OFFICE OF FISCAL ANALYSIS
Legislative Office Building, Room 5200
Hartford, CT 06106 (860) 240-0200
http://www.cga.ct.gov/ofa
HB-6941
AN ACT CONCERNING THE STATE BUDGET FOR THE BIENNIUM
ENDING JUNE 30, 2025, AND MAKING APPROPRIATIONS
THEREFOR, AND PROVISIONS RELATED TO REVENUE AND
OTHER ITEMS IMPLEMENTING THE STATE BUDGET.
As Amended by House "A" (LCO 9942), House "B" (LCO 9945)
Primary Analyst: PR 8/16/23
Contributing Analyst(s):
OFA Fiscal Note
State Impact: See Below
Municipal Impact: See Below
Explanation
The budget across all appropriated funds is estimated to result in a
balance of $610.4 million in FY 24 and $372.7 million in FY 25. The
balance based on revenue that can be appropriated, due to the revenue
cap, is $300.7 million in FY 24 and $55.4 million in FY 25.
Budget Balance (in millions)
Fund
FY 24 $ FY 25 $
Revenue Approp. Balance
Balance
After
Revenue
Cap
Revenue Approp. Balance
Balance
After
Revenue
Cap
General 22,505.3 22,105.6 399.7 119.4 23,103.7 22,805.9 297.8 10.0
Special
Transportation
2,352.6 2,148.4 204.2 174.8 2,354.5 2,286.4 68.1 38.7
Other Appropriated 871.3 864.8 6.5 6.5 908.9 902.2 6.7 6.7
TOTAL 25,729.2 25,118.8 610.4 300.7 26,367.1 25,994.4 372.7 55.4
1The balance calculation in the table reflects the schedule of revenues adopted by the Finance,
Revenue and Bonding Committee on June 5.
Sections 1 - 13 include appropriations in 13 funds totaling
approximately $25.1 billion in FY 24 and $26.0 billion in FY 25 (net of 2023HB-06941-R01-FN.docx Page 2 of 53
lapses) as summarized in the table below.
Appropriated Fund Summary
Gross Appropriations by Fund FY 24 $ FY 25 $
General Fund 22,239,296,540 22,988,572,293
Special Transportation Fund 2,160,400,525 2,298,389,891
Municipal Revenue Sharing Fund 568,645,047 568,645,047
Banking Fund 34,759,959 35,832,606
Insurance Fund 104,441,098 135,210,679
Consumer Counsel and Public Utility Control Fund 36,917,566 37,943,087
Workers' Compensation Fund 28,835,998 29,128,141
Mashantucket Pequot and Mohegan Fund 52,541,796 52,541,796
Criminal Injuries Compensation Fund 2,934,088 2,934,088
Tourism Fund 17,494,453 16,144,453
Cannabis Regulatory Fund 10,096,526 10,247,420
Cannabis Social Equity and Innovation Fund 5,800,000 10,200,000
Cannabis Prevention and Recovery Services Fund 2,358,000 3,358,000
Total Gross Appropriations
25,264,521,596 26,189,147,501
General Fund Lapses
Unallocated Lapse (48,715,570) 48,715,570)
Unallocated Lapse - Judicial (5,000,000) (5,000,000)
Reflect Historical Staffing (80,000,000) (129,000,000)
Total General Fund Lapses (133,715,570) (182,715,570)
Transportation Fund Lapses
Unallocated Lapse (12,000,000) (12,000,000)
Total Transportation Fund Lapses (12,000,000) (12,000,000)
Net Appropriations by Fund
General Fund 22,105,580,970 22,805,856,723
Special Transportation Fund 2,148,400,525 2,286,389,891
Municipal Revenue Sharing Fund 568,645,047 568,645,047
Banking Fund 34,759,959 35,832,606
Insurance Fund 104,441,098 135,210,679
Consumer Counsel and Public Utility Control Fund 36,917,566 37,943,087
Workers' Compensation Fund 28,835,998 29,128,141
Mashantucket Pequot and Mohegan Fund 52,541,796 52,541,796
Criminal Injuries Compensation Fund 2,934,088 2,934,088
Tourism Fund 17,494,453 16,144,453
Cannabis Regulatory Fund 10,096,526 10,247,420
Cannabis Social Equity and Innovation Fund 5,800,000 10,200,000
Cannabis Prevention and Recovery Services Fund 2,358,000 3,358,000
Total Net Appropriations 25,118,806,026 25,994,431,931
2023HB-06941-R01-FN.docx Page 3 of 53
The FY 24 growth rate for all appropriated funds is 3.8% over the FY
23 appropriation. The FY 25 growth rate for all appropriated funds is
3.5% over the FY 24 appropriation. See the table below for details.
FY 24 and FY 25 Budget Growth Rates (by fund – in millions)
Fund
FY 23 FY 24 FY 24 FY 25 FY 25
Approp. Approp. Change from FY 23 Approp. Change from FY 24
$ $ $ % $ $ %
General 22,089.2 22,105.6 16.4 0.1% 22,805.9 700.3 3.2%
Transportation 1,826.2 2,148.4 322.2 17.6% 2,286.4 138.0 6.4%
Other Appropriated 280.7 864.8 584.1 208.1% 902.2 37.4 4.3%
TOTAL 24,196.0 25,118.8 922.8 3.8% 25,994.4 875.6 3.5%
Spending Cap
The budget is under the spending cap by $0.6 million in FY 23, $10.4
million in FY 24 and $11.6 million in FY 25. These calculations reflect a
deappropriation of $8 million in FY 23 from the Debt Service accounts
contained in sections 248 and 250 of the bill.
Section 14(a) allows OPM to recommend reductions in executive
branch expenditures to achieve budget savings in the General Fund by
$48,715,570 in both FY 24 and FY 25.
Section 14(b) allows OPM to recommend reductions in judicial
branch expenditures to achieve budget savings in the General Fund by
$5 million in both FY 24 and FY 25.
Section 15 requires OPM to recommend reductions in executive
branch personal services expenditures to achieve savings in the General
Fund of $80 million in FY 24 and $129 million in FY 25.
Section 16 allows the Department of Social Services (DSS) and the
Department of Children and Families (DCF) to establish an account to
allow for the receipt of reimbursement anticipated from the federal
government. This allows the state to receive revenue as anticipated in
the budget.
Section 17 exempts appropriations authorized for purposes of 2023HB-06941-R01-FN.docx Page 4 of 53
complying with Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP)
from the quarterly allotment process pursuant to Section 4-85 of the
Connecticut General Statutes (CGS). This provision has no fiscal impact
since these funds are non-programmatic and are only used in
conjunction to close out the end of the fiscal year in accordance with
GAAP.
Section 18(a) authorizes OPM to transfer amounts appropriated for
Personal Services from agencies to the Reserve for Salary Adjustment
(RSA) account to reflect a more accurate impact of collective bargaining
related costs.
Section 18(b) authorizes OPM to transfer funds from the RSA
account to any agency in any appropriated fund for salary increases,
accrual payments, or any other personal services adjustment necessary.
Section 19(a) allows for the unexpended funds for collective
bargaining costs (RSA) to be carried forward from FY 23 into FY 24 and
FY 25.
Section 19(b) allows for the unexpended funds for collective
bargaining costs (RSA) to be carried forward from FY 24 into FY 25.
Section 20 allows for the transfer of funds between agencies via the
use of Finance Advisory Committee (FAC) to maximize federal
matching funds. This allows any General Fund appropriation to be
transferred between agencies to maximize federal funding with FAC
approval. Funds generated through transfer may be used to reimburse
General Fund (GF) expenditures or expand programs as determined by
the Governor and with FAC approval.
Section 21 allows for adjustments to appropriations, with the
approval of FAC, to maximize federal funding available to the state. The
Governor shall present a plan for any such transfer.
Section 22 directs DSS to make Disproportionate Share (DSH)
payments to hospitals in the Department of Mental Health and
Addiction Services (DMHAS) for operating expenses and related 2023HB-06941-R01-FN.docx Page 5 of 53
fringes. This allows the state to receive revenue as anticipated in the
budget.
Section 23 transfers $1 million in both FY 24 and FY 25 of Part B IDEA
(federal funds) from the State Department of Education (SDE) to the
Office of Early Childhood for the Birth-to-Three Program.
Section 24 specifies funding of $37.2 million in both FY 24 and FY 25
for three grant programs administered by SDE, with annual funding to
Priority School Districts ($30,818,778), Extended School Hours
($2,919,883) and School Accountability ($3,412,207).
Section 25 suspends the Department of Children and Families' Single
Cost Accounting System (SCAS) in FY 24 and FY 25, which results in the
elimination of costs to the agency of $734,581 in FY 24 and $1,146,281 in
FY 25 for SCAS' room and board rate increases for Private, in-state
Residential Treatment Facilities (PRTFs). SCAS room and board rate
increases for PRTFs have been suspended in every biennial budget since
FY 04. Under SCAS, increases in the allowable residential care
components over the previous year's rates are limited to: (A) the
increase in the consumer price index plus 2%, or (B) the actual increase
in allowable costs, whichever is less.
Section 26 clarifies the name of a recipient of a grant funded by
carryforward funding through the Department of Economic and
Community Development, which has no fiscal impact.
Section 27 provides funding of up to $1 million within the
Department of Administrative Services for Rents and Moving in FY 24
to be carried forward into FY 25 for the purpose of supporting an
emergency vehicle operations course.
Section 28 specifies that any unexpended balance of funds for the
Connecticut Youth Employment Program in FY 24 will be carried
forward into FY 25 for the same purpose.
Sections 29 - 30 pay off the remainder of outstanding GAAP bonds
using FY 23 appropriations, which results in annual savings on debt 2023HB-06941-R01-FN.docx Page 6 of 53
service payments through FY 28 and precludes the use of approximately
$121 million of revenue for GAAP payments annually for FY 24 through
FY 28.
Section 31 allows the appropriation for the Connecticut Municipal
Redevelopment Authority (MRDA) under section 1 of the bill to be used
for personal services and fringe benefit expenses.
Section 32 provides funding of up to $3,323,985 in FY 24 for the
purpose of supporting additional unemployment insurance program
costs through carryforward funding from the Workforce Investment Act
account.
Section 33 suspends the statutory sweep of the Probate Court
Administration Fund (PCAF) for FY 23, resulting in an estimated
revenue loss to the General Fund of $13,886,000 in FY 24.
Section 34 distributes $550,000 from the Tobacco Settlement Fund
within the Office of Policy and Management to the Tobacco Litigation
Settlement Account for the Office of the Attorney General's tobacco
enforcement activities for FY 24 and FY 25. This allows these activities
to continue to be funded by a source other than the General Fund.
Section 35 distributes, in FY 23, $5 million in existing funding for the
farm manure management system program within the Department of
Agriculture.
Section 36 directs the State Library to distribute $500,000 in both FY
24 and FY 25 for library-related programs: (1) United Way of Central
and Northeastern Connecticut, for the Dolly Parton Imagination
Library; (2) Read to Grow; and (3) Reach Out and Read.
Section 37 carries forward unspent funds previously directed to a
grant from the Department of Energy and Environmental Protection
(DEEP) for Batterson Park. It further requires that of those funds, up to
$650,000 will be spent on a study and the rest made available for the
actions recommended by the study. 2023HB-06941-R01-FN.docx Page 7 of 53
Section 38 distributes funds from the Mashantucket Pequot and
Mohegan Fund in both FY 24 and in FY 25.
Section 39 makes grants through the Judicial Department's Youth
Services Prevention Account for a total cost of $7,053,500 in FY 24.
Section 40 makes grants through the Judicial Department's Youth
Violence Initiative Account for a total cost of $4,560,000 in both FY 24
and FY 25.
