Connecticut 2024 Regular Session

Connecticut House Bill HB05273 Compare Versions

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	7	+	General Assembly Substitute Bill No. 5273
	8	+	February Session, 2024
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4		-	Substitute House Bill No. 5273
5		-
6		-	Public Act No. 24-132
7	12
8	13
9	14		AN ACT CONCERNING THE RECOMMENDATIONS OF THE
10		-	INTERGOVERNMENTAL POLICY AND PLANNING DIVISION
11		-	WITHIN THE OFFICE OF POLICY AND MANAGEMENT, AUDITS
12		-	AND MUNICIPAL FINANCE.
	15	+	INTERGOVERNMENTAL POLICY AND PLANNING DIVISION WITHIN
	16	+	THE OFFICE OF POLICY AND MANAGEMENT.
13	17		Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General
14	18		Assembly convened:
15	19
16		-	Section 1. Section 12-94a of the general statutes is repealed and the
17		-	following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective from passage):
18		-	On or before July first, annually, the [tax collector] assessor of each
19		-	municipality shall certify to the Secretary of the Office of Policy and
20		-	Management, on a form furnished by said secretary, the amount of tax
21		-	revenue which such municipality, except for the provisions of
22		-	subdivision (55) of section 12-81, would have received, together with
23		-	such supporting information as said secretary may require, except that
24		-	for the assessment year commencing October 1, 2003, such certification
25		-	shall be made to the secretary on or before August 1, 2004. Any
26		-	municipality which neglects to transmit to said secretary such claim and
27		-	supporting documentation as required by this section shall forfeit two
28		-	hundred fifty dollars to the state, provided said secretary may waive
29		-	such forfeiture in accordance with procedures and standards adopted
30		-	by regulation in accordance with chapter 54. Said secretary shall review
31		-	each such claim as provided in section 12-120b. Any claimant aggrieved Substitute House Bill No. 5273
	20	+	Section 1. Section 12-94a of the general statutes is repealed and the 1
	21	+	following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective from passage): 2
	22	+	On or before July first, annually, the [tax collector] assessor of each 3
	23	+	municipality shall certify to the Secretary of the Office of Policy and 4
	24	+	Management, on a form furnished by said secretary, the amount of tax 5
	25	+	revenue which such municipality, except for the provisions of 6
	26	+	subdivision (55) of section 12-81, would have received, together with 7
	27	+	such supporting information as said secretary may require, except that 8
	28	+	for the assessment year commencing October 1, 2003, such certification 9
	29	+	shall be made to the secretary on or before August 1, 2004. Any 10
	30	+	municipality which neglects to transmit to said secretary such claim and 11
	31	+	supporting documentation as required by this section shall forfeit two 12
	32	+	hundred fifty dollars to the state, provided said secretary may waive 13
	33	+	such forfeiture in accordance with procedures and standards adopted 14
	34	+	by regulation in accordance with chapter 54. Said secretary shall review 15
	35	+	each such claim as provided in section 12-120b. Any claimant aggrieved 16
	36	+	by the results of the secretary's review shall have the rights of appeal as 17 Substitute Bill No. 5273
32	37
33		-	Public Act No. 24-132 2 of 24
34	38
35		-	by the results of the secretary's review shall have the rights of appeal as
36		-	set forth in section 12-120b. The secretary shall, on or before December
37		-	fifteenth, annually, certify to the Comptroller the amount due each
38		-	municipality under the provisions of this section, including any
39		-	modification of such claim made prior to December fifteenth, and the
40		-	Comptroller shall draw an order on the Treasurer on the fifth business
41		-	day following and the Treasurer shall pay the amount thereof to such
42		-	municipality on or before the thirty-first day of December following. If
43		-	any modification is made as the result of the provisions of this section
44		-	on or after the December fifteenth following the date on which the [tax
45		-	collector] assessor has provided the amount of tax revenue in question,
46		-	any adjustments to the amount due to any municipality for the period
47		-	for which such modification was made shall be made in the next
48		-	payment the Treasurer shall make to such municipality pursuant to this
49		-	section. For the purposes of this section, "municipality" means a town,
50		-	city, borough, consolidated town and city or consolidated town and
51		-	borough. The provisions of this section shall not apply to the assessment
52		-	year commencing on October 1, 2002. In the fiscal year commencing July
53		-	1, 2004, and in each fiscal year thereafter, the amount of the grant
54		-	payable to each municipality in accordance with this section shall be
55		-	reduced proportionately in the event that the total amount of the grants
56		-	payable to all municipalities exceeds the amount appropriated.
57		-	Sec. 2. Section 12-9 of the general statutes is repealed and the
58		-	following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective from passage):
59		-	[The] Not later than July 1, 2024, and annually thereafter, the
60		-	Secretary of the Office of Policy and Management shall [annually] cause
61		-	to be prepared by the tax collector complete statements relating to the
62		-	mill rate and tax levy [during the preceding] for the ensuing fiscal year,
63		-	such statements to be made upon printed blanks to be prepared and
64		-	furnished by the secretary to all such officers at least thirty days before
65		-	the date prescribed by the secretary for the filing of such statements. Substitute House Bill No. 5273
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67		-	Public Act No. 24-132 3 of 24
	43	+	set forth in section 12-120b. The secretary shall, on or before December 18
	44	+	fifteenth, annually, certify to the Comptroller the amount due each 19
	45	+	municipality under the provisions of this section, including any 20
	46	+	modification of such claim made prior to December fifteenth, and the 21
	47	+	Comptroller shall draw an order on the Treasurer on the fifth business 22
	48	+	day following and the Treasurer shall pay the amount thereof to such 23
	49	+	municipality on or before the thirty-first day of December following. If 24
	50	+	any modification is made as the result of the provisions of this section 25
	51	+	on or after the December fifteenth following the date on which the [tax 26
	52	+	collector] assessor has provided the amount of tax revenue in question, 27
	53	+	any adjustments to the amount due to any municipality for the period 28
	54	+	for which such modification was made shall be made in the next 29
	55	+	payment the Treasurer shall make to such municipality pursuant to this 30
	56	+	section. For the purposes of this section, "municipality" means a town, 31
	57	+	city, borough, consolidated town and city or consolidated town and 32
	58	+	borough. The provisions of this section shall not apply to the assessment 33
	59	+	year commencing on October 1, 2002. In the fiscal year commencing July 34
	60	+	1, 2004, and in each fiscal year thereafter, the amount of the grant 35
	61	+	payable to each municipality in accordance with this section shall be 36
	62	+	reduced proportionately in the event that the total amount of the grants 37
	63	+	payable to all municipalities exceeds the amount appropriated. 38
	64	+	Sec. 2. Section 12-9 of the general statutes is repealed and the 39
	65	+	following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective from passage): 40
	66	+	[The] Not later than July 1, 2024, and annually thereafter, the 41
	67	+	Secretary of the Office of Policy and Management shall [annually] cause 42
	68	+	to be prepared by the tax collector complete statements relating to the 43
	69	+	mill rate and tax levy [during the preceding] for the ensuing fiscal year, 44
	70	+	such statements to be made upon printed blanks to be prepared and 45
	71	+	furnished by the secretary to all such officers at least thirty days before 46
	72	+	the date prescribed by the secretary for the filing of such statements. 47
	73	+	Any person who neglects to file a true and correct report in the office of 48
	74	+	the secretary at the time and in the form required by [him] the secretary 49
	75	+	or which, in making and filing such report, includes therein any wilful 50 Substitute Bill No. 5273
68	76
69		-	Any person who neglects to file a true and correct report in the office of
70		-	the secretary at the time and in the form required by [him] the secretary
71		-	or which, in making and filing such report, includes therein any wilful
72		-	misstatement, shall forfeit one hundred dollars to the state, provided the
73		-	secretary may waive such forfeiture in accordance with procedures and
74		-	standards adopted by regulation in accordance with chapter 54.
75		-	Sec. 3. Subsection (d) of section 7-325 of the general statutes is
76		-	repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective from
77		-	passage):
78		-	(d) Not later than July 1, [2022] 2024, and annually thereafter, the tax
79		-	collector of each district shall submit a statement to the Secretary of the
80		-	Office of Policy and Management on a form prescribed by the secretary.
81		-	Such statement shall include complete information concerning the mill
82		-	rate and tax levy in the district for the [preceding] ensuing fiscal year.
83		-	Any tax collector who neglects to submit a true and correct statement
84		-	shall forfeit one hundred dollars to the state.
85		-	Sec. 4. (NEW) (Effective from passage) Not later than July 1, 2024, and
86		-	annually thereafter, each special services district established under
87		-	chapter 105a of the general statutes shall submit a statement to the
88		-	Secretary of the Office of Policy and Management on a form prescribed
89		-	by the secretary. Such statement shall include complete information
90		-	concerning the mill rate and tax levy in the district for the ensuing fiscal
91		-	year. Any such district that neglects to submit a true and correct
92		-	statement shall forfeit one hundred dollars to the state.
