2018 SB 175: An Act Implementing The Recommendations Of The Auditors Of Public Accounts.

Bill Text

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Assembly convened:

Section 1. Subsection (e) of section 2-90 of the 2018 supplement to the general statutes is repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective from passage):

(e) (1) If the Auditors of Public Accounts discover, or if it should come to their knowledge, that any unauthorized, illegal, irregular or unsafe handling or expenditure of state funds or quasi-public agency funds or any breakdown in the safekeeping of any resources of the state or a quasi-public agency has occurred or is contemplated, they shall forthwith present report the facts to the Governor, the State Comptroller, the clerk of each house of the General Assembly and the Attorney General, . except that if a matter reported to the Auditors of Public Accounts pursuant to section 4-33a, as amended by this act, is still under investigation by a state or quasi-public agency, the Auditors of Public Accounts may give the agency a reasonable amount of time to conduct such investigation prior to the auditors reporting the matter to said officials. (2) If the Auditors of Public Accounts decide to delay reporting such matter in accordance with subdivision (1) of this subsection, the auditors shall immediately notify the Attorney General of such decision. (3) Any Auditor of Public Accounts neglecting to make such a the report required under subdivision (1) of this subsection, or any agent of the auditors neglecting to report to the Auditors of Public Accounts any such matter discovered by him such agent or coming to his such agent's knowledge, shall be fined not more than one hundred dollars or imprisoned not more than six months, or both.

Sec. 2. Section 4-33a of the general statutes is repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective October 1, 2018):

All boards of trustees of state institutions, state department heads, boards, commissions, other state agencies responsible for state property and funds and quasi-public agencies, as defined in section 1-120, shall promptly notify the Auditors of Public Accounts and the Comptroller of any (1) unauthorized, illegal, irregular or unsafe handling or expenditure of state or quasi-public agency funds, or (2) breakdowns in the safekeeping of any other resources of the state or quasi-public agencies, (3) breach of security, as defined in section 36a-701b, or (4) contemplated action to do the same commit one of the acts listed in subdivisions (1) to (3), inclusive, of this section within their knowledge. In the case of such notification to the Auditors of Public Accounts, the auditors may permit aggregate reporting in a manner and at a schedule determined by the auditors.

Sec. 3. Section 1-101pp of the general statutes is repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective October 1, 2018):

Any commissioner, deputy commissioner, state agency or quasi-public agency head or deputy, or person in charge of state agency procurement, and contracting or human resources, who has reasonable cause to believe that a person has violated the provisions of the Code of Ethics for Public Officials set forth in part I of this chapter or any law or regulation concerning ethics in state contracting shall report such belief to the Office of State Ethics, which may further report such information to the Auditor Auditors of Public Accounts, the Chief State's Attorney or the Attorney General.

Sec. 4. Subdivision (8) of section 4-37f of the general statutes is repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective October 1, 2018):

(8) A foundation which has in any of its fiscal years receipts and earnings from investments totaling one two hundred fifty thousand dollars per fiscal year or more, or a foundation established for the principal purpose of coordinated emergency recovery that operated in response to an eligible incident, as defined in section 4-37r, during the fiscal year or with funds that exceeded one two hundred fifty thousand dollars in the aggregate, shall have completed on its behalf for such fiscal year a full audit of the books and accounts of the foundation. A foundation which has receipts and earnings from investments totaling less than one two hundred fifty thousand dollars in each fiscal year during any three of its consecutive fiscal years beginning October 1, 1986 2018, shall have completed on its behalf for the third fiscal year in any such three-year period a full audit of the books and accounts of the foundation, unless such foundation was established for the principal purpose of coordinated emergency recovery and had completed on its behalf such an audit for any year in any such three-year period. For each fiscal year in which an audit is not required pursuant to this subdivision financial statements shall be provided by the foundation to the executive authority of the state agency. Each audit under this subdivision shall be (A) conducted (A) by an independent certified public accountant or, if requested by the state agency with the consent of the foundation, the Auditors of Public Accounts, and (B) conducted in accordance with generally accepted auditing standards, and (C) completed, and a copy of such audit submitted, in accordance with this section, not later than six months after the end of the applicable fiscal year. The auditor shall submit (i) a report that includes an opinion regarding the financial statements and a management letter, and (ii) a report that includes an opinion on conformance of the operating procedures of the foundation with the provisions of sections 4-37e to 4-37i, inclusive, and recommendations for any corrective actions needed to ensure such conformance. Each audit report shall disclose the receipt or use by the foundation of any public funds in violation of said sections or any other provision of the general statutes. The foundation shall provide a copy of each audit report completed pursuant to this subdivision to the executive authority of the state agency and the Attorney General. Each financial statement required under this subdivision shall include, for the fiscal year to which the statement applies, the total receipts and earnings from investments of the foundation and the amount and purpose of each receipt of funds by the state agency from the foundation. As used in this subdivision, "fiscal year" means any twelve-month period adopted by a foundation as its accounting year;

Sec. 5. Subsection (b) of section 4-37g of the general statutes is repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective October 1, 2018):

(b) In the case of an audit required pursuant to section 4-37f, as amended by this act, that was not conducted by the Auditors of Public Accounts, the executive authority and chief financial official of the state agency shall review the audit report received pursuant to said section and, upon such review, the executive authority shall sign a letter indicating that he has reviewed the audit report and transmit a copy of the letter and report to the Auditors of Public Accounts. If such audit report indicates that (1) funds for deposit and retention in state accounts have been deposited and retained in foundation accounts or (2) state funds, personnel, services or facilities may have been used in violation of sections 4-37e to 4-37i, inclusive, or any other provision of the general statutes, the Auditors of Public Accounts may conduct a full audit of the books and accounts of the foundation pertaining to such funds, personnel, services or facilities, in accordance with the provisions of section 2-90, as amended by this act. For the purposes of such audit, the Auditors of Public Accounts shall have access to the working papers compiled by the certified public accountant in the preparation of the audit conducted pursuant to section 4-37f, as amended by this act, which are relevant to such use of state funds, personnel, services or facilities in violation of the provisions of sections 4-37e to 4-37i, inclusive, or any other provision of the general statutes. If the audit required pursuant to section 4-37f, as amended by this act, was not conducted, the Auditors of Public Accounts may conduct a full audit of the books and accounts of the foundation, in accordance with the provisions of section 2-90, as amended by this act.