Section 41 authorizes the Office of Policy and Management to
identify $339,572,439 in unexpended funds for FY 23 which shall not
lapse, and make them available for the following purposes.
Summary of Carryforwards
Section Agency FY 24 $ FY 25 $ Purpose
41(b)1 Department of Social
Services
32,000,000 - Provide temporary grants to Federally
Qualified Health Centers (FQHCs)
which shall be equally distributed, to
all federally qualified health centers
41(b)2 Department of Social
Services
1,200,000 - Provide funding to make necessary
TFA System changes related to
extending the time limit
41(b)3 Secretary of the State 1,800,000 - Provide grants to municipalities for
early voting; grant can be for up to
$10,500 per municipality
41(b)4 Department of
Agriculture
150,000 150,000 Providing funding for Brass City
Charter Regional Food Hub
41(b)5 Department of
Economic and
Community
Development
1,305,461 - Provide funding for Amistad repairs
41(b)6 Department of
Economic and
Community
Development
235,489 235,489 Provide funding for the International
Festival of Arts and Ideas
41(b)7 Auditors of Public
Accounts
250,000 - Provide funding to upgrade computer
systems and software
41(b)8 Department of
Emergency Services
and Public Protection
200,000 - Provide funds to establish the Law
Enforcement Memorial Account 2023HB-06941-R01-FN.docx Page 8 of 53
Section Agency FY 24 $ FY 25 $ Purpose
41(b)9 Department of
Emergency Services
and Public Protection
100,000 - Provide funding for the Police Officers
Standards and Training Council to
develop guidelines for domestic
violence protective orders
41(b)10 Department of
Emergency Services
and Public Protection
3,000,000 - Provide grants to municipalities to
remove PFAS from fire apparatus
41(b)11 Department of
Economic and
Community
Development
150,000 - Provide one-time funds for the
Greater Hartford Foundation for the
Travelers Championship
41(b)12 Department of Housing 175,000 - Provide one-time funds for the Angel
of Edgewood, Inc.
41(b)13 Department of Energy
and Environmental
Protection
2,000,000 - Provide grants to the three state
recognized tribes, The Schaghticoke,
the Paucatuck Eastern Pequot and the
Golden Hill Paugussett, for work on
their reservations
41(b)14 Department of Social
Services
100,000 - Provide funding to support a study on
Medicaid for Employees with
Disabilities program, which is known
as MED-Connect, and the potential for
expanding eligibility for the program
41(b)15 Office of Early
Childhood Education
2,500,000 2,500,000 Provide funding for the extension of
the workforce pipeline pilot program
41(b)16 University of
Connecticut
40,000,000 20,000,000 Provide funding for temporary
operating support
41(b)17 Connecticut State
Colleges and
Universities
55,000,000 27,500,000 Provide funding for temporary
operating support
41(b)18 University of
Connecticut Health
Center
35,000,000 17,500,000 Provide funding for temporary
operating support
41(b)19 Department of
Economic and
Community
Development
70,000 - Provide a grant to the Friends of the
Shetucket River Valley for renovations
and repairs to facilities for the
Sprague land preserve
41(b)20 Teachers' Retirement
Board
60,000 - Provide funding for Teachers'
Retirement Board election
41(b)21 Office of the State
Comptroller
5,000,000 5,000,000 Provide support for paraeducators'
health care
41(b)22 Office of Policy and
Management
53,300,000 - Provide one-time support for private
providers
41(b)23 Office of Policy and
Management
12,500,000 - Provide grants to Bridgeport and
Waterbury 2023HB-06941-R01-FN.docx Page 9 of 53
Section Agency FY 24 $ FY 25 $ Purpose
41(b)24 Office of Policy and
Management
100,000 - Provide funds to study of transfer of
registration and oversight of
homemaker-companion agencies from
DCP to DPH
41(b)25 Department of
Education
150,000 - Provide funds for a food waste
diversion pilot in Greenwich Public
Schools
41(b)26 Department of Energy
and Environmental
Protection
5,000,000 - Provide funds for flood damage
remediation
41(b)27 Department of
Economic and
Community
Development
38,000 - Provide a grant to the Cetacean
Society International for costs
associated with relocation
41(b)28 Department of
Economic and
Community
Development
50,000 - Provide funding for the development
of Historic Homes Toolkit - One-time
toolkit
41(b)29 Department of Social
Services
25,000 - Provide a grant to Brian's Angels for
one-time operational support
41(b)30 Department of
Education
50,000
-
Provide a grant to the Boys and Girls
Club of Bristol for operational support
41(b)31 Department of Social
Services
100,000 - Provide funds to support for one-time
programming costs to Branford
Counseling and Community Services
41(b)32 Department of Aging
and Disability Services
150,000 - Provide a grant to Ellington Senior
Center for bus replacement
41(b)33 Department of
Economic and
Community
Development
50,000 - Provide a grant to the Lutz Children's
Museum for one-time operational
support
41(b)34 Department of Social
Services
2,000,000 - Provide a grant to Harriott Home
Health Services for operational
support
41(b)35 Department of
Economic and
Community
Development
500,000 - Provide a grant to Manchester for the
consolidation of 8th utilities Special
Services taxing district
41(b)36 Department of
Emergency Services
and Public Protection
250,000 - Provide funding to study issues facing
fire services in the state
41(b)37 Judicial Department 75,000 - Provide a grant to SCRIP, Inc., for
facility improvements and
programming
41(b)38 Department of
Education
200,000 - Provide a grant to FreeAgentNow in
three school districts: Hartford, East
Hartford, and Manchester 2023HB-06941-R01-FN.docx Page 10 of 53
Section Agency FY 24 $ FY 25 $ Purpose
41(b)39 Department of Social
Services
25,000 - Provide a grant to Food2Kids for
operational support
41(b)40 Department of Energy
and Environmental
Protection
5,000 - Provide a grant to the Orange
Historical Society for cleaning of
historic gravestones
41(b)41 Department of Energy
and Environmental
Protection
150,000 - Provide a grant to East Hartford for
improvements to youth athletic and
recreation facilities
41(b)42 Department of
Economic and
Community
Development
350,000 - Provide a grant to Fairfield for facility
for renovations and programming for
the Fairfield Senior Center
41(b)43 Department of Energy
and Environmental
Protection
230,000 - Provide a grant to Danbury for the
Danbury war memorial
41(b)44 Department of Energy
and Environmental
Protection
200,000 - Provide a grant to Avon for
improvements to the softball field in
Avon
41(b)45 Department of
Economic and
Community
Development
100,000 - Provide a grant to the Sterling Opera
House for renovations and repairs
41(b)46 Department of
Economic and
Community
Development
254,000 - Provide a grant to the town of Berlin
for improvements to properties
owned by the town and the Board of
Education
41(b)47 Department of
Economic and
Community
Development
250,000 - Provide a grant to VFW 10059 for
facility improvements to VFW
building in Trumbull
41(b)48 Department of Energy
and Environmental
Protection
500,000 - Provide a grant to the YMCA, Camp
Sloper in Southington for costs
associated with pond dredging
41(b)49 Department of
Economic and
Community
Development
250,000 - Provide a grant to the Boy Scouts of
America for Camp Shelton capital
support
41(b)50 Department of Social
Services
100,000 - Provide a grant to the Human
Resources Agency of New Britain for
campus improvements
41(b)51 Department of Energy
and Environmental
Protection
225,000 - Provide a grant to the Friends of
Amber Farm in Wilton
41(b)52 University of
Connecticut
150,000 - Provide funding to the Institute for
Municipal and Regional Policy for
costs associated with developing a
hate crimes database 2023HB-06941-R01-FN.docx Page 11 of 53
Section Agency FY 24 $ FY 25 $ Purpose
41(b)53 Department of
Emergency Services
and Public Protection
60,000 - Provide funding to Simsbury for a
Federal Emergency Management
Agency hazard study
41(b)54 Department of
Economic and
Community
Development
350,000 - Provide a grant to the Bridgeport
Economic Development Corporation
to support cultural events
41(b)55 State Department of
Education
300,000 - Provide a grant to the Charter Oak
Boxing Academy
41(b)56 Judicial Department 150,000 - Provide support to the LGBTQ Justice
and Opportunity Network
41(b)57 Department of
Administrative Services
5,000,000 - Provide funds to the Firefighters
Cancer Relief account to support
program benefit expenses
41(b)58 Department of Public
Health
- 604,000 Provide a grant to InterCommunity
Health Care for support for operations
in East Hartford and Manchester
41(b)59 Department of
Economic and
Community
Development
600,000 - Provide a grant to Cheshire for
economic development projects
41(b)60 Office of Early
Childhood Education
2,000,000 - Provide funding for childhood
collaboratives
Section 42 provides funding of up to $7,800,000 in FY 24 for the
purpose of meeting the costs of the family childcare provider agreement
through carryforward funding from the Early Care and Education
account to the Care4Kids/CCDF account.
Section 43 allows funding of up to $2 million within the Department
of Housing’s Housing/Homeless Services account to be carried forward
into FY 24 and designates the funding for the emergency rental
assistance program.
Section 44 requires unexpended FY 23 carryforward funds that were
intended to support the establishment of nonstop air service to Jamaica
to carry forward to FY 24 to support a grant-in-aid to the Connecticut
Airport Authority for temporary support for operating expenses. PA 22-
118 provided $2 million for the original grant.
Section 45 requires unexpended FY 23 carryforward funds for a 2023HB-06941-R01-FN.docx Page 12 of 53
grant-in-aid to the town of Sprague for streetscape improvements to
carry forward to FY 24, for a grant-in-aid to Sprague for recreation field
and park lighting. PA 22-118 provided $1.3 million for the original
grant-in-aid.
Section 46 clarifies that not less than $3.5 million for grants-in-aid
under the Connecticut Summer at the Museum Program under the
Department of Economic and Community Development in FY 24 shall
be made available for grants-in-aid to for-profit entities.
Section 47 specifies the distribution of $9.5 million in FY 24 and $9.6
million in FY 25 from various accounts of the State Department of
Education for various organizations and initiatives.
Sections 48 - 49 outline the final allocations of the federal American
Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds for the purposes detailed in the
bill. Final allocations total $652,073,769 in FY 22, $1,470,815,083 in FY
23, $546,311,535 in FY 24 and $143,087,695 in FY 25.
Section 50 directs DSS to make payments, from General Fund
appropriations, totaling $5 million in FY 24 and $2 million in FY 25 to
Bristol Hospital. Funding will support the development and
implementation of a plan to maintain essential health services aligned with
community need and a path to financial viability.
Section 51 directs DSS to make payments, from ARPA allocations,
totaling $8 million in FY 24 and $2 million in FY 25 to Day Kimball
Hospital. Funding will support the development and implementation of
a plan to maintain essential health services aligned with community need
and a path to financial viability.
Section 52 expands eligibility for a rural speed enforcement grant
program within the Department of Emergency Services and Public
Protection, which makes more municipalities eligible to receive these
funds. This results in a revenue gain to various municipalities beginning
in FY 24. To the extent more municipalities receive grants, the balance
of the account may be expended more quickly. 2023HB-06941-R01-FN.docx Page 13 of 53
Section 53 directs the Department of Public Health to increase the
maximum allowable rates for ambulance services and paramedic
intercept services by 10% for FY 24, which has no fiscal impact as it does
not change rates for such services paid by the state via Medicaid.