93		-	Sec. 5. Subdivision (1) of subsection (a) of section 12-62c of the general
94		-	statutes is repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof
95		-	(Effective July 1, 2024, and applicable to assessment years commencing on or
96		-	after October 1, 2024):
97		-	(a) (1) A town implementing a revaluation of all real property may Substitute House Bill No. 5273
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99		-	Public Act No. 24-132 4 of 24
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101		-	phase in a real property assessment increase, or a portion of such
102		-	increase resulting from such revaluation, by requiring the assessor to
103		-	gradually increase the assessment or the rate of assessment applicable
104		-	to such property in the assessment year preceding that in which the
105		-	revaluation is implemented, in accordance with one of the methods set
106		-	forth in subsection (b) of this section. The legislative body of the town
107		-	shall approve the decision to provide for such phase-in, the method by
108		-	which it is accomplished and its term, provided the number of
109		-	assessment years over which such gradual increases are reflected shall
110		-	not exceed five assessment years, including the assessment year for
111		-	which the revaluation is effective. If a town chooses to phase in a portion
112		-	of the increase in the assessment of each parcel of real property resulting
113		-	from said revaluation, said legislative body shall establish a factor,
114		-	which shall be not less than twenty-five per cent in any assessment year
115		-	commencing prior to October 1, 2024, or twenty per cent in any
116		-	assessment year commencing on or after October 1, 2024, and shall
117		-	apply such factor to such increases for all parcels of real property,
118		-	regardless of property classification. A town choosing to phase in a
119		-	portion of assessment increase shall multiply such factor by the total
120		-	assessment increase for each such parcel to determine the amount of
121		-	such increase that shall not be subject to the phase-in. The assessment
122		-	increase for each parcel that shall be subject to the gradual increases in
123		-	amounts or rates of assessment, as provided in subsection (b) of this
124		-	section, shall be (A) the difference between the result of said
125		-	multiplication and the total assessment increase for any such parcel, or
126		-	(B) the result derived when such factor is subtracted from the actual
127		-	percentage by which the assessment of each such parcel increased as a
128		-	result of such revaluation, over the assessment of such parcel in the
129		-	preceding assessment year and said result is multiplied by such parcel's
130		-	total assessment increase.
131		-	Sec. 6. Subsection (a) of section 8-23 of the general statutes is repealed
132		-	and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective July 1, 2024): Substitute House Bill No. 5273
	82	+	misstatement, shall forfeit one hundred dollars to the state, provided the 51
	83	+	secretary may waive such forfeiture in accordance with procedures and 52
	84	+	standards adopted by regulation in accordance with chapter 54. 53
	85	+	Sec. 3. Subsection (d) of section 7-325 of the general statutes is 54
	86	+	repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective from 55
	87	+	passage): 56
	88	+	(d) Not later than July 1, [2022] 2024, and annually thereafter, the tax 57
	89	+	collector of each district shall submit a statement to the Secretary of the 58
	90	+	Office of Policy and Management on a form prescribed by the secretary. 59
	91	+	Such statement shall include complete information concerning the mill 60
	92	+	rate and tax levy in the district for the [preceding] ensuing fiscal year. 61
	93	+	Any tax collector who neglects to submit a true and correct statement 62
	94	+	shall forfeit one hundred dollars to the state. 63
	95	+	Sec. 4. (NEW) (Effective from passage) Not later than July 1, 2024, and 64
	96	+	annually thereafter, each special services district established under 65
	97	+	chapter 105a of the general statutes shall submit a statement to the 66
	98	+	Secretary of the Office of Policy and Management on a form prescribed 67
	99	+	by the secretary. Such statement shall include complete information 68
	100	+	concerning the mill rate and tax levy in the district for the ensuing fiscal 69
	101	+	year. Any such district that neglects to submit a true and correct 70
	102	+	statement shall forfeit one hundred dollars to the state. 71
	103	+	Sec. 5. Subdivision (1) of subsection (a) of section 12-62c of the general 72
	104	+	statutes is repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof 73
	105	+	(Effective July 1, 2024, and applicable to assessment years commencing on or 74
	106	+	after October 1, 2024): 75
	107	+	(a) (1) A town implementing a revaluation of all real property may 76
	108	+	phase in a real property assessment increase, or a portion of such 77
	109	+	increase resulting from such revaluation, by requiring the assessor to 78
	110	+	gradually increase the assessment or the rate of assessment applicable 79
	111	+	to such property in the assessment year preceding that in which the 80
	112	+	revaluation is implemented, in accordance with one of the methods set 81 Substitute Bill No. 5273
133	113
134		-	Public Act No. 24-132 5 of 24
135	114
136		-	(a) (1) At least once every ten years, the commission shall prepare or
137		-	amend and shall adopt a plan of conservation and development for the
138		-	municipality. Following adoption, the commission shall regularly
139		-	review and maintain such plan. The commission may adopt such
140		-	geographical, functional or other amendments to the plan or parts of the
141		-	plan, in accordance with the provisions of this section, as it deems
142		-	necessary. The commission may, at any time, prepare, amend and adopt
143		-	plans for the redevelopment and improvement of districts or
144		-	neighborhoods which, in its judgment, contain special problems or
145		-	opportunities or show a trend toward lower land values.
146		-	(2) If a plan is not amended decennially, the chief elected official of
147		-	the municipality shall submit a letter to the Secretary of the Office of
148		-	Policy and Management and the Commissioners of Transportation,
149		-	Energy and Environmental Protection and Economic and Community
150		-	Development that explains why such plan was not amended. A copy of
151		-	such letter shall be included in each application by the municipality for
152		-	discretionary state funding in excess of twenty-five thousand dollars
153		-	submitted to any state agency.
154		-	Sec. 7. Section 4-124s of the general statutes is repealed and the
155		-	following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective July 1, 2024):
156		-	(a) For purposes of this section:
157		-	(1) "Regional council of governments" means any such council
158		-	organized under the provisions of sections 4-124i to 4-124p, inclusive;
159		-	(2) "Municipality" means a town, city or consolidated town and
160		-	borough;
161		-	(3) "Legislative body" means the board of selectmen, town council,
162		-	city council, board of alderman, board of directors, board of
163		-	representatives or board of the warden and burgesses of a municipality; Substitute House Bill No. 5273
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165		-	Public Act No. 24-132 6 of 24
	119	+	forth in subsection (b) of this section. The legislative body of the town 82
	120	+	shall approve the decision to provide for such phase-in, the method by 83
	121	+	which it is accomplished and its term, provided the number of 84
	122	+	assessment years over which such gradual increases are reflected shall 85
	123	+	not exceed five assessment years, including the assessment year for 86
	124	+	which the revaluation is effective. If a town chooses to phase in a portion 87
	125	+	of the increase in the assessment of each parcel of real property resulting 88
	126	+	from said revaluation, said legislative body shall establish a factor, 89
	127	+	which shall be not less than twenty-five per cent in any assessment year 90
	128	+	commencing prior to October 1, 2024, or twenty per cent in any 91
	129	+	assessment year commencing on or after October 1, 2024, and shall 92
	130	+	apply such factor to such increases for all parcels of real property, 93
	131	+	regardless of property classification. A town choosing to phase in a 94
	132	+	portion of assessment increase shall multiply such factor by the total 95
	133	+	assessment increase for each such parcel to determine the amount of 96
	134	+	such increase that shall not be subject to the phase-in. The assessment 97
	135	+	increase for each parcel that shall be subject to the gradual increases in 98
	136	+	amounts or rates of assessment, as provided in subsection (b) of this 99
	137	+	section, shall be (A) the difference between the result of said 100
	138	+	multiplication and the total assessment increase for any such parcel, or 101
	139	+	(B) the result derived when such factor is subtracted from the actual 102
	140	+	percentage by which the assessment of each such parcel increased as a 103
	141	+	result of such revaluation, over the assessment of such parcel in the 104
	142	+	preceding assessment year and said result is multiplied by such parcel's 105
	143	+	total assessment increase. 106
	144	+	Sec. 6. Subsection (a) of section 8-23 of the general statutes is repealed 107
	145	+	and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective July 1, 2024): 108
	146	+	(a) (1) At least once every ten years, the commission shall prepare or 109
	147	+	amend and shall adopt a plan of conservation and development for the 110
	148	+	municipality. Following adoption, the commission shall regularly 111
	149	+	review and maintain such plan. The commission may adopt such 112
	150	+	geographical, functional or other amendments to the plan or parts of the 113
	151	+	plan, in accordance with the provisions of this section, as it deems 114 Substitute Bill No. 5273
166	152
167		-	(4) "Secretary" means the Secretary of the Office of Policy and
168		-	Management or the designee of the secretary;
169		-	(5) "Regional educational service center" has the same meaning as
170		-	provided in section 10-282; and
171		-	(6) "Employee organization" means any lawful association, labor
172		-	organization, federation or council having as a primary purpose the
173		-	improvement of wages, hours and other conditions of employment.
174		-	(b) There is established a regional performance incentive program
175		-	that shall be administered by the Secretary of the Office of Policy and
176		-	Management. Any regional council of governments, regional
177		-	educational service center or a combination thereof may submit a
178		-	proposal to the secretary for: (1) The provision of any service that [one]
179		-	two or more participating municipalities of such council or local or
180		-	regional board of education of such regional educational service center
181		-	[currently] may provide [but which is not provided] on a regional and
182		-	ongoing basis, (2) the redistribution of grants awarded pursuant to
183		-	sections 4-66g, 4-66h, 4-66m and 7-536, according to regional priorities,
184		-	or (3) regional revenue sharing among such participating municipalities
185		-	pursuant to section 7-148bb. A copy of said proposal shall be sent to the
186		-	legislators representing said participating municipalities or local or
187		-	regional boards of education. Any regional educational service center
188		-	serving a population greater than one hundred thousand may submit a
189		-	proposal to the secretary for a regional special education initiative.
