2004 OTHER Proposed Bills

Proposed bills have limited language and convey only a concept. The Deadline for submitting Proposed bills was January 16. Raised/Committee bills, the next step a bill must attain, are voted upon by the Committee, and will have statutory language. Subject Matter Public Hearing means a hearing will be held.

Reading statutory language format: Language bracketed means REMOVE: Language Underlined/Capitalized is NEW. If a paragraph has (NEW) before it, the whole paragraph is NEW.

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When you get to the bill site, click on Proposed bill or Raised Bill or Committee Bill to view specific bill language. A FILE is the version that will be debated on the floor. When Amendments are added a New File may be produced reflecting the Amendment(s).

Special Session October 2/09 100% Fee Increase

S.B. No. 2052 AN ACT IMPLEMENTING THE PROVISIONS OF THE BUDGET CONCERNING REVENUE. http://www.cga.ct.gov/asp/cgabillstatus/cgabillstatus.asp?selBillType=Bill&bill_num=2052&which_year=2009&SUBMIT1.x=15&SUBMIT1.y=7

(Comments in Brackets ours; §§ are Section numbers)

§§ 21 & 37-38 – Boating Account and Boating Fee Revenue

OFA Fiscal Impact

The bill reestablishes the boating account as separate non-lapsing accounts within the General Fund. This results in: (1) a reduction the General Fund appropriation to the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) by $ 5. 9 million in both years of the biennium, and (2) a General Fund revenue loss of $ 5. 9 million per year since the revenue from boating fees will be restricted to the Boating Account.

OLR Analysis

PA 09-3, June Special Session, eliminated the boating account and transferred all revenue from boat and watercraft numbering and registration fees to the General Fund. This bill reestablishes (1) the account as a separate, nonlapsing account within the General Fund and (2) the account's purposes and reporting requirements, under the law prior to PA 09-3, June Special Session. The bill modifies the boating fee fund distribution as it existed before PA 09-3, June Special Session.

Under the law prior to PA 09-3, June Special Session, the first $ 1 million of the revenue received from the boating fees each year went into the boating account, along with any excess after towns received their share. The bill eliminates the first $1 million requirement. It instead allocates annual boating fee revenue received in the 12 months between November 1 and the following October 31 to the towns first. As under the law prior to PA 09-3, June Special Session, the bill requires (1) that, if annual fee revenue is not enough to pay all the towns their full allotment, any additional amount necessary be taken from unallocated funds in the account and (2) the towns to receive amounts according to their proportionate share of the total property taxes paid on vessels based on October 1, 1978 assessment. [While the original bill allocated money to DEP upfront, we believe this change should not have significant impact since the towns are appropriated approx $3.2 million leaving essentially the same amount DEP has had in the past.]

Under the bill, as under the law prior to PA 09-3, June Special Session, the boating account must be used for the various purposes, including to cover all expenses the Motor Vehicles and the Environmental Protection commissioners' incur in the administration and enforcement of the state laws and regulations respecting boating safety and water pollution from vessels and any payments the law requires (e. g., payments to towns that apply to DEP for reimbursement for enforcing boating laws).

The bill accordingly reestablishes the requirements of the law prior to PA 09-3, June Special Session, for using the money in the boating account, and for reporting, budgeting, and accounting (i.e., it restores CGS §§ 15-155a and 15-155b, which PA 09-3, June Special Session eliminated).

EFFECTIVE DATE: Upon passage

§§ 22 & 28 – Resident Marine Waters Fishing License Fee

OFA Fiscal Impact

The bill implements the revenue estimates adopted by the Finance, Revenue, and Bonding Committee on October 2, 2009.

OLR Analysis

PA 03-9, June Special Session, imposed a $ 30 fee for a resident marine waters fishing license, effective October 1, 2009. This bill reduces the fee to $ 10 [Sec. 22 & 28]. It also makes a technical, conforming change. [ This October Special Session made the ONLY change to the 100% license fee increases. The nonresident annual fee remains @ $60. A previous Bill in the September Special Session made similar Salt Water license/Boating changes but was Vetoed by the Governor. A previous House Bill in the Regular Session (Jan- June) No. 5875, Public Act No. 09-173, AN ACT AUTHORIZING SPECIAL DISTRICTS TO MAINTAIN WATER QUALITY IN LAKES, STATE LAND WHERE HUNTING IS PERMITTED, THE ESTABLISHMENT OF A MARINE WATERS FISHING LICENSE AND THE TAKING OF SHELLFISH IN WESTPORT. http://www.cga.ct.gov/2009/ACT/PA/2009PA-00173-R00HB-05875-PA.htm passed establishing the Salt Water fees @ $10 resident and $15 nonresident. See H.B. No. 6802 AN ACT CONCERNING EXPENDITURES AND REVENUE FOR THE BIENNIUM ENDING JUNE 30, 2011 Sec 443-459 for ALL NEW FEES. http://www.cga.ct.gov/asp/cgabillstatus/cgabillstatus.asp?selBillType=Bill&bill_num=6802&which_year=2009 ]

Signed by the Governor 10/05. EFFECTIVE DATE: Upon passage and applicable to renewal of a license expiring on or after October 1, 2009.

[The Board of Firearms Permit Examiners is in the budget as a separate line item (on its own) with no transfer to another agency. A new task force will be formed to study the feasibility of moving all administrative hearings under CHRO. See link below for 7007, AN ACT IMPLEMENTING THE PROVISIONS OF THE BUDGET CONCERNING GENERAL GOVERNMENT AND MAKING CHANGES TO VARIOUS PROGRAMS and see SEC. 155. http://www.cga.ct.gov/2009/TOB/H/2009HB-07007-R00-HB.htm The original proposal was to place it under the CT State Police – “Foxes watching the henhouse.”] Signed by the Governor 10/05.