Sec. 6. Section 2-90b of the general statutes is repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective from passage):

The Auditors of Public Accounts shall annually biennially conduct an audit of reimbursements made from the Bradley Enterprise Fund to the Department of Emergency Services and Public Protection to cover the cost of Troop W operations carried out in accordance with the memorandum of understanding between the Department of Emergency Services and Public Protection and the Department of Transportation.

Sec. 7. Subsection (a) of section 1-123 of the 2018 supplement to the general statutes is repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective from passage):

(a) The board of directors of each quasi-public agency shall annually submit a report to the Governor and the Auditors of Public Accounts. Such report shall include, but need not be limited to, the following: (1) A list of all bond issues for the preceding fiscal year, including, for each such issue, the financial advisor and underwriters, whether the issue was competitive, negotiated or privately placed, and the issue's face value and net proceeds; (2) a list of all projects other than those pertaining to owner-occupied housing or student loans receiving financial assistance during the preceding fiscal year, including each project's purpose, location, and the amount of funds provided by the agency; (3) a list of all outside individuals and firms receiving in excess of five thousand dollars in the form of loans, grants or payments for services, except for individuals receiving loans for owner-occupied housing and education; (4) a balance sheet showing all revenues and expenditures complete set of financial statements; (5) the cumulative value of all bonds issued, the value of outstanding bonds, and the amount of the state's contingent liability; (6) the affirmative action policy statement, a description of the composition of the agency's work force by race, sex, and occupation and a description of the agency's affirmative action efforts; and (7) a description of planned activities for the current fiscal year.

Sec. 8. (NEW) (Effective October 1, 2018) (a) For the purposes of this section, "state agency" means any department, board, council, commission, institution or other executive branch agency of state government, including, but not limited to, each constituent unit and each public institution of higher education. On and after October 1, 2018, no state agency shall make a payment to an employee resigning or retiring from employment with such state agency for the purposes of avoiding costs associated with potential litigation or pursuant to a nondisparagement agreement unless such payment is made pursuant to (1) a settlement agreement entered into by the Attorney General on behalf of the state agency, or (2) an authorization by the Governor pursuant to section 3-7 of the general statutes.

(b) No settlement agreement or nondisparagement agreement, as described in subsection (a) of this section, may prohibit an employee from making a complaint or providing information in accordance with section 4-61dd or sections 4-276 to 4-280, inclusive, of the general statutes.

Sec. 9. Section 4-215 of the general statutes is repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective October 1, 2018):

(a) Each personal service agreement executed on or after July 1, 1994, and having a cost of more than twenty thousand dollars but not more than fifty thousand dollars and a term of not more than one year shall be based on competitive negotiation or competitive quotations, unless the state agency purchasing the personal services determines that a sole source purchase is required and applies to the secretary for a waiver from such requirement and the secretary grants the waiver. Not later than March 1, 1994, the secretary shall adopt guidelines for determining the types of services that may qualify for such waivers. The qualifying services shall include, but not be limited to, (1) services for which the cost to the state of a competitive selection procedure would outweigh the benefits of such procedure, as documented by the state agency, (2) proprietary services, (3) services to be provided by a contractor mandated by the general statutes or a public or special act, and (4) emergency services, including services needed for the protection of life or health.

Sec. 10. Subsection (k) of section 38a-660 of the general statutes is repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective July 1, 2018):

(k) (1) To further the enforcement of this section and sections 38a-660b to 38a-660m, inclusive, and to determine the eligibility of any licensee, the commissioner may, as often as the commissioner deems necessary, examine the books and records of any such licensee. Each person licensed as a surety bail bond agent in this state shall, on or before January thirty-first, annually, pay to the commissioner a fee of four hundred fifty dollars to cover the cost of examinations under this subsection.

(2) The fees received by the commissioner pursuant to subdivision (1) of this subsection shall be dedicated to conducting the examinations under said subdivision (1) and shall be deposited in the account established under subdivision (3) of this subsection.

(3) There is established an account to be known as the "surety bail bond agent examination account", which shall be a separate , nonlapsing account within the Insurance Fund established under section 38a-52a. The account shall contain any moneys required by law to be deposited in the account and any such moneys remaining in the account at the close of the fiscal year shall be transferred to the General Fund.

Sec. 11. Section 32-605 of the general statutes is repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective from passage):

(a) In lieu of the report required under section 1-123, as amended by this act, within the first ninety days of each fiscal year of the Capital Region Development Authority, the board of directors of the authority shall submit a report to the Governor, the Auditors of Public Accounts and the joint standing committee of the General Assembly having cognizance of matters relating to finance, revenue and bonding. Such report shall include, but not be limited to, the following: (1) A list of all bonds issued during the preceding fiscal year, including, for each such issue, the financial advisor and underwriters, whether the issue was competitive, negotiated or privately placed, and the issue's face value and net proceeds; (2) a description of the capital city project or any economic development project in the capital region in which the authority is involved, its location and the amount of funds, if any, provided by the authority with respect to the construction of such project; (3) a list of all outside individuals and firms, including principal and other major stockholders, receiving in excess of five thousand dollars as payments for services; (4) a comprehensive annual financial report prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles for governmental enterprises; (5) the cumulative value of all bonds issued, the value of outstanding bonds and the amount of the state's contingent liability; (6) the affirmative action policy statement, a description of the composition of the work force of the authority by race, sex and occupation and a description of the affirmative action efforts of the authority; (7) a description of planned activities for the current fiscal year; (8) a list of all private investments made or committed for commercial development within the capital city economic development district; and (9) an analysis of the authority's success in achieving the purposes stated in section 32-602.

(b) The board of directors of the authority shall annually contract with a person, firm or corporation for a compliance audit of the authority's activities during the preceding authority fiscal year. The audit shall determine whether the authority has complied with its regulations concerning affirmative action, personnel practices, the purchase of goods and services and the use of surplus funds. The board shall submit the audit report to the Governor, the Auditors of Public Accounts and the joint standing committee of the General Assembly having cognizance of matters relating to finance, revenue and bonding.

(c) (b) The board of directors of the authority shall annually contract with a firm of certified public accountants to undertake an independent financial audit of the authority in accordance with generally accepted auditing standards. The board shall submit the audit report to the Governor, the Auditors of Public Accounts and the joint standing committee of the General Assembly having cognizance of matters relating to finance, revenue and bonding.

