Substitute House Bill No. 6574
Public Act No. 21-164
AN ACT CONCERNING REVISIONS TO THE STATE CODES OF
ETHICS.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General
Assembly convened:
Section 1. Subdivision (5) of section 1-79 of the general statutes is
repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective October
1, 2021):
(5) "Gift" means anything of value, which is directly and personally
received, unless consideration of equal or greater value is given in
return. "Gift" does not include:
(A) A political contribution otherwise reported as required by law or
a donation or payment as described in subdivision (9) or (10) of
subsection (b) of section 9-601a;
(B) Services provided by persons volunteering their time, if provided
to aid or promote the success or defeat of any political party, any
candidate or candidates for public office or the position of convention
delegate or town committee member or any referendum question;
(C) A commercially reasonable loan made on terms not more
favorable than loans made in the ordinary course of business; Substitute House Bill No. 6574
Public Act No. 21-164 2 of 19
(D) A gift received from (i) an individual's spouse, [fiance or fiancee]
fiancé or fiancée, (ii) the parent, grandparent, brother or sister of such
spouse or such individual, or (iii) the child of such individual or the
spouse of such child;
(E) Goods or services (i) that are provided to a state agency or quasi-
public agency (I) for use on state or quasi-public agency property, or (II)
that support an event or the participation by a public official or state
employee at an event, and (ii) that facilitate state or quasi-public agency
action or functions. As used in this subparagraph, "state property"
means property owned by the state or a quasi-public agency or property
leased to a state agency or quasi-public agency;
(F) A certificate, plaque or other ceremonial award costing less than
one hundred dollars;
(G) A rebate, discount or promotional item available to the general
public;
(H) Printed or recorded informational material germane to state
action or functions;
(I) Food or beverage or both, costing less than fifty dollars in the
aggregate per recipient in a calendar year, and consumed on an occasion
or occasions at which the person paying, directly or indirectly, for the
food or beverage, or his representative, is in attendance;
(J) Food or beverage or both, costing less than fifty dollars per person
and consumed at a publicly noticed legislative reception to which all
members of the General Assembly are invited and which is hosted not
more than once in any calendar year by a lobbyist or business
organization. For the purposes of such limit, (i) a reception hosted by a
lobbyist who is an individual shall be deemed to have also been hosted
by the business organization which such lobbyist owns or is employed
by, and (ii) a reception hosted by a business organization shall be Substitute House Bill No. 6574
Public Act No. 21-164 3 of 19
deemed to have also been hosted by all owners and employees of the
business organization who are lobbyists. In making the calculation for
the purposes of such fifty-dollar limit, the donor shall divide the amount
spent on food and beverage by the number of persons whom the donor
reasonably expects to attend the reception;
(K) Food or beverage or both, costing less than fifty dollars per person
and consumed at a publicly noticed reception to which all members of
the General Assembly from a region of the state are invited and which
is hosted not more than once in any calendar year by a lobbyist or
business organization. For the purposes of such limit, (i) a reception
hosted by a lobbyist who is an individual shall be deemed to have also
been hosted by the business organization which such lobbyist owns or
is employed by, and (ii) a reception hosted by a business organization
shall be deemed to have also been hosted by all owners and employees
of the business organization who are lobbyists. In making the
calculation for the purposes of such fifty-dollar limit, the donor shall
divide the amount spent on food and beverage by the number of
persons whom the donor reasonably expects to attend the reception. As
used in this subparagraph, "region of the state" means the established
geographic service area of the organization hosting the reception;
(L) A gift, including, but not limited to, food or beverage or both,
provided by an individual for the celebration of a major life event,
provided any such gift provided by an individual who is not a member
of the family of the recipient does not exceed one thousand dollars in
value;
(M) Gifts costing less than one hundred dollars in the aggregate or
food or beverage provided at a hospitality suite at a meeting or
conference of an interstate legislative association, by a person who is not
a registrant or is not doing business with the state of Connecticut;
(N) Admission to a charitable or civic event, including food and Substitute House Bill No. 6574
Public Act No. 21-164 4 of 19
beverage provided at such event, but excluding lodging or travel