S.B. No. 358 (COMM) AN ACT PROHIBITING THE POSSESSION OR FIRING OF ASSAULT WEAPONS OR MACHINE GUNS BY MINORS', to improve public safety. REF. JUDICIARY. Drafted by Committee 03/09. Extract: c) Any person who (1) possesses [or] a machine gun, (2) uses a machine gun for an offensive or aggressive purpose, or (3) notwithstanding the provisions of subdivision (3) of subsection (h) of this section, transfers, sells or gives a machine gun to a person under eighteen years of age, including the temporary transfer of such weapon to such person for use in target shooting or on a firing or shooting range or for any other purpose, shall be fined not more than one thousand dollars or imprisoned not less than five years nor more than ten years or be both fined and imprisoned. Public Hearing 03/16. Coalition Testimony. Joint Favorable Substitute 03/31. Vote to Reconsider 04/01. Joint Favorable Substitute 04/01. Section 1 of the bill dealing with “Assault Weapons” was DELETED and Section 2 which becomes the bill was modified from 18 years to 16 years. Section 1. Subsection (c) of section 53-202 of the general statutes is repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective October 1, 2009): (c) Any person who possesses or uses a machine gun for an offensive or aggressive purpose, or (2) notwithstanding the provisions of subdivision (3) of subsection (h) of this section, transfers, sells or gives a machine gun to a person under sixteen years of age, including the temporary transfer of a machine gun to such person for use in target shooting or on a firing or shooting range or for any other purpose, shall be fined not more than one thousand dollars or imprisoned not less than five years nor more than ten years or be both fined and imprisoned. File Number 701. Senate Calendar Number 480 04/20. Senate Passed 04/30. House Calendar Number 589. House Passed In Concurrence 05/14. PASSED. Public Act 09-62 Signed by the Governor 05/27.

H.B. No. 5209 (COMM) 'AN ACT CONCERNING STATE LAND WHERE HUNTING IS PERMITTED', to maintain the amount of state land where hunting is permitted. ["No-Net-Loss" of State Hunting Lands] REF. ENVIRONMENT. SUPPORT. PUBLIC HEARING 02/23. Coalition Testimony. Drafted 03/12. Joint Favorable 03/18. File Number 495. House Calendar Number 316. Content Amended onto H.B. No. 5875 AN ACT AUTHORIZING SPECIAL DISTRICTS TO MAINTAIN WATER QUALITY IN LAKES. Planning and Development. To establish a process for the maintenance of water quality in lakes by special districts. See below under FISHING.

H.B. No. 5875 AN ACT AUTHORIZING SPECIAL DISTRICTS TO MAINTAIN WATER QUALITY IN LAKES. Planning and Development. To establish a process for the maintenance of water quality in lakes by special districts. House PASSED Amendment A House Schedule A LCO# 7960 which includes Marine Fishing Licenses, No Net Loss Hunting Areas, Increased protection for Federal appropriations to the state from a 10% excise tax on most hunting & fishing equipment under Pittman/Robertson Act (Wildlife Restoration) and Wallop/Breaux – Magnuson/Stevens (Fish Restoration & Management) by Amendment. Sections 4, 5, & 6 address Salt Water Licensing. The original bill which we have Supported for three years has changed substantially. The several combination licenses are not in this bill – it is a flat rate license with the same cost ($10 Resident; $15 Non-resident) as recently passed by NY. The reasoning is that DEP cannot issue combination licenses prior to the required date of Jan.1, 2010 since many Combination licenses have already been issued and the administration attempting to address changes, rebates, new issue would be overwhelming. It is expected that when the new budget is finalized, the combination licenses will be included effective January 1, 2010. NOTE that the flat license fees are Effective June 15, 2009! We’re informed that DEP will immediately include this license on the Online Sportsmen Licensing System .You can hear the debate on http://www.ctn.state.ct.us/webstream.asp?odID=4442&odTitle=House%20Session&caption=true @ time 6:21:55. SUPPORT. Senate Calendar Number 687. Senate Passed as Amended by Amendment A On Consent / In Concurrence 05/02. PASSED. Public Act 09-173 06/12. Signed by the Governor 07/01.

*H. B. No. 6398 (RAISED) AN ACT CONCERNING THE APPOINTMENT OF COMMISSIONERS OF THE NORTHEASTERN FOREST FIRE PROTECTION AND ATLANTIC STATES MARINE FISHERIES COMMISSIONS. To remove the requirement that a Northeastern Forest Fire Protection Commission member who is a member of the General Assembly also be a member of the Commission on Intergovernmental Cooperation, to require members of the General Assembly serving on the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission to be members of the environment committee and to remove the requirement that such members of the General Assembly also be members of the Commission on Intergovernmental Cooperation of the state. REF. ENVIRONMENT. PUBLIC HEARING 02/18. Joint Favorable Substitute 03/06. File Number 160. Referred to Committee on Government Administration and Elections 03/31. Joint Favorable 04/06. House Calendar Number 160. Died on Last Day Calendar.