(d) (c) The authority shall designate a contract compliance officer from the staff of the authority to monitor compliance of the operations of facilities under the management or control of the authority, the convention center, convention center hotel and related parking facilities of the center and the hotel, with the provisions of state law applicable to such operations, including, but not limited to, this section and sections 32-650 to 32-668, inclusive, and with applicable requirements of contracts entered into by the authority, relating to set-asides for small contractors and minority business enterprises and required efforts to hire available and qualified members of minorities, as defined in section 32-9n, and available and qualified residents of the city of Hartford for jobs in such operations. Such officer shall file, each year during the period of facility operations, a written report with the authority as to findings and recommendations regarding such compliance.

Sec. 12. Section 32-651 of the general statutes is repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective from passage):

As used in sections 32-650 to 32-668, inclusive, sections 39 and 40 of public act 98-1 of the December special session, as amended by public act 99-241 and public act 00-140, and subsection (d) (c) of section 32-605, as amended by this act:

(1) "Adriaen's Landing site" means the area of approximately thirty-three acres of land within the capital city economic development district designated in the master development plan as the location of the convention center, the related parking facilities and the on-site related private development.

(2) "Bonds" means the bonds authorized to be issued and sold by the state pursuant to sections 32-652 and 32-653, and, unless the context requires a different meaning, shall include serial, term or variable rate bonds, notes issued in anticipation of the issuance of bonds, and temporary or interim notes or notes issued pursuant to a commercial paper program.

(3) "Capital city economic development district" has the meaning assigned to that term in section 32-600.

(4) "Comptroller" means the State Comptroller or the deputy comptroller appointed pursuant to section 3-133.

(5) "Convention center" has the meaning assigned to that term in section 32-600.

(6) "Convention center project" has the meaning assigned to that term in section 32-600.

(7) "Convention center hotel" has the meaning assigned to that term in section 32-600.

(8) "Costs of issuance" means all costs related to the proceedings under which bonds are issued pursuant to sections 32-652 and 32-653, including, but not limited to, fees and expenses or other similar charges incurred in connection with the execution of reimbursement agreements, remarketing agreements, standby bond purchase agreements, agreements in connection with obtaining any liquidity facility or credit facility with respect to such bonds, trust agreements respecting disbursement of bond proceeds and any other necessary or appropriate agreements related to the marketing and issuance of such bonds and the disbursement of the bond proceeds, auditing and legal expenses and fees, expenses incurred for professional consultants, financial advisors and fiduciaries, fees and expenses of remarketing agents and dealers, fees and expenses of the underwriters to the extent not paid from a discount on the purchase price of such bonds, and fees and expenses of rating agencies, transfer or information agents, and including costs of the publication of advertisements and notices, printers' fees or charges incurred by the state to comply with applicable federal and state securities or tax laws and any other similar costs of issuance.

(9) "Design professional" means each duly licensed architect, engineer or other design professional experienced in the design of comparable facilities and related improvements retained by the secretary from time to time to prepare plans and specifications and perform related professional services in connection with the overall project and related development activities.

(10) "Stadium facility manager" means each nongovernmental service provider engaged by the secretary to provide overall management services with respect to all or a portion of the stadium facility.

(11) "Stadium facility operations" means all activities related to the use, management and operation of the stadium facility including, without limitation, maintenance and repairs, purchases of supplies, the addition or replacement of furniture, fixtures and equipment, safety and security, crowd and traffic control, ticket and premium seating promotion and sales, ticketing and box office operations, event booking, scheduling and promotion, event operations, stadium parking management, marketing, promotion and public relations, advertising sales, media and broadcast activities and merchandising, catering and concessions.

(12) "GMP" means guaranteed maximum price.

(13) "Governmental authorities" means all federal, state or local governmental bodies, instrumentalities or agencies and all political subdivisions of the state, including municipalities, taxing, fire and water districts and other governmental units.

(14) "Governmental permits" means all permits, authorizations, registrations, consents, approvals, waivers, exceptions, variances, orders, judgments, decrees, licenses, exemptions, publications, filings, notices to and declarations of or with, or required by, governmental authorities, including those relating to traffic, environmental protection, wetlands, zoning, site approval, building and public health and safety, that are required for the development and operation of any project or facility.

(15) "Stadium facility capital replacement account" means the capital replacement reserve account within the Stadium Facility Enterprise Fund established by section 32-657.

(16) "Stadium Facility Enterprise Fund" means the separate fund established by section 32-657.

(17) "Infrastructure improvements" means necessary or desirable infrastructure improvements relating to the convention center, the stadium facility, the related parking facilities or the on-site related private development, as the case may be, including, but not limited to, structures over roads and highways, roadway improvements, pedestrian improvements, landscaped plazas, piers, foundations and other structural work on the Adriaen's Landing site or the stadium facility site or off-site as determined by the secretary to be necessary or desirable in connection with the development of the Adriaen's Landing site or the stadium facility site, and whether undertaken by the secretary or any other agency, department or public instrumentality of the state, as more particularly described in the master development plan.

(18) "Internal Revenue Code" means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, or any subsequent corresponding internal revenue code of the United States, as from time to time amended, and regulations adopted thereunder.

(19) "Master development plan" means the master development plan for the overall project and the on-site related private development prepared by the secretary and the authority with the assistance of the design professional, in the form filed with the clerks of the Senate and the House of Representatives on March 3, 2000, as modified by the secretary after May 2, 2000, in accordance with the provisions of section 32-655b, as amended by this act.

(20) "NCAA" means the National Collegiate Athletic Association or its successor.

(21) "On-site related private development" means the convention center hotel and the other housing, entertainment, recreation, retail and office development on the Adriaen's Landing site contemplated by the master development plan. "On-site related private development" includes the second phase of the convention center hotel as described in the master development plan but excludes any other addition to, or any expansion, demolition, conversion or other modification of, any such on-site related private development unless the secretary certifies in the secretary's discretion that such addition, expansion, demolition, conversion or other modification is being undertaken by agreement with the secretary in furtherance of the objectives of the master development plan.