expenses, at which a public official or state employee participates in his
or her official capacity, provided such admission is provided by the
primary sponsoring entity;
(O) Anything of value provided by an employer of (i) a public official,
(ii) a state employee, or (iii) a spouse of a public official or state
employee, to such official, employee or spouse, provided such benefits
are customarily and ordinarily provided to others in similar
circumstances;
(P) Anything having a value of not more than ten dollars, provided
the aggregate value of all things provided by a donor to a recipient
under this subdivision in any calendar year does not exceed fifty dollars;
(Q) Training that is provided by a vendor for a product purchased by
a state or quasi-public agency that is offered to all customers of such
vendor;
(R) Travel expenses, lodging, food, beverage and other benefits
customarily provided by a prospective employer, when provided to a
student at a public institution of higher education whose employment
is derived from such student's status as a student at such institution, in
connection with bona fide employment discussions; or
(S) Expenses of a public official, paid by the party committee of which
party such official is a member, for the purpose of accomplishing the
lawful purposes of the committee. As used in this subparagraph, "party
committee" has the same meaning as provided in subdivision (2) of
section 9-601 and "lawful purposes of the committee" has the same
meaning as provided in subsection (g) of section 9-607.
Sec. 2. Subdivision (12) of section 1-79 of the general statutes is
repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective July 1,
2021): Substitute House Bill No. 6574
Public Act No. 21-164 5 of 19
(12) "Quasi-public agency" means Connecticut Innovations,
Incorporated, the Connecticut Health and Education Facilities
Authority, the Connecticut Higher Education Supplemental Loan
Authority, the Connecticut Student Loan Foundation, the Connecticut
Housing Finance Authority, the State Housing Authority, the Materials
Innovation and Recycling Authority, the Capital Region Development
Authority, the Connecticut Lottery Corporation, the Connecticut
Airport Authority, the Connecticut Health Insurance Exchange, the
Connecticut Green Bank, the Connecticut Retirement Security
Authority, the Connecticut Port Authority, the Connecticut Municipal
Redevelopment Authority, [and] the State Education Resource Center
and the Paid Family and Medical Leave Insurance Authority.
Sec. 3. Section 1-79 of the general statutes is amended by adding
subdivision (21) as follows (Effective October 1, 2021):
(NEW) (21) "Confidential information" means any information in the
possession of the state, a state employee or a public official, whatever its
form, which (A) is required not to be disclosed to the general public
under any provision of the general statutes or federal law; or (B) falls
within a category of permissibly nondisclosable information under the
Freedom of Information Act, as defined in section 1-200, and which the
appropriate agency, state employee or public official has decided not to
disclose to the general public.
Sec. 4. Subsection (c) of section 1-81 of the general statutes is repealed
and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective October 1, 2021):
(c) The Office of State Ethics shall employ an executive director,
general counsel and ethics enforcement officer, each of whom shall be
exempt from classified state service. The ethics enforcement officer shall
be a member of the bar of this state. The salary for the executive director,
general counsel and the ethics enforcement officer shall be determined
by the Commissioner of Administrative Services in accordance with Substitute House Bill No. 6574
Public Act No. 21-164 6 of 19
accepted personnel practices. No one person may serve in more than
one of the positions described in this subsection. The Office of State
Ethics may employ necessary staff within available appropriations.
Such necessary staff of the Office of State Ethics shall be in classified
state service.
Sec. 5. Subsection (g) of section 1-81 of the general statutes is repealed
and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective October 1, 2021):
(g) There shall be an enforcement division within the Office of State
Ethics. The enforcement division shall be responsible for investigating
complaints brought to or by the board. The ethics enforcement officer,
described in subsection (c) of this section, shall supervise the
enforcement division. The ethics enforcement officer may represent the
Office of State Ethics before the Superior Court in an appeal of any
ruling or finding pursuant to, or any matter arising under, section 1-82,
as amended by this act, 1-93, as amended by this act, or 1-101nn,
provided the board is not a party in such appeal. The enforcement
division shall employ such attorneys and investigators, as necessary,
within available appropriations, and may refer matters to the office of
the Chief State's Attorney, as appropriate.