S.B. No. 994 (RAISED) ENVIRONMENT. 'AN ACT CONCERNING LEGHOLD TRAPS', to prevent needless animal suffering. REF. ENVIRONMENT. OPPOSE. Detracts from DEP wildlife (Furbearer) management. What is the alternative(s)? Public Hearing 03/09. Coalition Testimony. Joint Favorable 03/13. File Number 355 03/31. Senate Calendar Number 276. Referred by Senate to Committee on Judiciary 04/09. NEW Office of Fiscal Analysis (OFA) Report!! 04/15. No Action Comm. Deadline. Expect Amendment (s) on another bill (s) -Below:

S.B. No. 650 AN ACT CONCERNING THE CREATION OF A TRUST FOR THE CARE OF AN ANIMAL. Judiciary Committee. To authorize the creation of testamentary or inter vivos trusts for the care of domestic animals. File Number 707. Senate Calendar Number 486 04/20. OPPOSE TRAPPING Amendments. A is the language of the TRAPPING original bill (SB 994); B includes A and attempts to adopt MA legislation concerning Trapping - a bureaucratic nightmare. See the Fiscal Note of $500,000. Trapping Amendments NOT CALLED. Senate Passed Amended by Senate Amendment A. On Consent. 05/28. House Passed as Amended by Senate Amendment A. In Concurrence 06/02. PASSED. Public Act 09-169. Signed by the Governor 06/29.

H.B. No. 6552 (RAISED) ENVIRONMENT. AN ACT BANNING THE POSSESSION OF POTENTIALLY DANGEROUS ANIMALS AND THE IMPORTATION, POSSESSION AND LIBERATION OF WILD ANIMALS. Title changed from 'AN ACT BANNING THE SALE OR USE OF COMPUTER SOFTWARE OR SERVICES TO REMOTELY OPERATE WEAPONS TO HUNT ANIMALS OR BIRDS', to prevent the sale and use of remotely operated devices to manipulate weapons to hunt live animals or birds. REF. ENVIRONMENT. OPPOSE. Not needed. Business was only operational for 1 month considering outrage by NRA, NSSF, US Sportsmen’s Alliance, etc. Public Hearing 03/09. Joint Favorable Substitute 03/20. New Language includes the Dangerous Animals Amendment. File Number 516. House Calendar Number 336. Referred by House to Committee on Judiciary 04/14. Joint Favorable 04/21. House Calendar Number 336. OPPOSE TRAPPING Amendment LCO No. 6973, which includes the language of the original Trapping bill (SB 994) and attempts to adopt MA legislation concerning Trapping - a bureaucratic nightmare. See the Fiscal Note of $500,000. 2 additional Amendments promoting Sunday Hunting plus 4 anti-hunting Amendments. Trapping & Hunting Amendments NOT CALLED. House Passed as Amended by House Amendment A 06/03 Includes a prohibition on computer hunting live animals/birds. Senate Passed as Amended by House Amendment A, Consent Calendar/In Concurrence 06/03. PASSED. Title change: AN ACT BANNING THE POSSESSION OF POTENTIALLY DANGEROUS ANIMALS AND THE IMPORTATION, POSSESSION AND LIBERATION OF CERTAIN WILD ANIMALS, ALLOWING THE IMPORTATION OF REINDEER AND BANNING INTERNET HUNTING. Public Act 09-198. Signed by the Governor 07/08.

Proposed H.B. No. 5823 (COMM) 'AN ACT CONCERNING THE RECREATIONAL USE OF CANDLEWOOD LAKE', to require the Department of Environmental Protection, in consultation with the towns bordering Candlewood Lake, to make recommendations concerning the recreational use of the lake. REF. ENVIRONMENT. Public Hearing 02/02. Drafted by Committee 03/17. Joint Favorable 03/18. File Number 504. House Calendar Number 326. Referred by House to Committee on Planning and Development 04/14. Joint Favorable 04/20. House Passed 04/26. Senate Calendar Number 703. Senate Passed On Consent / In Concurrence 05/02. PASSED. Special Act 09-12 06/12. Signed by the Governor 07/02.

S.B. No. 832 (COMM) 'AN ACT CONCERNING BOATING SAFETY', to implement the Governor's budget recommendations and to increase penalties for a person who causes the death of another while operating a vessel while under the influence of drugs or alcohol. REF. ENVIRONMENT. SUPPORT. Public Hearing 03/04. Joint Favorable Substitute Change of Reference Judiciary 03/13. Joint Favorable Substitute 04/03. File Number 754. Senate Calendar Number 515 04/21.Senate Passed Consent 04/29. House Calendar Number 577. House Passed /In Concurrence 05/29. PASSED. Public Act 09-140. Signed by the Governor 06/25.

S.B. No. 824 (RAISED) ENVIRONMENT. 'AN ACT CONCERNING MARINE DEALERS, MARINE SURVEYORS AND YACHT BROKERS', to better regulate marine dealers, marine surveyors and yacht brokers. REF. ENVIRONMENT. Public Hearing. Joint Favorable 03/13. File Number 353 03/31. Senate Calendar Number 274. Referred by Senate to Committee on Finance, Revenue and Bonding 04/09. Joint Favorable 04/16. Senate Passed Amended by Senate A Consent. House Calendar Number 630. House Passed as Amended by Senate Amendment Schedule A, In Concurrence 05/22. PASSED. Public Act 09-105. Signed by the Governor 05/02.

