Committee advances ethics, FOIA, unclaimed property and election equipment measures; votes at a glance

The Government Administration and Elections Committee held roll-call votes and advanced several bills and a resolution to the floor on measures involving the state code of ethics, Freedom of Information Act exemptions, unclaimed property rules, municipal charter referendum language and voting equipment transfers.

Senate Bill 1430 (Office of State Ethics recommendations) was moved and seconded for JF to the floor. Committee members recorded their votes by roll call and the motion carried. Committee discussion was limited; the measure updates conflict-of-interest provisions and changes to statements of financial interest as recommended by the Office of State Ethics.

Senate Bill 1433 would exempt residential addresses of employees of the Office of the Attorney General from disclosure under the Freedom of Information Act. Testimony from assistant attorney generals at a prior hearing said they are often the only courtroom participants whose home addresses might be exposed by FOIA requests; the bill adds a limited list of state employees whose home addresses would be exempt. The committee moved SB 1433 to the floor by roll call; the motion carried.

Senate Bill 1434 (LCO 6292), implementing the treasurer's recommendations on unclaimed property, was moved to JF with substitute language that, among other revisions, changes a statutory 50-year reference to 75 years for funeral service contracts after public hearing testimony from funeral directors. Senator Sampson spoke in support and said this is part of ongoing work to improve the state's unclaimed property portal. The committee voted to advance SB 1434.

House Joint Resolution 11, commemorating the 26th anniversary of the Connecticut–Taiwan sister-state relationship, was moved to the floor with no substantive debate and passed by roll call.

House Bill 7125, concerning referenda on revisions to municipal charters and home rule ordinances, was advanced after proponents narrowed the earlier, broader proposal; sponsors said the bill aims to make referendum questions clearer to municipal voters.

House Bill 7129 would allow the transfer to municipal officials of voting tabulators and the accessories purchased by the Secretary of the State; sponsors said this mirrors arrangements used after the prior acquisition of tabulators. The committee moved HB 7129 to the floor.

All motions listed above were approved by roll call in committee. (See actions list for motion text, movers, seconds and recorded committee votes.)