190		-	(c) (1) A regional council of governments or regional educational
191		-	service center shall submit each proposal in the form and manner the
192		-	secretary prescribes and shall, at a minimum, provide the following
193		-	information for each proposal: (A) Service or initiative description; (B)
194		-	the explanation of the need for such service or initiative; (C) the method
195		-	of delivering such service or initiative on a regional basis; (D) the
196		-	organization that would be responsible for regional service or initiative Substitute House Bill No. 5273
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199	157
200		-	delivery; (E) a description of the population that would be served; (F)
201		-	the manner in which the proposed regional service or initiative delivery
202		-	will achieve economies of scale for participating municipalities or
203		-	boards of education; (G) [the amount by which participating
204		-	municipalities will reduce their mill rates as a result of savings realized]
205		-	an estimate of anticipated savings or costs that will not be incurred by
206		-	participating municipalities during the grant award period and in fiscal
207		-	years beyond such period; (H) a cost benefit analysis for the provision
208		-	of the service or initiative by each participating municipality and by the
209		-	entity or board of education submitting the proposal; (I) a plan of
210		-	implementation for delivery of the service or initiative on a regional
211		-	basis that addresses any potential growth or reduction in rates of
212		-	participation during the grant award period; (J) a resolution endorsing
213		-	such proposal approved by the governing body of the council or center,
214		-	which shall include a statement affirming that the council or center shall
215		-	fund an increasing proportion of the cost of such proposal over the
216		-	duration of the grant award period, that not less than [twenty-five] fifty
217		-	per cent of the total cost of such proposal shall be funded by the council
218		-	or center [in the first year of operation, and that by the fourth year of
219		-	operation the council or center] by the end of the grant award period
220		-	and that the council or center shall fund one hundred per cent of such
221		-	cost thereafter; (K) a resolution endorsing such proposal approved by
222		-	the governing body of the council of each planning region in which the
223		-	service or initiative is to be provided; (L) a copy of an acknowledgment
224		-	from any employee organization that may be impacted by such
225		-	proposal that they have been informed of and consulted about the
226		-	proposal; and (M) an explanation of the potential legal obstacles, if any,
227		-	to the regional provision of the service or initiative, and how such
228		-	obstacles will be resolved.
229		-	(2) The secretary shall review each proposal and shall award grants
230		-	for proposals the secretary determines best satisfy the following criteria:
231		-	(A) The proposed service or initiative will (i) reduce municipal and state Substitute House Bill No. 5273
	158	+	necessary. The commission may, at any time, prepare, amend and adopt 115
	159	+	plans for the redevelopment and improvement of districts or 116
	160	+	neighborhoods which, in its judgment, contain special problems or 117
	161	+	opportunities or show a trend toward lower land values. 118
	162	+	(2) If a plan is not amended decennially, the chief elected official of 119
	163	+	the municipality shall submit a letter to the Secretary of the Office of 120
	164	+	Policy and Management and the Commissioners of Transportation, 121
	165	+	Energy and Environmental Protection and Economic and Community 122
	166	+	Development that explains why such plan was not amended. A copy of 123
	167	+	such letter shall be included in each application by the municipality for 124
	168	+	discretionary state funding in excess of twenty-five thousand dollars 125
	169	+	submitted to any state agency. 126
	170	+	Sec. 7. Section 4-124s of the general statutes is repealed and the 127
	171	+	following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective July 1, 2024): 128
	172	+	(a) For purposes of this section: 129
	173	+	(1) "Regional council of governments" means any such council 130
	174	+	organized under the provisions of sections 4-124i to 4-124p, inclusive; 131
	175	+	(2) "Municipality" means a town, city or consolidated town and 132
	176	+	borough; 133
	177	+	(3) "Legislative body" means the board of selectmen, town council, 134
	178	+	city council, board of alderman, board of directors, board of 135
	179	+	representatives or board of the warden and burgesses of a municipality; 136
	180	+	(4) "Secretary" means the Secretary of the Office of Policy and 137
	181	+	Management or the designee of the secretary; 138
	182	+	(5) "Regional educational service center" has the same meaning as 139
	183	+	provided in section 10-282; and 140
	184	+	(6) "Employee organization" means any lawful association, labor 141
	185	+	organization, federation or council having as a primary purpose the 142 Substitute Bill No. 5273
232	186
233		-	Public Act No. 24-132 8 of 24
234	187
235		-	costs, (ii) enhance capacity in the delivery of services, or (iii) result in an
236		-	improvement in the level of service provided when compared to the
237		-	local delivery of such service, (B) the proposed service or initiative will
238		-	be available to or benefit all participating members of the regional
239		-	council of governments or regional educational service center regardless
240		-	of such members' participation in the grant application process; [(B)
241		-	when compared to the existing delivery of services by participating
242		-	members of the council or center, the proposal demonstrates (i) a
243		-	positive cost benefit to such members, (ii) increased efficiency and
244		-	capacity in the delivery of services, (iii) a diminished need for state
245		-	funding, and (iv) increased cost savings;] (C) the proposed service or
246		-	initiative promotes cooperation among participating members that may
247		-	lead to a reduction in economic or social inequality; (D) the proposal has
248		-	been approved by a majority of the members of the council or center;
249		-	[and, pursuant to this subsection, contains a statement that not less than
250		-	twenty-five per cent of the cost of such proposal shall be funded by the
251		-	council or center in the first year of operation, and that by the fourth
252		-	year of operation the council or center shall fund one hundred per cent
253		-	of such cost;] and (E) any employee organizations that may be impacted
254		-	by such proposal have been informed of and consulted about such
255		-	proposal, pursuant to this subsection.
256		-	(d) Notwithstanding the provisions of sections 7-339a to 7-339l,
257		-	inclusive, or any other provision of the general statutes, no regional
258		-	council of governments or regional educational service center or any
259		-	member municipalities or local or regional boards of education of such
260		-	councils or centers shall be required to execute an interlocal agreement
261		-	to implement a proposal submitted pursuant to subsection (c) of this
262		-	section.
263		-	(e) Any board of education awarded a grant for a proposal submitted
264		-	pursuant to subsection (c) of this section may deposit any cost savings
265		-	realized as a result of the implementation of the proposed service or Substitute House Bill No. 5273
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267		-	Public Act No. 24-132 9 of 24
	192	+	improvement of wages, hours and other conditions of employment. 143
	193	+	(b) There is established a regional performance incentive program 144
	194	+	that shall be administered by the Secretary of the Office of Policy and 145
	195	+	Management. Any regional council of governments, regional 146
	196	+	educational service center or a combination thereof may submit a 147
	197	+	proposal to the secretary for: (1) The provision of any service that [one] 148
	198	+	two or more participating municipalities of such council or local or 149
	199	+	regional board of education of such regional educational service center 150
	200	+	[currently] may provide [but which is not provided] on a regional and 151
	201	+	ongoing basis, (2) the redistribution of grants awarded pursuant to 152
	202	+	sections 4-66g, 4-66h, 4-66m and 7-536, according to regional priorities, 153
	203	+	or (3) regional revenue sharing among such participating municipalities 154
	204	+	pursuant to section 7-148bb. A copy of said proposal shall be sent to the 155
	205	+	legislators representing said participating municipalities or local or 156
	206	+	regional boards of education. Any regional educational service center 157
	207	+	serving a population greater than one hundred thousand may submit a 158
	208	+	proposal to the secretary for a regional special education initiative. 159
	209	+	(c) (1) A regional council of governments or regional educational 160
	210	+	service center shall submit each proposal in the form and manner the 161
	211	+	secretary prescribes and shall, at a minimum, provide the following 162
	212	+	information for each proposal: (A) Service or initiative description; (B) 163
	213	+	the explanation of the need for such service or initiative; (C) the method 164
	214	+	of delivering such service or initiative on a regional basis; (D) the 165
	215	+	organization that would be responsible for regional service or initiative 166
	216	+	delivery; (E) a description of the population that would be served; (F) 167
	217	+	the manner in which the proposed regional service or initiative delivery 168
	218	+	will achieve economies of scale for participating municipalities or 169
	219	+	boards of education; (G) [the amount by which participating 170
	220	+	municipalities will reduce their mill rates as a result of savings realized] 171
	221	+	an estimate of anticipated savings or costs that will not be incurred by 172
	222	+	participating municipalities during the grant award period and in fiscal 173
	223	+	years beyond such period; (H) a cost benefit analysis for the provision 174
	224	+	of the service or initiative by each participating municipality and by the 175 Substitute Bill No. 5273
268	225
269		-	initiative into a nonlapsing account pursuant to section 10-248a.
270		-	(f) The secretary shall submit to the Governor and the joint standing
271		-	committee of the General Assembly having cognizance of matters
272		-	relating to finance, revenue and bonding a report on the grants provided
273		-	pursuant to this section. Each such report shall (1) include information
274		-	on the amount of each grant and the potential of each grant for
275		-	leveraging other public and private investments, and (2) describe any
276		-	[property tax reductions] municipal or state cost savings and improved
277		-	services achieved by means of the program established pursuant to this
278		-	section. The secretary shall submit a report for the fiscal year
279		-	commencing July 1, 2011, not later than February 1, 2012, and shall
280		-	submit a report for each subsequent fiscal year not later than the first
281		-	day of March in such fiscal year.
