LobbyComply Blog

Connecticut General Assembly leaders announced legislative business will be postponed for another two weeks until April 13.

The legislative session was originally postponed until March 30, but since the last announcement one legislator has tested positive for COVID-19.

Lawmakers will reassess the situation the week of April 6 with the possibility of canceling the rest of the session.

This does not immediately affect lobbyist reporting.

Due to ongoing COVID-19 concerns, the Office of State Ethics announced a 30-day grace period for first quarter client lobbyist reports due on April 10.

Any client lobbyist unable to meet the April 10 deadline will have until May 10 to file their lobbyist activity reports.

During the public health emergency, the ethics office is available remotely and response times may be delayed.

Questions may be sent to lobbyist.ose@ct.gov.

On March 22, Gov. Ned Lamont signed Executive Order No. 7J to provide for rapid state government response to the public health and civil preparedness emergency.

The executive order authorizes Secretary of the Office of Policy and Management or the Commissioner of Administrative Services to take any action deemed necessary to expedite property transfers, assignments of space and leasing, or use of real property by the state required to respond to COVID-19.

Additionally, the executive order modifies Connecticut General Statutes sections 4-252, 9-612(f)(2)(E), and Executive Order 49.

The order requires disclosure of certain gifts and campaign contributions by state contractors and prospective state contractors for state contracts over $50,000.

The order also modifies the requirements for competitive solicitations for certain state purchases and contracts.

Gov. Lamont issued the executive order to facilitate transfers of medical equipment donated or for sale to the state to battle the spread of the coronavirus.

The executive order is in effect for the duration of the public health and civil preparedness emergency, unless modified or terminated by the governor.

On March 19, Gov. Ned Lamont signed Executive Order No. 7G to reschedule the presidential primary election for April 28 to Tuesday, June 2.

The election was rescheduled due to the ongoing public health crisis caused by COVID-19.

The executive order is the governor’s eighth since enacting the civic preparedness and public health emergency declarations to slow down transmission of the coronavirus.

On March 11, Gov. Ned Lamont declared a public health emergency and civil preparedness emergency in effect through September 9, unless terminated earlier.

Legislative leaders also announced the closure of the Capitol complex.

Additionally, meetings for Thursday, March 12, through Sunday, March 15, are canceled.

The closure allows the Capitol and Legislative Office Building to be cleaned due to concerns with the coronavirus.

The General Assembly will return to Hartford on Monday, March 16, to reschedule the canceled meetings.

They will also discuss legislation proposed by the governor for an emergency relief package, and to prevent price-gouging during times of emergencies.

The closure does not immediately affect lobbyist reporting.

The Connecticut General Assembly is scheduled to convene for a special session on December 18.

The special legislative session is to vote on issues regarding a hospital tax settlement and a restaurant workers wage bill.

Gov. Ned Lamont and the Legislature also agreed to convene a special session in early January to address a bonding bill and a long-term infrastructure plan.

Gov. Ned Lamont announced a special election on January 21, 2020 for House District 151.

The seat for House District 151 was vacated earlier this week by Rep. Fred Camillo after being elected first selectman of Greenwich in November.

The winner of the special election will complete the remaining year of Camillo’s term.

Gov. Ned Lamont announced a special election on January 14, 2020, to fill two vacancies in the House of Representatives.

House District 48 was most recently held by Rep. Linda Orange who passed away due to pancreatic cancer.

Rep. Brenda Kupchick resigned from the House District 132 seat on November 22 to assume office as chief elected official of Fairfield.

On July 22, the Connecticut General Assembly convened and adjourned a special session.

During the special session lawmakers passed Senate Bill 1210 authorizing state grant commitments for school building projects.

Senate Bill 1210 also made changes to the procurement processes for school building construction, architectural services, and construction management services.

The bill was signed on July 23 by Gov. Ned Lamont and most passages went into effect immediately.

However, changes to the procurement processes become effective on July 1, 2020.

The Connecticut General Assembly adjourned sine die on June 5.

During the five-month legislative session lawmakers failed to pass bills concerning the code of ethics, lobbyist transparency, and dark money disclosure and regulation.

Gov. Lamont thanked the Legislature for approving legislation to accelerate the deployment of high-speed wireless technology throughout the state.

The monthly employer activity report required any month the General Assembly is in regular session is due July 10.

Gov. Ned Lamont announced a special election for May 7, to fill a state representative vacancy in House District 130.

The seat became vacant following the passing of State Rep. Ezequiel Santiago on March 15.

The winner of the special election will serve the remainder of Santiago’s term through 2020.

Gov. Ned Lamont announced a special election on April 16 for House District 19.

The seat was vacated by the resignation of Derek Slap who won the special election for Senate District 5.

The winner will serve the remainder of Slap’s term until 2020.

Gov. Ned Lamont issued writs on Friday to set February 26 as the date for special elections to fill five vacancies.

The 3rd, 5th, and 6th Senate Districts as well as the 39th and 99th House Districts became vacant earlier this week when five members of the General Assembly resigned in order to accept jobs in Lamont’s administration.

There will be no primary elections to choose the nominees.

Five Connecticut lawmakers have accepted jobs in Gov. Ned Lamont’s administration and have resigned from the General Assembly.

State Representatives Chris Soto and James Albis as well as Senators Beth Bye, Terry Gerrantana, and Tim Larson submitted their resignations to the secretary of state this week.

Gov. Lamont has 10 days to announce special elections to fill each vacancy.