Section 54, which is effective 10/1/23, expands DPH oversight over
hospital nurse staffing, resulting in a cost to the agency of
approximately $261,571 in FY 24 and $355,397 in FY 25 for two Nurse
Consultants (approximately $157,779 in FY 24 and $215,631 in FY 25), a
Health Program Associate (approximately $62,513 in FY 24 and $83,351
in FY 25), and a half-time Staff Attorney II (approximately $41,279 in FY
24 and $56,414 in FY 25). The associated expense to the Office of the State
Comptroller – Fringe Benefits is estimated at $112,005 in FY 24 and
$152,181 in FY 25. There may be a potential minimal revenue gain to the
General Fund from the issuance of civil penalties. The budget provides
funding of $608,707 in FY 24 and $776,745 in FY 25 to support
expanded oversight over hospital staffing.
Section 54 expands the annual nurse staffing plans that DPH must
evaluate. It additionally requires DPH to investigate complaints from a
hospital staff member or such staff member’s collective bargaining
representative of a violation of any provision of a hospital’s staffing
plan. Investigations will include a review of policy and procedures,
interviews with staff including leadership, observations of care, and
interviews with patients. The scope and severity of the issue must be
analyzed (i.e., did other patients experience a negative outcome) to
determine if the issue is isolated or pervasive.
Hospitals that do not comply with the provisions must submit
corrective plans of action to DPH and the agency must impose civil
penalties of not less than $3,500 for the first violation and $5,000 for each
subsequent violation. This could result in a revenue gain to the state for
any civil penalties applied. These provisions could also result in an
equivalent cost savings to the state to the extent hospitals do not pay the
penalties or expenses due and the Department of Social Services (DSS)
is instead required to withhold medical assistance payments in the 2023HB-06941-R01-FN.docx Page 14 of 53
amount of such penalties and audit expenses. While there is a potential
cost to the UConn Health Center and Departments of Mental Health and
Addiction Services and Children and Families if required to pay for
audit expenses or civil penalties, there is no net impact to the state after
accounting for the offsetting revenue gain.
The Department of Children and Families (DCF) does not currently
operate Hospital Staffing Committees at the Albert J. Solnit Children’s
Center Hospital, or the Albert J. Solnit Children’s Center Psychiatric
Residential Treatment Facilities. The anticipated total cost to the State
for DCF to establish and operate two Hospital Staffing Committees, and
comply with data and reporting requirements, is estimated at $441,488
in FY 24 and $432,025 in FY 25. These totals reflect salaries for two
Quality Assurance Managers ($173,712 in FY 24 and $178,055 in FY 25),
salaries for two Administrative Assistants ($121,406 in FY 24 and
$124,441 in FY 25), associated fringe benefits ($126,370 in FY 24 and
$129,529 in FY 25), and a one-time cost for pamphlets and fliers to notify
staff of committees ($20,000 in FY 24).
The costs to the Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services
(DMHAS) include a Quality Assurance Manager and Administrative
Assistant totaling approximately $147,600 in FY 24 and $151,300 in FY
25 (with associated fringe costs of $63,200 and $64,800, respectively), to
support the additional requirements related to the staffing committees.
Committee staffing and coverage costs are anticipated to cost up to $680
per person per day.
Section 55 is not anticipated to result in a fiscal impact to the state in
FY 24 and FY 25 as the provisions related to mandatory overtime for the
relevant state employees do not apply to collective bargaining
agreements that address mandatory overtime and are in effect prior to
June 1, 2027. To the extent the provisions apply in the out years, the state
could incur increased staffing costs related to the prohibition of
mandatory overtime as a regular practice.
Section 56 expands the Project Longevity Initiative to New London
and Norwich. The Chief Court Administrator is required to provide 2023HB-06941-R01-FN.docx Page 15 of 53
planning and management assistance to ensure implementation of
Project Longevity and may utilize state and federal funds appropriated
for such purpose. To support the addition of two cities, the budget
includes: (1) $1.35 million in both FY 24 and FY 25 to the Judicial
Department, and (2) $500,000 in both FY 24 and FY 25 to the Department
of Housing for housing vouchers and related services.
Section 57 alters the employee paid share for health insurance for
employees of the probate court to commensurate with the state
employee paid share, which results in an estimated cost of $1.5 million
to $2.7 million annually to the Probate Court Administration Fund
(PCAF), beginning in FY 24.
Section 58 requires local law enforcement agencies to report
information about body worn camera use to the Institute for Municipal
and Regional Policy (IMRP) at UConn and requires the Institute to
report on the information submitted. This has no fiscal impact, as it is
anticipated that IMRP can meet the requirements with existing
resources.
Section 59 requires the Department of Economic and Community
Development to use the funds under the Statewide Marketing account
for tourism programs and not to support marketing of DECD.
Section 60, which requires DSS to report to certain legislative
committees regarding the implementation of Appendix K amendments
to related home and community-based services Medicaid waivers by
January 1, 2024, has no fiscal impact.
Section 61, which requires the Office of Policy and Management to
submit a quarterly report concerning the RSA account, results in no
fiscal impact.
Section 62 requires the Department of Public Health to report on the
state’s pandemic preparedness every year, which results in a cost to the
agency of approximately $50,000 annually beginning in FY 24.
Section 63 requires the Department of Energy and Environmental 2023HB-06941-R01-FN.docx Page 16 of 53
Protection (DEEP) to award a grant from the beverage container
recycling program account to certain organizations in, which results in
costs to this account and program for this purpose. The current balance
in the account is approximately $1.7 million.
Section 64 requires the Planning Commission for Higher Education
to update the previous strategic plan for higher education in FY 24 and
alters the areas of study under the plan. The budget provides $250,000
in FY 24 for this purpose, through ARPA funding.
Section 65 authorizes and directs the Department of Transportation
(DOT) to competitively select the Shore Line East (SLE) rail service
provider, potentially resulting in lower operating costs depending upon
the terms of any future procurement. Currently, DOT is required to
contract with Amtrak for service on SLE.
Section 66 permits the Legislative Commissioners' Office to make
such technical, grammatical and punctuation changes as are necessary
to carry out the purposes of this act, including, but not limited to,
correcting inaccurate internal references, which has no fiscal impact.
Section 67 requires the Office of Higher Education (OHE), through
the private career school student protection account, to provide stipends
to certain graduates of Stone Academy and tuition refunds to certain
former students of the academy. The section limits the aggregate
amount of grants to graduates to $150,000 and requires that these
payments be made within two years. This results in a cost to the private
career school student protection account, of up to $150,000. The amount
spent on the tuition refunds is dependent on the number of eligible
former students and the determination of OHE; OHE may provide a
refund of up to 100 percent of the tuition that the student paid for certain
courses. The current balance in the account is approximately $2.4
million. The section allows the state to try to recover the costs of the
stipends and refunds from Stone Academy, which could offset the costs
to the account.
Section 68, which makes changes to the process creating the minority 2023HB-06941-R01-FN.docx Page 17 of 53
set aside for state contracting, results in no fiscal impact.
Section 69 establishes a working group to study the State Historic
Preservation Officer's role in administering historic preservation review
processes. This has no fiscal impact as PA 17 -236 prohibits
transportation allowances for working group members.
Section 70 transfers the Office of Workforce Strategy (OWS) from the
Governor’s Office (OTG) into the Department of Economic and
Community Development (DECD) for administrative purposes only.
Section 1 of this bill transfers $470,000 that is associated with OWS from
OTG to DECD in both FY 24 and FY 25.
Section 71 ends an ongoing housing study and biennial reports by
OPM. This may result in a potential savings to OPM beginning in FY 24
as they no longer must expend resources for these activities.
Section 72 requires DECD to pay for the administrative costs of the
Community Investment Board. The bill disallows the use of bond funds
to support the administrative cost of the Board.
Currently, DECD incurs an annualized cost through the General
Fund of approximately $200,000 for two positions to administer the
program. Section 1 of this bill appropriates $525,263 in both FY 24 and
FY 25 to support three additional positions and other expenses for the
administration of the program.
Sections 73 - 74 eliminate the sales and use tax transfer for the
Municipal Revenue Sharing Account and instead transfer the funds into
the Municipal Revenue Sharing Fund (MRSF). The transfer to the MRSF
is estimated to be $458.5 million in FY 24 and $469.5 million in FY 25.
Section 75 requires the following grants to be paid out of the
Municipal Revenue Sharing Fund (MRSF) beginning in FY 24: (1) the
motor vehicle property tax grant, (2) the Tiered PILOT grant, and (3) the
supplemental revenue sharing grant, which has a statutory payment
list. This results in a cost to the Office of Policy and Management (OPM)
beginning in FY 24 from the MRSF. 2023HB-06941-R01-FN.docx Page 18 of 53
The final cost will be dependent on grant formula calculations but is
expected to be approximately $600 million in each fiscal year. The
section also caps certain grants paid out of the MRSF at the level of
appropriations.
Sections 76 - 78 change the payment date for Tiered PILOT from May
30th to September 30th annually. This has no fiscal impact but may
result in municipalities receiving their PILOT grant at an earlier date.
These sections additionally make technical changes that have no fiscal
impact.
Sections 79 - 80 eliminate payments from the Municipal Revenue
Sharing Account (MRSA) beginning in FY 24. This results in a savings
to MRSA. These grants will be paid out of the MRSF.
Sections 81 - 84 make changes to judicial compensation resulting in
an estimated cost of $1.4 million in FY 24 and $2.8 million in FY 25 to the
Judicial Department. These increases represent a 3% increase in each
fiscal year.
These changes also impact the salaries of the Governor, the
Lieutenant Governor, the Treasurer, the Secretary, the Comptroller, the
Attorney General, Probate Court judges, and Workers Compensation
Commissioner Administrative Law judges.
The cost to the Probate Court Administration Fund (PCAF) is
estimated to be $883,000 in FY 24 and $1.89 million in FY 25 for salary
increases and associated fringe.
The cost to the Workers' Compensation Commission is an estimated
$159,361 in FY 24 and $323,545 in FY 25 for salary increases and
associated fringe.
The cost to the Governor's office is an estimated $6,801 in FY 24 and
$13,807 in FY 25.
The cost to the Lieutenant Governor's office, the Treasurer, the
Secretary of State, the Attorney General, and the State Comptroller is an 2023HB-06941-R01-FN.docx Page 19 of 53
estimated $5,684 in FY 24 and $11,540 in FY 25 for each office.
The estimated cost to the Comptroller for associated fringe benefits is
$155,000 in FY 24 and $310,000 in FY 25.
Sections 85 - 86 eliminate an affirmative action plan requirement for
OHE and make various other conforming changes that do not have a
fiscal impact.
Section 87 makes procedural changes to the Board of Regents for
Higher Education (BOR) regarding the sale of surplus property. The bill
requires BOR to use the proceeds from any of these transactions to pay
(1) outstanding bonds or other debt associated with the property or
improvements, (2) any costs associated with the transaction, and (3) any
capital expenditure consistent with BOR’s campus improvement plan.
To the extent surplus property is sold, this results in a potential cost
reduction to future debt service, either from paying off existing debt or
using sale revenue towards future capital projects that would have
otherwise required a new bond sale. The potential reduced debt service
would be attributed to either the General Fund or the resources of BOR,
dependent on whether the properties being sold and/or improved were
financed using General Obligation (GO) bonds or BOR’s own revenue
bonds, or some combination thereof. The amount of the potential debt
service reduction is unknown, as it relies on future decisions of both
BOR and the Office of Policy and Management.