282		-	Sec. 8. Subsection (a) of section 12-170d of the general statutes is
283		-	repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective July 1,
284		-	2024):
285		-	(a) Beginning with the calendar year 1973 and for each calendar year
286		-	thereafter any renter of real property, or of a mobile manufactured
287		-	home, as defined in section 12-63a, which such renter occupies as his or
288		-	her home, who meets the qualifications set forth in this section, shall be
289		-	entitled to receive in the following year in the form of direct payment
290		-	from the state, a grant in refund of utility and rent bills actually paid by
291		-	or for such renter on such real property or mobile manufactured home
292		-	to the extent set forth in section 12-170e. Such grant by the state shall be
293		-	made upon receipt by the state of a certificate of grant with a copy of the
294		-	application therefor attached, as provided in section 12-170f, as
295		-	amended by this act. [, provided such application shall be made within
296		-	one year from the close of the calendar year for which the grant is
297		-	requested.] If the rental quarters are occupied by more than one person,
298		-	it shall be assumed for the purposes of this section and sections 12-170e
299		-	and 12-170f, as amended by this act, that each of such persons pays his Substitute House Bill No. 5273
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302	230
303		-	or her proportionate share of the rental and utility expenses levied
304		-	thereon and grants shall be calculated on that portion of utility and rent
305		-	bills paid that are applicable to the person making application for grant
306		-	under said sections. For purposes of this section and sections 12-170e
307		-	and 12-170f, as amended by this act, a married couple shall constitute
308		-	one tenant, and a resident of cooperative housing shall be a renter. To
309		-	qualify for such payment by the state, the renter shall meet qualification
310		-	requirements in accordance with each of the following subdivisions: (1)
311		-	(A) At the close of the calendar year for which a grant is claimed be sixty-
312		-	five years of age or over, or his or her spouse who is residing with such
313		-	renter shall be sixty-five years of age or over, at the close of such year,
314		-	or be fifty years of age or over and the surviving spouse of a renter who
315		-	at the time of his or her death had qualified and was entitled to tax relief
316		-	under this chapter, provided such spouse was domiciled with such
317		-	renter at the time of his or her death, or (B) at the close of the calendar
318		-	year for which a grant is claimed be under age sixty-five and eligible in
319		-	accordance with applicable federal regulations, to receive permanent
320		-	total disability benefits under Social Security, or if such renter has not
321		-	been engaged in employment covere d by Social Security and
322		-	accordingly has not qualified for Social Security benefits but has become
323		-	qualified for permanent total disability benefits under any federal, state
324		-	or local government retirement or disability plan, including the Railroad
325		-	Retirement Act and any government-related teacher's retirement plan,
326		-	determined by the Secretary of the Office of Policy and Management to
327		-	contain requirements in respect to qualification for such permanent total
328		-	disability benefits which are comparable to such requirements under
329		-	Social Security; (2) shall reside within this state and shall have resided
330		-	within this state for at least one year or such renter's spouse who is
331		-	domiciled with such renter shall have resided within this state for at
332		-	least one year and shall reside within this state at the time of filing the
333		-	claim and shall have resided within this state for the period for which
334		-	claim is made; (3) shall have taxable and nontaxable income, the total of
335		-	which shall hereinafter be called "qualifying income", during the Substitute House Bill No. 5273
	231	+	entity or board of education submitting the proposal; (I) a plan of 176
	232	+	implementation for delivery of the service or initiative on a regional 177
	233	+	basis that addresses any potential growth or reduction in rates of 178
	234	+	participation during the grant award period; (J) a resolution endorsing 179
	235	+	such proposal approved by the governing body of the council or center, 180
	236	+	which shall include a statement affirming that the council or center shall 181
	237	+	fund an increasing proportion of the cost of such proposal over the 182
	238	+	duration of the grant award period, that not less than [twenty-five] fifty 183
	239	+	per cent of the total cost of such proposal shall be funded by the council 184
	240	+	or center [in the first year of operation, and that by the fourth year of 185
	241	+	operation the council or center] by the end of the grant award period 186
	242	+	and that the council or center shall fund one hundred per cent of such 187
	243	+	cost thereafter; (K) a resolution endorsing such proposal approved by 188
	244	+	the governing body of the council of each planning region in which the 189
	245	+	service or initiative is to be provided; (L) a copy of an acknowledgment 190
	246	+	from any employee organization that may be impacted by such 191
	247	+	proposal that they have been informed of and consulted about the 192
	248	+	proposal; and (M) an explanation of the potential legal obstacles, if any, 193
	249	+	to the regional provision of the service or initiative, and how such 194
	250	+	obstacles will be resolved. 195
	251	+	(2) The secretary shall review each proposal and shall award grants 196
	252	+	for proposals the secretary determines best satisfy the following criteria: 197
	253	+	(A) The proposed service or initiative will (i) reduce municipal and state 198
	254	+	costs, (ii) enhance capacity in the delivery of services, or (iii) result in an 199
	255	+	improvement in the level of service provided when compared to the 200
	256	+	local delivery of such service, (B) the proposed service or initiative will 201
	257	+	be available to or benefit all participating members of the regional 202
	258	+	council of governments or regional educational service center regardless 203
	259	+	of such members' participation in the grant application process; [(B) 204
	260	+	when compared to the existing delivery of services by participating 205
	261	+	members of the council or center, the proposal demonstrates (i) a 206
	262	+	positive cost benefit to such members, (ii) increased efficiency and 207
	263	+	capacity in the delivery of services, (iii) a diminished need for state 208
	264	+	funding, and (iv) increased cost savings;] (C) the proposed service or 209 Substitute Bill No. 5273
336	265
337		-	Public Act No. 24-132 11 of 24
338	266
339		-	calendar year preceding the filing of such renter's claim in an amount of
340		-	not more than twenty thousand dollars, jointly with spouse, if married,
341		-	and not more than sixteen thousand two hundred dollars if unmarried,
342		-	provided such maximum amounts of qualifying income shall be subject
343		-	to adjustment in accordance with subdivision (2) of subsection (a) of
344		-	section 12-170e, and provided the amount of any Medicaid payments
345		-	made on behalf of the renter or the spouse of the renter shall not
346		-	constitute income; and (4) shall not have received financial aid or
347		-	subsidy from federal, state, county or municipal funds, excluding Social
348		-	Security receipts, emergency energy assistance under any state
349		-	program, emergency energy assistance under any federal program,
350		-	emergency energy assistance under any local program, payments
351		-	received under the federal Supplemental Security Income Program,
352		-	payments derived from previous employment, veterans and veterans
353		-	disability benefits and subsidized housing accommodations, during the
354		-	calendar year for which a grant is claimed, for payment, directly or
355		-	indirectly, of rent, electricity, gas, water and fuel applicable to the rented
356		-	residence. Notwithstanding the provisions of subdivision (4) of this
357		-	subsection, a renter who receives cash assistance from the Department
358		-	of Social Services in the calendar year prior to that in which such renter
359		-	files an application for a grant may be entitled to receive such grant
360		-	provided the amount of the cash assistance received shall be deducted
361		-	from the amount of such grant and the difference between the amount
362		-	of the cash assistance and the amount of the grant is equal to or greater
363		-	than ten dollars. Funds attributable to such reductions shall be
364		-	transferred annually from the appropriation to the Office of Policy and
365		-	Management, for tax relief for elderly renters, to the Department of
366		-	Social Services, to the appropriate accounts, following the issuance of
367		-	such grants. Notwithstanding the provisions of subsection (b) of section
368		-	12-170aa, the owner of a mobile manufactured home may elect to
369		-	receive benefits under section 12-170e in lieu of benefits under said
370		-	section 12-170aa. Substitute House Bill No. 5273
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371	270
372		-	Public Act No. 24-132 12 of 24
	271	+	initiative promotes cooperation among participating members that may 210
	272	+	lead to a reduction in economic or social inequality; (D) the proposal has 211
	273	+	been approved by a majority of the members of the council or center; 212
	274	+	[and, pursuant to this subsection, contains a statement that not less than 213
	275	+	twenty-five per cent of the cost of such proposal shall be funded by the 214
	276	+	council or center in the first year of operation, and that by the fourth 215
	277	+	year of operation the council or center shall fund one hundred per cent 216
	278	+	of such cost;] and (E) any employee organizations that may be impacted 217
	279	+	by such proposal have been informed of and consulted about such 218
	280	+	proposal, pursuant to this subsection. 219
	281	+	(d) Notwithstanding the provisions of sections 7-339a to 7-339l, 220
	282	+	inclusive, or any other provision of the general statutes, no regional 221
	283	+	council of governments or regional educational service center or any 222
	284	+	member municipalities or local or regional boards of education of such 223
	285	+	councils or centers shall be required to execute an interlocal agreement 224
	286	+	to implement a proposal submitted pursuant to subsection (c) of this 225
	287	+	section. 226
	288	+	(e) Any board of education awarded a grant for a proposal submitted 227
	289	+	pursuant to subsection (c) of this section may deposit any cost savings 228
	290	+	realized as a result of the implementation of the proposed service or 229
	291	+	initiative into a nonlapsing account pursuant to section 10-248a. 230
	292	+	(f) The secretary shall submit to the Governor and the joint standing 231
	293	+	committee of the General Assembly having cognizance of matters 232
	294	+	relating to finance, revenue and bonding a report on the grants provided 233
	295	+	pursuant to this section. Each such report shall (1) include information 234
	296	+	on the amount of each grant and the potential of each grant for 235
	297	+	leveraging other public and private investments, and (2) describe any 236
	298	+	[property tax reductions] municipal or state cost savings and improved 237
	299	+	services achieved by means of the program established pursuant to this 238
	300	+	section. The secretary shall submit a report for the fiscal year 239
	301	+	commencing July 1, 2011, not later than February 1, 2012, and shall 240
	302	+	submit a report for each subsequent fiscal year not later than the first 241
	303	+	day of March in such fiscal year. 242 Substitute Bill No. 5273
373	304
374		-	Sec. 9. Section 12-170f of the general statutes is repealed and the
375		-	following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective July 1, 2024):
376		-	(a) Any renter, believing himself or herself to be entitled to a grant
377		-	under section 12-170d, as amended by this act, for any calendar year,
378		-	shall apply for such grant to the assessor of the municipality in which
379		-	the renter resides or to the duly authorized agent of such assessor or
380		-	municipality on or after April first and not later than [October first]
381		-	September thirtieth of each year with respect to such grant for the
382		-	calendar year preceding each such year. Such application shall be made
383		-	on a form prescribed and furnished by the Secretary of the Office of
384		-	Policy and Management or electronically in a manner prescribed by the
385		-	secretary. Municipalities that require notarization of a landlord
386		-	verification of property rental on an application under this section (1)
387		-	shall exempt a renter from the requirement if a landlord verification for
388		-	the same property rental by the same renter has been previously
389		-	notarized, and (2) shall not delay submission of the application of an
390		-	otherwise qualified renter to the Secretary of the Office of Policy and
391		-	Management if the renter fails to meet the deadline for notarizing such
392		-	landlord verification. [A renter may apply to the secretary prior to
393		-	November fifteenth of the claim year for an extension of the application
394		-	period. The secretary may grant such extension in the case of
395		-	extenuating circumstance due to illness or incapacitation as evidenced
396		-	by a certificate signed by a physician, physician assistant or an advanced
397		-	practice registered nurse to that extent, or if the secretary determines
398		-	there is good cause for doing so.] A renter making such application shall
399		-	present to such assessor or agent, in substantiation of the renter's
400		-	application, a copy of the renter's federal income tax return, and if not
401		-	required to file a federal income tax return, such other evidence of
402		-	qualifying income, receipts for money received, or cancelled checks, or
403		-	copies thereof, and any other evidence the assessor or such agent may
404		-	require. When the assessor or agent is satisfied that the applying renter
405		-	is entitled to a grant, such assessor or agent shall issue a certificate of Substitute House Bill No. 5273
406	305
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409		-	grant in such form as the secretary may prescribe and supply showing
410		-	the amount of the grant due.