Miscellaneous

H.B. No. 5277 (COMM) 'AN ACT IMPLEMENTING THE RECOMMENDATIONS OF THE INVASIVE PLANT COUNCIL', to implement the recommendations of the Invasive Plant Council's Sixth Annual Report. REF. ENVIRONMENT. Public Hearing 02/23. Drafted 03/04. Joint Favorable 03/06. File Number 149 3/24. Referred to Committee on Planning and Development 03/31. Joint Favorable 04/06. House Passed Amended by House Amendment Schedule A 04/22. File Number 813. Senate Calendar Number 538. Senate Passed as Amended by House Amendment A. On Consent Calendar/In Concurrence. PASSED. Public Act 09-52. Signed by the Governor 05/22.

H.B. No. 6200 (COMM) AN ACT CONCERNING THE USE OF LONG-TERM ANTIBIOTICS FOR THE TREATMENT OF LYME DISEASE. To allow physicians to prescribe, administer or dispense long-term antibiotics for therapeutic purposes to patients clinically diagnosed with Lyme disease. SUPPORT. REF. Public Health. Public Hearing 02/06. Joint Favorable Substitute 03/26. File Number 583. House Calendar Number 391. House Passed as Amended by House Amendment A 04/30. File Number 903. Senate Calendar Number 605. Senate Passed as Amended by House Amendment A On Consent / In Concurrence. PASSED. Public Act 09-128. Signed by the Governor 06/18.

H.B. No. 6551 (RAISED) ENVIRONMENT. 'AN ACT CONCERNING STATE FORESTRY PROGRAMS', to support forestry programs in the state. REF. ENVIRONMENT. SUPPORT. Public Hearing 03/16. Joint Favorable Substitute Change of Reference Appropriations 03/20. Change of Reference Finance, Revenue and Bonding 04/13. Joint Favorable Substitute 04/16. File Number 864. House Calendar Number 558 04/30. Died on Last Day Calendar.

HB 6565 (RAISED) AAC HUMANE EDUCATION, to the extent that funds become available from third party donors, the SBOE shall consult with the Institute for Humane Education, The Humane Society, the ASPCA and other animal welfare organizations to develop a curriculum of humane education to be distributed to BOE's. Such curriculum shall include; principles of humane education, pet care, the humane treatment of animals and the promotion of compassion, empathy and the respectful treatment of other people, animals and the environment. OPPOSE. REF. Education. Public Hearing 03/09. JFS 03/23. Strike All - Substitute language provides for conscientious objection to dissection of animals. Title Change: AN ACT CONCERNING A POLICY REGARDING DISSECTION IN CLASSROOMS. File Number 588. House Calendar Number 398. House Passed as Amended by House Amendment Schedule A 04/22. File Number 818. Senate Calendar Number 528 04/24. Moved to Foot of the Calendar, Senate 04/06. Senate Recommitted to Education 05/02. DEAD.

S.B. No. 825 (RAISED) PUBLIC SAFETY AND SECURITY. 'AN ACT CONCERNING PAINTBALL SAFETY', to require minors to attend a brief safety course prior to using a paintball gun at a paintball facility, and to require purchasers of a paintball gun to also purchase a protective helmet, and to give the Department of Consumer Protection enforcement and regulatory authority over paintball facilities and purchases. REF. PUBLIC SAFETY AND SECURITY. SUPPORT. Public Hearing 02/06. Joint Favorable Substitute 03/10. File Number 139. Senate Calendar Number 166. Referred by Senate to Committee on Judiciary 04/09. Joint Favorable 04/15. Senate Passed Consent 04/29. House Calendar Number 575. House Passed/In Concurrence. PASSED. Public Act 09-113. Signed by the Governor 06/09.

H.B. No. 6371 REP. CAFERO, 142nd DIST.; SEN. MCKINNEY, 28th DIST. 'AN ACT CONCERNING FUNDING FOR THE DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION', to implement the Governor's budget recommendations. REF. ENVIRONMENT. Doubles most licenses/fees, Eliminates the Conservation Fund with Special Fund revenues (Boating, Motorboat Fuel Tax, others) going to the General Fund (GF). See Sec. 3, Boat Registration; Sec. 48-Sec. 72, Hunting, Fishing, Trapping, All-Waters/Combinations (NEW), NWCO, Tags, more; Sec 95, Licenses/Fed Funding. REF. ENVIRONMENT. OPPOSE elimination of the Conservation Fund. Public Hearing 02/18. Coalition Testimony. No Action. See H.B. No. 6428 (RAISED) ENVIRONMENT. 'AN ACT CONCERNING THE OFFENSE OF HUNTING WHILE INTOXICATED' under "Hunting" below for potential license fee increases.

H.B. No. 6375 AN ACT CONCERNING REVIEW AND TERMINATION OF CERTAIN BOARDS AND COMMISSIONS. To implement the Governor's budget recommendations and to eliminate unnecessary or obsolete boards and commissions. OPPOSE. REF. Government Administration and Elections. Sec. 2. (c) The following governmental entities and programs are terminated, effective July 1, 2012, unless reestablished in accordance with the provisions of section 2c-10: (1) Board of Firearms Permit Examiners, established under section 29-32b; Public Hearing 03/16. Coalition Testimony. No Action Comm. Deadline.

S.B. No. 808 (RAISED) FINANCE, REVENUE AND BONDING. 'AN ACT INCREASING FEES AND FINES', to increase revenues to the state. Section 1. (NEW) (Effective from passage, and applicable to any fees payable on and after April 1, 2009) Each fee or fine levied in any section of the general statutes shall be increased by twenty-five per cent, as of April 1, 2009. Public Hearing 02/09. Joint Favorable Substitute 04/16. File Number 892. Senate Calendar Number 613 05/04. File has Substitute language/New Title AN ACT INCREASING PROBATE COURT FEES AND COSTS. File Number 892. The potential fee increases will be included in the Budget. Senate Recommitted to Finance, Revenue and Bonding 06/02.