Sec. 6. Subsection (b) of section 1-82 of the general statutes is repealed
and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective October 1, 2021):
(b) If a judge trial referee determines that probable cause exists for
the violation of a provision of this part, section 1-101bb or section 1-
101nn, the board shall initiate hearings to determine whether there has
been a violation of this part, section 1-101bb or section 1-101nn. Any
such hearing shall be initiated by the board not later than thirty days
after the finding of probable cause by a judge trial referee and shall be
concluded not later than ninety days after its initiation, except that such
thirty or ninety-day limitation period shall not apply if the judge trial
referee determines that good cause exists for extending such limitation Substitute House Bill No. 6574
Public Act No. 21-164 7 of 19
period. A judge trial referee, who has not taken part in the probable
cause determination on the matter shall be assigned by the Chief Court
Administrator and shall be compensated in accordance with section 52-
434 out of funds available to the Office of State Ethics. Such judge trial
referee shall preside over such hearing and rule on all issues concerning
the application of the rules of evidence, which shall be the same as in
judicial proceedings. The judge trial referee shall have no vote in any
decision of the board. All hearings of the board held pursuant to this
subsection shall be open. At such hearing the board shall have the same
powers as the Office of State Ethics under subsection (a) of this section
and the respondent shall have the right to be represented by legal
counsel, to compel attendance of witnesses and the production of books,
documents, records and papers and to examine and cross-examine
witnesses. Not later than ten days prior to the commencement of any
hearing conducted pursuant to this subsection, the Office of State Ethics
shall provide the respondent with a list of its intended witnesses. The
judge trial referee shall, while engaged in the discharge of the duties as
provided in this subsection, have the same authority as is provided in
section 51-35 over witnesses who refuse to obey a subpoena or to testify
with respect to any matter upon which such witness may be lawfully
interrogated, and may commit any such witness for contempt for a
period no longer than thirty days. The Office of State Ethics shall make
a record of all proceedings pursuant to this subsection. During the
course of any such hearing, no ex-parte communication shall occur
between the board, or any of its members, and: (1) The judge trial
referee, or (2) any staff member of the Enforcement Division of the Office
of State Ethics, concerning the complaint or the respondent. The board
shall find no person in violation of any provision of this part, section 1-
101bb or section 1-101nn except upon the concurring vote of two-thirds
of its members present and voting. No member of the board shall vote
on the question of whether a violation of any provision of this part has
occurred unless such member was physically present for the duration
of any hearing held pursuant to this subsection. Not later than [fifteen] Substitute House Bill No. 6574
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forty-five days after the public hearing conducted in accordance with
this subsection, the board shall publish its finding and a memorandum
of the reasons therefor. Such finding and memorandum shall be deemed
to be the final decision of the board on the matter for the purposes of
chapter 54. The respondent, if aggrieved by the finding and
memorandum, may appeal therefrom to the Superior Court in
accordance with the provisions of section 4-183.
Sec. 7. Subsection (a) of section 1-83 of the general statutes is repealed
and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective October 1, 2021):
(a) (1) All state-wide elected officers, members of the General
Assembly, department heads and their deputies, members or directors
of each quasi-public agency, members of the Investment Advisory
Council and such members of the Executive Department and such
employees of quasi-public agencies as the Governor shall require, shall
file electronically with the Office of State Ethics using the software
created by the office, under penalty of false statement, a statement of
financial interests for the preceding calendar year [with the Office of
State Ethics] on or before the May first next in any year in which they
hold such an office or position. If, in any year, May first falls on a
weekend or legal holiday, such statement shall be filed not later than the
next business day. Any such individual who leaves his or her office or
position shall file electronically a statement of financial interests
covering that portion of the year during which such individual held his
or her office or position. The Office of State Ethics shall notify such
individuals of the requirements of this subsection not later than sixty
days after their departure from such office or position. Such individuals
shall file such statement electronically not later than sixty days after
receipt of the notification.