Section 88 requires OPM to allocate money from the Social Equity
and Innovation Account at the discretion of the Social Equity Council
beginning in FY 24. Any fiscal impact will be dependent on how the
Social Equity Council decides to use the funds within the account. The
section also requires any funds remaining in the account at the end of
FY 24, instead of at the end of FY 23, to be transferred to the Social Equity
and Innovation Fund. This allows more time for funds to accrue to, and
be distributed from the account. It is estimated that approximately $30
million will remain unexpended in the account at the end of FY 23. 2023HB-06941-R01-FN.docx Page 20 of 53
Section 89 reallocates fringe benefits funding for constituent units of
the state system of higher education beginning in FY 24, resulting in a
net neutral funding policy. Under current practice, the Office of the State
Comptroller-Fringe Benefits account covers all the fringe benefit costs
for employees on the block grants, and the higher education units cover
all the fringe benefit costs for employees not on the block grants. Under
the proposed policy, the State Comptroller will be responsible for all
retirement costs while the constituent units will be responsible for group
life insurance, medical costs of active employees, unemployment
compensation, and Social Security tax. The section results in no fiscal
impact to the state due to the net neutral adjustment of block grants and
fringe benefit expenses.
Sections 90 - 94 eliminate the diversion of iLottery revenues to the
debt free community college program, resulting in an estimated General
Fund revenue gain of $2 million in FY 24 and $3 million in FY 25. This
results in a corresponding revenue loss to the community colleges, as
they would have otherwise received the funding to help offset the costs
of the debt free community college program. The budget provides
General Fund appropriations to the program.
Section 95 transfers the Open Educational Resource Coordinating
Council from the OHE to the Connecticut State Colleges and
Universities (CSCU) which does not result in a fiscal impact. The budget
eliminates $100,000 in both FY 24 and FY 25 for purposes of the Open
Education Resource Coordinating Council.
Section 96 makes various procedural changes regarding (1) OHE
program approval and modifications, and (2) what is required of the
programs that are exempt from such approval. These changes are not
anticipated to result in a fiscal impact.
Section 97 (1) allows OPM to execute a memorandum of
understanding with a department head of any budgeted agency to allow
the agency to use funds appropriated to OPM or authorized by the State
Bond Commission and (2) allows such action to be taken among other
state agencies. The section additionally requires OPM to submit annual 2023HB-06941-R01-FN.docx Page 21 of 53
reports containing a summary of all such assignments of authority. This
may result in a transfer of funds that is dependent on the memorandums
of understanding between state agencies.
Section 98 requires funds collected for all non-state-owned electric
vehicles at state owned electric charging stations to be deposited into
the fund from which the electricity for the station was drawn.
Section 99 extends by two years OPM's authority to distribute grants
to partially reimburse municipalities for body-worn cameras or
dashboard cameras used by law enforcement officers. This may result
in a revenue gain to municipalities in FY 24 and FY 25.
Sections 100 - 106, which make various changes regarding the hiring
process to include the Department of Administrative Services, result in
no fiscal impact.
In addition, Sections 106 and 109, which subject consultants to the
same regulatory guidelines as state employees including a background
check before gaining access to taxpayer information, result in no fiscal
impact.
Sections 107 - 111, which make various changes to the process of sole-
sourced personal service agreements including increasing thresholds,
result in no fiscal impact.
Section 112 results in a future revenue gain to the General Fund that
is dependent on the plan established by the Office of Policy and
Management and the Office of the State Comptroller for reimbursement
of costs incurred related to the Retirement Security Program.
Section 113 applies the law concerning construction of state
buildings and the state building and fire safety codes to the Connecticut
Port Authority and does not result in a fiscal impact.
Section 114 results in an uncertain fiscal impact, as it will be based
on future decisions of the Treasurer and future levels of the Budget
Reserve Fund. 2023HB-06941-R01-FN.docx Page 22 of 53
Sections 115 - 118 make a variety of changes to the SB-7 as amended
including: (1) clarifying language changes, shifting "public service
company" to "electric distribution company, gas company, pipeline
company or water company, as such terms are defined in section 16-1 of
the general statutes"; (2) charging the chairperson of the Public Utilities
Regulatory Authority (PURA) with conducting a study on the delivery
portion of the electric bill for electric distribution companies as well as
for customers and what information would increase transparency, with
a report due by 1/15/25; and (3) altering rules concerning the selection
and term of the PURA chairperson. These provisions could be
accommodated without requiring additional resources.
Section 119 makes changes to record erasure for certain DUI related
offenses and does not result in a fiscal impact.
Sections 120 - 123 require any expenditures under (1) the Cannabis
Social Equity and Innovation Fund and (2) the Cannabis Prevention and
Recovery Services Fund to be made only pursuant to appropriation by
the General Assembly. The bill also requires any remaining balance in
the funds to be carried forward to the next fiscal year. The bill makes
other clarifying and conforming changes to these funds which have no
fiscal impact.
Section 124 establishes a new Cannabis Regulatory Fund as an
appropriated fund. Section 384 transfers funding of $10.1 million in FY
24 and $10.3 million in FY 25 from the resources of the General Fund to
the Cannabis Regulatory Fund.
Section 125 requires the Department of Correction (DOC) to operate
an alcohol use disorder pilot program resulting in a cost of $500,000 in
FY 25.
Section 126 requires DOC to operate a long-acting medications pilot
program resulting in a cost of $500,000 in FY 25.
Section 127 requires DOC to create, develop, and implement a
commissary implementation plan resulting in a cost of $142,500 in FY 24 2023HB-06941-R01-FN.docx Page 23 of 53
and $132,500 in FY 25. To meet the requirements of the bill, the DOC
will implement a positive behavior intervention and supports (PBIS)
system which will provide commissary funding to certain juvenile
inmates for good behavior. The funding is needed to implement the
program, train staff, and software management and reporting.
Section 128 requires, starting in FY 24 and annually thereafter, DEEP
to report to the Office of Fiscal Analysis (OFA) and the legislature
certain information on the Passport to the Parks account. This has no
fiscal impact since DEEP has the expertise to report the required
information.
Sections 129 - 131 make the Department of Housing (DOH) a stand-
alone agency, rather than within the Department of Economic and
Community Development (DECD) for administrative purposes only.
This results in annual staff costs for DOH of approximately $235,000 per
year beginning in FY 24, associated with hiring two fiscal
administrators; the budget includes this funding.
Sections 132 - 133 result in a significant cost to OHE beginning in FY
24, associated with establishing and administering a program giving
incentive grants to licensed health care providers accepting adjunct
professor positions. Funding of $500,000 and one position is included in
the budget in both FY 24 and FY 25 within the OHE for this program.
These sections result in significant costs to OHE associated with grant
payments to eligible adjunct faculty. Each health care adjunct professor
who is offered a position under the bill's provisions and remains in the
position is eligible for: (1) $20,000 after the first academic year, and (2)
an additional $20,000 upon remaining in the position for at least two
academic years.
These sections are anticipated to result in Personal Services costs to
OHE of approximately $107,115 annually, beginning in FY 24. These
costs are associated with hiring one full-time Senior Consultant to
administer the program, with an annual salary of approximately $75,000
and corresponding fringe benefits of $32,115. 2023HB-06941-R01-FN.docx Page 24 of 53
Section 134 makes changes to the debt free community college
program. The changes to the program include: (1) eliminating that a
student must be continuously enrolled in college in order to qualify, and
(2) removing the requirement that it is a student's first semester in
college. This results in additional students being eligible for the program
and increased annual costs. The budget includes $5 million in FY 25 for
expansion. It is anticipated the community colleges would cap grant
expenditures at available funding based on past practice.
Section 135 makes various changes to the Roberta Willis Scholarship
program within OHE, including eliminating the community colleges
from the program. This could result in a revenue loss to the community
colleges beginning in FY 24 as their students would no longer be eligible
for financial aid grants under this program and consequently may
choose to enroll elsewhere or not at all. The budget transfers $8.5 million
in both FY 24 and FY 25 from the program account to CSCU's debt free
community college account to reflect the policy change.
Additionally, this section requires that, in FY 24, any ARPA funds
designated for this program must be spent before any appropriated
dollars. This section establishes a cap of $10 million dollars or 30 percent
of the annual appropriation (whichever is greater) to be reserved for the
need merit portion of the program. This could result in a redistribution
of financial aid funds among various eligible institutions, including the
Connecticut state universities and UConn. The budget includes $18
million in FY 24 in ARPA funding for the program.
Section 136 prevents any unused Roberta Willis Scholarship funds
from lapsing beginning in FY 24, which could result in a revenue
increase to various eligible institutions, as unused funds will not lapse
but will be reallocated to these institutions.
Section 137 results in a cost to the UConn Health Center beginning
in FY 24, associated with establishing an endometriosis data and
biorepository program, including research. This section also requires
the UConn Health Center to establish the program in collaboration with
a research laboratory within Connecticut. Funding of $468,000 and 2023HB-06941-R01-FN.docx Page 25 of 53
$735,000 is included in the budget in FY 24 and FY 25, respectively,
within UConn Health Center for this purpose.
Section 138 requires the distribution of $20,000 each to three tribes
from the Mashantucket Pequot and Mohegan Fund each year beginning
in FY 24. This results in an annual cost to OPM of $60,000 beginning in
FY 24 to pay out this grant.
Section 139 increases each of the three tiers for the Tiered PILOT
grant by three percentage points beginning in FY 24. This results in an
annual cost to OPM of approximately $18.9 million and a corresponding
revenue gain to most municipalities.
Section 140 requires DEEP, with the City of Hartford and other
municipalities, to study by 1/15/24 the feasibility of, and recommend
options for the provision of, public recreational access to the Batterson
Park property located in New Britain and Farmington. The budget
designates for this purpose $650,000 in existing funds previously
allocated to DEEP for Batterson Park.
Section 141 requires DEEP to provide financial assistance to the
Metropolitan District of Hartford County (MDC) for certain repairs and
improvements to sewer systems in Hartford. This is not anticipated to
have a fiscal impact to the state or municipalities due to the use of
federal Clean Water Act funding. These sections make other changes
that have no fiscal impact to the state or municipalities.
Sections 142 - 143 may result in start-up costs to the Office of the State
Comptroller (OSC) in FY 24 to establish the Hartford Sewerage System
Repair and Improvement Fund, and grant program. The fund will be
used by the Comptroller to make payments to develop and administer
the program outlined in the bill, and will contain monies received from
deposits, contributions, gifts, grants, donation, bequests, or devises to
the fund. The grant program will be paid out of the Hartford Sewerage
System Repair and Improvement Fund.
Sections 144 - 145 require the MDC to designate an existing employee 2023HB-06941-R01-FN.docx Page 26 of 53
to serve as a community outreach liaison and, in collaboration with
Hartford, submit a report. This will not result in a fiscal impact to the
municipalities within the MDC.
Section 146 requires the Comptroller to provide a $75,000 grant from
the Hartford Sewerage System Repair and Improvement Fund to the
Blue Hills Civic Association in FY 24. This will not result in a fiscal
impact to the state as the fund will not be an appropriated account.
Section 147 makes changes to the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual,
Transgender and Queer Health and Human Services Network by
altering the name to the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and Queer
Justice and Opportunity Network (LGBTQ Justice and Opportunity
Network). This section also alters the responsibilities of the network to
be more focused on justice issues and adds members to the network.
These changes do not result in a fiscal impact.
Sections 148 – 152 and 438 - 441 authorize the Treasurer to replace
funds currently in the Teachers' Retirement Fund Bonds Special Capital
Reserve Fund with a financial guaranty, at which point the available
funds would be transferred to the Connecticut Baby Bond Trust. To the
extent the Treasurer enters into a financial guaranty agreement, this is
anticipated to result in the following impacts: (1) One time cost of up to
$12 million to secure the financial guaranty in FY 24, (2) One time
revenue gain of approximately $381 million to the Connecticut Baby
Bonds Trust in FY 24, and (3) Precludes a one-time deposit into the
Budget Reserve Fund of at least $393 million in FY 33. Sections 152 and
438 exempt disbursements from the Baby Bonds Trust from state and
local taxes, which precludes a potential revenue gain to the state
beginning in FY 42. These sections also make minor and technical
changes to the Baby Bonds program, which are not anticipated to result
in a fiscal impact.
