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Committee reserves sugar-sweetened beverage tax bill for public hearing after debate on farm impact
Summary
The Finance, Revenue and Bonding Committee voted to reserve Senate Bill 921 — a proposed tax on sugar‑sweetened beverages to fund school breakfast and lunch programs — for a subject matter public hearing after a roll-call vote of 23-10. A committee member warned the measure could have unintended consequences for farmers and products such as
The Finance, Revenue and Bonding Committee voted to reserve Senate Bill 921 for a subject matter public hearing following a roll-call vote of 23-10.
Committee discussion before the vote included a representative expressing concern about potential unintended consequences for the state’s farms and dairy products. “I think there could be some unintended consequences, with this piece of legislation, particularly as it results to the farm bureau. I think that, many folks in Connecticut have farms in their districts, and we're talking about a tax on sugary drinks that could mean something like chocolate milk,” the committee member said, and asked for a roll-call vote.
Senator Faro moved to reserve SB 921 for a subject matter public hearing; a representative seconded. The committee clerk called the roll and the motion passed 23-10. The committee chair said votes would be held open until 5 p.m. The committee also announced its first public hearing phase would begin on Feb. 26 at 11:00 a.m.
The bill was described in committee remarks as “an act imposing a tax on sugar sweetened beverages and dedicating the revenue generated to fund school breakfast and lunch programs.” Committee remarks did not include an agency fiscal note or an estimate of revenue raised; members asked for discussion in a hearing setting to examine consequences for farms, school nutrition funding, and product definitions such as flavored milks.
Reserving the bill sends SB 921 to a committee hearing where stakeholders, including farm groups and education and public health advocates, may present testimony and fiscal analyses.