S.B. No. 837 SEN. MCKINNEY, 28th DIST.; REP. CAFERO, 142nd DIST. 'AN ACT CONCERNING VARIOUS FEES', to implement the Governor's budget recommendations. REF. FINANCE, REVENUE AND BONDING. OPPOSE. State Police Permits to Carry Pistols & Revolvers Fees doubled, Sec. 171-173. Public Hearing 02/23. Coalition Testimony. NO ACTION-The potential fee increase will be included in the Budget.

S.B. No. 839 SEN. MCKINNEY, 28th DIST.; REP. CAFERO, 142nd DIST. 'AN ACT CONCERNING MERGERS AND CONSOLIDATIONS OF VARIOUS STATE AGENCIES', to implement the Governor's budget recommendations. Transfers the previously independent Board of Firearms Permit Examiners, to the Department of Public Safety, Sec 30. REF. GOVERNMENT ADMINISTRATION AND ELECTIONS. OPPOSE. Public Hearing 03/16. Coalition Testimony. No Action Comm. Deadline.

An Act Concerning Firing Ranges (ATTORNEY GENERAL bill). OPPOSE. REF. PUBLIC SAFETY AND SECURITY. RAISED 1/24. Not yet in Print. DEAD.

Proposed S.B. No. 353 SEN. LOONEY, 11th DIST. 'AN ACT CONCERNING THE MICROSTAMPING OF SEMIAUTOMATIC PISTOLS', to facilitate the linking of used cartridge cases to the firearm that fired them by requiring the microstamping of semiautomatic pistols. OPPOSE. REF. JUDICIARY. VIDEO of the Judiciary Committe Hearings held on March 17, 2008 at the State Capitol on the "Microstamping" and "Coding of Ammuntion Bills" A very good video of testimony including members of the firearms industry and Police Forenics — testimony is at 1:11:49 (time on counter. You can fast foward to the time by moving the capsule in the center and then fast fowarding or rewinding. Carlton Chen a VP at Colt gives testimony at 7:46:39. Drafted by Committee 03/09. Extract: (e) On and after January 1, 2011, no person, firm or corporation shall sell, deliver or otherwise transfer any semiautomatic pistol at retail unless such semiautomatic pistol is designed and equipped with a microscopic array of characters that identify the make, model and serial number of the pistol in two or more places on the interior surface or internal working parts of the pistol and that are transferred by imprinting on each cartridge case when the pistol is fired, provided the Attorney General certifies that the technology used to create the imprint is available to more than one manufacturer unencumbered by any patent restrictions. For the purposes of this subsection, "semiautomatic pistol" means a pistol the operating mode of which uses the energy of the explosive in a fixed cartridge to extract a fired cartridge and chamber a fresh cartridge with each single pull of the trigger. Public Hearing 03/16. Coalition Testimony VIDEO of the Judiciary Committe Hearings held on March 16, 2009. mms://ctnv1.ctn.state.ct.us/J/jud_3-16-09.wmv No Action Comm. Deadline.

H.B. No. 6457 (RAISED) PUBLIC SAFETY AND SECURITY. 'AN ACT CONCERNING THE REGULATION OF FIREARMS AND THE LICENSING OF BAIL ENFORCEMENT AGENTS, PROFESSIONAL BONDSMEN AND SURETY BAIL BOND AGENTS'. REF. PUBLIC SAFETY AND SECURITY. To require gun show promoters to notify the Commissioner of Public Safety of any planned gun show; to mandate annual firearms safety refresher courses for bail enforcement agents, professional bondsmen and surety bail bond agents; to require that certain firearms and criminal justice course instructors be approved by the Commissioner of Public Safety; to provide an exemption to the offenses of selling, carrying or brandishing a facsimile firearm for a participant in a state-certified qualified production; to change the blood alcohol limit for the offense of carrying a firearm while intoxicated to achieve parity with the level for the offense of operating a motor vehicle while intoxicated; and to require the concealment of a pistol or revolver when carried upon the person, with certain exemptions. OPPOSE the provision on Concealed Carry. RAISED 1/24. Public Hearing 02/24. Coalition Testimony. JFS (Joint Favorable Substitute) to Judiciary Comm. 03/05. DELETED: Sec 1. To require gun show promoters to notify the Commissioner of Public Safety of any planned gun show (retains only reporting to the chief of police); Sec. 8 to require the concealment of a pistol or revolver when carried upon the person, with certain exemptions; and Sec.9 Penalties. The bill now only addresses training for bail bondsmen and the .08 intoxication limit. No Action Comm. Deadline.

Proposed S.B. No. 554 SEN. FASANO, 34th DIST. 'AN ACT CONCERNING THE REGULATION OF THE SALE OF LONG GUNS', to subject long guns to permit requirements and to require a criminal background check of the purchaser of a long gun prior to such purchase. REF. PUBLIC SAFETY AND SECURITY. OPPOSE. WITHDRAWN. DEAD.

Proposed H.B. No. 5578 REP. HAMZY, 78th DIST. 'AN ACT PROHIBITING MUNICIPAL REGULATION OF FIREARMS', to prohibit local regulation of firearms. REF. PUBLIC SAFETY AND SECURITY. SUPPORT. No Action Comm. Deadline.

Proposed H.B. No. 5852 REP. HURLBURT, 53rd DIST. 'AN ACT CONCERNING THE USE OF ASSAULT WEAPONS BY MINORS', to allow for the safe handling of firearms by children in this state. REF. JUDICIARY. No Action Comm. Deadline.