(2) Each state agency, department, board and commission shall
develop and implement, in cooperation with the Office of State Ethics,
an ethics statement as it relates to the mission of the agency, department, Substitute House Bill No. 6574
Public Act No. 21-164 9 of 19
board or commission. The executive head of each such agency,
department, board or commission shall be directly responsible for the
development and enforcement of such ethics statement and shall file a
copy of such ethics statement with the Department of Administrative
Services and the Office of State Ethics.
Sec. 8. Subsection (o) of section 1-84 of the general statutes is repealed
and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective October 1, 2021):
(o) If (1) any person (A) is doing business with or seeking to do
business with the department or agency in which a public official or
state employee is employed, or (B) is engaged in activities which are
directly regulated by such department or agency, and (2) such person or
a representative of such person gives to such public official or state
employee anything [of value which is subject to the reporting
requirements pursuant to subsection (e) of section 1-96] having a value
of more than ten dollars, such person or representative shall, not later
than ten days thereafter, give such recipient and the executive head of
the recipient's department or agency a written report stating the name
of the donor, a description of the item or items given, the value of such
items and the cumulative value of all items given to such recipient
during that calendar year. The provisions of this subsection shall not
apply to a political contribution otherwise reported as required by law.
Sec. 9. Subsections (c) to (e), inclusive, of section 1-84b of the general
statutes are repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof
(Effective October 1, 2021):
(c) The provisions of this subsection apply to present or former
executive branch public officials or state employees of an agency who
hold or formerly held positions which involve significant decision-
making or supervisory responsibility. [and are] Such positions shall be
designated as such by the agency concerned, in consultation with the
Office of State Ethics, [in consultation with the agency concerned] except Substitute House Bill No. 6574
Public Act No. 21-164 10 of 19
that such provisions shall not apply to members or former members of
the boards or commissions who serve ex officio, who are required by
statute to represent the regulated industry or who are permitted by
statute to have a past or present affiliation with the regulated industry.
[Designation] On or before November 1, 2021, and not less than
annually thereafter, the head of each agency concerned, or his or her
designee, shall submit the designation of all positions in existence on
such date that are subject to the provisions of this subsection [shall be
by regulations adopted by the Citizen's Ethics Advisory Board in
accordance with chapter 54] to the office electronically, in a manner
prescribed by the Citizen's Ethics Advisory Board. If an agency creates
such a position after its annual submission under this subsection, the
head of such agency, or his or her designee, shall submit the designation
of the newly created position not later than thirty days after the creation
of such position. As used in this subsection, "agency" means the Health
Systems Planning Unit of the Office of Health Strategy, the Connecticut
Siting Council, the Department of Banking, the Insurance Department,
the Department of Emergency Services and Public Protection, the office
within the Department of Consumer Protection that carries out the
duties and responsibilities of sections 30-2 to 30-68m, inclusive, the
Public Utilities Regulatory Authority, including the Office of Consumer
Counsel, and the Department of Consumer Protection and the term
"employment" means professional services or other services rendered as
an employee or as an independent contractor.
(1) No public official or state employee in an executive branch
position designated [by the Office of State Ethics] pursuant to the
provisions of this subsection shall negotiate for, seek or accept
employment with any business subject to regulation by his agency.
(2) No former public official or state employee who held such a
position in the executive branch shall, within one year after leaving an
agency, accept employment with a business subject to regulation by that Substitute House Bill No. 6574
Public Act No. 21-164 11 of 19
agency.
(3) No business shall employ a present or former public official or
state employee in violation of this subsection.
