OFFICE OF FISCAL ANALYSIS
Legislative Office Building, Room 5200
Hartford, CT 06106 (860) 240-0200
http://www.cga.ct.gov/ofa
sSB-820
AN ACT CONCERNING A STATE VOTING RIGHTS ACT.
Primary Analyst: CP 4/21/21
Contributing Analyst(s): DC
OFA Fiscal Note
State Impact:
Agency Affected Fund-Effect FY 22 $ FY 23 $
Secretary of the State GF - Cost Up to
300,000
Up to
150,000
UConn Various - Cost Up to
600,000
Up to
700,000
Attorney General GF - Cost 314,385 273,638
State Comptroller - Fringe
Benefits
1
GF - Cost 192,000 196,000
Note: GF=General Fund; Various=Various
Municipal Impact:
Municipalities Effect FY 22 $ FY 23 $
Various Municipalities Potential
Cost
Significant Significant
Explanation
This bill generally codifies into state law several aspects of the
federal Voting Rights Act of 1965 which bans discrimination in voting
and elections and established a mechanism for certain jurisdictions
with a history of discrimination against racial and language minorities
to seek preapproval before changing their election laws. This will
result in significant costs to the state and municipalities.
The bill requires the University of Connecticut to establish and
maintain a database containing a range of elections and demographic
1
The fringe benefit costs for most state employees are budgeted centrally in accounts
administered by the Comptroller. The estimated active employee fringe benefit cost
associated with most personnel changes is 41.3% of payroll in FY 22 and FY 23. 2021SB-00820-R000590-FN.DOCX Page 2 of 3
data, results in an estimated cost of up to $600,000 in FY 22 and up to
$700,000 in FY 23 and annually thereafter. The costs are anticipated to
be: (1) one-time startup computer and software costs of approximately
$250,000 in FY 22, and (2) personnel costs associated with the staff to
provide the analysis and services required in the bill, estimated to be
up to $350,000 for half-year costs in FY 22 and up to $700,000 for
annual costs beginning in FY 23. The staff are anticipated to be a
director as required in the bill, with an estimated annual salary of
$125,000, as well as up to three analyst-level staff given the scope of
responsibilities, each with an average annual salary of $75,000.
2
This bill requires the Office of the Attorney General (OAG) to make
determinations of certain municipal plans, intended to protect
specified classes of electors. This determination process may include
various municipalities simultaneously in the years following a
redistricting or court litigation. This is estimated to result in costs to
OAG of $314,385 in FY 22 and $273,638 in FY 22 to hire to additional
Assistant Attorneys General (AAG) and an additional paralegal to
perform the analysis and casework preparation required in advance of
making determinations required under the bill’s requirements. There
would also be associated costs of $129,841 in FY 22 and $133,663 in FY
23 for fringe benefits, and one-time costs of approximately $50,000
annually for proprietary redistricting software to make the
determination.
It is estimated each AAG would spend two to three months each
analyzing each municipality’s plan before making an approval
decision. Under the bill, OAG is given 60 days to make a
determination.
The Secretary of the State and certain municipalities may incur
significant costs to meet the bill's requirements. Certain municipal
2
The fringe benefit costs for employees funded out of other appropriated funds are
budgeted within the fringe benefit account of those funds, as opposed to the fringe
benefit accounts within the Office of the State Comptroller. The estimated active
employee fringe benefit cost associated with most personnel changes for other
appropriated fund employees is 95.57% of payroll in FY 22 and FY 23. 2021SB-00820-R000590-FN.DOCX Page 3 of 3
plans, intended to protect specified classes of electors, could result in
significant costs. The Secretary of the State costs are estimated at up to
$300,000 to meet the bill's requirements and includes the hiring of two
positions (estimated combined cost of $150,000) and a one-time
consultant cost.
The Out Years
The annualized ongoing fiscal impact identified above would
continue into the future subject to inflation.