OFFICE OF FISCAL ANALYSIS
Legislative Office Building, Room 5200
Hartford, CT 06106 (860) 240-0200
http://www.cga.ct.gov/ofa
HB-7205
AN ACT ESTABLISHING A PILOT PROGRAM FOR THE PUBLIC
FINANCING OF MUNICIPAL CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER
CAMPAIGNS IN CERTAIN DISTRESSED MUNICIPALITIES FOR
THE 2027 MUNICIPAL ELECTION.
Primary Analyst: TM 4/9/25
Contributing Analyst(s):
Reviewer: PR
OFA Fiscal Note
State Impact:
Agency Affected Fund-Effect FY 26 $ FY 27 $
Elections Enforcement
Commission
GF - Cost 306,894 296,894
State Comptroller - Fringe
Benefits
1
GF - Cost 120,866 120,866
Elections Enforcement
Commission
GF - Potential
Cost
See Below See Below
Note: GF=General Fund
Municipal Impact:
Municipalities Effect FY 26 $ FY 27 $
Various Municipalities Potential
Cost
See Below See Below
Explanation
The bill requires the State Elections Enforcement Commission
(SEEC), to implement a pilot program for the 2027 municipal election of
chief executive officers in qualifying distressed municipalities resulting
in the costs outlined below.
The bill requires SEEC to implement this program in qualifying
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. 2025HB-07205-R000647-FN.DOCX Page 2 of 2
municipalities
2
for the 2027 municipal elections resulting in a cost to
SEEC of four
3
durational positions and $306,894 in FY 26 and a cost of
$296,894 in FY 27 with an associated fringe cost of $120,866 in FY 26 and
FY 27. These positions are necessary to ensure SEEC can develop,
implement, and oversee a pilot program for each participating
municipality. There are additional potential costs depending on the
number of participating municipalities, to the extent that additional staff
would be necessary to meet oversight obligations.
There is a potential cost to participating municipalities to provide
funding for grants, establish an oversight board, and develop criterion
for each towns program
4
. The exact cost will vary by municipality
depending on participation, the structure of the program, and the
number and amount of grants issued
5
.
The Out Years
The annualized ongoing fiscal impact identified above would
conclude in FY 27 unless extended at that time.
2
There are thirteen municipalities that would currently qualify for the pilot program.
3
The positions include an Elections Officer, a Staff Attorney I, a Fiscal Administrative
Officer, and a Secretary I.
4
SEEC has previously conducted a municipal campaign finance pilot program in 2007
in New Haven. The establishment of a board, oversight and funding for grants was
the responsibility of the municipality during the previous pilot program.
5
The New Haven Democracy Fund, established through the initial pilot program,
expended $183,000 in 2023 including $150,000 in grants.