(d) The provisions of subsection (e) of this section apply to (1) present
or former Department of Consumer Protection public officials or state
employees who hold or formerly held positions which involve
significant decision-making or supervisory responsibility and [are]
designated as such by the department, in consultation with the Office of
State Ethics, [in consultation with the agency concerned,] and (2) present
or former public officials or state employees of other agencies who hold
or formerly held positions which involve significant decision-making or
supervisory responsibility concerning the regulation or investigation of
(A) any business entity (i) engaged in Indian gaming operations in the
state, and (ii) in which a federally-recognized Indian tribe in the state
owns a controlling interest, or (B) a governmental agency of a federally-
recognized Indian tribe engaged in Indian gaming operations in the
state, which positions are designated as such by the agency concerned,
in consultation with the Office of State Ethics. [, in consultation with the
agency concerned. Designation of] On or before November 1, 2021, and
not less than annually thereafter, the Commissioner of Consumer
Protection and the head of each agency concerned, or their designees,
shall submit designations of all positions in existence on such date that
are subject to the provisions of this subsection [shall be by regulations
adopted by the Citizen's Ethics Advisory Board in accordance with
chapter 54. As used in subsection (e) of this section, the term
"employment" means professional services or other services rendered as
an employee or as an independent contractor ] to the office
electronically, in a manner prescribed by the Citizen's Ethics Advisory
Board. If the department or agency concerned creates such a position
after its annual submission under this subsection, the Commissioner of
Consumer Protection or the head of such agency, as applicable, or their Substitute House Bill No. 6574
Public Act No. 21-164 12 of 19
designees, shall submit the designation of the newly created position
not later than thirty days after the creation of such position.
(e) (1) No Department of Consumer Protection public official or state
employee or other public official or state employee described in
subdivision (2) of subsection (d) of this section [, in a position designated
by the Office of State Ethics,] shall negotiate for, seek or accept
employment with (A) a business entity (i) engaged in Indian gaming
operations in the state, and (ii) in which a federally-recognized Indian
tribe in the state owns a controlling interest, or (B) a governmental
agency of a federally-recognized Indian tribe engaged in Indian gaming
operations in the state.
(2) No former Department of Consumer Protection public official or
state employee or other former public official or state employee
described in subdivision (2) of subsection (d) of this section, who held
such a position shall, within two years after leaving such agency, accept
employment with (A) a business entity (i) engaged in Indian gaming
operations in the state, and (ii) in which a federally-recognized Indian
tribe in the state owns a controlling interest, or (B) a governmental
agency of a federally-recognized Indian tribe engaged in Indian gaming
operations in the state.
(3) As used in this subsection, "employment" means professional
services or other services rendered as an employee or as an independent
contractor.
Sec. 10. Section 1-86e of the general statutes is repealed and the
following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective October 1, 2021):
(a) No person hired by the state as a consultant or independent
contractor, and no person employed by such consultant or independent
contractor, shall:
(1) Use the authority provided [to the person] under the contract, or Substitute House Bill No. 6574
Public Act No. 21-164 13 of 19
any confidential information acquired in the performance of the
contract, to obtain financial gain for the [person] consultant or
independent contractor, an employee of the [person] consultant or
independent contractor or a member of the immediate family of any
such [person] consultant, independent contractor or employee;
(2) Accept another state contract which would impair the
independent judgment of the [person] consultant, independent
contractor or employee in the performance of the existing contract; or
(3) Accept anything of value based on an understanding that the
actions of the [person] consultant, independent contractor or employee
on behalf of the state would be influenced.
(b) No person shall give anything of value to a person hired by the
state as a consultant or independent contractor or an employee of a
consultant or independent contractor based on an understanding that
the actions of the consultant, [or] independent contractor or employee
on behalf of the state would be influenced.
