House committee advances House Bill 5002 despite concerns over lack of content

The Finance Revenue & Bonding Committee of the Connecticut State Legislature convened on May 5, 2025, to discuss several key legislative items, notably House Bill 5002. The meeting began with a motion to advance the bill to the floor, proposed by Senator Fonfair and seconded by Representative Farrar.

During the discussion, Rick Paletta expressed his support for the bill, acknowledging its current status as a "dummy bill" with limited content. He emphasized the importance of bipartisan collaboration to address housing issues in Connecticut. Paletta noted his commitment to working with Majority Leader Rojas to refine the bill in the coming weeks.

Representative Better Fazio raised concerns about the necessity of passing a bill that lacks substantive content, especially given the numerous housing-related proposals already under consideration. He questioned the rationale behind introducing another placeholder bill without clear objectives, stating his intention to vote against it while remaining open to future collaboration.

Representative Ricigliano echoed Fazio's sentiments, expressing confusion over why the bill was being discussed in the finance committee without a fiscal note. He highlighted the challenges of voting on a bill that does not currently outline any financial implications.

Representative Zastoski also voiced concerns, pointing out that without a fiscal note, the bill could lead to automatic approval of costs or revenue losses, effectively granting a "blank check." He indicated his opposition to the bill for this reason.

After the discussion, the committee proceeded to a roll call vote on the motion to advance House Bill 5002 to the floor. The meeting concluded without a clear consensus on the bill's merits, reflecting ongoing debates about the best approach to address housing challenges in the state. The committee's next steps remain to be determined as discussions continue.