Connecticut 2021 2021 Regular Session

Connecticut Senate Bill SB01076 Comm Sub / Analysis

Filed 09/10/2021

                    O F F I C E O F L E G I S L A T I V E R E S E A R C H 
P U B L I C A C T S U M M A R Y 
 
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PA 21-198—sSB 1076 
Government Administration and Elections Committee 
 
AN ACT CONCERNING TH E SUBMISSION OF UPDA TE 
STATEMENTS, THE REMO VAL OF REFERENCES TO UPDATE BID 
STATEMENTS AND THE G RANTING OF EASEMENTS ON STATE 
LAND 
 
SUMMARY:  This act makes several changes to the statutes governing the 
Department of Administrative Services (DAS) as follows: 
1. eliminates a provision that invalidates any bid on public works contracts 
submitted without a required update bid statement or prequalification 
certificate and instead allows agencies to permit bidders up to two 
business days post-bid to submit the missing documentation (§ 3); 
2. removes references to “update bid statement” and, where necessary, 
replaces them with “update statement” (§§ 1-4); and 
3. allows DAS to grant easements to, and acquire easements from, the 
federal government or a subdivision of the state, subject to certain 
approvals (§ 5). 
The act also makes technical and conforming changes. 
EFFECTIVE DATE:  July 1, 2021 
 
§§ 1-4 — STATE CONTRACTING BID UPDATES 
 
The act replaces statutory references to the term “update bid statement” with 
“update statement.” Prior law required the DAS commissioner to establish (1) an 
update statement for contractors and substantial subcontractors to use when 
renewing or upgrading their prequalification certificate and 
(2) an update bid statement for bidders on a public works contract to use to 
provide certain information regarding changes since the bidder’s prequalification 
certificate was issued or renewed (e.g., projects currently under contract and 
significant changes in financial position). Under the act, this information must be 
provided in the update statement, which serves both statements’ purposes. 
The act also authorizes public contracting agencies to allow bidders up to two 
business days after a bid opening to submit their prequalification certificate, if 
required, and an update statement. Prior law disqualified a bid if 
the update bid statement or applicable prequalification certificate was missing. 
 
§ 5 — EASEMENTS 
 
The act authorizes the DAS commissioner to grant easements to, and acquire 
easements from, the federal government or a political subdivision of the state 
(e.g., a municipality) for public purposes, as long as he (1) determines that these  O L R P U B L I C A C T S U M M A R Y 
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purposes do not conflict with the public interest and (2) receives approval from 
the State Properties Review Board (SPRB). He must also receive approval from 
the Office of Policy and Management (OPM) and the agency supervising the 
land’s care and control before granting an easement.  
Under existing law unchanged by the act, DAS may grant easements on state 
land to public service companies, owners of district heating and cooling systems, 
municipal water and sewer authorities, and telecommunications companies. The 
easements are subject to approval by the controlling agency, OPM, and SPRB. He 
may also acquire easements in connection with a department project, subject to 
SPRB’s approval.