in prison, up to a $2,000 fine, or both
(CGS § 53a-157b).
Ban on Campaign Contributions by State Contractors
By law, for current and prospective state contractors, the existing
ban is government branch specific. This means that for principals of
contractors with executive branch or quasi-public agency contracts or
contract solicitations, the ban applies to statewide office candidates.
For those with legislative branch contracts or contract solicitations, the
ban applies to legislative candidates. For pre-qualified contractors, the
ban applies to candidates running for office in either branch.
Additionally, the ban prohibits principals from making qualifying
contributions to any candidates participating in the Citizens’ Election
Program regardless of the branch (CGS § 9-704(e)).
Set-Aside Program
The state set-aside program requires state agencies and political
subdivisions (other than municipalities; see below) to set aside 25% of
the total value of all contracts they let for construction, goods, and
services each year for exclusive bidding by certified small contractors.
The agencies must further reserve 25% of the set-aside value (6.25% of
the total) for exclusive bidding by certified minority business
enterprises. Contractors awarded municipal public works contracts
must comply with these requirements if the (1) contract includes state
financial assistance and (2) total contract value exceeds $50,000.
Federal Contracting Database
The U.S. General Services Administration maintains a database
known as the System for Award Management (SAM) . Contractors
must register in SAM in order to access federal contracting
opportunities. Businesses registering as a small business for federal
contracting purposes must self-certify that they meet the U.S. Small
Business Administration’s (SBA’s) standards for being a small
business.
Generally, SBA’s size standards vary by industry and are typically 2021HB-06444-R01-BA.DOCX
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based on either a business’s annual receipts or average number of
employees. According to a 2019 SBA report, receipts-based standards
range from $750,000 to $38.5 million, while employee-based standards
range from 100 to 1,500.
CUETA
CUETA establishes a legal foundation for using electronic
communications in transactions where the parties, including state and
local government agencies, have agreed to conduct business
electronically. It validates the use of electronic records and signatures
and places electronic commerce and paper-based commerce on the
same legal footing. CUETA does not specifically authorize agencies to
send notices, or any type of certified or registered mail, by e-mail, but
rather sets requirements with which electronic transmissions must
comply (CGS §§ 1-266 to 1-286).
COMMITTEE ACTION
Government Administration and Elections Committee
Joint Favorable Substitute
Yea 13 Nay 6 (03/31/2021)