(22) "Overall project" means the convention center project, the stadium facility project and the parking project, or one or more of the foregoing as more particularly described in the master development plan, including all related planning, feasibility, environmental testing and assessment, permitting, engineering, technical and other necessary development activities, including site acquisition, site preparation and infrastructure improvements. As used in sections 32-664, 32-665 and 32-668, and subdivision (1) of section 12-412, subsection (a) of section 12-498 and subdivision (1) of section 22a-134, and section 32-617a, "overall project" also includes the development, design, construction, finishing, furnishing and equipping of the on-site related private development.

(23) "Parking project" means the development, design, construction, finishing, furnishing and equipping of the related parking facilities and related site acquisition and site preparation.

(24) "Preliminary costs" means the costs of the state or the authority, as the case may be, relating to planning, preliminary design, feasibility and permitting of the overall project, whether incurred prior to or following July 1, 1999, including, but not limited to, costs of plans, including plans with respect to alternative or prior designs, budgeting, borings, surveys, maps, title examinations, environmental testing, environmental impact evaluations, appraisals, documentation of estimates of costs and revenue increments to the state or the authority in connection with the overall project and the permitting thereof, including feasibility studies, market and impact analysis, preliminary design costs and costs incidental to investigations, preparation and processing of permit applications and preparation and analysis of any proposed agreement, lease or memorandum of understanding with respect to the overall project, including, but not limited to, the fees and expenses of professional, management and technical consultants, and financial and legal advisors, and the reimbursement to any state agency or department, public authority, political subdivision or private entity which has advanced or advances funds for the payment of any such preliminary costs, provided that in the case of any such private entity such advancement was or is at the request of or with the approval of the state as certified by the secretary and would qualify as a preliminary cost if incurred directly by the state or the Capital Region Development Authority.

(25) "Prime construction contractor" means each general contractor, construction manager or other construction professional with primary responsibility for construction activities with respect to the stadium facility, the convention center, the related parking facilities or any aspect of the on-site related private development, as the case may be.

(26) "Project costs" means and includes all hard and soft costs relating to the overall project, or, in context, any aspect thereof, including, but not limited to, preliminary costs, costs of site acquisition, site preparation and infrastructure improvements, relocation costs, including costs related to interim parking arrangements, costs of issuance, costs of labor and materials employed in the work, fees for project and construction management services, including incentive payments related to timely completion of improvements at or under budget, costs of insurance, including title insurance, the establishment of appropriate reserve funds in connection with the financing of any aspect of the overall project, and costs of accounting, legal, architectural, environmental, permitting, engineering, management, financial and other professional and technical services.

(27) "Project manager" means the development professional selected to supervise and coordinate the development of the Adriaen's Landing site on behalf of the secretary and the authority.

(28) "Real property" means land and buildings and all estate, interest or right in land or buildings, including land or buildings owned by any person, the state or any political subdivision of the state or instrumentality thereof and including any and all easements, rights of way, air rights and every estate, right or interest therein.

(29) "Related parking facilities" means parking structures, facilities or improvements which are necessary or desirable to provide parking for the convention center, the convention center hotel and other on-site related private development, which related parking facilities may also satisfy other public and private parking requirements within the capital city economic development district, or to replace currently available parking which may be displaced by the overall project, other than the stadium facility project, or the on-site related private development, together with equipment, fixtures, furnishings and appurtenances integral and normally associated with the construction and operation of parking facilities, and ancillary infrastructure improvements, all as more particularly described in the master development plan.

(30) "Related private development" means privately developed facilities or projects located within the capital city economic development district and associated with the convention center, including the hotel to be developed in conjunction with the convention center and such other privately developed facilities or projects, which may include housing, hotel, retail, entertainment, recreation, office or parking facilities or projects, including privately developed or financed improvements related to the convention center or such facilities or projects, as contemplated by the master development plan. For purposes of this subdivision, the term "associated" means functionally and economically related to the convention center as part of an integrated effort to develop and revitalize the urban core of the city of Hartford as an attractive destination for visitors and location for new businesses and residents.

(31) "Secretary" means the Secretary of the Office of Policy and Management or the secretary's designee.

(32) "Site acquisition" means the acquisition of real property, by condemnation, purchase, lease, lease-purchase, exchange or otherwise, comprising the Adriaen's Landing site and the stadium facility site, and includes the acquisition of other real property determined by the secretary to be necessary for off-site infrastructure improvements related to the development of the Adriaen's Landing site or the stadium facility site or for temporary use for construction staging or replacement parking during the period of construction, and the exchange or lease, as lessor or lessee, by the secretary or any other agency, department or public instrumentality of the state, of off-site real property to the extent determined by the secretary to be necessary to acquire real property comprising the Adriaen's Landing site, but excludes the acquisition or development by any private party of real property or improvements not on the Adriaen's Landing site.

(33) "Site preparation" means the removal and relocation of utilities, including electricity, gas, steam, water and sewer, the installation and connection of additional required utilities, the construction of necessary drainage facilities, the demolition of existing improvements and the removal, containment or other remediation of any hazardous materials and the restoration and compacting of soil, whether undertaken by the secretary or any other agency, department or public instrumentality of the state, all on the Adriaen's Landing site, the stadium facility site, and on other sites where site preparation is necessary for the development of the Adriaen's Landing site and the stadium facility site as contemplated by the master development plan or for the continuation of a public service facility, as defined in section 32-658, or utility operations.

(34) "Stadium facility" means a multipurpose sports stadium with a minimum of approximately forty thousand seats and with capacity for expansion to a minimum of approximately fifty thousand seats, meeting all applicable requirements for home team facilities for Division I-A football of the NCAA and the college football conference of which the university is expected to be a member, including seating capacity, size and composition of playing surface, locker room and media facilities and other amenities, to be owned by the state on the stadium facility site, together with equipment, fixtures, furnishings and appurtenances integral and normally associated with the construction and operation of such a facility, stadium parking and ancillary infrastructure improvements, all as more particularly described in the master development plan.

(35) "Stadium facility project" means the development, design construction, finishing, furnishing and equipping of the stadium facility and related site acquisition and site preparation.

(36) "Stadium facility site" means the real property located at Rentschler Field in the town of East Hartford designated for such purpose in the master development plan.

(37) "Stadium parking" means improvements, facilities and other arrangements for parking for stadium facility operations and events, including license, lease or other parking use agreements.

(38) "State" means the state of Connecticut.

(39) "State Bond Commission" means the commission established pursuant to subsection (c) of section 3-20 or any successor thereto.

(40) "Treasurer" means the State Treasurer or the deputy treasurer appointed pursuant to section 3-12.