Proposed H.B. No. 5892 REP. FONTANA, 87th DIST. 'AN ACT CONCERNING MUNICIPAL PURCHASES OF FIREARMS', to prevent unauthorized purchases of firearms. REF. PUBLIC SAFETY AND SECURITY. No Action Comm. Deadline.

Proposed H.B. No. 6029 REP. PISCOPO, 76th DIST.; REP. HAMZY, 78th DIST. 'AN ACT CONCERNING THE USE OF DEADLY PHYSICAL FORCE IN DEFENSE OF A PERSON', to adopt a "Stand Your Ground" law by deleting the requirement that a person retreat before using deadly physical force in certain circumstances to defend himself or herself or a third person. REF. JUDICIARY. SUPPORT. No Action Comm. Deadline.

Proposed H.B. No. 6165 REP. BACCHIOCHI, 52nd DIST. 'AN ACT CONCERNING THE USE OF DEADLY PHYSICAL FORCE IN SELF DEFENSE', to create a presumption that it is reasonable to believe deadly physical force is necessary to defend oneself from a person who has unlawfully entered a dwelling. REF. JUDICIARY. SUPPORT. No Action Comm. Deadline.

Proposed H.B. No. 6198 REP. HAMZY, 78th DIST. 'AN ACT CONCERNING LOCAL REGULATION OF FIREARMS', to clarify that the state has exclusive jurisdiction to regulate firearms and that adoption of a local ordinance is prohibited. REF. PLANNING AND DEVELOPMENT. SUPPORT. Change of Reference Public Safety and Security 02/02. No Action Comm. Deadline.

H.B. No. 6564 (RAISED) PUBLIC SAFETY AND SECURITY. 'AN ACT CONCERNING A PERMIT FOR THE SALE AND CARRYING OF ELECTRONIC DEFENSE WEAPONS', to allow the carrying of an electronic defense weapon pursuant to a permit to carry and to require a permit for the sale of electronic defense weapons. REF. PUBLIC SAFETY AND SECURITY. Public Hearing 03/03. No Action Comm. Deadline.

Proposed S.B. No. 727 SEN. CALIGIURI, 16th DIST. 'AN ACT CONCERNING THE USE OF DEADLY PHYSICAL FORCE IN DEFENSE OF PREMISES', to allow residents to protect themselves in their homes. REF. JUDICIARY. SUPPORT. No Action Comm. Deadline.

Proposed S.B. No. 728 SEN. CALIGIURI, 16th DIST. 'AN ACT CONCERNING ENHANCED PENALTIES FOR THE COMMISSION OF CRIMES WITH ILLEGAL OR UNREGISTERED FIREARMS', to require enhanced criminal sentences for the commission of crimes using illegal or unregistered guns. REF. JUDICIARY. No Action Comm. Deadline.

Proposed S.B. No. 729 SEN. DEBICELLA, 21st DIST. 'AN ACT CONCERNING THE JUSTIFIABLE USE OF FORCE BY A HOMEOWNER AGAINST AN INTRUDER', to permit a homeowner to justifiably use physical force to respond in kind to an intruder by creating a presumption that it is reasonable for a homeowner to believe that an intruder is about to use deadly force or inflict great bodily harm. REF. JUDICIARY. SUPPORT. No Action Comm. Deadline.

Proposed H.B. No. 5112 REP. PISCOPO, 76th DIST. 'AN ACT CONCERNING SUNDAY BOW AND ARROW HUNTING ON PRIVATE PROPERTY', to allow Sunday hunting under certain circumstances. REF. ENVIRONMENT. SUPPORT. No Action Comm. Deadline.

H.B. No. 5281 (COMM) 'AN ACT CONCERNING THE DONATION OF DEER MEAT TO NONPROFIT ENTITIES', to allow deer hunters to take two additional deer, provided the deer meat is donated to a nonprofit entity that serves food to the needy. REF. ENVIRONMENT. PUBLIC HEARING 02/09. Coalition Testimony. OPPOSE. Joint Favorable Substitute 03/09. File Number 366 03/31 House Calendar Number 259. Died on Last Day Calendar.

Proposed H.B. No. 5480 REP. MAZUREK, 80th DIST. 'AN ACT ALLOWING SUNDAY HUNTING', to allow Sunday hunting. REF. ENVIRONMENT. SUPPORT. No Action Comm. Deadline.

Proposed H.B. No. 5500 REP. MINER, 66th DIST. 'AN ACT CONCERNING HUNTING ON PRIVATE LAND ON SUNDAY', to allow hunting on Sunday on private land with the written permission of the landowner. REF. ENVIRONMENT. SUPPORT. No Action Comm. Deadline.

Proposed H.B. No. 5798 AN ACT PROHIBITING THE UNREASONABLE CONFINEMENT AND TETHERING OF DOGS. Rep. Diana S. Urban, 43rd Dist.; Rep. Russell A. Morin, 28th Dist.; Rep. Paul Davis, 117th Dist.; Rep. Steve Fontana, 87th Dist.; Rep. Maryanne Hornish, 62nd Dist. To enhance public safety and canine welfare. REF. ENVIRONMENT. OPPOSE. PUBLIC HEARING. 02/09. Probable NEW Language. Drafted by Committee 03/17. No Action Comm. Deadline.