Section 153 establishes a pay range of $5 to $10 per week for inmate
workers, resulting in an estimated cost of $400,000
1
in FY 24 and
1This amount reflects expenditures of nine months due to the bill's effective date of October 1
st. 2023HB-06941-R01-FN.docx Page 27 of 53
$530,000 in FY 25 to the Department of Correction to fund the increase
in wages. In FY 22 payments of over $1.5 million went to approximately
8,000 inmate workers. Currently, these inmates make between $0.75 and
$1.75 daily.
Sections 154 - 155 require the Commission on Women, Children,
Seniors, Equity and Opportunity to recruit and employ a food and
nutrition policy analyst, resulting in an approximate annual cost to the
Commission of $80,000 per year, along with a fringe benefit cost of
approximately $34,250 per year. The actual cost is dependent on the
salary range for the new position.
Section 156 allows a municipality to provide a short-term property
tax abatement for any new grocery store established in a food desert
during two assessment years. This results in a potential revenue loss to
municipalities beginning in FY 24. The extent of the revenue loss is
dependent on the amount of the abatement and the number of such
grocery stores.
Section 157 allows municipalities to receive state financial assistance,
up to the amount of abated property taxes under Section 156, in the form
of a state grant-in-aid. This will mitigate, in whole or part, any revenue
loss from the property tax abatement for grocery stores in food deserts
beginning in FY 24. This section also results in a potential cost to the
DECD, as the bill allows DECD discretion in awarding any grant-in-aid.
The total potential cost per fiscal year is dependent upon the aggregated
amount of property tax abatement approved by municipalities.
Section 158 does not result in a fiscal impact by requiring DECD to
develop a strategic plan to provide incentives for grocery store
construction in a food desert and file a report on the plan by 1/1/24. It
is anticipated that DECD can develop this plan within existing
resources.
Sections 159 - 162 outline circumstances under which a firefighter,
former firefighter, or their dependents may receive compensation or
benefits from the Firefighters Cancer Relief Account for certain cancer 2023HB-06941-R01-FN.docx Page 28 of 53
diagnoses, in a manner similar to Workers' Compensation for an injury
or death while working. This results in significant costs to the account
and costs to municipalities that are fully reimbursed (resulting in no net
costs to municipalities), beginning in FY 24, to the extent that funds are
available in the account. The budget provides $5 million in
carryforward funding in FY 24 to the account, which is within the
Department of Administrative Services.
These sections do not require municipalities to continue providing
compensation and benefits if the account becomes insolvent.
Consequently, the sections are not expected to result in a net fiscal
impact to municipalities.
These sections also establish an advisory committee to annually
evaluate the financial solvency of the account and require the State
Treasurer to annually submit a report, beginning in FY 24. These
requirements do not result in a fiscal impact as these parties will have
sufficient expertise to carry out the tasks.
Section 163 requires sponsors of a registered apprenticeship program
to annually submit specified information (with their registration fee) to
the Department of Labor (DOL), which results in a cost of $24,489 in FY
24 (partial year) and $100,404 in FY 25.
The Office of Apprenticeship Training within DOL would require
one Processing Technician to process, verify, and potentially adjust the
information required under the bill from each of the approximately
1,700 employers and over 6,400 apprentice registration renewal
transactions the agency receives annually. The annualized cost of this
position is $70,301 for salary and $30,103 for fringe benefits.
Section 164 requires the Department of Public Health (DPH), within
available appropriations, to establish a lung cancer early detection and
treatment referral program by 10/1/23, which is anticipated to result in
a cost to the agency of $453,215 in FY 24 and $477,856 in FY 25. This cost
includes the salary for a full-time Health Program Associate of $69,459
in FY 24 (partial year) and $83,351 in FY 25 (annualized). The program 2023HB-06941-R01-FN.docx Page 29 of 53
is tasked with supporting lung cancer detection and treatment referrals
for persons 50 to 80 years of age, giving priority to populations who
exhibit higher rates of lung cancer than the general population, and
educating the public about lung cancer and the benefits of early
detection. Other DPH expenses include an electronic data entry system
for 21 hospitals in 5 different health systems to access, and Community
Health Navigators in each of the 5 health systems responsible for
outreach, education, enrollment, and patient navigation.
Section 165 could result in a cost to DSS associated with covering the
Program of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly (PACE) services under
Medicaid. This section allows but does not require DSS to cover PACE
services under the Medicaid state plan, within available appropriations.
To the extent DSS applies for and receives federal approval for coverage,
the cost will depend on several factors including: (1) eligibility criteria
for participants and providers, (2) Medicaid rates and payment
structure, (3) service utilization, and (4) any potential offsetting savings
to the extent eligible participants utilizing other state-funded services
transition to services covered under PACE.
Sections 166 - 169 establish a registry of private education lenders
and loan creditors and establish an Office of the Student Loan
Ombudsman within the Department of Banking (DOB), resulting in a
cost to the DOB of $295,247 in FY 24 and $505,341 in FY 25 for salary,
fringe benefits, and other expenses. These sections also allow the DOB
to establish a fee structure for the registry, resulting in a potential
revenue gain to the Banking Fund depending on the amount of such
fees and number of registrants. The DOB may impose a civil penalty of
up to $100,000 for violations of the provisions of these sections, resulting
in another potential revenue gain to the Banking Fund. Lastly, these
sections allow the DOB to prescribe alternate registration processes and
fee structures for public or private nonprofit postsecondary educational
institutions, resulting in a potential cost to the University of Connecticut
Health Center and to Southern Connecticut State University, depending
on whether the DOB creates a registration process with an associated
fee, and if so, the amount of such fee. 2023HB-06941-R01-FN.docx Page 30 of 53
Sections 170 – 172 make various technical and clarifying changes to
substitute HB 5001 as amended by House Amendment Schedules “A”
and “B” that does not result in a fiscal impact.
Section 173 prevents a municipality with a population between 6,000
and 8,000 from approving certain warehousing or distributing facilities
in certain locations. This may preclude a grand list growth beginning in
FY 25 to the extent it prevents a warehouse or distributing facility from
building within a certain municipality.
Section 174 results in a significant annual cost to OHE beginning in
FY 25 associated with a student loan reimbursement program for certain
Connecticut residents. The scope of the costs is dependent upon the
number and amount of reimbursements awarded annually. Each
participant in the grant program is eligible to receive up to $5,000
annually and no more than $20,000, over four years of participation in
the program. OHE would require one full-time program administrator
in FY 25 and beyond, resulting in annual salary expenses of
approximately $90,000 in FY 25 and $92,250 in FY 26 and corresponding
fringe benefit costs of approximately $38,538 in FY 25 and $39,501 in FY
26. Additionally, OHE would require up to $50,000 in FY 25, associated
with software and information technology upgrades. Funding of $6
million and one corresponding new position within OHE are included
in the budget in FY 25 for this new program.
Section 175 establishes a personal income tax deduction for
reimbursement provided pursuant to section 174, which results in a one-
time cost of up to $75,000 in FY 25 for programming updates to the CTax
tax administration system and myconneCT online portal, and for tax
form development.
Sections 176 - 183 would reduce costs associated with HB 5004 as
amended by House Amendment "A". The provisions of the section
would delay the first election conducted under early voting rules to
4/1/24. This could reduce some of the cost of HB 5004 as amended,
depending on the number of municipal elections that would be held
between 1/1/24 and 4/1/24. 2023HB-06941-R01-FN.docx Page 31 of 53
Section 184 could result in a cost to the Opioid Settlement Fund and
a corresponding potential revenue gain to various municipal police
departments. The bill allows such funds to be distributed to
departments for the purpose of equipping police officers with opioid
antagonists.
The Opioid Settlement Fund is a separate, nonlapsing fund
administered by a 37-member Opioid Settlement Advisory Committee
with assistance from DMHAS. Expenditures must be approved by the
Committee and used only in accordance with the controlling judgment,
consent decree, or settlement.
Sections 185 - 186 alter the qualifying date of the legislation from time
of passage to 1/1/18 for run-of-river hydropower facilities. The bill also
increases the threshold for generation from Class I renewable energy
sources. This would result in no fiscal impact.
Section 187, which results in no fiscal impact to the Office of Early
Childhood, makes conforming changes to the list of childcare services
exempt from licensing requirements.
Sections 188 - 190 make various reporting and advisory board
changes to the Commission on Racial Equity in Public Health, resulting
in no fiscal impact to the state.
Section 191 requires all Connecticut newborns be screened for
cytomegalovirus on and after 7/1/25, which is anticipated to result in a
cost to DPH of approximately $467,004 and a cost to the Office of State
Comptroller – Fringe Benefits of approximately $32,996 in FY 25. The
cost to DPH reflects the full-year salary of a full-time Microbiologist II,
one-time equipment expenses of approximately $64,693, and other
supply and equipment service contract expenses totaling approximately
$325,252, which are needed to support test validation for a full-fiscal-
year before newborn screening begins at the start of FY 26.
Section 192, which requires DPH to convene a working group to
study issues concerning cytomegalovirus, is not anticipated to result in 2023HB-06941-R01-FN.docx Page 32 of 53
a fiscal impact to the state or municipalities.
Section 193 requires the Commission on Women, Children, Seniors,
Equity and Opportunity to produce a two-generational strategic plan
resulting in no fiscal impact to the state.
Sections 194 and 197 - 198 (1) eliminate mandatory the Municipal
Redevelopment Authority (MRDA) membership for certain
municipalities, (2) expand eligibility for certain other municipalities to
collaborate with the MRDA and (3) require MRDA members to submit
a housing growth zone proposal to receive MRDA funds. This results in
a potential revenue gain beginning in FY 24 for municipalities that
choose to collaborate with MRDA.
Section 195 modifies the governance of the MRDA board of directors
which has no fiscal impact.
Section 196 expands the purposes of MRDA to include providing
financial support and technical assistance to municipalities to develop
housing growth zones.
Section 199 requires all municipalities to report certain changes in
housing to the Department of Economic and Community Development
(DECD). Failure to submit this information will make the municipality
ineligible for discretionary state funding from DECD. This precludes a
revenue gain for municipalities beginning in FY 24.
Section 199 could also result in a decreased or slower use of
previously authorized bond funds for various bond-funded competitive
grants programs. Future debt service costs may be incurred later or to a
lesser extent under the section to the degree that it causes authorized
bond funds to not be expended or to be expended more slowly than they
otherwise would have been. To the extent municipalities are ineligible
for competitive grants because of the provisions of the bill, the ineligible
municipalities would potentially receive less revenue from the state
than they otherwise would. If competitive awards are shifted from
ineligible municipalities to eligible municipalities, the eligible 2023HB-06941-R01-FN.docx Page 33 of 53
municipalities would potentially receive more revenue from the state
than they otherwise would.
Section 200 requires the Office of Policy and Management to identify
surplus state real property that may be suitable for housing and submit
a report by January 1, 2024. This results in no fiscal impact as the
requirement can be accommodated with existing staff and resources.
Section 201 makes changes to income eligibility thresholds for the
Division of Public Defenders (PDS) and requires PDS to annually
publish such guidelines. Current PDS practice is 200% of the federal
poverty level (FPL), however, this section requires PDS to set the
eligibility at 250% of FPL, resulting in an estimated annual cost of
approximately $6 million beginning in FY 26.
Section 202 has no fiscal impact to the state or municipalities, as it
expands the eligibility for future attorneys general by altering the
requirements to hold the office.
Sections 203 - 204 establish two programs providing subsidies to
paraeducators for certain health insurance and health care related costs.