(41) "University" means The University of Connecticut, a constituent unit of the state system of public higher education.

(42) "Work" means the provision of any or all of the work, labor, materials, equipment, services and other items required for a project including, but not limited to, design, architectural, engineering, development and other technical and professional services, construction and construction management services, permits, construction work and any and all other activities and services necessary to acquire, design, develop, construct, finish, furnish or equip any project.

(43) "Connecticut Center for Science and Exploration" means the science center facility constructed and operated in the Adriaen's Landing site.

Sec. 13. Subdivision (14) of subsection (a) of section 32-655 of the general statutes is repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective from passage):

(14) Pay or reimburse the Office of Policy and Management, the authority, the university and other affected state agencies and political subdivisions of the state and any third parties incurring such costs at the request or with the approval of the state as certified by the secretary, for project costs of the overall project including, without limitation, preliminary costs arising prior to July 1, 1999, or costs under subsection (d) (c) of section 32-605, as amended by this act, or sections 32-654, 32-654a, 32-655a, 32-655b, as amended by this act, and 32-666a; and

Sec. 14. Subsection (c) of section 32-655 of the general statutes is repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective from passage):

(c) The secretary shall designate a stadium facility operations contract compliance officer from the Office of Policy and Management to monitor compliance of the stadium facility operations with the provisions of state law applicable to such operations, including, but not limited to, subsection (e) (c) of section 32-605, as amended by this act, and sections 32-650 to 32-668, inclusive, and with applicable requirements of contracts entered into by the secretary, relating to set-asides for small contractors and minority business enterprises and required efforts to hire available and qualified members of minorities, as defined in section 32-9n, and available and qualified residents of the town of East Hartford and the city of Hartford for jobs in such operations. Such officer shall file, each year during the period of stadium facility operations, a written report with the secretary as to findings and recommendations regarding such compliance.

Sec. 15. Section 32-655b of the general statutes is repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective from passage):

The master development plan may be modified by the secretary after May 2, 2000, to the extent determined by the secretary to be necessary or desirable in light of unforeseen conditions or circumstances, including, without limitation, economic or market conditions or development or cost constraints, provided (1) no such modification shall be inconsistent with any requirements of subsection (d) (c) of section 32-605, as amended by this act, or sections 32-650 to 32-668, inclusive, and (2) in the event that the secretary determines that any such modification in the master development plan would result in a material change in the purpose or character of the stadium facility, the related parking facilities or the convention center, such modification shall not become effective unless and until (A) the secretary has filed with the house and senate clerks, for transmittal to the joint standing committee of the General Assembly having cognizance of matters relating to finance, revenue and bonding, a description of such modification in reasonable detail, and (B) such committee shall either have (i) approved such modification, or (ii) failed to reject such modification within thirty days of the date of filing by the secretary of the description of such modification with the house and senate clerks.

Sec. 16. Subsection (i) of section 32-656 of the general statutes is repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective from passage):

(i) The secretary and the authority shall jointly select and appoint an independent construction contract compliance officer or agent, which may be an officer or agency of a political subdivision of the state, other than the authority, or a private consultant experienced in similar public contract compliance matters, to monitor compliance by the secretary, the authority, the project manager and each prime construction contractor with the provisions of applicable state law, including subdivision (1) of section 12-412, subsection (a) of section 12-498, sections 12-541 and 13a-25, subdivision (1) of section 22a-134, section 32-600, subsection (d) of section 32-602, subsection (d) (c) of section 32-605, as amended by this act, section 32-610, subsections (a) and (b) of section 32-614, sections 32-617, 32-617a, 32-650, 32-651 to 32-658, inclusive, as amended by this act, 32-660 and 32-661, subsection (b) of section 32-662, section 32-663, subsections (j) to (l), inclusive, of section 32-664, sections 32-665 to 32-666a, inclusive, sections 32-668 and 48-21 and sections 29 and 30 of public act 00-140, and with applicable requirements of contracts with the secretary or the authority, relating to set-asides for small contractors and minority business enterprises and required efforts to hire available and qualified members of minorities and available and qualified residents of the city of Hartford and the town of East Hartford for construction jobs with respect to the overall project and the on-site related private development. Such independent contract compliance officer or agent shall file a written report of his or her findings and recommendations with the secretary and the authority each quarter during the period of project development.

Sec. 17. Section 1-82 of the 2018 supplement to the general statutes is repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective October 1, 2018):

(a) (1) Upon the complaint of any person on a form prescribed by the board, signed under penalty of false statement, or upon its own complaint, the ethics enforcement officer of the Office of State Ethics shall investigate any alleged violation of this part, section 1-101bb or section 1-101nn. Not later than five days after the receipt or issuance of such complaint, the board shall provide notice of such receipt or issuance and a copy of the complaint by registered or certified mail to any respondent against whom such complaint is filed and shall provide notice of the receipt of such complaint to the complainant. When the ethics enforcement officer of the Office of State Ethics undertakes an evaluation of a possible violation of this part, section 1-101bb or section 1-101nn prior to the filing of a complaint, the subject of the evaluation shall be notified not later than five business days after an Office of State Ethics staff member's first contact with a third party concerning the matter.

(2) In the conduct of its investigation of an alleged violation of this part, section 1-101bb or section 1-101nn, the Office of State Ethics shall have the power to hold hearings, administer oaths, examine witnesses and receive oral and documentary evidence. The Office of State Ethics may subpoena witnesses under procedural rules adopted by the Citizen's Ethics Advisory Board as regulations in accordance with the provisions of chapter 54 to compel attendance before the Office of State Ethics and to require the production for examination by the ethics enforcement officer of the Office of State Ethics of any books and papers which the Office of State Ethics deems relevant in any matter under investigation or in question, provided any such subpoena is issued either pursuant to a majority vote of the Citizen's Ethics Advisory Board or pursuant to the signature of the chairperson of such board. The vice-chairperson of such board may sign any such subpoena if the chairperson of such board is unavailable. In the exercise of such powers, the Office of State Ethics may use the services of the state police, who shall provide the same upon the office's request. The Office of State Ethics shall make a record of all proceedings conducted pursuant to this subsection. The ethics enforcement officer of the Office of State Ethics may bring any alleged violation of this part before a judge trial referee assigned by the Chief Court Administrator for such purpose for a probable cause hearing. Such judge trial referee shall be compensated in accordance with the provisions of section 52-434 from such funds as may be available to the Office of State Ethics. Any witness summoned before the Office of State Ethics or a judge trial referee pursuant to this subsection shall receive the witness fee paid to witnesses in the courts of this state. During any investigation conducted pursuant to this subsection or any probable cause hearing conducted pursuant to this subsection, the respondent shall have the right to appear and be heard and to offer any information which may tend to clear the respondent of probable cause to believe the respondent has violated any provision of this part, section 1-101bb or section 1-101nn. The respondent shall also have the right to be represented by legal counsel and to examine and cross-examine witnesses. Not later than ten days prior to the commencement of any hearing conducted pursuant to this subsection, the Office of State Ethics shall provide the respondent with a list of its intended witnesses. Any finding of probable cause to believe the respondent is in violation of any provisions of this part shall be made by a judge trial referee not later than thirty days after the ethics enforcement officer brings such alleged violation before such judge trial referee, except that such thirty-day limitation period shall not apply if the judge trial referee determines that good cause exists for extending such limitation period.

