Researcher: RP Page 1 4/26/22
OLR Bill Analysis
HB 5213
AN ACT CONCERNING PAYMENTS TO VOLUNTEER FIRE
COMPANIES FOR RESPONDING TO CALLS ON LIMITED ACCESS
HIGHWAYS AND AT CERTAIN OTHER LOCATIONS.
SUMMARY
This bill requires the state to pay volunteer fire companies for
responding to calls on designated highways. Under the bill, the State
Fire Administrator must pay $700 per call to volunteer fire companies
responding to calls on:
1. limited access highways;
2. the section of the Berlin Turnpike, which begins at the end of the
Wilbur Cross Parkway in Meriden and extends north along
Route 15 to the South Meadows Expressway in Wethersfield; and
3. the section of Route 8 in Beacon Falls within the Naugatuck State
Forest.
The bill additionally authorizes the State Fire Administrator to make
volunteer fire companies responsible for extinguishing fires on any
portion of these highways where no fire protection is otherwise
provided. He must pay these companies an additional $700 per year for
doing so.
The bill also eliminates a defunct supplemental grant award
remittance program for volunteer fire companies that provide
emergency response services on these same highways.
EFFECTIVE DATE: July 1, 2022
BACKGROUND
Limited Access Highways
The Department of Transportation commissioner, with the governor 2022HB-05213-R000630-BA.DOCX
Researcher: RP Page 2 4/26/22
and attorney general’s advice and consent, designates as limited access
highways the state highways (or portion of them) that are accessible
only at highway intersections or designated points (CGS § 13b-27). The
Office of the State Traffic Administration annually publishes a list of
these limited access highways (CGS § 14-298).
Limited Access Highway Reimbursement Program
Under prior law, the Limited Access Highway Reimbursement
Program paid volunteer fire companies $100 per call for responding to
calls on the same highways described above (CGS § 13a-248). The
legislature eliminated the program in 2003, as part of the FY 04-05
budget implementation act. It subsequently enacted the supplemental
grant award remittance program in 2005.
COMMITTEE ACTION
Public Safety and Security Committee
Joint Favorable Change of Reference - APP
Yea 23 Nay 0 (03/08/2022)
Appropriations Committee
Joint Favorable
Yea 50 Nay 0 (04/07/2022)