RiverCOG discusses state bills; Estuary Transit District warns HB 5506 staffing changes are disrupting service

During the meeting RiverCOG staff reviewed several state bills the council is tracking and asked members to submit testimony where appropriate. Sam Gold and Susie Beckman summarized the office's positions on housing, tax and transportation bills and encouraged member towns to engage with committee hearings.

Sam Gold said RiverCOG submitted testimony opposing House Bill 5502, which would allow housing in industrial areas, arguing that industrial land comprises a small share of regional land and that permitting residential uses in industrial parks could displace industry. He also said RiverCOG filed opposition to provisions of House Bill 5507 that, in staff's view, would set an unusually large minimum size for accessory dwelling units and would render some deed restrictions unenforceable.

Susie Beckman said RiverCOG is monitoring several measures, including a proposal to reallocate part of a 1% meal tax to towns and a bill to restore certain tribal hunt‑fund uses; she also noted an environment committee bill on rapid response for aquatic invasive species.

A major focus of the discussion was House Bill 5506, which would classify transit district employees as municipal employees under the Connecticut family and medical leave law. Sam said RiverCOG supports the bill and encouraged municipalities to submit testimony in support. Joe Cmerford, representing the Estuary Transit District (ETD), described how the state FMLA classification has affected operations: "we serve the most vulnerable people ... low‑income workers, seniors, people with disabilities that can't get to work, can't get to medical appointments," he said, and added that staffing shortages have forced service reductions. Cmerford said that in the first year after employees became eligible for state FMLA, "eight out of 53 full‑time bus operators" at ETD were on paid leave at various times, and several were out for extended periods.

Cmerford urged members to submit supportive testimony; he said he planned to appear at the committee hearing that afternoon but noted he was registered deep in the speaker list. Members warned the legislative intent may be to extend coverage broadly and urged continued outreach and coordination with Connecticut Conference of Municipalities (CCM) and COST.

There were no formal votes on the state bills in the meeting; staff said committees are finishing hearings and budgets are due in early April (short session timing), and that RiverCOG would circulate its bill tracker and submitted testimony links.