(b) If a judge trial referee determines that probable cause exists for the violation of a provision of this part, section 1-101bb or section 1-101nn, the board shall initiate hearings to determine whether there has been a violation of this part, section 1-101bb or section 1-101nn. Any such hearing shall be initiated by the board not later than thirty days after the finding of probable cause by a judge trial referee and shall be concluded not later than ninety days after its initiation, except that such thirty or ninety-day limitation period shall not apply if the judge trial referee determines that good cause exists for extending such limitation period. A judge trial referee, who has not taken part in the probable cause determination on the matter shall be assigned by the Chief Court Administrator and shall be compensated in accordance with section 52-434 out of funds available to the Office of State Ethics. Such judge trial referee shall preside over such hearing and rule on all issues concerning the application of the rules of evidence, which shall be the same as in judicial proceedings. The judge trial referee shall have no vote in any decision of the board. All hearings of the board held pursuant to this subsection shall be open. At such hearing the board shall have the same powers as the Office of State Ethics under subsection (a) of this section and the respondent shall have the right to be represented by legal counsel, to compel attendance of witnesses and the production of books, documents, records and papers and to examine and cross-examine witnesses. Not later than ten days prior to the commencement of any hearing conducted pursuant to this subsection, the Office of State Ethics shall provide the respondent with a list of its intended witnesses. The judge trial referee shall, while engaged in the discharge of the duties as provided in this subsection, have the same authority as is provided in section 51-35 over witnesses who refuse to obey a subpoena or to testify with respect to any matter upon which such witness may be lawfully interrogated, and may commit any such witness for contempt for a period no longer than thirty days. The Office of State Ethics shall make a record of all proceedings pursuant to this subsection. During the course of any such hearing, no ex-parte communication shall occur between the board, or any of its members, and: (1) The judge trial referee, or (2) any staff member of the Enforcement Division of the Office of State Ethics, concerning the complaint or the respondent. The board shall find no person in violation of any provision of this part, section 1-101bb or section 1-101nn except upon the concurring vote of two-thirds of its members present and voting. No member of the board shall vote on the question of whether a violation of any provision of this part has occurred unless such member was physically present for the duration of any hearing held pursuant to this subsection. Not later than fifteen days after the public hearing conducted in accordance with this subsection, the board shall publish its finding and a memorandum of the reasons therefor. Such finding and memorandum shall be deemed to be the final decision of the board on the matter for the purposes of chapter 54. The respondent, if aggrieved by the finding and memorandum, may appeal therefrom to the Superior Court in accordance with the provisions of section 4-183.

(c) If a judge trial referee finds, after a hearing pursuant to this section, that there is no probable cause to believe that a public official or state employee has violated a provision of this part, section 1-101bb or section 1-101nn, or if the board determines that a public official or state employee has not violated any such provision, or if a court of competent jurisdiction overturns a finding by the board of a violation by such a respondent, the state shall pay the reasonable legal expenses of the respondent as determined by the Attorney General or by the court if appropriate. If any complaint brought under the provisions of this part, section 1-101bb or section 1-101nn is made with the knowledge that it is made without foundation in fact, the respondent shall have a cause of action against the complainant for double the amount of damage caused thereby and, if the respondent prevails in such action, he the respondent may be awarded by the court the costs of such action together with reasonable attorneys' fees.

(d) No complaint may be made under this section later than five years after the violation alleged in the complaint has been committed.

(e) No person shall take or threaten to take official action against an individual for such individual's disclosure of information to the board or the general counsel, ethics enforcement officer or staff of the Office of State Ethics under the provisions of this part, section 1-101bb or section 1-101nn. After receipt of information from an individual under the provisions of this part, section 1-101bb or section 1-101nn, the Office of State Ethics shall not disclose the identity of such individual without such individual's consent unless the Office of State Ethics determines that such disclosure is unavoidable during the course of an investigation. No person shall be subject to civil liability for any good faith disclosure that such person makes to the Office of State Ethics.

Sec. 18. Subsection (a) of section 1-82a of the general statutes is repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective October 1, 2018):

(a) Unless a judge trial referee makes a finding of probable cause, a complaint alleging a violation of this part, section 1-101bb or section 1-101nn shall be confidential except upon the request of the respondent. An evaluation of a possible violation of this part, section 1-101bb or section 1-101nn by the Office of State Ethics prior to the filing of a complaint shall be confidential except upon the request of the subject of the evaluation. If the evaluation is confidential, any information supplied to or received from the Office of State Ethics shall not be disclosed to any third party by a subject of the evaluation, a person contacted for the purpose of obtaining information or by the ethics enforcement officer or staff of the Office of State Ethics. No provision of this subsection shall prevent the Office of State Ethics from reporting the possible commission of a crime to the Chief State's Attorney or other prosecutorial authority.

Sec. 19. Section 1-88 of the 2018 supplement to the general statutes is repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective October 1, 2018):

(a) The board, upon a finding made pursuant to section 1-82, as amended by this act, that there has been a violation of any provision of this part, section 1-101bb or section 1-101nn, shall have the authority to order the violator to do any or all of the following: (1) Cease and desist the violation of this part, section 1-101bb or section 1-101nn; (2) file any report, statement or other information as required by this part, section 1-101bb or section 1-101nn; and (3) pay a civil penalty of not more than ten thousand dollars for each violation of this part, section 1-101bb or section 1-101nn.