411		-	(b) The assessor or agent shall forward the application to the secretary
412		-	not later than the last day of the month following the month in which
413		-	the renter has made application. Any municipality that neglects to
414		-	transmit to the secretary the application as required by this section shall
415		-	forfeit two hundred fifty dollars to the state, provided the secretary may
416		-	waive such forfeiture in accordance with procedures and standards
417		-	adopted by regulation in accordance with chapter 54. The certificate of
418		-	grant shall be delivered to the renter and the assessor or agent shall keep
419		-	the original copy of such certificate and application.
420		-	(c) After the secretary's review of each claim, pursuant to section 12-
421		-	120b, and verification of the amount of the grant, the secretary shall
422		-	make a determination of any per cent reduction to all claims that will be
423		-	necessary to keep within available appropriations and, not later than
424		-	[October] November fifteenth of each year, prepare a list of certificates
425		-	approved for payment, and shall thereafter supplement such list
426		-	monthly. Such list and any supplements thereto shall be approved for
427		-	payment by the secretary and shall be forwarded by the secretary to the
428		-	Comptroller, along with a notice of any per cent reduction in claim
429		-	amounts, and the Comptroller shall, not later than fifteen days following
430		-	receipt of such list, draw an order on the Treasurer in favor of each
431		-	person on such list and on supplements to such list in the amount of
432		-	such person's claim, minus any per cent reduction noticed by the
433		-	secretary pursuant to this subsection, and the Treasurer shall pay such
434		-	amount to such person, not later than fifteen days following receipt of
435		-	such order.
436		-	(d) If the Secretary of the Office of Policy and Management
437		-	determines a renter was overpaid for such grant, the amount of any
438		-	subsequent grant paid to the renter under section 12-170d, as amended
439		-	by this act, after such determination shall be reduced by the amount of Substitute House Bill No. 5273
	310	+	Sec. 8. Subsection (a) of section 12-170d of the general statutes is 243
	311	+	repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective July 1, 244
	312	+	2024): 245
	313	+	(a) Beginning with the calendar year 1973 and for each calendar year 246
	314	+	thereafter any renter of real property, or of a mobile manufactured 247
	315	+	home, as defined in section 12-63a, which such renter occupies as his or 248
	316	+	her home, who meets the qualifications set forth in this section, shall be 249
	317	+	entitled to receive in the following year in the form of direct payment 250
	318	+	from the state, a grant in refund of utility and rent bills actually paid by 251
	319	+	or for such renter on such real property or mobile manufactured home 252
	320	+	to the extent set forth in section 12-170e. Such grant by the state shall be 253
	321	+	made upon receipt by the state of a certificate of grant with a copy of the 254
	322	+	application therefor attached, as provided in section 12-170f, as 255
	323	+	amended by this act. [, provided such application shall be made within 256
	324	+	one year from the close of the calendar year for which the grant is 257
	325	+	requested.] If the rental quarters are occupied by more than one person, 258
	326	+	it shall be assumed for the purposes of this section and sections 12-170e 259
	327	+	and 12-170f, as amended by this act, that each of such persons pays his 260
	328	+	or her proportionate share of the rental and utility expenses levied 261
	329	+	thereon and grants shall be calculated on that portion of utility and rent 262
	330	+	bills paid that are applicable to the person making application for grant 263
	331	+	under said sections. For purposes of this section and sections 12-170e 264
	332	+	and 12-170f, as amended by this act, a married couple shall constitute 265
	333	+	one tenant, and a resident of cooperative housing shall be a renter. To 266
	334	+	qualify for such payment by the state, the renter shall meet qualification 267
	335	+	requirements in accordance with each of the following subdivisions: (1) 268
	336	+	(A) At the close of the calendar year for which a grant is claimed be sixty-269
	337	+	five years of age or over, or his or her spouse who is residing with such 270
	338	+	renter shall be sixty-five years of age or over, at the close of such year, 271
	339	+	or be fifty years of age or over and the surviving spouse of a renter who 272
	340	+	at the time of his or her death had qualified and was entitled to tax relief 273
	341	+	under this chapter, provided such spouse was domiciled with such 274
	342	+	renter at the time of his or her death, or (B) at the close of the calendar 275
	343	+	year for which a grant is claimed be under age sixty-five and eligible in 276 Substitute Bill No. 5273
440	344
441		-	Public Act No. 24-132 14 of 24
442	345
443		-	overpayment until the overpayment has been recouped. Any claimant
444		-	aggrieved by the results of the secretary's review or determination shall
445		-	have the rights of appeal as set forth in section 12-120b. Applications
446		-	filed under this section shall not be open for public inspection. Any
447		-	person who, for the purpose of obtaining a grant under section 12-170d,
448		-	as amended by this act, wilfully fails to disclose all matters related
449		-	thereto or with intent to defraud makes false statement shall be fined
450		-	not more than five hundred dollars.
451		-	(e) Any municipality may provide, upon approval by its legislative
452		-	body, that the duties and responsibilities of the assessor, as required
453		-	under this section and section 12-170g, shall be transferred to (1) the
454		-	officer in such municipality having responsibility for the administration
455		-	of social services, or (2) the coordinator or agent for the elderly in such
456		-	municipality.
457		-	Sec. 10. Subsection (c) of section 19a-200 of the general statutes is
458		-	repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective July 1,
459		-	2024):
460		-	(c) In cities, towns or boroughs with a population of forty thousand
461		-	or more for five consecutive years, according to the [estimated
462		-	population figures authorized pursuant to subsection (b) of section
463		-	8-159a] most recent federal decennial census, or, in intervening years
464		-	between such censuses, the most recent estimate of the Department of
465		-	Public Health, such director of health shall serve in a full-time capacity,
466		-	except where a town has designated such director as the chief medical
467		-	advisor for its public schools under section 10-205.
468		-	Sec. 11. Section 4-231 of the general statutes is repealed and the
469		-	following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective July 1, 2024):
470		-	(a) (1) Each nonstate entity [which] that expends a total amount of
471		-	state financial assistance equal to or in excess of [three] five hundred Substitute House Bill No. 5273
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473		-	Public Act No. 24-132 15 of 24
	350	+	accordance with applicable federal regulations, to receive permanent 277
	351	+	total disability benefits under Social Security, or if such renter has not 278
	352	+	been engaged in employment covered by Social Security and 279
	353	+	accordingly has not qualified for Social Security benefits but has become 280
	354	+	qualified for permanent total disability benefits under any federal, state 281
	355	+	or local government retirement or disability plan, including the Railroad 282
	356	+	Retirement Act and any government-related teacher's retirement plan, 283
	357	+	determined by the Secretary of the Office of Policy and Management to 284
	358	+	contain requirements in respect to qualification for such permanent total 285
	359	+	disability benefits which are comparable to such requirements under 286
	360	+	Social Security; (2) shall reside within this state and shall have resided 287
	361	+	within this state for at least one year or such renter's spouse who is 288
	362	+	domiciled with such renter shall have resided within this state for at 289
	363	+	least one year and shall reside within this state at the time of filing the 290
	364	+	claim and shall have resided within this state for the period for which 291
	365	+	claim is made; (3) shall have taxable and nontaxable income, the total of 292
	366	+	which shall hereinafter be called "qualifying income", during the 293
	367	+	calendar year preceding the filing of such renter's claim in an amount of 294
	368	+	not more than twenty thousand dollars, jointly with spouse, if married, 295
	369	+	and not more than sixteen thousand two hundred dollars if unmarried, 296
	370	+	provided such maximum amounts of qualifying income shall be subject 297
	371	+	to adjustment in accordance with subdivision (2) of subsection (a) of 298
	372	+	section 12-170e, and provided the amount of any Medicaid payments 299
	373	+	made on behalf of the renter or the spouse of the renter shall not 300
	374	+	constitute income; and (4) shall not have received financial aid or 301
	375	+	subsidy from federal, state, county or municipal funds, excluding Social 302
	376	+	Security receipts, emergency energy assistance under any state 303
	377	+	program, emergency energy assistance under any federal program, 304
	378	+	emergency energy assistance under any local program, payments 305
	379	+	received under the federal Supplemental Security Income Program, 306
	380	+	payments derived from previous employment, veterans and veterans 307
	381	+	disability benefits and subsidized housing accommodations, during the 308
	382	+	calendar year for which a grant is claimed, for payment, directly or 309
	383	+	indirectly, of rent, electricity, gas, water and fuel applicable to the rented 310
	384	+	residence. Notwithstanding the provisions of subdivision (4) of this 311 Substitute Bill No. 5273
474	385
475		-	thousand dollars in any fiscal year of such nonstate entity beginning on
476		-	or after July 1, [2009] 2024, shall have either a single audit or a program-
477		-	specific audit made for such fiscal year, in accordance with the
478		-	provisions of subdivision (2) or (3) of this subsection, as applicable, and
479		-	the requirements of regulations adopted pursuant to section 4-236.