Proposed H.B. No. 5801 AN ACT PROHIBITING THE SALE OF DOGS OBTAINED FROM PUPPY MILLS. Rep. Auden Grogins, 129th Dist.; Rep. Maryanne Hornish, 62nd Dist. To promote the humane treatment and care of dogs that are bred for retail sale and to protect the consumer purchasing such dogs. REF. ENVIRONMENT. PUBLIC HEARING 02/09. No Action Comm. Deadline.

H.B. No. 5095 AN ACT CONCERNING DEFICIT MITIGATION FOR THE FISCAL YEAR ENDING JUNE 30, 2009. To reduce appropriated expenditures from the General Fund, to redirect resources from other funds into the General Fund and to make additional implementing changes necessary to mitigate the current year budget deficit. Suspend the FY 2009 transfer of $3 million from the Transportation Fund to the Conservation Fund and transfer to the General Fund”. Eliminates taxes collected from motorboat fuel taxes which DEP has been allocated for fisheries and boating improvement and would eliminate up to 30 positions. OPPOSE. More Info/Results.

Proposed H.B. No. 5274 REP. CONROY, 105th DIST. 'AN ACT WAIVING FISHING LICENSE FEES FOR VETERANS AND ACTIVE DUTY MILITARY PERSONNEL', to give free fishing licenses to veterans and active duty military personnel. REF. ENVIRONMENT. No Action Comm. Deadline.

Proposed H.B. No. 5470 REP. O'BRIEN, 24th DIST. 'AN ACT CONCERNING THE ISSUANCE OF FREE FISHING LICENSES FOR PHYSICALLY DISABLED PEOPLE', to require that any free sports fishing license issued to a person with a physical disability not identify the physical disability of the holder of such license. REF. ENVIRONMENT. PUBLIC HEARING 02/13. No Action Comm. Deadline.

Proposed H.B. No. 5506 REP. ROY, 119th DIST. 'AN ACT ALLOWING COMMERCIAL FISHING FOR STRIPED BASS', to help balance the diversity of sea life in Long Island Sound. REF. ENVIRONMENT. OPPOSE. RESERVED FOR SUBJECT MATTER PUBLIC HEARING. No Action Comm. Deadline.

Proposed H.B. No. 5803 REP. REYNOLDS, 42nd DIST. 'AN ACT PERMITTING RECREATIONAL SPEAR FISHING FOR STRIPED BASS', to allow recreational spear fishing for striped bass. REF. ENVIRONMENT. No Action Comm. Deadline.

Proposed S.B. No. 272 SEN. MAYNARD, 18th DIST. 'AN ACT PERMITTING SPEAR FISHING OR THE USE OF A GAFF FOR STRIPED BASS', to permit recreational spear fishing or gaffing of striped bass. REF. ENVIRONMENT. No Action Comm. Deadline.

S.B. No. 848 (RAISED) ENVIRONMENT. 'AN ACT APPROPRIATING FUNDS OF THE STATE TO CONTINUE THE LOBSTER RESTORATION PROGRAM ', to continue the state's lobster restoration program. REF. ENVIRONMENT. Public Hearing 03/04. Joint Favorable Change of Reference Appropriations 03/13. No Action Comm. Deadline.

Proposed H.B. No. 5206 REP. WILLIS, 64th DIST.; SEN. RORABACK, 30th DIST. 'AN ACT ESTABLISHING AN INLAND WATERS COMMERCIAL VESSEL OPERATOR'S LICENSE', to regulate the operation of commercial vessels on inland waters of the state. REF. ENVIRONMENT. PUBLIC HEARING 02/23. No Action Comm. Deadline.

Proposed H.B. No. 5276 REP. LEWIS, 8th DIST. 'AN ACT CONCERNING VESSEL REGISTRATION FEES', to allocate a greater percentage of vessel registration fees as partial compensation to certain municipalities as reimbursement for funds spent on boating safety patrols. REF. ENVIRONMENT. Referred to Finance, Revenue and Bonding. No Action Comm. Deadline.

Proposed H.B. No. 5471 REP. O'CONNOR, 35th DIST. 'AN ACT AUTHORIZING BONDS OF THE STATE FOR DREDGING', to authorize bonding for dredging in order to help maintain the viability of the state's marinas, marina services, ancillary businesses and commercial harbors. REF. ENVIRONMENT. RAISED 1/24. Public Hearing 02/06. No Action Comm. Deadline.

Proposed H. B. No. 5476 AN ACT CONCERNING THE SPEED OF VESSELS IN THE MYSTIC RIVER, WILLIAMS COVE, BEEBE COVE, WEST COVE AND PALMER COVE. Rep. Elissa T. Wright, 41st Dist.; Sen. Andrew M. Maynard, 18th Dist.; Rep. Diana S. Urban, 43rd Dist. To provide for better enforcement of vessel speed and ensure safety of marine operation in the Mystic River area. REF. ENVIRONMENT. Public Hearing 02/13. Vote to Draft 03/02. No Action Comm. Deadline.

Proposed H.B. No. 5505 REP. MILLER, 122nd DIST. 'AN ACT CONCERNING THE ALLOCATION OF CERTAIN BOATING FEES', to ensure that revenue from certain boating fees be directed to towns that bear the most burden. REF. ENVIRONMENT. Public Hearing 02/23. No Action Comm. Deadline.