The first program provides a subsidy reimbursement for costs
paraeducators spend to initially fund a health savings account (HSA).
The second provides a stipend to purchase qualified health insurance to
paraeducators who work for a board of education that does not provide
a health insurance plan that meets the federal Affordable Care Act
minimum actuarial value standards. The budget includes $5 million in
carry forward funding in both FY 24 and FY 25 in the Office of the State
Comptroller, and an additional $5 million in FY 25 within the State
Department of Education's budget, to carry out the requirements of
these sections.
Section 205 requires the Office of Health Strategy (OHS) to assist
local and regional boards of education in enrolling paraeducators for
healthcare coverage in qualified health plans, the Covered Connecticut
Program, or Medicaid. This results in no fiscal impact to OHS because
the agency already has the resources and expertise to do so. 2023HB-06941-R01-FN.docx Page 34 of 53
Section 206 establishes a working group to study and report on
health care for paraeducators, including assessment of various options.
The group must be convened by the Connecticut Health Insurance
Exchange (Access Health CT), a quasi-public state agency. The
Exchange may incur a cost for a consultant from its own resources in FY
24, anticipated to be less than $50,000, to the extent additional expertise
is required.
Sections 207 – 208 delay the effective date of SB 3, the online data
privacy bill, from July 1 to 10/1/23. This could minimally reduce the
potential revenue gain in FY 24 identified under the bill to the extent
that violations occur, and fines are issued.
Sections 209 - 219 delay, by one year, changes to motor vehicle
taxation and assessment procedures made in a 2022 law. This will shift
out any grand list and corresponding mill rate adjustments related to
these changes to FY 26.
Sections 220 - 221 decrease the health carriers' ability to lower costs
and may impact state and municipal health plans through increased
premiums in FY 25, by prohibiting the requirement of utilization review
for already approved prescription drugs used to treat an autoimmune
disorder, multiple sclerosis, or cancer after January 1, 2025.
Section 222 results in no anticipated fiscal impact to the state or
municipalities as it impacts private entities by shortening several of the
maximum timeframes for insurers to notify insureds of their utilization
review decisions.
Sections 223 - 224 extend the time frame insurers must provide for
notice of birth of a newborn from 61 days to 91 days, which may result
in a fiscal impact to the state and municipal plans beginning in FY 24 to
the extent that the number of claims increases.
Sections 225 – 226 reduce the time from 60 to 30 days for the use of
step therapy, which results in a potential cost to the state and municipal
plans beginning in FY 24 through increases in drug usage within a 2023HB-06941-R01-FN.docx Page 35 of 53
shortened time frame and administrative costs. The bill also eliminates
step therapy for certain behavioral health conditions, which will sunset
after three years. This has no fiscal impact on the state; however, it may
impact certain municipal plans that require step therapy.
Section 227 establishes a task force to study data collection efforts
regarding step therapy, which has no fiscal impact because the task
force is anticipated to have the expertise to meet the requirements of the
bill.
Sections 228 – 229 require health carriers to submit additional
information annually to the Insurance Department (DOI) related to
prior authorization, which DOI must incorporate into an existing
agency report. This has no anticipated fiscal impact to the state as DOI
has the expertise to meet the requirements of the bill.
Section 230, which requires providers to use a health carrier’s
electronic program for prior authorization, does not result in a fiscal
impact to UConn Health Center.
Sections 231 - 246 make conforming changes to dormant boards and
do not result in a fiscal impact.
Sections 247 - 250 adjust appropriations for FY 23. A total of $71.732
million is provided in General Fund appropriations to cover various
account shortfalls, which is offset by $71.732 million in reductions to
various accounts. In addition, $5.1 million is provided to cover a
deficiency in the Special Transportation Fund that is offset by a
reduction of $5.1 million.
These sections do not result in a net impact to the General Fund or
Special Transportation Fund. Please see the table below for detail of the
sections' appropriations and reductions.
General Fund Appropriation Increases and Reductions
(in millions)
2023HB-06941-R01-FN.docx Page 36 of 53
Agency FY 23 $
Section 247 - General Fund Increases:
State Comptroller 2.75
Department of Labor 0.1
Department of Energy and Environmental Protection 0.75
Department of Economic & Community Development 2.497
Department of Housing 0.4
Office of the Chief Medical Examiner 0.05
Department of Social Services 14.4
Technical Education and Career System 1
Office of Higher Education 0.225
Department of Correction 26.1
Judicial Department 2
State Comptroller - Fringe Benefits 17
Workers' Compensation Claims 4.46
Total - General Fund Increases 71.732
Section 248 - General Fund Reductions:
Judicial Department 2
Debt Service - State Treasurer 2.9
State Comptroller - Fringe Benefits 66.832
Total - General Fund Reductions 71.732
NET General Fund Impact -
Transportation Fund Appropriation Increases and Reductions
(in millions)
Agency FY 22 $
Section 249 - Transportation Fund Increases:
Department of Administrative Services 5
State Comptroller - Fringe Benefits 0.1
Total - Transportation Fund Increases 5.1
Section 250 – Transportation Fund Reductions:
Debt Service - State Treasurer 5.1
Total - Transportation Fund Reductions 5.1
NET Transportation Fund Impact - 2023HB-06941-R01-FN.docx Page 37 of 53
Sections 251 - 259 allow pharmacists and pharmacist interns to access
the Health Assistance InterVention Education Network (HAVEN)
2
beginning on 10/1/23, resulting in no fiscal impact because HAVEN is
supported through insurance billing, out-of-pocket payments,
3
and the
Department of Public Health’s non -appropriated, non-lapsing
Professional Assistance Program account.
4
Beginning in FY 26, the bill raises the fees for certain pharmacist
licenses by $5 and deposits the extra revenue into the pharmacy
professional assistance program account to support the HAVEN
services accessed by pharmacists and pharmacy interns.
Section 260 makes any Connecticut Airport Authority (CAA)
purchase or lease of a municipally owned or controlled airport subject
to the approval of the legislative bodies of the municipality that owns or
controls such airport and the municipality in which such airport is
located, and does not result in a fiscal impact.
Sections 261 - 263 and 277 - 280 require the Office of Policy and
Management (OPM) to serve as the lead agency responsible for
coordinating autism services across state agencies and school districts
that directly provide for or oversee services for individuals on the
autism spectrum. The bill includes $90,200 in both FY 24 and FY 25 to
support an additional staff position in OPM for this purpose.
Sections 264 – 265 and 267 - 270 increase the time limit to receive
benefits under the Temporary Family Assistance (TFA) program from
21 months to 36 months, effective 4/1/24. The bill provides $230,000 in
2HAVEN is a nonprofit organization that supports the recovery of health care professionals who
have a chemical dependency, an emotional or behavioral disorder, or a physical or mental
illness.
3HAVEN evaluations may be out-of-pocket expenses if they are not covered by the health care
professional’s health insurance plan. Ongoing care and treatment are coordinated, when
possible, with an in-network provider. Toxicology testing is out-of-pocket. HAVEN’s
administrative fees are paid by the professional and, when in a contract, the monthly fee is $150
- $175.
4The Department of Public Health’s Professional Assistance Program account is funded through
a $5 fee on the license renewals for certain health care professions. This account has provided
payments to HAVEN totaling $723,874 in FY 21, $814,540 in FY 22, and $827,840 in FY 23 through
5/1/23. 2023HB-06941-R01-FN.docx Page 38 of 53
FY 24 and $1.2 million in FY 25 to the Department of Social Services
(DSS) for this purpose. The bill also includes carryforward funding of
$1.2 million in FY 24 to support system updates to support this change.
Section 266 (1) increases the TFA asset limit from $3,000 to $6,000 (on
and after 10/1/23), and (2) increases the income disregard from 100% of
the federal poverty level (FPL) to 230% FPL (on and after 1/1/24). The
bill provides funding of $760,000 in FY 24 and $3.3 million in FY 25 for
the asset increase and $1.2 million in FY 24 and $3.1 million in FY 25 to
support the increased income disregard.
Section 271 increases the asset limit under the State Administered
General Assistance (SAGA) program from $250 to $500, effective
10/1/23. The bill provides $140,000 in FY 24 and $480,000 in FY 25 for
this purpose.
Section 272 allows individuals seeking coverage to receive
Supplemental Assistance benefits for up to 90 days prior to the date of
application if otherwise eligible for the program, effective 10/1/23. The
bill provides $383,000 in FY 24 and $515,200 in FY 25 to reflect this
change.
Sections 273, 275 and 276 eliminate statutory rate increases for
residential care homes (RCHs) and rated housing facilities in FY 24. The
bill reflects associated savings of $4,372,000 in FY 24.
Section 276 also rebases rates for residential care homes based on
2022 cost reports. The bill provides $5.2 million in both FY 24 and FY 25
for this purpose.
Section 273 eliminates inflationary increases for intermediate care
facilities for individuals with intellectual disabilities (ICF-IIDs). The bill
reflects associated savings of $1.9 million in FY 24 and $3.2 million in FY
25.
Section 273 also maintains the minimum per diem per bed rate of
$501 for ICF-IIDs, rebases facility rates to the most recent cost report
year, and includes a two percent adjustment factor on rates in FY 24. The 2023HB-06941-R01-FN.docx Page 39 of 53
bill provides $1.9 million in FY 24 and $2.1 million in FY 25 for these
purposes.
Section 274 eliminates statutory rate increases for nursing homes.
The bill reflects associated savings of $35.9 million in FY 24 and $60.5
million in FY 25. This section also requires DSS to issue shadow rates
related to the quality metrics program and report on the anticipated
impact on nursing homes if the state were to implement a rate withhold.
This has no fiscal impact as the agency has the expertise to do so.
Section 282 increases adult complex care nursing rates to align with
pediatric rates, effective 1/1/24. The bill provides $600,000 in FY 24 and
$1,350,000 in FY 25 for this purpose.
Sections 283 and 285 expand HUSKY health coverage for children,
regardless of immigration status, from age 12 to age 15, on and after
7/1/24. The bill provides related funding of $3 million in FY 25.
Section 284, which requires DSS to study the expansion of HUSKY
health coverage to age 25 regardless of immigration status, is not
anticipated to result in a fiscal impact.
Sections 286 - 287 increase burial assistance payments from $1,350 to
$1,800 for beneficiaries under State Supplement, Temporary Family
Assistance, and State Administered General Assistance, effective
7/1/24. The bill provides $1.2 million in FY 25 for this purpose.
Section 288 allows up to $5.6 million in FY 23 Medicaid funds to
support stabilization payments to certain DSS contracted providers for
wage enhancements and related benefits for employees working in
intermediate care facilities for individuals with intellectual disability
(ICF/IID). This section also allows providers additional flexibility
related to the expenditure of currently contracted funding, which does
not result in a fiscal impact to the state
Section 289, which makes a technical change regarding the provision
of construction or renovation grants by DMHAS, has no fiscal impact. 2023HB-06941-R01-FN.docx Page 40 of 53
Section 290, which moves the CT Partnership for Long-Term Care
from ADS to OPM, has no fiscal impact.
Sections 291 - 297 make technical, conforming and clarifying changes
that have no fiscal impact.
Section 298, which requires DSS to convene a working group to
review and evaluate the incidence and implications of excess licensed
bed capacity and any space not presently in use at skilled nursing
facilities, has no fiscal impact as DSS has the expertise to do so.
Sections 299 - 301, which require personal income tax forms and
instructions to be revised for certain specified purposes, result in a
onetime cost of up to $75,000 to the Department of Revenue Services in
FY 24 associated with programming updates to the CTax tax
administration system and myconneCT online portal, as well as form
modification. These provisions may also result in costs to the exchange
(i.e., Access Health CT), to its own resources as a quasi-public agency,
associated with using tax return data for targeted outreach. The
exchange already conducts marketing and outreach using its own
funds. Any additional costs resulting from the MOU would be incurred
only after a revised tax return form is in use.