480		-	(2) If the total amount of state financial assistance expended in any
481		-	such fiscal year is for a single program, such nonstate entity may elect
482		-	to have a program-specific audit made in lieu of a single audit, provided
483		-	[a] no grant agreement or [a] statutory or regulatory provision
484		-	governing the program of state financial assistance [does not require]
485		-	requires a financial statement audit of such nonstate entity.
486		-	(3) If the total amount of state financial assistance expended in any
487		-	such fiscal year is for more than one program, such entity shall have a
488		-	single audit made for such fiscal year.
489		-	(b) Notwithstanding any provision of the general statutes or any
490		-	regulation adopted under any provision of the general statutes, each
491		-	nonstate entity that expends total state financial assistance of less than
492		-	[three] five hundred thousand dollars in any fiscal year of such nonstate
493		-	entity beginning on or after July 1, [2009] 2024, shall be exempt with
494		-	respect to such fiscal year from complying with any statutory or
495		-	regulatory requirements concerning financial or financial and
496		-	compliance audits that would otherwise [be applicable] apply to such
497		-	nonstate entity.
498		-	(c) No provision of this section shall be deemed to exempt a nonstate
499		-	entity from complying with any statutory or regulatory provision
500		-	requiring [the] such nonstate entity to (1) maintain records concerning
501		-	state financial assistance, or (2) provide access to such records to a state
502		-	agency.
503		-	Sec. 12. Section 4-232 of the general statutes is repealed and the Substitute House Bill No. 5273
504	386
505		-	Public Act No. 24-132 16 of 24
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506	390
507		-	following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective July 1, 2024):
508		-	(a) Each nonstate entity [which] that is required to be audited
509		-	pursuant to sections 4-230 to 4-236, inclusive, shall designate an
510		-	independent auditor to conduct such audit. Not later than thirty days
511		-	before the end of the fiscal period for which the audit is required, the
512		-	nonstate entity shall file the name of such auditor with the cognizant
513		-	agency designated pursuant to section 4-235. If a nonstate entity fails to
514		-	make such filing, the cognizant agency may designate an independent
515		-	auditor to conduct the audit. A nonstate entity shall be responsible for
516		-	paying the costs of any audit conducted by an independent auditor
517		-	designated by a cognizant agency.
518		-	(b) (1) Upon the completion of [the] an audit [,] pursuant to sections
519		-	4-230 to 4-236, inclusive, [the] each nonstate entity shall file a copy of the
520		-	audit report with the cognizant agency designated pursuant to section
521		-	4-235 and, if applicable, state grantor agencies and pass-through
522		-	entities. Once filed, such report shall be made available by the nonstate
523		-	entity for public inspection. Copies of the report shall be filed not later
524		-	than thirty days after completion of such report, if possible, but not later
525		-	than six months after the end of the audit period. The cognizant agency
526		-	may grant an extension of not more than thirty days, if the auditor
527		-	conducting the audit and the chief executive officer of the nonstate
528		-	entity jointly submit a request in writing to the cognizant agency that
529		-	includes the reasons for such extension and an estimate of the time
530		-	needed for completion of such audit, [at least] not less than thirty days
531		-	prior to the end of such six-month period. If the reason for the extension
532		-	relates to deficiencies in the accounting system of the nonstate entity,
533		-	the request shall be accompanied by a corrective action plan. The
534		-	auditor or chief executive officer shall promptly provide any additional
535		-	information the cognizant agency may require. Before determining
536		-	whether to grant an extension request, the cognizant agency may
537		-	require the auditor and officials of the nonstate entity to meet with Substitute House Bill No. 5273
	391	+	subsection, a renter who receives cash assistance from the Department 312
	392	+	of Social Services in the calendar year prior to that in which such renter 313
	393	+	files an application for a grant may be entitled to receive such grant 314
	394	+	provided the amount of the cash assistance received shall be deducted 315
	395	+	from the amount of such grant and the difference between the amount 316
	396	+	of the cash assistance and the amount of the grant is equal to or greater 317
	397	+	than ten dollars. Funds attributable to such reductions shall be 318
	398	+	transferred annually from the appropriation to the Office of Policy and 319
	399	+	Management, for tax relief for elderly renters, to the Department of 320
	400	+	Social Services, to the appropriate accounts, following the issuance of 321
	401	+	such grants. Notwithstanding the provisions of subsection (b) of section 322
	402	+	12-170aa, the owner of a mobile manufactured home may elect to 323
	403	+	receive benefits under section 12-170e in lieu of benefits under said 324
	404	+	section 12-170aa. 325
	405	+	Sec. 9. Section 12-170f of the general statutes is repealed and the 326
	406	+	following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective July 1, 2024): 327
	407	+	(a) Any renter, believing himself or herself to be entitled to a grant 328
	408	+	under section 12-170d, as amended by this act, for any calendar year, 329
	409	+	shall apply for such grant to the assessor of the municipality in which 330
	410	+	the renter resides or to the duly authorized agent of such assessor or 331
	411	+	municipality on or after April first and not later than [October first] 332
	412	+	September thirtieth of each year with respect to such grant for the 333
	413	+	calendar year preceding each such year. Such application shall be made 334
	414	+	on a form prescribed and furnished by the Secretary of the Office of 335
	415	+	Policy and Management or electronically in a manner prescribed by the 336
	416	+	secretary. Municipalities that require notarization of a landlord 337
	417	+	verification of property rental on an application under this section (1) 338
	418	+	shall exempt a renter from the requirement if a landlord verification for 339
	419	+	the same property rental by the same renter has been previously 340
	420	+	notarized, and (2) shall not delay submission of the application of an 341
	421	+	otherwise qualified renter to the Secretary of the Office of Policy and 342
	422	+	Management if the renter fails to meet the deadline for notarizing such 343
	423	+	landlord verification. [A renter may apply to the secretary prior to 344 Substitute Bill No. 5273
538	424
539		-	Public Act No. 24-132 17 of 24
540	425
541		-	representatives of the cognizant agency. No extension granted pursuant
542		-	to this subdivision shall extend beyond twelve months after the last day
543		-	of the fiscal year to which such audit applies.
544		-	(2) Any nonstate entity, or the auditor of such nonstate entity, [which]
545		-	that fails to have [the] an audit report filed on its behalf [within] not later
546		-	than six months after the end of the fiscal year or within the time granted
547		-	by the cognizant agency, may be assessed [,] by the Secretary of the
548		-	Office of Policy and Management [,] a civil penalty of not less than one
549		-	thousand dollars [but not more than] and not to exceed ten thousand
550		-	dollars. In addition to, or in lieu of such penalty, the cognizant agency
551		-	may assign an auditor to perform [the] an audit of such nonstate entity.
552		-	In such case, [the] such nonstate entity shall be responsible for paying
553		-	the costs related to [the] such audit. The secretary may, upon receipt of
554		-	a written request from an official of the nonstate entity or its auditor,
555		-	waive all such penalties if the secretary determines that there [appears
556		-	to be] is reasonable cause for the entity not having completed or
557		-	provided [the] a required audit report.