Sec. 11. Subsection (a) of section 1-90a of the general statutes is
repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective October
1, 2021):
(a) Notwithstanding the provisions of sections 1-84, as amended by
this act, 1-84a, 1-85 and 1-86, a public official or state employee of a
public institution of higher education whose employment is derived
from such official's or employee's status as a student at such institution
shall not be subject to the provisions of said sections, if (1) such
institution has adopted written policies and procedures to regulate
student conduct concerning conflicts of interest relating to student
holding of public office or state employment, and (2) such policies and
procedures have been approved by the Citizen's Ethics Advisory Board
in accordance with subsection (b) of this section. Substitute House Bill No. 6574
Public Act No. 21-164 14 of 19
Sec. 12. Subdivision (7) of section 1-91 of the general statutes is
repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective October
1, 2021):
(7) "Gift" means anything of value, which is directly and personally
received, unless consideration of equal or greater value is given in
return. "Gift" does not include:
(A) A political contribution otherwise reported as required by law or
a donation or payment described in subdivision (9) or (10) of subsection
(b) of section 9-601a;
(B) Services provided by persons volunteering their time, if provided
to aid or promote the success or defeat of any political party, any
candidate or candidates for public office or the position of convention
delegate or town committee member or any referendum question;
(C) A commercially reasonable loan made on terms not more
favorable than loans made in the ordinary course of business;
(D) A gift received from (i) the individual's spouse, fiancé or fiancée,
(ii) the parent, grandparent, brother or sister of such spouse or such
individual, or (iii) the child of such individual or the spouse of such
child;
(E) Goods or services (i) that are provided to a state agency or quasi-
public agency (I) for use on state or quasi-public agency property, or (II)
that support an event or the participation by a public official or state
employee at an event, and (ii) that facilitate state or quasi-public agency
action or functions. As used in this subparagraph, "state property"
means property owned by the state or a quasi-public agency or property
leased to a state or quasi-public agency;
(F) A certificate, plaque or other ceremonial award costing less than
one hundred dollars; Substitute House Bill No. 6574
Public Act No. 21-164 15 of 19
(G) A rebate, discount or promotional item available to the general
public;
(H) Printed or recorded informational material germane to state
action or functions;
(I) Food or beverage or both, costing less than fifty dollars in the
aggregate per recipient in a calendar year, and consumed on an occasion
or occasions at which the person paying, directly or indirectly, for the
food or beverage, or his representative, is in attendance;
(J) Food or beverage or both, costing less than fifty dollars per person
and consumed at a publicly noticed legislative reception to which all
members of the General Assembly are invited and which is hosted not
more than once in any calendar year by a lobbyist or business
organization. For the purposes of such limit, (i) a reception hosted by a
lobbyist who is an individual shall be deemed to have also been hosted
by the business organization which he owns or is employed by, and (ii)
a reception hosted by a business organization shall be deemed to have
also been hosted by all owners and employees of the business
organization who are lobbyists. In making the calculation for the
purposes of such fifty-dollar limit, the donor shall divide the amount
spent on food and beverage by the number of persons whom the donor
reasonably expects to attend the reception;
(K) Food or beverage or both, costing less than fifty dollars per person
and consumed at a publicly noticed reception to which all members of
the General Assembly from a region of the state are invited and which
is hosted not more than once in any calendar year by a lobbyist or
business organization. For the purposes of such limit, (i) a reception
hosted by a lobbyist who is an individual shall be deemed to have also
been hosted by the business organization which he owns or is employed
by, and (ii) a reception hosted by a business organization shall be
deemed to have also been hosted by all owners and employees of the Substitute House Bill No. 6574
Public Act No. 21-164 16 of 19
business organization who are lobbyists. In making the calculation for
the purposes of such fifty-dollar limit, the donor shall divide the amount
spent on food and beverage by the number of persons whom the donor
reasonably expects to attend the reception. As used in this
subparagraph, "region of the state" means the established geographic
service area of the organization hosting the reception;
(L) A gift, including, but not limited to, food or beverage or both,
provided by an individual for the celebration of a major life event,
provided any such gift provided by an individual who is not a member
of the family of the recipient does not exceed one thousand dollars in
value;
(M) Gifts costing less than one hundred dollars in the aggregate or
food or beverage provided at a hospitality suite at a meeting or
conference of an interstate legislative association, by a person who is not
a registrant or is not doing business with the state of Connecticut;
(N) Admission to a charitable or civic event, including food and
beverage provided at such event, but excluding lodging or travel
expenses, at which a public official or state employee participates in his
or her official capacity, provided such admission is provided by the
primary sponsoring entity;
(O) Anything of value provided by an employer of (i) a public official,
(ii) a state employee, or (iii) a spouse of a public official or state
employee, to such official, employee or spouse, provided such benefits
are customarily and ordinarily provided to others in similar
circumstances;
(P) Anything having a value of not more than ten dollars, provided
the aggregate value of all things provided by a donor to a recipient
under this subdivision in any calendar year does not exceed fifty dollars;
or Substitute House Bill No. 6574
Public Act No. 21-164 17 of 19
(Q) Training that is provided by a vendor for a product purchased by
a state or quasi-public agency that is offered to all customers of such
vendor.