Section 302 increases the HUSKY C income limit to 105% of the
federal poverty level (FPL), inclusive of any income disregards, effective
10/1/24. The bill provides total funding of $8.5 million in FY 25 to DSS
for this purpose.
Section 303, which requires the Department of Public Health (DPH)
and municipal registrars of vital statistics to issue an amended birth
certificate to reflect a parent’s legally changed name upon the receipt of
certain documents, is anticipated to result in an Information Technology
consultant cost to DPH of approximately $30,000 in FY 24 only to update
the Electronic Birth Registry to allow for these names changes. There is
no fee associated with the issuance of amended birth certificates and,
therefore, no anticipated revenue gain to the state or municipalities. 2023HB-06941-R01-FN.docx Page 41 of 53
Sections 304 – 307 and 309, which require reporting on name changes
within the Department of Correction and gender affirming care in the
HUSKY Health program as well as make technical and conforming
changes related to gender incongruence, have no fiscal impact.
Section 308 removes the $250 filing fee that the Probate Court collects
for name change petitions, resulting in an estimated $600,000 annual
loss in revenue to the Probate Court Administration Fund (PCAF).
Section 310, which results in no fiscal impact, allows the State
Department of Education and the Office of Early Childhood to permit a
nonpublic school in the city of Waterbury to accept accreditation of its
curriculum from Cognia.
Sections 311 - 312
5
require the State Department of Education (SDE)
to reimburse school districts for costs associated with providing, in FY
24, free meals for students from families making less than 200% of the
federal poverty line, and who are not eligible for free meals per Federal
guidelines. The budget provides $16 million in FY 24 in ARPA funding
for this purpose.
These sections also require, rather than allow, the State Department
of Education to make certain grants within available appropriations to
public school operators that participate in the National School Lunch.
Section 313 specifies that, for FY 24 and FY 25, $500,000 of Open
Choice funding used for wraparound services for participating students
shall be provided to The Legacy Foundation of Hartford to give such
services.
Sections 314 - 317 extend the caps on various statutory grants. This
results in a savings of at least $2.4 million in both FY 24 and FY 25,
associated with a reduction in funding that otherwise would have gone
5
Section 13 of PA 23-208 repeals these sections of the budget act. The $16 million FY
24 ARPA allocation for school meals is maintained without language indicating the
distribution of such funding.
2023HB-06941-R01-FN.docx Page 42 of 53
to local and regional boards of education.
Section 318 makes technical changes to the Teachers’ Retirement
System (TRS) statutes for members of the professional staff employed at
the State Board of Education and has no fiscal impact.
Sections 319 - 320 require students, in order to graduate high school,
to complete an application for postsecondary financial aid or submit a
waiver. This has no fiscal impact as districts are not required to provide
assistance to students in filling out the applications.
Sections 321 - 322 make technical changes and have no fiscal impact.
Sections 323 - 325 increase the cost of fully funding the Priority
School District grant and preclude revenue losses to certain school
districts by specifying that certain districts will receive the same funding
in FY 24 and annually thereafter as they received in FY 22. This grant is
proportionately reduced if the appropriation is insufficient to fully fund.
Sections 326 – 327 establish an investigative unit within the Internet
Crimes Against Children Task Force, within the Department of
Emergency Services and Public Protection (DESPP), to conduct sting
operations relating to the online sexual abuse of minors, resulting in a
cost of $472,419 in FY 25 and $403,689 in FY 26 to the DESPP and the
Office of the State Comptroller.
Sections 328 – 329 change the reimbursement rate for school air
quality projects and specified types of school construction projects,
respectively, in municipalities with a population of greater than 80,000
to be no less than 60% and Cheshire to be no less than 50%. To the extent
projects are submitted and the statutorily calculated reimbursement rate
would be less than the rates indicated, there would be increased costs to
the state and increased revenue to involved towns. The impact of new
projects on the school construction priority list will be reflected when
such projects are considered by the legislature in the future.
Section 330 results in a cost to the Office of Early Childhood (OEC)
in FY 25 of $15.5 million to increase the full-time School Readiness per 2023HB-06941-R01-FN.docx Page 43 of 53
child cost up to $10,500. This supports approximately 9,830 seats, and
funding is provided in the bill.
Section 331 results in a potential cost to OEC to the extent that the
Commissioner waives Care4Kids eligibility requirements for certain at-
risk populations who may not otherwise qualify. For reference, the
average monthly per child cost under Care4Kids is approximately $788.
Section 332 precludes future savings to the Office of Early Childhood
(OEC) by eliminating the sunset date of the Smart Start program. By
making the program permanent, OEC may incur future costs it
otherwise would not have had the program ended, while towns will
experience a corresponding revenue impact. The bill also potentially
changes the distribution of Smart Start funding to towns by eliminating
the option to give priority to plans that allocate spaces for children who
are eligible for free and reduced-price lunches.
Sections 333 - 334 make technical changes regarding magnet schools
and the Sheff settlement and have no fiscal impact.
Sections 335 - 337 allow local and regional school districts to retain
any grant funding they receive from the State Department of Education
for school mental health workers that is unspent at the end of a fiscal
year. The sections also change the timeframe during which grants for
school mental health specialists and grants for summer mental health
services for students can be awarded from FY 23 to FY 25, to FY 24 to FY
26. This has no fiscal impact, as it does not change the amount of funding
available for such purposes.
Section 338 may result in some minimal start-up costs to the Office
of the State Comptroller in FY 24 to establish the Early Childhood
Education Fund.
Section 339 requires the Office of Early Childhood to submit a report
containing recommendations on the Early Childhood Recommendation
Fund and the Blue-Ribbon Panel on Child Care, which results in no
fiscal impact because the office already has the expertise and resources 2023HB-06941-R01-FN.docx Page 44 of 53
to do so.
Section 340 contains the following Education Cost Sharing (ECS)
grant provisions for underfunded towns: (1) continues the phase-in
schedule in FY 24, (2) increases phase-in funding beyond current law by
approximately $68.6 million in FY 25, and (3) provides full funding
beginning in FY 26 at an estimated cost of $163.4 million (seven percent)
above current law. Towns considered overfunded by the ECS formula
are held harmless from ECS losses in FY 24 and FY 25; annual scheduled
decreases resume in FY 26, with full funding reached in FY 32.
Sections 341 - 342 and 344 result in a savings, beginning in FY 25, to
various local and regional school districts by capping tuition to magnet
schools and vocational agriculture operators at 58% of the amount paid
per student in FY 24. The resulting revenue loss to operators is exceeded
by increased per student state grant amounts, resulting in a net positive
impact. The budget provides funding to support these changes.
The sections additionally result in a cost in FY 24 by requiring the
State Department of Education to provide magnet school tuition
assistance to four towns. The budget provides $3 million in FY 24 for
this purpose.
Section 343 results in costs in FY 24 and FY 25, and annually
thereafter, by increasing the weighted per student grant for state charter
schools in each fiscal year in the new biennium. The budget provides
funding to support these changes.
Section 345 contains changes regarding the Open Choice program
that allow for the implementation of Section 346. (Similar changes are
included for magnet schools and vocational agriculture within Sections
341 and 344.)
Section 346 specifies the distribution of $150 million in funding in FY
25 within the State Department of Education for Education Finance
Reform. This funding supports increases in ECS and grants for choice
program operators as follows: approximately (1) $68.5 million for ECS, 2023HB-06941-R01-FN.docx Page 45 of 53
(2) $9.4 million for state charter schools, (3) $40.2 million for regional
educational service centers and other entities that are not boards of
education that operate magnet schools, (4) $13.3 million for boards of
education that operate interdistrict magnet schools, (5) $11.4 million for
Open Choice program operators, and (6) $7.2 million for vocational
agriculture program operators.
Policies Impacting Revenue (in millions)
Section Policy Fund FY 23 $ FY 24 $ FY 25 $ FY 26 $ FY 27 $ FY 28 $
1 Recognize federal
revenue impact
attributable to state
expenditure changes
GF - 40.3 47.3 46.2 46.2 46.2
1 Recognize General
Fund recovery of
additional fringe
benefit costs (in the
Insurance Fund) due
to an expansion of
staffing in the Office of
Health Strategy
GF - 0.2 0.2 0.2 0.2 0.2
38 Increase funding for
municipal grants via
the Mashantucket
Pequot and Mohegan
Fund
GF - (1.0) (1.0) - - -
38 Increase funding for
municipal grants via
the Mashantucket
Pequot and Mohegan
Fund
Mashantucket
Pequot &
Mohegan
- 1.0 1.0 - - -
73 - 74 Shift MRSA to MRSF MRSA - (458.5) (469.5) (480.7) (492.2) (503.9)
73 - 74 Shift MRSA to MRSF MRSF - 458.5 469.5 480.7 492.2 503.9
89, 445 Recognize General
Fund recovery of
fringe benefit costs
due to restructuring
higher education
fringe benefits
GF - (85.0) (85.0) (85.0) (85.0) (85.0)
90 – 94,
445
Eliminate the transfer
of iLottery revenues to
the debt-free
community college
account
GF - 2.0 3.0 7.5 12.5 19.0 2023HB-06941-R01-FN.docx Page 46 of 53
Section Policy Fund FY 23 $ FY 24 $ FY 25 $ FY 26 $ FY 27 $ FY 28 $
138 Provide funding for
certain native
American tribes
GF - (0.1) (0.1) (0.1) (0.1) (0.1)
138 Provide funding for
certain native
American tribes
Mashantucket
Pequot &
Mohegan
- 0.1 0.1 0.1 0.1 0.1
347 -
349
Extend the temporary
corporate tax
surcharge
GF - 80.0 50.0 20.0 - -
350- 351 Expand the human
capital investment tax
credit
GF - (2.1) (3.5) (3.5) (3.5) (3.5)
352 -
353
Increase the amount of
the film and digital
media production tax
credits to be claimed
against the sales tax
under certain
circumstances
GF - (2.2) (4.3) - - -
354 Allow certain
corporations that own
LLCs to claim the
fixed capital
investment tax credit
for amounts the LLC
invested in qualifying
fixed capital
GF - - - (3.0) (3.0) (3.0)
355 -
356
Eliminate the angel
investor tax credit for
cannabis businesses
GF - 12.5 15.0 15.0 15.0 15.0
357 Adjust the taxes
against which historic
homes rehabilitation
tax credits may be
claimed
GF - - - - - -
358 Restore funding to CT-
N
GF - (0.6) (0.6) (0.6) (0.6) (0.6)
360 -
365, 448
Make the pass-
through entity tax
optional
GF - (2.7) (6.0) (6.0) (6.0) (6.0)
360 -
365, 448
Make the pass-
through entity tax
optional
GF - 2.2 4.8 4.8 4.8 4.8
367 Freeze the diesel tax
rate
STF - (37.2) - - - -
368 -
371
Exempt aviation fuel
from the Petroleum
Gross Receipts Tax
STF - (3.2) (3.1) (3.1) (3.1) (3.1) 2023HB-06941-R01-FN.docx Page 47 of 53
Section Policy Fund FY 23 $ FY 24 $ FY 25 $ FY 26 $ FY 27 $ FY 28 $
368 -
371
Exempt aviation fuel
from the Petroleum
Gross Receipts Tax
CT Airport and
Aviation
Account
- (9.8) (9.4) (9.4) (9.4) (9.4)
368 -
371
Transfer to the CT