558		-	Sec. 13. Section 7-576a of the general statutes is repealed and the
559		-	following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective July 1, 2024):
560		-	[(a) Any] The Municipal Finance Advisory Commission may
561		-	designate any municipality referred to said commission pursuant to
562		-	subsection (d) of section 7-395 [to the Municipal Finance Advisory
563		-	Commission shall be designated] as a tier I municipality. The chief
564		-	elected official of any municipality that does not meet the conditions
565		-	identified under subsection (d) of section 7-395 may apply to the
566		-	Municipal Finance Advisory Commission for designation as a tier I
567		-	municipality, provided such official (1) expects that such municipality
568		-	will meet one or more such conditions in the following twenty-four
569		-	month period, and (2) submits a report to the Municipal Finance
570		-	Advisory Commission, in a form and manner prescribed by the
571		-	commission, that confirms that such condition or conditions will be met Substitute House Bill No. 5273
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572	429
573		-	Public Act No. 24-132 18 of 24
	430	+	November fifteenth of the claim year for an extension of the application 345
	431	+	period. The secretary may grant such extension in the case of 346
	432	+	extenuating circumstance due to illness or incapacitation as evidenced 347
	433	+	by a certificate signed by a physician, physician assistant or an advanced 348
	434	+	practice registered nurse to that extent, or if the secretary determines 349
	435	+	there is good cause for doing so.] A renter making such application shall 350
	436	+	present to such assessor or agent, in substantiation of the renter's 351
	437	+	application, a copy of the renter's federal income tax return, and if not 352
	438	+	required to file a federal income tax return, such other evidence of 353
	439	+	qualifying income, receipts for money received, or cancelled checks, or 354
	440	+	copies thereof, and any other evidence the assessor or such agent may 355
	441	+	require. When the assessor or agent is satisfied that the applying renter 356
	442	+	is entitled to a grant, such assessor or agent shall issue a certificate of 357
	443	+	grant in such form as the secretary may prescribe and supply showing 358
	444	+	the amount of the grant due. 359
	445	+	(b) The assessor or agent shall forward the application to the secretary 360
	446	+	not later than the last day of the month following the month in which 361
	447	+	the renter has made application. Any municipality that neglects to 362
	448	+	transmit to the secretary the application as required by this section shall 363
	449	+	forfeit two hundred fifty dollars to the state, provided the secretary may 364
	450	+	waive such forfeiture in accordance with procedures and standards 365
	451	+	adopted by regulation in accordance with chapter 54. The certificate of 366
	452	+	grant shall be delivered to the renter and the assessor or agent shall keep 367
	453	+	the original copy of such certificate and application. 368
	454	+	(c) After the secretary's review of each claim, pursuant to section 12-369
	455	+	120b, and verification of the amount of the grant, the secretary shall 370
	456	+	make a determination of any per cent reduction to all claims that will be 371
	457	+	necessary to keep within available appropriations and, not later than 372
	458	+	[October] November fifteenth of each year, prepare a list of certificates 373
	459	+	approved for payment, and shall thereafter supplement such list 374
	460	+	monthly. Such list and any supplements thereto shall be approved for 375
	461	+	payment by the secretary and shall be forwarded by the secretary to the 376
	462	+	Comptroller, along with a notice of any per cent reduction in claim 377 Substitute Bill No. 5273
574	463
575		-	in such period. Each decision to designate a municipality as a tier I
576		-	municipality pursuant to this section shall be based on an evaluation of
577		-	such municipality's financial condition and financial practices. In
578		-	addition to the requirements of section 7-394b, each municipality
579		-	designated as a tier I municipality shall prepare and present a five-year
580		-	financial plan to the Municipal Finance Advisory Commission for its
581		-	review and approval.
582		-	[(b) The secretary shall refer any municipality designated as a tier I
583		-	municipality to the Municipal Finance Advisory Commission, pursuant
584		-	to the provisions of section 7-395. In addition to the requirements of
585		-	section 7-394b, such municipality shall prepare and present a five-year
586		-	financial plan to the Municipal Finance Advisory Commission for its
587		-	review and approval.]
588		-	Sec. 14. Section 7-576f of the general statutes is repealed and the
589		-	following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective July 1, 2024):
590		-	(a) (1) A municipality designated as a tier I municipality in
591		-	accordance with section 7-576a, as amended by this act, shall retain such
592		-	designation, notwithstanding any positive changes in the factors
593		-	leading to its current designation, until the Municipal Finance Advisory
594		-	Commission, by unanimous vote, terminates such designation based on
595		-	an evaluation of such municipality's financial condition and financial
596		-	practices.
597		-	[(a)] (2) A municipality designated as a [tier I municipality in
598		-	accordance with section 7-576a,] tier II municipality in accordance with
599		-	section 7-576b, tier III municipality in accordance with section 7-576c, or
600		-	tier IV municipality in accordance with section 7-576e, as amended by
601		-	this act, shall retain such designation, notwithstanding any positive
602		-	changes in the factors leading to its current designation, until, in the
603		-	fiscal years following such designation, [(1)] the Municipal
604		-	Accountability Review Board determines that (A) there have been no Substitute House Bill No. 5273
605	464
606		-	Public Act No. 24-132 19 of 24
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607	468
608		-	~~audited operating deficits in~~ the ~~general fund of the municipality for~~
609		-	~~two consecutive fiscal years~~, ~~[(2)] (B)~~ the ~~[municipality's] municipality~~
610		-	~~has a long-term~~ ~~bond rating from one or more bond rating agencies that~~
611		-	~~is investment grade or higher and~~ such ~~bond rating has either improved~~
612		-	~~or remained unchanged since its most current designation~~, ~~[(3)] (C)~~ the
613		-	~~municipality has presented and the [commission~~ ~~or] board has~~
614		-	~~approved a financial plan that projects a positive fund balance for the~~
615		-	~~three succeeding consecutive fiscal years covered by such financial plan,~~
616		-	~~[where] provided (i) each fiscal year~~ of ~~such plan is based upon~~
617		-	~~recurring revenue and expenses~~, ~~(ii) a positive fund balance of at least~~
618		-	~~five per cent is projected in~~ the ~~third such fiscal year, [and (4)] and (iii)~~
619		-	~~such plan does not include funding received pursuant to section 7-576i,~~
620		-	~~as amended~~ by ~~this act,~~ or ~~7-576j, (D) the municipality's audits for such~~
621		-	~~consecutive fiscal years~~ have ~~been completed and [contain~~ ~~no general~~
622		-	~~fund deficit]~~ ~~the General Fund reports an audited fund balance of at~~
623		-	~~least five per cent~~, ~~and (E) there is no evidence that~~ the ~~municipality has~~
624		-	~~engaged in unsound or irregular financial practices in relation~~ to
625		-	~~commonly accepted standards in municipal finance.~~ ~~The board may~~
626		-	~~undertake the determination described in this subdivision at its~~
627		-	~~discretion or~~ upon ~~the request of a municipality.~~
628		-	~~(b) [Notwithstanding~~ ~~subsection (a)~~ of ~~this section~~, ~~the Municipal~~
629		-	~~Finance Advisory Commission may~~, ~~by unanimous vote,~~ ~~end~~ the
630		-	~~designation of a~~ municipality ~~designated as a tier I municipality,~~ ~~based~~
631		-	~~on an evaluation of~~ such ~~municipality's financial condition.] (1) If the~~
632		-	~~Municipal Accountability Review Board determines that a municipality~~
633		-	~~has satisfied the criteria listed in subdivision~~ (2) of ~~subsection (a)~~ of ~~this~~
634		-	~~section,~~ the ~~secretary shall,~~ ~~at the secretary's discretion and~~ in
635		-	~~consideration of the fiscal condition of the municipality and best~~
636		-	~~interests~~ of ~~the state,~~ ~~terminate such municipality's tier designation or~~
637		-	~~redesignate such municipality~~ to ~~a lower tier,~~ ~~provided no such~~
638		-	~~municipality shall be redesignated as a tier I municipality.~~ ~~Not later than~~
639		-	~~sixty days after the board makes such determination~~, ~~the secretary shall~~ Substitute ~~House~~ Bill No. 5273
	469	+	amounts, and the Comptroller shall, not later than fifteen days following 378
	470	+	receipt of such list, draw an order on the Treasurer in favor of each 379
	471	+	person on such list and on supplements to such list in the amount of 380
	472	+	such person's claim, minus any per cent reduction noticed by the 381
	473	+	secretary pursuant to this subsection, and the Treasurer shall pay such 382
	474	+	amount to such person, not later than fifteen days following receipt of 383
	475	+	such order. 384
	476	+	(d) If the Secretary of the Office of Policy and Management 385
	477	+	determines a renter was overpaid for such grant, the amount of any 386
	478	+	subsequent grant paid to the renter under section 12-170d, as amended 387
	479	+	by this act, after such determination shall be reduced by the amount of 388
	480	+	overpayment until the overpayment has been recouped. Any claimant 389
	481	+	aggrieved by the results of the secretary's review or determination shall 390
	482	+	have the rights of appeal as set forth in section 12-120b. Applications 391
	483	+	filed under this section shall not be open for public inspection. Any 392
	484	+	person who, for the purpose of obtaining a grant under section 12-170d, 393
	485	+	as amended by this act, wilfully fails to disclose all matters related 394
	486	+	thereto or with intent to defraud makes false statement shall be fined 395
	487	+	not more than five hundred dollars. 396
	488	+	(e) Any municipality may provide, upon approval by its legislative 397
	489	+	body, that the duties and responsibilities of the assessor, as required 398
	490	+	under this section and section 12-170g, shall be transferred to (1) the 399
	491	+	officer in such municipality having responsibility for the administration 400
	492	+	of social services, or (2) the coordinator or agent for the elderly in such 401
	493	+	municipality. 402
	494	+	Sec. 10. Subsection (c) of section 19a-200 of the general statutes is 403
	495	+	repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective July 1, 404
	496	+	2024): 405
	497	+	(c) In cities, towns or boroughs with a population of forty thousand 406
	498	+	or more for five consecutive years, according to the [estimated 407
	499	+	population figures authorized pursuant to subsection (b) of section 408
	500	+	8-159a] most recent federal decennial census, or, in intervening years 409 Substitute Bill No. 5273
640	501
641		-	Public Act No. 24-132 20 of 24
642	502
643		-	notify the municipality of the secretary's decision to terminate such
644		-	municipality's tier designation or redesignate such municipality to a
645		-	lower tier. A municipality shall retain its existing tier designation until
646		-	such notice is received. If the secretary fails to provide such notice prior
647		-	to the expiration of said sixty-day period, the municipality's tier
648		-	designation shall be deemed terminated on the sixty-first day following
649		-	such determination.
650		-	(2) A municipality redesignated to a lower tier pursuant to
651		-	subdivision (1) of this subsection shall (A) meet the requirements of this
652		-	chapter pertaining to such lower tier, and (B) not request a
653		-	determination from the Municipal Accountability Review Board
654		-	pursuant to subdivision (2) of subsection (a) of this section during the
655		-	one-year period following such redesignation.