H.B. No. 6160 (COMM) AN ACT CONCERNING RECIPROCAL AND CONCURRENT SANCTIONS FOR OPERATING A MOTOR VEHICLE OR A VESSEL WHILE UNDER THE INFLUENCE OF INTOXICATING LIQUOR OR ANY DRUG. To provide reciprocal and concurrent penalties for driving and boating under the influence. REF. JUDICIARY. Public Hearing 03/16. Joint Favorable Substitute 03/30. File Number 668. House Calendar Number 446. Referred by House to Committee on Appropriations 04/21.No Action

H.B. No. 6346 (RAISED) ENVIRONMENT. 'AN ACT CONCERNING THE REGULATION OF MARINE STRUCTURES', to require the Commissioner of Environmental Protection to adopt regulations concerning marine structures. REF. ENVIRONMENT. Public Hearing 03/04. No Action Comm. Deadline.

Proposed H.B. No. 5085 REP. ARESIMOWICZ, 30th DIST. 'AN ACT ELIMINATING PROPERTY TAXES ON RECREATION VEHICLES', to require owners of recreation vehicles to pay a registration fee rather than property tax on such vehicle. REF. Planning and Development. No Action Comm. Deadline.

Proposed H.B. No. 5110 REP. D'AMELIO, 71st DIST. 'AN ACT CONCERNING THE CREATION OF ATV TRAILS AND THE TRANSFER OF REGISTRATION FEES', to require the Commissioner of Environmental Protection to begin creating all-terrain vehicle trails no later than July 1, 2009, and to transfer the proceeds of all-terrain vehicle registration fees from the Commissioner of Motor Vehicles to the Commissioner of Environmental Protection for the creation of such trails. REF. ENVIRONMENT. No Action Comm. Deadline.

Proposed H.B. No. 5111 REP. D'AMELIO, 71st DIST. 'AN ACT INCREASING THE REGISTRATION FEE FOR ALL-TERRAIN VEHICLES', to increase the registration fee of all-terrain vehicles to thirty dollars annually, and to allocate the proceeds of such registration to the Department of Environmental Protection for the purpose of maintaining trails. REF. ENVIRONMENT. No Action Comm. Deadline.

Proposed H.B. No. 5137 REP. HOVEY, 112th DIST. 'AN ACT REQUIRING THE REGISTRATION OF ALL-TERRAIN VEHICLES', to require the registration of each all-terrain vehicle and to lower the registration fee to five dollars. REF. TRANSPORTATION. No Action Comm. Deadline.

Proposed H.B. No. 5148 REP. MEGNA, 97th DIST. 'AN ACT CONCERNING THE REHABILITATION OF ENDANGERED AND THREATENED WILDLIFE', to provide financial assistance to the Connecticut Wildlife Rehabilitators Association to help rehabilitate injured, orphaned, endangered and threatened wildlife. REF. ENVIRONMENT. No Action Comm. Deadline.

Proposed H.B. No. 5508 REP. MILLER, 122nd DIST. 'AN ACT CONCERNING THE OPERATION OF ALL-TERRAIN VEHICLES ON MUNICIPAL LAND', to authorize municipalities to impose fines, not to exceed one hundred dollars, for the unauthorized operation of all-terrain vehicles on municipal land, to permit municipalities to impound such vehicles for second and subsequent violations and, where a violator is under the age of sixteen, to impose such penalties on said violator's parents. REF. ENVIRONMENT. No Action Comm. Deadline.

Proposed H.B. No. 5647 REP. RYAN, 139th DIST. 'AN ACT ELIMINATING THE PROPERTY TAX ON RECREATIONAL VEHICLES', because RVs pay a registration tax, the property tax should be eliminated to treat them in the same way as boats and planes. REF. TRANSPORTATION. No Action Comm. Deadline.

Proposed H.B. No. 6006 REP. GIULIANO, 23rd DIST. 'AN ACT PROHIBITING THE SALE OR POSSESSION OF AN ELECTRONIC DEFENSE WEAPON', to prohibit the sale or possession of electronic defense weapons, with an exemption for police officers. REF. JUDICIARY. No Action Comm. Deadline.

Proposed H.B. No. 6052 REP. HENNESSY, 127th DIST. 'AN ACT BANNING THE PURCHASE, OWNERSHIP AND USE OF ALL STUN WEAPONS BY LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCIES', to prohibit the possession and use of electronic defense weapons such as stun guns and conductive energy devices by law enforcement agencies in this state. REF. PUBLIC SAFETY AND SECURITY. No Action Comm. Deadline.

Proposed H.B. No. 6112 Rep. Backer, 121st Dist. 'AN ACT PROHIBITING THE DISPOSAL OF MEDICATIONS BY HOSPITALS, NURSING HOMES AND OTHER INSTITUTIONS TO PUBLIC OR PRIVATE WASTE WATER TREATMENT FACILITIES',To prevent the disposal of medications to waste water treatment facilities so they do not pass through the aquatic environment and enter the food chain. REF. ENVIRONMENT. SUPPORT. Change of Reference to Committee on Public Health. No Action Comm. Deadline.

H.B. No. 6616 (RAISED) Public Health AN ACT ESTABLISHING WOOD SMOKE TO BE A PUBLIC NUISANCE. To require the Commissioner of Public Health to amend the Public Health Code to declare that certain wood smoke emissions shall constitute a public nuisance. Public Hearing 03/06. Joint Favorable 03/20. File Number 572. House Calendar Number 383. Referred by House to Committee on Environment 04/14. Motion Failed to JFS.

S. B. No. 783 (RAISED) AN ACT CONCERNING THE IMPORTATION OF ANIMALS FOR ADOPTION. REF. ENVIRONMENT. PUBLIC HEARING 02/09. JF Change of Reference Planning and Development 2/18 Motion Failed.