(b) Notwithstanding the provisions of subsection (a) of this section, the board may, after a hearing conducted in accordance with sections 4-176e to 4-184, inclusive, upon the concurring vote of two-thirds of its members present and voting, impose a civil penalty not to exceed ten dollars per day upon any individual who fails to file any report, statement or other information as required by this part, section 1-101bb or section 1-101nn. Each distinct violation of this subsection shall be a separate offense and in case of a continued violation, each day thereof shall be deemed a separate offense. In no event shall the aggregate penalty imposed for such failure to file exceed ten thousand dollars.

(c) The board may also report its finding to the Chief State's Attorney for any action deemed necessary. The board, upon a finding made pursuant to section 1-82, as amended by this act, that a member or member-elect of the General Assembly has violated any provision of this part, section 1-101bb or section 1-101nn, shall notify the appropriate house of the General Assembly, in writing, of such finding and the basis for such finding.

(d) Any person who knowingly acts in such person's financial interest in violation of section 1-84, 1-85, 1-86, 1-86d, 1-86e or 1-101nn or any person who knowingly receives a financial advantage resulting from a violation of any of said sections shall be liable for damages in the amount of such advantage. If the board determines that any person may be so liable, it shall immediately inform the Attorney General of that possibility.

(e) Any employee of the Office of State Ethics or member of the Citizen's Ethics Advisory Board who, in violation of this part or section 1-101nn, discloses information filed in accordance with subparagraph (F) of subdivision (1) of subsection (b) of section 1-83, shall be dismissed, if an employee, or removed from the board, if a member.

(f) Any civil penalty imposed by the board pursuant to this section may be enforced by the Office of State Ethics as a money judgment in accordance with chapter 906.

Sec. 20. Section 1-89 of the general statutes is repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective October 1, 2018):

(a) (1) Any person who intentionally violates any provision of this part, section 1-101bb or section 1-101nn shall, (1) for a first violation, be guilty of a class A misdemeanor, except that, if unless subdivision (2) of this subsection is applicable.

(2) If, for a first violation, such person derives a financial benefit of one thousand dollars or more as a result of such violation, such person shall be guilty of a class D felony. , and (2) for

(3) For a second or subsequent violation, such person shall be guilty of a class D felony. , provided no

(4) No person may be found guilty of a violation of subsection (f) or (g) of section 1-84 and bribery or bribe receiving under section 53a-147 or 53a-148 upon the same incident, but such person may be charged and prosecuted for all or any of such offenses upon the same information.

(b) The penalties prescribed in this part or section 1-101nn shall not limit the power of either house of the legislature to discipline its own members or impeach a public official, and shall not limit the power of agencies or commissions to discipline their officials or employees.

(c) The Attorney General may bring a civil action against any person who knowingly acts in the person's financial interest in, or knowingly receives a financial advantage resulting from, a violation of section 1-84, 1-85, 1-86, 1-101bb or 1-101nn. In any such action, the Attorney General may, in the discretion of the court, recover any financial benefit that accrued to the person as a result of such violation and additional damages in an amount not exceeding twice the amount of the actual damages.

(d) Any fines, penalties or damages paid, collected or recovered under section 1-88, as amended by this act, or this section for a violation of any provision of this part or section 1-101bb or 1-101nn applying to the office of the Treasurer shall be deposited on a pro rata basis in any trust funds, as defined in section 3-13c, affected by such violation.

Sec. 21. Section 1-93 of the 2018 supplement to the general statutes is repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective October 1, 2018):

(a) (1) Upon the complaint of any person on a form prescribed by the Office of State Ethics, signed under penalty of false statement, or upon its own complaint, the ethics enforcement officer of the Office of State Ethics shall investigate any alleged violation of this part or section 1-101bb. Not later than five days after the receipt or issuance of such complaint, the Office of State Ethics shall provide notice of such receipt or issuance and a copy of the complaint by registered or certified mail to any respondent against whom such complaint is filed and shall provide notice of the receipt of such complaint to the complainant. When the Office of State Ethics undertakes an evaluation of a possible violation of this part or section 1-101bb prior to the filing of a complaint, the subject of the evaluation shall be notified not later than five business days after a staff member of the Office of State Ethics undertakes the first contact with a third party concerning the matter.

(2) In the conduct of its investigation of an alleged violation of this part, the Office of State Ethics shall have the power to hold hearings, administer oaths, examine witnesses and receive oral and documentary evidence. The Office of State Ethics may subpoena witnesses under procedural rules adopted by the Citizen's Ethics Advisory Board as regulations in accordance with the provisions of chapter 54 to compel attendance before the Office of State Ethics and to require the production for examination by the ethics enforcement officer of the Office of State Ethics of any books and papers which the ethics enforcement officer of the Office of State Ethics deems relevant in any matter under investigation or in question, provided any such subpoena is issued either pursuant to a majority vote of the Citizen's Ethics Advisory Board or pursuant to the signature of the chairperson of such board. The vice-chairperson of such board may sign any such subpoena if the chairperson of such board is unavailable. In the exercise of such powers, the Office of State Ethics may use the services of the state police, who shall provide the same upon the office's request. The Office of State Ethics shall make a record of all proceedings conducted pursuant to this subsection. Any witness summoned before the Office of State Ethics or a judge trial referee pursuant to this subsection shall receive the witness fee paid to witnesses in the courts of this state. The ethics enforcement officer of the Office of State Ethics may bring any alleged violation of this part or section 1-101bb before a judge trial referee assigned by the Chief Court Administrator for such purpose for a probable cause hearing. Such judge trial referee shall be compensated in accordance with the provisions of section 52-434 from such funds as may be available to the Office of State Ethics. The respondent shall have the right to appear at any hearing held pursuant to this subsection and be heard and to offer any information which may tend to clear the respondent of probable cause to believe the respondent has violated any provision of this part or section 1-101bb. The respondent shall also have the right to be represented by legal counsel and to examine and cross-examine witnesses. Not later than ten days prior to the commencement of any hearing conducted pursuant to this subsection, the Office of State Ethics shall provide the respondent with a list of its intended witnesses. Any finding of probable cause to believe the respondent is in violation of any provision of this part or section 1-101bb shall be made by a judge trial referee not later than thirty days after the ethics enforcement officer brings such alleged violation before such judge trial referee, except that such thirty-day limitation period shall not apply if the judge trial referee determines that good cause exists for extending such limitation period.