Sec. 13. Subsection (b) of section 1-93 of the general statutes is
repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective October
1, 2021):
(b) If a judge trial referee indicates that probable cause exists for the
violation of a provision of this part or section 1-101bb, the board shall
initiate hearings to determine whether there has been a violation of this
part or section 1-101bb. Any such hearing shall be initiated by the board
not later than thirty days after the finding of probable cause by a judge
trial referee and shall be concluded not later than ninety days after its
initiation, except that such thirty-day or ninety-day limitation period
shall not apply if the judge trial referee determines that good cause
exists for extending such limitation period. A judge trial referee, who
has not taken part in the probable cause determination on the matter
shall be assigned by the Chief Court Administrator and shall be
compensated in accordance with section 52-434 out of funds available to
the board. Such judge trial referee shall preside over such hearing and
rule on all issues concerning the application of the rules of evidence,
which shall be the same as in judicial proceedings. The judge trial referee
shall have no vote in any decision of the board. All hearings of the board
held pursuant to this subsection shall be open. At such hearing the
board shall have the same powers as the Office of State Ethics under
subsection (a) of this section and the respondent shall have the right to
be represented by legal counsel, to compel attendance of witnesses and
the production of books, documents, records and papers and to examine
and cross-examine witnesses. Not later than ten days prior to the
commencement of any hearing conducted pursuant to this subsection,
the Office of State Ethics shall provide the respondent with a list of its
intended witnesses. The judge trial referee shall, while engaged in the Substitute House Bill No. 6574
Public Act No. 21-164 18 of 19
discharge of the duties as provided in this subsection, have the same
authority as is provided in section 51-35 over witnesses who refuse to
obey a subpoena or to testify with respect to any matter upon which
such witness may be lawfully interrogated, and may commit any such
witness for contempt for a period no longer than thirty days. The Office
of State Ethics shall make a record of all proceedings pursuant to this
subsection. During the course of any such hearing, no ex-parte
communication shall occur between the board, or any of its members,
and: (1) The judge trial referee, or (2) any staff member of the
Enforcement Division of the Office of State Ethics, concerning the
complaint or the respondent. The board shall find no person in violation
of any provision of this part or section 1-101bb except upon the
concurring vote of two-thirds of its members present and voting. No
member of the board shall vote on the question of whether a violation
of any provision of this part or section 1-101bb has occurred unless such
member was physically present for the duration of any hearing held
pursuant to this subsection. Not later than [fifteen] forty-five days after
the public hearing conducted in accordance with this subsection, the
board shall publish its finding and a memorandum of the reasons
therefor. Such finding and memorandum shall be deemed to be the final
decision of the board on the matter for the purposes of chapter 54. The
respondent, if aggrieved by the finding and memorandum, may appeal
therefrom to the Superior Court in accordance with the provisions of
section 4-183.
Sec. 14. Subsection (b) of section 1-97 of the general statutes is
repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective October
1, 2021):
(b) No person shall employ, or be employed as, a lobbyist for
compensation [which] that is contingent upon the outcome of any
administrative or legislative action.
Sec. 15. Sections 1-80b to 1-80d, inclusive, 1-82b and 1-89a of the Substitute House Bill No. 6574
Public Act No. 21-164 19 of 19
general statutes are repealed. (Effective October 1, 2021)