Airport Authority for
Operating Expenses
STF - (8.0) (8.0) - - -
368 -
371
Transfer to the CT
Airport Authority for
Operating Expenses
CAA - General
Aviation
Airports
Enterprise
Fund
- 8.0 8.0 - - -
368 -
371
Impose an excise tax
on aviation fuel
CAA - General
Aviation
Airports
Enterprise
Fund
- - - 7.5 7.5 7.5
372 Establish a tax credit
for certain pre-
Broadway and post-
Broadway theater
productions
GF - (2.5) (2.5) (2.5) (2.5) (2.5)
373 Adjust requirements
for unclaimed bottle
deposits
GF - - (3.2) (10.0) (19.4) (19.4)
376 Reduce the 3%
marginal income tax
rate
GF - (49.4) (109.7) (114.1) (118.7) (123.4)
376 Reduce the 5%
marginal income tax
rate
GF - (136.2) (302.5) (314.2) (328.8) (341.5)
376 Recapture the benefits
of the marginal
income tax rate
reductions to
taxpayers with income
above certain
thresholds
GF - 18.8 41.8 43.5 45.2 47.0
376 Adjust the volatility
transfer amount to
reflect (non-PET)
income tax changes
GF - 16.7 37.0 38.0 41.7 42.9
377 Eliminate the benefits
cliff by phasing out the
income tax exemption
for pensions and
annuities
GF - (16.0) (32.0) (32.0) (32.0) (32.0) 2023HB-06941-R01-FN.docx Page 48 of 53
Section Policy Fund FY 23 $ FY 24 $ FY 25 $ FY 26 $ FY 27 $ FY 28 $
377 Eliminate the benefits
cliff by phasing out the
income tax exemption
for individual
retirement accounts
(IRAs)
GF - (5.1) (13.3) (19.8) (23.9) (25.4)
378 Adjust the state's
earned income tax
credit (EITC)
GF - (44.6) (44.6) (44.6) (44.6) (44.6)
377, 379 Authorize the
deduction of certain
business expenses by
cannabis
establishments
GF - (4.7) (6.2) (9.6) (11.4) (13.5)
380 Provide a sales tax
exemption for Narcan
GF/STF/MRSF - - - - - -
29 – 30,
381
Eliminate the planned
revenue set asides to
extinguish the
Generally Accepted
Accounting Principles
(GAAP) historical
deficit as the GAAP
bonds are retired
GF - 120.8 120.8 120.8 120.8 120.8
382 Credit FY 24 revenues
to FY 25
GF - (95.0) 95.0 - - -
383 Transfer to the
Municipal Revenue
Sharing Fund to
provide supplemental
(stabilization and
municipal revenue
sharing) grants
GF - (74.7) (74.7) (74.7) (74.7) (74.7)
383 Transfer to the
Municipal Revenue
Sharing Fund to
provide supplemental
(stabilization and
municipal revenue
sharing) grants
MRSF - 74.7 74.7 74.7 74.7 74.7
383 Make an additional
transfer to the
Municipal Revenue
Sharing Fund
GF - (19.5) (8.6) - - -
383 Make an additional
transfer to the
Municipal Revenue
Sharing Fund
MRSF - 19.5 8.6 - - - 2023HB-06941-R01-FN.docx Page 49 of 53
Section Policy Fund FY 23 $ FY 24 $ FY 25 $ FY 26 $ FY 27 $ FY 28 $
383 Update the additional
transfer to the
Municipal Revenue
Sharing Fund
GF - (2.6) (2.6) - - -
383 Update the additional
transfer to the
Municipal Revenue
Sharing Fund
MRSF - 2.6 2.6 - - -
383 Transfer to Support
Tiered-PILOT
enhancement
GF - (19.0) (19.0) (19.0) (19.0) (19.0)
383 Transfer to Support
Tiered-PILOT
enhancement
MRSF - 19.0 19.0 19.0 19.0 19.0
384 Cannabis Fund
revenue requirements
to offset
appropriations
GF - (10.1) (10.3) - - -
384 Cannabis Fund
revenue requirements
to offset
appropriations
Cannabis
Regulatory
Fund
- 10.1 10.3 - - -
385 Tourism Fund revenue
requirements to offset
appropriations
GF - (2.9) (1.3) - - -
385 Tourism Fund revenue
requirements to offset
appropriations
TF - 2.9 1.3 - - -
449 Eliminate use of
federal American
Rescue Plan Act
(ARPA) funds as state
revenue in FY 23
GF (314.9) - - - - -
Section 359 establishes a working group to examine the taxation of
reservation land resulting in no fiscal impact because the working group
has the expertise to meet the requirements of the bill.
Section 366 changes, beginning with the second quarter of FY 24, the
filing and payment frequency of the highway use tax from monthly to
quarterly and does not result in a fiscal impact.
Sections 374 - 375 require the Department of Revenue Services (DRS)
to produce an annual tax gap report and makes changes to the 2023HB-06941-R01-FN.docx Page 50 of 53
requirements of the biennial Tax Incidence Report, which results in a
consulting cost estimated at $250,000.
Section 380 clarifies that opioid antagonists (e.g., Narcan, naloxone)
are exempt from the sales and use tax and therefore has no fiscal impact.
Section 386 establishes a task force to review boards of assessment
appeals proceedings resulting in no fiscal impact because the task force
has the expertise to meet the requirements of the bill.
Sections 387 establishes a task force to study the timeliness of
required inspections of work performed pursuant to a building permit,
resulting in no fiscal impact because the task force has the expertise to
meet the requirements of the bill.
Sections 388 - 389 authorize the State Treasurer to set compensation
levels for investment officers and other personnel involved with the
chief investment officer, which has no fiscal impact to appropriated
funds. To the extent future investment personnel are hired at
compensation levels different from those currently allowed, various
investment funds overseen by the State Treasurer would be subject to
potential changes to personnel costs.
Sections 390 - 391, which create tax incentives for corporations
offering a qualifying employee stock-sharing arrangement, result in (1)
a potential General Fund revenue loss beginning in FY 27, and (2) a one-
time cost of up to $75,000 in FY 27 for programming updates to the CTax
tax administration system and myconneCT online portal, and for form
modification.
There is a potential General Fund revenue loss beginning in FY 27 to
the extent that companies offer such an arrangement and: (1) the
corporation business tax surcharge is extended (the current surcharge
expires on 1/1/26 under sections 363-365 of the bill), or (2) the surcharge
is not extended and companies are instead eligible to claim tax credits.
Additionally, there is a potential General Fund revenue loss from the
personal income tax exemption for qualifying share plan stock, the 2023HB-06941-R01-FN.docx Page 51 of 53
magnitude and timing of which is dependent on (1) companies offering
a qualifying arrangement, and (2) employee stock sales.
Section 392 requires DRS to conduct a study of the share plans
established in section 390 of the bill. This does not result in any fiscal
impact as the agency can accomplish this requirement without the need
for additional resources.
Sections 393 – 394 require the Capital Region Development
Authority to enter into an agreement with a contractor to manage and
operate the XL Center and to contribute to the facility’s renovations. The
bill allows the state or CRDA to provide up to $80 million towards the
renovation costs. The contractor must provide at least $20 million to the
costs. Additionally, under the bill, the contractor is responsible for any
net loss, and may retain the first $4 million in profits, with any profits
above that to be split between the state and the contractor.
The bill also deems the XL Center to be state owned property while
owned, leased, or operated by CRDA or the contractor and therefore
exempt from property tax. Currently, the facility is owned by the City
of Hartford and managed by CRDA.
Section 395 allows retail sports wagering revenues to be distributed
either to a capital reserve account for the XL Center in Hartford or for
the operation of the XL Center, as required under current law. The
provision does not alter the amount of state revenue to be distributed
for the purpose of supporting the XL Center.
Section 396 requires the CAA to submit a report to the
Transportation and Finance, Revenue and Bonding Committees on
various operational and financial information. The report is due
10/1/23, and annually thereafter, and does not result in a fiscal impact.
Sections 410 – 418 result in an estimated total cost to the state of
$1,680,447 in FY 24 and $1,379,128 in FY 25 associated with elections.
The sections also would result in significant cost to various
municipalities, and some costs for UConn Voter Center and the Office 2023HB-06941-R01-FN.docx Page 52 of 53
of the Secretary of the State (SOTS). The sections generally codify into
state law several aspects of the federal Voting Rights Act of 1965 which:
(1) bans discrimination in voting and elections, and (2) establishes a
mechanism for certain jurisdictions with a history of discrimination
against racial and language minorities to seek preapproval before
changing their election laws. The cost estimated above includes six
positions within the SOTS. The cost also includes hiring several full-time
positions for the UConn Voter Center that is entirely funded by SOTS.
Under the bill, if the SOTS determines that a municipality needs
language-related voting assistance, then the SOTS could require certain
municipalities to implement said assistance at a cost of up to $25,000
annually per municipality. There are ten municipalities that meet the
criteria under the bill.
Section 419 expands the standard wage law to cover contractors who
provide security services and specifies that each pay period an
employee is not paid the required standard wage rate is a separate
violation, subject to a $2,500 to $5,000 fine. This results in a potential
cost to the state and a potential minimal revenue gain from civil
penalties to the extent there are violations found.
To the extent the bill results in additional costs for contractors on
covered state contracts there is a potential cost to the state, the
magnitude of which is dependent on the size and scope of those
contracts. There is no fiscal impact to municipalities as these provisions
pertain only to businesses that contract with state agencies.
Section 420 allows the SOTS to develop an early voting public
information campaign and requires the SOTS to develop materials and
procedures for early voting. The estimated cost for creation of a public
information campaign surrounding early voting is $1 million; the
creation of the materials and procedures surrounding early voting is
estimated to cost $175,000 in FY 24.
Section 421 updates statute to conform to changes pursuant to
section 203 of the bill. 2023HB-06941-R01-FN.docx Page 53 of 53
Sections 422 – 437, which make several changes affecting
procurement and capital projects administration including changes to
prequalification requirements, have no fiscal impact.
Section 442 repeals $600 million of General Bond obligation for the
Baby Bonds Trust, $50 million each year for 12 years beginning in FY 25,
and its associated debt service. The section also repeals an obsolete loan
program, which has no fiscal impact.
Section 445 repeals statutes related to fringe benefit support for
UConn Health Center and the community colleges, resulting in annual
savings of $29.7 million to the General Fund beginning in FY 24. This
section also repeals obsolete statutes to conform to changes in the FY 24
and FY 25 budget.
House "A" and "B" makes various changes that are incorporated into
the analysis above.
The Out Years
The budget for all appropriated funds combined is projected to
have surpluses in FY 26 - FY 28.
Projected Revenues & Expenditures FY 26 – FY 28 (in millions)
Fund
FY 26 $ FY 27 $ FY 28 $
Rev. Expend. Balance Rev. Expend. Balance Rev. Expend. Balance
General 23,618.4 23,201.5 416.9 24,187.9 23,663.2 524.7 24,882.6 23,951.9 930.7
Transportation 2,349.5 2,331.5 18.0 2,365.9 2,551.4 (185.5) 2,383.7 2,583.6 (199.9)
Other Appropriated 896.1 902.2 (6.1) 908.4 902.2 6.2 920.9 902.2 18.7
TOTAL 26,864.0 26,435.2 428.8 27,462.2 27,116.8 345.4 28,187.2 27,437.7 749.5
The preceding Fiscal Impact statement is prepared for the benefit of the members of the General Assembly, solely
for the purposes of information, summarization and explanation and does not represent the intent of the General
Assembly or either chamber thereof for any purpose. In general, fiscal impacts are based upon a variety of
informational sources, including the analyst’s professional knowledge. Whenever applicable, agency data is
consulted as part of the analysis, however final products do not necessarily reflect an assessment from any
specific department.