OFFICE OF FISCAL ANALYSIS
Legislative Office Building, Room 5200
Hartford, CT 06106 (860) 240-0200
http://www.cga.ct.gov/ofa
HB-7121
AN ACT EXCLUDING VETERANS' FEDERAL SERVICE-
CONNECTED DISABILITY BENEFITS FOR PURPOSES OF
ELIGIBILITY FOR ASSISTANCE FROM A PUBLIC DEFENDER.
Primary Analyst: BP 3/26/25
Contributing Analyst(s):
Reviewer: PR
OFA Fiscal Note
State Impact:
Agency Affected Fund-Effect FY 26 $ FY 27 $
Pub. Defender Serv. Com. GF - Cost 361,800 356,800
State Comptroller - Fringe
Benefits
1
GF - Cost 75,945 75,945
Note: GF=General Fund
Municipal Impact: None
Explanation
The bill, which requires the exclusion of veterans' disability benefits
from public defender services eligibility determination, results in a cost
of approximately $361,800 in FY 26 and $356,800 in FY 27 to the Division
of Public Defender Services (PDS) and about $75,945 in FY 26 and FY 27
to the Office of the State Comptroller for fringe benefits.
It is anticipated that PDS will need two new positions for an
estimated annual cost of $195,900 for salaries and other expenses.
2
There
will be an approximate one-time cost of $5,000 in FY 26 for equipment.
Additionally, it is estimated that the possible case load increase will
result in a cost of $160,900 for assigned counsel.
1
The fringe benefit costs for most state employees are budgeted centrally in accounts
administered by the Comptroller. The estimated active employee fringe benefit cost
associated with most personnel changes is 40.71% of payroll in FY 26.
2
The current salary for a Deputy Assistant Public Defender is $93,275. The estimated
other expenses rate is 5%. 2025HB-07121-R000321-FN.docx Page 2 of 2
There are approximately 33,000 Connecticut residents who receive
service-connected disability benefits. Based on current crime statistics,
it is estimated that approximately 620 may be justice involved and need
the services of a public defender.
The Out Years
The annualized ongoing fiscal impact identified above would
continue into the future subject to inflation and the actual number of
new cases.
Sources: Crime in Connecticut Annual Report 2023
National Center for Veterans Analysis and Statistics Connecticut State
Summary 2023
The Annual Report of the Chief Public Defender 2024
U.S. Census Quick Facts Connecticut 2023