656		-	Sec. 15. Section 7-576i of the general statutes is repealed and the
657		-	following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective July 1, 2024):
658		-	(a) Any designated tier II, III, or IV municipality shall be eligible to
659		-	receive funding from the Municipal Restructuring Fund, which fund
660		-	shall be nonlapsing. A designated tier II, III or IV municipality seeking
661		-	such funds shall submit, for approval by the Secretary of the Office of
662		-	Policy and Management, a plan detailing its overall restructuring plan,
663		-	including local actions to be taken and its proposed use of such funds.
664		-	Notwithstanding section 10-262j, a municipality may, as part of such
665		-	plan and in consultation with its local board of education, submit a
666		-	proposed reduction in the minimum budget requirement related to its
667		-	education budget. The secretary shall consult with the Commissioner of
668		-	Education in approving or rejecting such proposed reduction. The
669		-	secretary shall consult with the [municipal accountability review board]
670		-	Municipal Accountability Review Board in making distribution
671		-	decisions and attaching appropriate conditions thereto, including the
672		-	timing of any such distributions and whether such funds shall be
673		-	distributed in the form of a municipal restructuring fund loan subject to Substitute House Bill No. 5273
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674	506
675		-	Public Act No. 24-132 21 of 24
	507	+	between such censuses, the most recent estimate of the Department of 410
	508	+	Public Health, such director of health shall serve in a full-time capacity, 411
	509	+	except where a town has designated such director as the chief medical 412
	510	+	advisor for its public schools under section 10-205. 413
	511	+	Sec. 11. Sections 8-159a and 12-19f of the general statutes are repealed. 414
	512	+	(Effective July 1, 2024) 415
	513	+	This act shall take effect as follows and shall amend the following
	514	+	sections:
676	515
677		-	repayment by the municipality. The distribution of such assistance
678		-	funds shall be based on the relative fiscal needs of the requesting
679		-	municipalities. The secretary may approve all, none or a portion of the
680		-	funds requested by a municipality. In attaching conditions to such
681		-	funding, the secretary shall consider the impact of such conditions on
682		-	the ability of a municipality to meet legal and other obligations. The
683		-	board shall monitor and report to the secretary on the use of such funds
684		-	and adherence to the conditions attached thereto. The secretary shall
685		-	develop and issue guidance on the (1) administration of the [municipal
686		-	restructuring fund] Municipal Restructuring Fund, (2) criteria for
687		-	participation by municipalities and requirements for plan submission,
688		-	and (3) prioritization for the awarding of assistance funds pursuant to
689		-	this section. Any municipality that receives funding from the [municipal
690		-	restructuring fund] Municipal Restructuring Fund, in addition to the
691		-	other responsibilities and authority given to the board with respect to
692		-	designated tiers II, III and IV municipalities, shall be required to receive
693		-	board approval of its annual budgets.
694		-	(b) The secretary may distribute funds from the Municipal
695		-	Restructuring Fund to a third party on behalf of a designated tier II, tier
696		-	III or tier IV municipality. Funds received by a municipality pursuant to
697		-	this section may be used, in part, to pay an arbitrator selected pursuant
698		-	to clause (v) of subdivision (3) of subsection (a) of section 7-576e, as
699		-	amended by this act.
700		-	[(b)] (c) Notwithstanding the provisions of subsection (a) of this
701		-	section, in making distributions from the Municipal Restructuring
702		-	Fund, the board shall give immediate consideration to any municipality
703		-	that shall default on debt obligations by January 1, 2018, without an
704		-	immediate distribution of such funds.
705		-	Sec. 16. Subdivision (2) of subsection (a) of section 7-576e of the
706		-	general statutes is repealed and the following is substituted in lieu
707		-	thereof (Effective July 1, 2024): Substitute House Bill No. 5273
	516	+	Section 1 from passage 12-94a
	517	+	Sec. 2 from passage 12-9
	518	+	Sec. 3 from passage 7-325(d)
	519	+	Sec. 4 from passage New section
	520	+	Sec. 5 July 1, 2024, and
	521	+	applicable to assessment
	522	+	years commencing on or
	523	+	after October 1, 2024
	524	+	12-62c(a)(1)
	525	+	Sec. 6 July 1, 2024 8-23(a)
	526	+	Sec. 7 July 1, 2024 4-124s
	527	+	Sec. 8 July 1, 2024 12-170d(a)
	528	+	Sec. 9 July 1, 2024 12-170f
	529	+	Sec. 10 July 1, 2024 19a-200(c)
	530	+	Sec. 11 July 1, 2024 Repealer section
708	531
709		-	Public Act No. 24-132 22 of 24
	532	+	Statement of Legislative Commissioners:
	533	+	In section 7(f)(2), "local" was changed to "municipal" for consistency.
710	534
711		-	(2) The Municipal Accountability Review Board may designate a tier
712		-	III municipality as a tier IV municipality based on a finding by the board
713		-	that the fiscal condition of such municipality warrants such a
714		-	designation based upon an evaluation of the following criteria: (A) The
715		-	balance in the municipal reserve fund; (B) the short and long-term
716		-	liabilities of the municipality, including, but not limited to, the
717		-	municipality's ability to meet minimum funding levels required by law,
718		-	contract or court order; (C) the initial budgeted revenue for the
719		-	municipality for the past five fiscal years as compared to the actual
720		-	revenue received by the municipality for such fiscal years; (D) budget
721		-	projections for the following five fiscal years; (E) the economic outlook
722		-	for the municipality; [and] (F) the municipality's access to capital
723		-	markets; and (G) evidence of unsound or irregular financial practices in
724		-	relation to commonly accepted standards in municipal finance that the
725		-	board believes may materially affect the municipality's financial
726		-	condition. For the purpose of determining whether to make a finding
727		-	pursuant to this subdivision, the membership of the board shall
728		-	additionally include the chief elected official of such municipality, the
729		-	treasurer of such municipality and a member of the legislative body of
730		-	such municipality, as selected by such body. In conducting a vote on
731		-	any such determination, the treasurer of such municipality shall be a
732		-	non-voting member of the board. The board shall submit such finding
733		-	and recommended designation to the secretary, who shall provide for a
734		-	thirty-day notice and public comment period related to such finding
735		-	and recommendation. Following the public notice and comment period,
736		-	the secretary shall forward the board's finding and recommended
737		-	designation and a report regarding the comments received in this regard
738		-	to the Governor. Following the receipt of such documentation from the
739		-	secretary, the Governor may approve or disapprove the board's
740		-	recommended designation.
741		-	Sec. 17. Section 7-393 of the general statutes is repealed and the
742		-	following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective July 1, 2024): Substitute House Bill No. 5273
743		-
744		-	Public Act No. 24-132 23 of 24
745		-
746		-	Upon the completion of an audit, the independent auditor shall file
747		-	certified copies of the audit report with (1) the appointing authority, (2)
748		-	in the case of a town, city or borough, with the clerk of such town, city
749		-	or borough, (3) in the case of a regional school district, with the clerks of
750		-	the towns, cities or boroughs in which such regional school district is
751		-	located and with the board of education, (4) in the case of an audited
752		-	agency, with the clerks of the towns, cities or boroughs in which such
753		-	audited agency is located, and (5) in each case, with the Secretary of the
754		-	Office of Policy and Management. Such copies shall be filed within six
755		-	months from the end of the fiscal year of the municipality, regional
756		-	school district or audited agency, but the secretary may grant an
757		-	extension of not more than thirty days, provided the auditor making the
758		-	audit and the chief executive officer of the municipality, regional school
759		-	district or audited agency shall jointly submit a request in writing to the
760		-	secretary stating the reasons for such extension at least thirty days prior
761		-	to the end of such six-month period. If the reason for the extension
762		-	relates to deficiencies in the accounting system of the municipality,
763		-	regional school district or audited agency the request must be
764		-	accompanied by a corrective action plan. The secretary may, after a
765		-	hearing with the auditor and officials of the municipality, regional
766		-	school district or audited agency, grant an additional extension if
767		-	conditions warrant, provided such extension shall not exceed six
768		-	months from the date the auditor was required to file such copies. Said
769		-	auditor shall preserve all of his or her working papers employed in the
770		-	preparation of any such audit until the expiration of [three] five years
771		-	from the date of filing a certified copy of the audit with the secretary
772		-	and such working papers shall be available, upon written request and
773		-	upon reasonable notice from the secretary, during such time for
774		-	inspection by the secretary or his authorized representative, at the office
775		-	or place of business of the auditor, during usual business hours. Any
776		-	municipality, regional school district, audited agency or auditor who
777		-	fails to have the audit report filed on its behalf within six months from
778		-	the end of the fiscal year or within the time granted by the secretary shall Substitute House Bill No. 5273
779		-
780		-	Public Act No. 24-132 24 of 24
781		-
782		-	be referred by the secretary to the Municipal Finance Advisory
783		-	Commission established pursuant to section 7-394b, assessed a civil
784		-	penalty of not less than one thousand dollars but not more than [ten]
785		-	fifty thousand dollars or both, except that the secretary may waive such
786		-	penalties if, in the secretary's opinion, there appears to be reasonable
787		-	cause for not having completed or provided the required audit report,
788		-	provided an official of the municipality, regional school district or
789		-	audited agency or the auditor submits a written request for such waiver.
790		-	The secretary may impose any civil penalty assessed pursuant to this
791		-	section against a municipality, regional school district or audited agency
792		-	in the form of a reduction in the amount of one or more grants awarded
793		-	by the secretary, including, but not limited to, any grant payable
794		-	pursuant to section 12-18b.
795		-	Sec. 18. Sections 8-159a and 12-19f of the general statutes are repealed.
796		-	(Effective July 1, 2024)
	535	+	PD Joint Favorable Subst.
797	536