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OLR Bill Analysis
sHB 6040
AN ACT REQUIRING THE STATE COMMISSION ON CAPITOL
PRESERVATION AND RESTORATION TO DEVELOP A PROCESS
FOR ADDING STATUES TO THE STATE CAPITOL AND
ESTABLISHING THE STATE HISTORICAL COMMISSION.
SUMMARY
This bill expands the State Capitol Preservation and Restoration
Commission’s duties by requiring it to develop a process for identifying
and commissioning additional statues for the State Capitol building
exterior to reflect the state’s diversity, character, and accomplishments.
It allows the Legislative Management Committee to use capital funds to
implement this process.
The bill also requires the commission, by February 1, 2026, to (1)
develop a plan for installing placards or other signs around the State
Capitol Building’s exterior to give the public a written historical
explanation of the various statues and other markers on the building
exterior and (2) submit the plan to the Legislative Management
Committee.
Additionally, the bill creates a 14-member State Historical
Commission to examine and make recommendations to the legislative,
executive, and judicial branches on questions of memorialization and
commemoration related to Connecticut and U.S. history. The
commission’s members are (1) certain public officers or (2) scholars in
certain fields affiliated with an in-state higher education institution.
EFFECTIVE DATE: July 1, 2025, except that the provision requiring a
plan for exterior signage takes effect upon passage.
IDENTIFYING AND COMM ISSIONING ADDITIONAL STATUES
Existing law requires the State Capitol Preservation and Restoration
Commission to continually review and study the State Capitol building 2025HB-06040-R000550-BA.DOCX
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and grounds with a view to developing a master plan for preserving
and restoring it consistent with the building’s original historical
character.
The bill requires the commission to develop a process for identifying
and commissioning additional statues to for the State Capitol building
exterior to reflect the state’s diversity, character, and accomplishments.
It allows the commission to consult with state, federal, or private
agencies in developing the process.
The bill allows the Legislative Management Committee to undertake
capital expenditure programs to implement this process. As under
existing law, the committee may do so using capital funds and following
(1) plans and specifications approved by the commission and (2) state
bidding laws.
STATE HISTORICAL COM MISSION
Membership
The bill establishes the commission as an independent body within
the legislative branch for administrative purposes only. Under the bill,
the commission’s membership consists of the chief court administrator,
or their designee, the state historian, and 12 appointed members as
follows: (1) two by the governor and (2) one each by the six legislative
leaders and the Government Administration and Elections (GAE)
Committee chairpersons and ranking members. Appointed members
must be scholars in history, law, literature, or philosophy and affiliated
with an in-state higher education institution. They may be legislators.
The bill requires that (1) initial appointments be made by September
1, 2025, and (2) the first meeting be held by September 15, 2025.
Members serve three-year terms from their appointment date and
continue to serve until the appointment of their successors. The
appointing authority must fill any vacancy, and a vacancy occurring
during a term must be filled for the rest of the unexpired term. The
House speaker and Senate president pro tempore must select the
chairperson, who must schedule the first meeting. A majority of the
membership constitutes a quorum to transact business. 2025HB-06040-R000550-BA.DOCX
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The bill requires that commission members serve without
compensation but allows reimbursement for necessary expenses within
available funds.
Powers and Duties
The bill authorizes the commission to:
1. issue reports and recommendations to all three branches of
government on historical questions of memorialization and
commemoration related to Connecticut and U.S. history, on its
own initiative or upon request of an agency, department, board,
or commission in any of the three branches;
2. obtain assistance and data from these government entities as
necessary and available to carry out the commission’s purposes;
3. accept any gift, donation, or bequest to perform its duties; and
4. perform other acts as may be necessary and appropriate to carry
out its duties.
It requires the commission, starting by February 1, 2026, to report
annually to the governor and GAE Committee. The report must include
a summary of the commission’s activities during the previous year and
any policy or legislative changes needed to implement its
recommendations. Finally, the bill requires the GAE Committee staff to
serve as the commission’s administrative staff.
COMMITTEE ACTION
Government Administration and Elections Committee
Joint Favorable Substitute
Yea 13 Nay 6 (03/19/2025)