Mid-Session Legislative Update

Mid-Session Legislative Update

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Type: 
Blog Post
Updated April 1, 2022
 

LWVCT and the Connecticut General Assembly

During this short spring 2022 legislative session (February 9 - May 4), we expected a limited number of issues to be addressed. The League is supporting bills that protect and expand voting rights, government transparency and access, and address the climate crisis. We expect juvenile justice, taxes, and support for mental health services to receive the lion’s share of attention and movement. 

A big win for voters: expanded access to absentee ballots

 
HB 5262 - An Act Revising Certain Absentee Voting Eligibility Statutes.
The Connecticut General Assembly passed HB 5262 and it was signed by the Governor on March 29, 2022!  Along with other voting rights activists and citizens, the League encouraged the legislature to pass the bill. 
 
What you need to know:
  • HB 5262 amends state statutory language that is currently more restrictive than the language in the state constitution.
  • Once signed into law, commuters, people concerned about their own health (if they were to go to the polls in person) and caretakers of the disabled or chronically ill will qualify for an absentee ballot for future elections starting this year.
  • HB 5262 is not the same as the No-Excuse Absentee Ballot resolution (see below).
 

The CT Voting Rights Act and other bills still in play 

 
We have submitted oral or written testimony for several bills still under consideration that will expand access to the ballot, improve our election system, protect access to government functions and documents, and protect our elections from interference by undisclosed sources of support.
 
S.B. 471 - An Act Concerning Elections and State Voting Rights. Also called the CT Voting Rights Act, S.B. 471 was passed out of committee on March 29, 2022.
Connecticut needs our own state-level Voting Rights Act because federal courts have drastically weakened the federal Voting Rights Act of 1965. The purpose of this bill is to afford mechanisms for the challenge of certain election administration laws, practices or procedures that may impair the electoral rights of certain protected classes of individuals. The League supports SB 471 as it provides mechanisms for voters to fight back if they, as members of a protected class of voters have been discriminated against through the administration of an election (this includes maintenance of voter lists and polling place set up), redistricting, or intimidation while trying to vote.  It requires the state collect data to ensure the voting experience is the same across Connecticut’s towns and cities.  It also provides for the protection of election workers.  The bill provides guidance on making voter materials accessible to voters by providing information in several languages. Read the LWVCT testimony in support of S.B. 471
 
S.B. No. 470 - An Act Concerning the Secretary of the State and Other Election Administrators Regarding Certain Voter Registration Information and Rejected Absentee Ballots. The League supports a process for curing absentee ballots that have been rejected.
 

S.B. 431 - An Act Concerning Referenda, Independent Expenditures and Certain Other Political Spending. This bill, which includes the adoption of a ban on contributions and expenditures by foreign nationals on referenda questions, is particularly urgent in anticipation of the constitutional question that will appear on this year’s November ballot. Read the LWVCT testimony in support of S.B. 431.

Community Access

S.B. 278 - An Act Requiring Multichannel Video Programming Distributors to Pay a Community Access Programming Fee. This bill would likely be challenged by cable/Internet Service Providers on the basis of Internet Tax Freedom Act. Read the LWVCT testimony in support of S.B. 278.

Climate Change

S.B. 4 - An Act Concerning the Connecticut Clearn Air Act. S.B. 4 was voted out of the Transportation Committee and can go to the Senate floor for a vote after fiscal analysis.

S.B. 10 - An Act Concerning Climate Change Mitigation. S.B. 10 was voted out of the Energy and Technology Committee and can go to the Senate Floor for a vote.

 

Thank you to our Legislative Specialists!

 

Our Legislative Specialists are ensuring our voice is heard.  Their commitment to monitoring bills and providing expert advice improves the quality of the discourse at the Capitol and moves our state government to enact legislation that benefits our democracy.  

  • Pua Ford - Community Access  & Media Issues
  • Susan Iseman - Environment
  • Pam Klem  - Transparency & Open Government
  • Roger Kuhn – Environment
  • Anne Schmidt - Environment
  • Yvonne Senturia - Voting and Elections
League to which this content belongs: 
Connecticut