(b) If a judge trial referee indicates that probable cause exists for the violation of a provision of this part or section 1-101bb, the board shall initiate hearings to determine whether there has been a violation of this part or section 1-101bb. Any such hearing shall be initiated by the board not later than thirty days after the finding of probable cause by a judge trial referee and shall be concluded not later than ninety days after its initiation, except that such thirty-day or ninety-day limitation period shall not apply if the judge trial referee determines that good cause exists for extending such limitation period. A judge trial referee, who has not taken part in the probable cause determination on the matter shall be assigned by the Chief Court Administrator and shall be compensated in accordance with section 52-434 out of funds available to the board. Such judge trial referee shall preside over such hearing and rule on all issues concerning the application of the rules of evidence, which shall be the same as in judicial proceedings. The judge trial referee shall have no vote in any decision of the board. All hearings of the board held pursuant to this subsection shall be open. At such hearing the board shall have the same powers as the Office of State Ethics under subsection (a) of this section and the respondent shall have the right to be represented by legal counsel, to compel attendance of witnesses and the production of books, documents, records and papers and to examine and cross-examine witnesses. Not later than ten days prior to the commencement of any hearing conducted pursuant to this subsection, the Office of State Ethics shall provide the respondent with a list of its intended witnesses. The judge trial referee shall, while engaged in the discharge of the duties as provided in this subsection, have the same authority as is provided in section 51-35 over witnesses who refuse to obey a subpoena or to testify with respect to any matter upon which such witness may be lawfully interrogated, and may commit any such witness for contempt for a period no longer than thirty days. The Office of State Ethics shall make a record of all proceedings pursuant to this subsection. During the course of any such hearing, no ex-parte communication shall occur between the board, or any of its members, and: (1) The judge trial referee, or (2) any staff member of the Enforcement Division of the Office of State Ethics, concerning the complaint or the respondent. The board shall find no person in violation of any provision of this part or section 1-101bb except upon the concurring vote of two-thirds of its members present and voting. No member of the board shall vote on the question of whether a violation of any provision of this part or section 1-101bb has occurred unless such member was physically present for the duration of any hearing held pursuant to this subsection. Not later than fifteen days after the public hearing conducted in accordance with this subsection, the board shall publish its finding and a memorandum of the reasons therefor. Such finding and memorandum shall be deemed to be the final decision of the board on the matter for the purposes of chapter 54. The respondent, if aggrieved by the finding and memorandum, may appeal therefrom to the Superior Court in accordance with the provisions of section 4-183.

(c) If any complaint brought under the provisions of this part or section 1-101bb is made with the knowledge that it is made without foundation in fact, the respondent shall have a cause of action against the complainant for double the amount of damage caused thereby and if the respondent prevails in such action, the respondent may be awarded by the court the costs of such action together with reasonable attorneys' fees.

(d) No complaint may be made under this section except within five years next after the violation alleged in the complaint has been committed.

(e) No person shall take or threaten to take official action against an individual for such individual's disclosure of information to the board or the general counsel, ethics enforcement officer or staff of the Office of State Ethics under the provisions of this part or section 1-101bb. After receipt of information from an individual under the provisions of this part, the Office of State Ethics shall not disclose the identity of such individual without such person's consent unless the Office of State Ethics determines that such disclosure is unavoidable during the course of an investigation.

Sec. 22. Subsection (c) of section 1-97 of the general statutes is repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective October 1, 2018):

(c) No lobbyist may: (1) Do anything with the purpose of placing any public official under personal obligation; (2) attempt to influence any legislative or administrative action for the purpose of thereafter being employed to secure its defeat; (3) cause any communication to be sent to any public official in the name of any other individual except with the consent of such individual; or (4) be retained as a lobbyist by a state agency or quasi-public agency.

Sec. 23. Subsection (c) of section 5-164a of the general statutes is repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective July 1, 2018):

(c) No member reemployed under this section or under section 5-164 or elected to serve in the General Assembly or otherwise reentering state service shall receive a retirement income during such member's reemployment or other state service except (1) if such member's services as an employee are rendered for not more than ninety one hundred twenty working days in any one calendar year, provided that any member reemployed for a period of more than ninety one hundred twenty working days in one calendar year shall reimburse the state retirement fund for retirement income payments received during such ninety one hundred twenty working days; (2) if such member's services are as a member of the General Assembly or as a sessional employee of the General Assembly during the regular legislative session, such member's retirement income payments shall not be suspended; or (3) if such member's preretirement services which counted towards retirement are other than as a special deputy sheriff pursuant to chapter 78, and if such member's postretirement services are as a special deputy sheriff or, on and after December 1, 2000, as a judicial marshal and such member was employed as a special deputy sheriff on July 1, 1999.

Sec. 24. Section 38a-882 of the general statutes is repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective July 1, 2018):

(a) The Insurance Department shall maintain the Brokered Transactions Guaranty Fund at a level not to exceed five one hundred thousand dollars and to this intent moneys received under section 38a-881 shall be credited to such guaranty fund whenever the fund balance is below five one hundred thousand dollars and any such moneys may be invested or reinvested in the same manner as funds of the state employees retirement system, and the interest arising from such investments shall be credited to the General Fund. Any moneys received under section 38a-881 not required to maintain such guaranty fund balance shall be deposited to the General Fund. All moneys in such guaranty fund in excess of five one hundred thousand dollars shall be transferred by the Treasurer to the General Fund.

(b) If, at any time, the amount deposited in the Brokered Transactions Guaranty Fund is under one hundred thousand dollars, the department, in its discretion, may assess all persons licensed as insurance producers a fee not to exceed ten dollars which shall be credited to said guaranty fund.

Sec. 25. (Effective from passage) Not later than January 1, 2019, the Commissioner of Early Childhood shall make recommendations, in accordance with the provisions of section 11-4a of the general statutes, to the joint standing committee of the General Assembly having cognizance of matters relating to education, on how a precertification process could be implemented for prospective employees of a child day care center or group day care home in lieu of the current background check requirement set forth in subsection (c) of section 19a-80 of the general statutes.

Sec. 26. Sections 6-33, 6-33a, 6-36, 6-38j and 6-38l of the general statutes are repealed. (Effective from passage)

Related Articles

Behind the Bill